“The SuperCar Showdown will be a drag racing series unlike any other,” ADRL President Tim McAmis stated. “And the rules for the class are the result of exhaustive research and analysis of dozens of production car platform, engine and transmission combinations from more than seventy manufacturers. Our goal was to embrace not only current technology but the equipment now being designed which will change all of motorsports in the coming years.”

Longtime ADRL broadcast personality Bret Kepner admitted many exotic vehicles, both domestic and global, were not previously permitted to compete in any production drag racing class.

“In fact,” said Kepner, “many of the rules for the new SuperCar Showdown have never been included in any drag racing rulebook for production vehicles. Even the terminology in the regulations, with the ADRL’s inclusion of Variable Valve Actuation systems, Variable Geometry Turbines and semi-automatic transmissions, indicates a progressive approach to production vehicles previously unknown in drag racing.”

One of the most revolutionary aspects of the SuperCar Showdown will be the total acceptance of computer control systems available from each vehicle manufacturer.

“Within these regulations, we can restrict the hardware to the original equipment available on the car,” said Kepner, “but we have no plans to inhibit the electronic manipulation of the software within the production systems. In that aspect alone, the rules are far beyond any of those previously associated with the sport.”

Chris Bell, the ADRL‘s Director of Technical Services, noted the new SuperCar Showdown guidelines meet and often exceed current SFI Foundation specifications for production drag racing machines.

“Of course, safety was our priority in the creation of the rules,” stated Bell, “but understanding the use of composite materials and the unique construction features in many of these cars was imperative to the success of those rules. After exploring all the equipment options available from the manufacturers of these cars, we came up with regulations which, quite frankly, are radically different from what production car drag racers have seen in the past.”

SuperCar Showdown consultant and competitor liaison Jeff Teuton has been shocked by the number of racers attempting to become among the first in what will be a limited field at the ADRL’s season-opening event, CarSafe Dragpalooza VIII, at Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, Texas, on March 30-31.

“We’ve had a lot of response from Ford Cobra Jet Mustang and Dodge Challenger DragPak racers,” said Teuton, “but now we’re getting interest from racers with the supercharged ZR1 Corvettes and the supercharged ZL1 Camaros from Chevrolet. There are already a few teams preparing cars from Nissan and a few of the European manufacturers, too.”

The complete rules and regulations for the ADRL SuperCar Showdown can be viewed at http://www.ADRL.us/competition/rules. Competitors requesting information for any of the 2012 ADRL National Events can contact ADRL Director of Technical Services Chris Bell at Click here to reveal email address.
The ADRL has also launched a FaceBook page dealing specifically with news, information and discussion of the SuperCar Showdown Series at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1641667859&ref=tn_tnmn#!/pages/ADRL-SuperCar-Showdown-Series/329368400438045?sk=wall

Not at all surprisingly, it comes out of the RJ Race Cars shop in Galesburg, Illinois, with nitrous-injected Reher & Morrison power under the hood.

“I’m very excited for our new 2012 Camaro. There has been a lot of talk about this body and we’re expecting good things,” Jones said. “I’m anxious to get it finished and see what it can do in testing.

“After finishing 8th in the Pro Nitrous points last year, and breaking into the 3.70s, and running incredible.920s 60ft times, we have high expectations for the 2012 season, and are really looking forward to being at the track again, having fun, winning races, and representing Summit Racing Equipment.”

Richie Stevens (Photo by Ian Tocher; Click to enlarge)

The American Drag Racing League (ADRL) has always prided itself on interaction between its fans and competitors. In 2012, CarSafe and CarSafe Motorsports will help take that interaction to the next level.

CarSafe and CarSafe Motorsports announced Feb. 20, the introduction of the “CarSafe Elite Hero Challenge,” which will give one lucky driver the opportunity to win a grand prize of $10,000. Fans will be able to vote all season for their favorite driver at www.CarSafeEliteHeroes.com, and the driver who earns the most votes over the course of the highly-anticipated 2012 ADRL Tour will win the first CarSafe Elite Hero Challenge Trophy and the $10,000 prize.

CarSafe, which is the Official Extended Vehicle Service Contract Provider of the ADRL and an ADRL sponsor for the third year, is excited about the interest the challenge will create.

“The fans who attend ADRL races are some of the best of any sport,” CarSafe Owner Mark Eckman said. “CarSafe is always looking for fun new ways to interact and we want to contribute to the growing popularity of the ADRL and its drivers.”

Drivers won’t be the only participants with an opportunity to take home a variety of prizes. Just by voting, fans will automatically be entered to win an Apple iPad, a 50-inch Samsung plasma TV or a vacation package for four.

Fans will be encouraged to vote for their favorite driver at www.CarSafeEliteHeroes.com spanning the 2012 ADRL season, which runs from the season-opening CarSafe Dragpalooza VIII in Houston on March 30-31 through the World Finals VIII in Dallas on Oct. 19-20. The driver with the most votes will then win a trophy and $10,000 check.

Drivers who participate in the “CarSafe Elite Hero Challenge” will be given hero cards provided by CarSafe and all drivers are required to sign autographs in the CarSafe Elite Hero Booth for 30-45 minutes during each race weekend on the 2012 ADRL Tour, which spans 10 events at many of the nation’s most prestigious tracks. All participants must also display CarSafe decals on their race vehicle.

“This is an amazing program that CarSafe has put together and it will really give all ADRL fans a choice to let their voice be heard and win some great prizes in the process,” ADRL Executive Vice President Jeff Fortune said. “This is a remarkable sign of support for the ADRL and its drivers and we applaud CarSafe for this ‘Elite Hero Challenge.’”

Drivers who want to enter the “CarSafe Elite Hero Challenge” should e-mail Sam@MarketingforMotorsports.com or call (626) SJN-GLBL for more details. Teams requesting CarSafe-provided Hero Cards should send two photos and any info to be included along with the e-mail.

Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville will host the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals presented by NAPAFilters.com Mar. 8-11, the third stop in the 23-race NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. One of NHRA’s “major” events, the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals presented by NAPAFilters.com serves as the East Coast opener for the series featuring Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and the season-opener for Pro Stock Motorcycle.

In 2012, NHRA will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the sport’s first 300 mph pass, which took place at the historic track in 1992. Making a special appearance at the event to commemorate the feat considered by many as the one of the greatest accomplishments in the sport will be NHRA legend and the first driver to go 300 mph, Kenny Bernstein.

Besides holding naming rights to Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville, the company also serves as title-rights sponsor of the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa., and is the official auto parts store of Atlanta Dragway, also an NHRA owned and operated facility, and Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

“In a short period of time, Uni-Select USA and its Auto-Plus brand have truly embraced the value of association with NHRA,” said John Siragusa, senior director of sales and business development, NHRA.

The naming rights sponsorship affords Auto-Plus with significant signage at the historic facility, which has hosted an NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event for 42 years, as well as hospitality privileges for business associates and customers.   For all the exciting events scheduled at Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville, log on to www.autoplusraceway.com.

“Our strategic relationship with NHRA exceeded our expectations in 2011,” said Brent Windom, Uni-Select vice president North American Marketing and Product Development.  “NHRA fans are incredibly loyal to companies that build their brand through drag racing, and our sponsorships help us strengthen our relationships with professional technicians and DIYers across the country.  Gainesville Raceway is one of NHRA’s leading facilities, and we are pleased to announce this long-term agreement.”

(Photos courtesy Pete Berner Racing; Click to enlarge)

Pete Berner’s sharp new Summit Racing Equipment ZL1 Camaro might have you thinking he’s ready for a “comeback” tour, which isn’t far from the truth. The flashy RJ Race Cars-built ride, featuring paint by SD Enterprises, is reminiscent of Berner’s familiar look from earlier in his Pro Stock career when he captured his first world championship (IHRA, 2006).

Not that Berner has ever been out of the picture in top Pro Stock competition, but this year he’s hoping not to be just a contender, but to set the bar for the ADRL Extreme Pro Stock class.

“I couldn’t be more excited about this car,” Berner said. “GOS Motorsports Graphics did a fantastic job on the design, mixing my nostalgic colors with the familiar Summit red and blue. Rick, Rickie and the crew at RJ Race Cars did a phenomenal job, as did Steve Dekkenga and his group at SD Enterprises. The detail is awesome. I think the car truly speaks for itself. I know our Summit fans are going to love this ride.

“Last season we weren’t running like I expect of myself. I’m a very goal-oriented individual and this season my goals are to fix our issues from last year. In some ways, we were the pursuer last year. We’re ready to return to being the one that everyone else is trying to run down.”

The piece of nostalgia featured in the Camaro’s color scheme might be the only heritage part of the car, however, as much of the new Extreme Pro Stock machine is equipped with chassis and engine innovations that Berner hopes will pave the way for the next generation of XPS racing.

“Rick worked very closely with us on some new innovations in the building of this chassis. As teammates this upcoming season, we’re going to continue to work closely in testing these items and others.”

“Pete’s car was our first Pro Stock 2012 Camaro,” added Rick Jones of RJ Race Cars. “I think it’s so cool to see the Chevy Camaro come back to Pro Stock. We put a lot of effort in this car; we are trying a few new things we have found lately. We are excited to see how it runs; my expectations are very high.”

Continued page 2 …

Todd Robertson

Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation today announced that Todd Robertson and his Pro Power Motorsports team will debut their Eaton-sponsored National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Top Alcohol Funny Car at the Detroit Autorama, February 24-26, 2012, at Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan.

With Eaton as its major sponsor in 2012, Pro Power Motorsports will use the most attended event in America’s Premier Customer Car Series to showcase its readiness for one of NHRA’s most competitive classes.

Robertson’s Chevrolet Monte Carlo features numerous Eaton products, such as Aeroquip® performance hose and fittings for fuel, oil and brake lines and Synflex® tubing and fittings for fuel management. It is also equipped with toggle switches from Eaton for electrical controls and data acquisition. In addition, the Eaton-backed Flopper features graphics and paint applied by Dan Carpenter and 21^st Century Collision, a Brad Hadman chassis, and a 3,000-plus-horsepower blown hemi.

Robertson, who is based in Harrison Township, Michigan, said the Detroit Autorama is a natural venue to unveil his new Top Alcohol Funny Car.

“The Detroit area is all about hot rods, muscle cars, horsepower and some of the biggest names in motorsports, and it’s where I caught the motor-head bug growing up,” said Robertson, who earned his first series championship in 2010. “That’s why the Autorama is the perfect place to debut our Eaton-sponsored leap into the NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car ranks.”

“Eaton is excited to support Todd in the sportsman-class ranks, which uses more Eaton products than any other segment of drag racing,” said Eaton’s Mike Rasnick, sales manager—Aeroquip Performance Products. “Pro Power Motorsports will place Eaton products front and center among our most loyal repeat customers.”

Antron Brown (Photo courtesy NHRA/National Dragster; Click to enlarge)

Antron Brown raced to his first win of the season in Top Fuel as racing came to an end Feb. 19, at the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway. Robert Hight and Jason Line were also winners in their respective categories at the second of 23 races in the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing season.

Brown held off fellow Don Schumacher Racing teammate Tony Schumacher in the final round when he powered his Matco Tools dragster to a 3.793-second pass at 319.82 mph. It was Brown’s first win of the season in his second consecutive final round appearance. It was also his 32nd career win, with 16 wins in Top Fuel and 16 wins in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

“It was an incredible day,” said Brown. “The competition in Top Fuel now, pound for pound, is like a 324 mph Pro Stock class. Even though the odds were against us, we dug down deep and believed in our Matco Tools boys. We took it one round at a time and really had to battle with these guys. Making it to the final round for the second race in a row is a real huge statement. But it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish especially when the Countdown gets tight.”

The win moved Brown to the top spot in the Top Fuel standings, 32 points ahead of second-place Schumacher, who continued his winless streak to eight final round appearances. Schumacher’s last win came in Las Vegas in Oct. 2010. Fellow Don Schumacher Racing teammate Spencer Massey sits third after his second round appearance.

In Funny Car, Hight powered his Auto Club Ford Mustang past fellow John Force Racing teammate Mike Neff when he posted a 4.139 at 307.07 in the final round. It was Hight’s first win at Firebird International Raceway and 24th win of his career.

“It’s pretty exciting two weekends in a row having all-John Force Fords in the final,” said Hight. “You have to cherish that because you know that’s not going to keep happening. It’s tough to do. What’s really cool is I got in that Traxxas (Nitro) Shootout. When they show you the rules and there’s seven guaranteed in there – the first seven winners – that isn’t that easy. There’s a lot of good Funny Cars out here, so to get it this early, it’s a little relief.”

With the win Hight moved to second in the point standings behind teammate Neff. Team owner John Force sits third in the point standings, four points behind Hight. Force fell first round to daughter Courtney Force, who went on to her first career semifinal appearance.

Defending Pro Stock world champion Line held off fellow KB Racing teammate Greg Anderson to secure his first win of the season. Line drove his Summit Racing Pontiac GXP to a 6.558 at 211.69 past Anderson to secure his 28th career win and first at Firebird International Raceway.

“This is a great start,” said Line. “I felt like I had the best car at both races, but we just didn’t get the job done in Pomona. This was the first off-season we’ve had in a while without any tragedies, and I think it shows in how we’ve started off the year. All in all, it was a great day and a great weekend.”

With the win Line moved to second in the point standings, one point behind leader Anderson who made his second consecutive final round appearance of the season. Recent runner-up finisher Jeg Coughlin sits fifth in the point standings after his first round loss to Line.

The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series will return March 8-11 for the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals presented by NapaFilters.com.

CHANDLER, Ariz. — Final round-by-round results from the 28th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway, the second of 23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series:

TOP FUEL

ROUND ONE – Morgan Lucas, 3.832, 307.72 def. Khalid alBalooshi, 3.808, 318.17; Doug Kalitta, 3.828, 321.96 def. Bob Vandergriff, 3.874, 315.86; Antron Brown, 3.805, 321.96 def. Terry McMillen, 4.197, 219.19; Steve Torrence, 3.801, 322.04 def. Brandon Bernstein, 3.794, 319.75; Shawn Langdon, 3.770, 321.58 def. Troy Buff, 3.936, 302.82; Tony Schumacher, 3.770, 323.12 def. Mike Strasburg, 4.217, 208.91; Spencer Massey, 3.769, 325.37 def. Cory McClenathan, 3.964, 255.73; Clay Millican, 3.861, 314.31 def. David Grubnic, 4.817, 150.11

QUARTERFINALS — Millican, 3.838, 317.87 def. Torrence, 3.796, 318.99; Langdon, 3.791, 318.39 def. Lucas, 4.508, 174.32; Schumacher, 3.819, 315.12 def. Kalitta, 3.856, 307.65; Brown, 3.888, 287.47 def. Massey, 3.987, 262.74

SEMIFINALS – Schumacher, 3.797, 317.57 def. Millican, 8.924, 83.46; Brown, 3.832, 313.51 def. Langdon, 6.072, 106.18;

FINAL – Brown, 3.793, 319.82 def. Schumacher, 3.813, 318.17.

FUNNY CAR

ROUND ONE — Jeff Arend, Toyota Solara, 4.117, 308.64 def. Jim Head, Solara, 5.417, 139.86; Mike Neff, Ford Mustang, 4.072, 309.13 def. Bob Bode, Chevy Impala, 5.960, 143.75; Johnny Gray, Dodge Charger, 4.084, 310.34 def. Grant Downing, Charger, 4.422, 217.28; Todd Lesenko, Impala, 4.264, 266.79 def. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.325, 293.92; Courtney Force, Mustang, 4.146, 307.30 def. John Force, Mustang, 7.364, 91.30; Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.090, 308.57 def. Tony Pedregon, Impala, 4.179, 304.53; Ron Capps, Charger, 4.162, 301.13 def. Cruz Pedregon, Solara, 4.210, 274.33; Robert Hight, Mustang, 4.095, 308.85 def. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.157, 302.28

QUARTERFINALS — Hight, 4.613, 241.97 def. Gray, DQ; Beckman, 4.172, 282.24 def. Arend, 4.322, 294.43; Neff, 4.264, 246.75 def. Capps, 7.000, 90.68; C. Force, 4.099, 306.95 def. Lesenko, 7.073, 93.02

SEMIFINALS – Neff, 4.099, 306.74 def. Beckman, 4.129, 301.60; Hight, 4.158, 304.32 def. C. Force, 4.199, 299.93

FINAL – Hight, 4.139, 307.02 def. Neff, 4.168, 309.91.

PRO STOCK

ROUND ONE – Rodger Brogdon, Pontiac GXP, 6.617, 209.98 def. Ron Krisher, GXP, 7.125, 140.23; Erica Enders, Chevy Cobalt, 6.581, 210.54 def. Steve Kent, GXP, 8.753, 108.86; Larry Morgan, Ford Mustang, 6.581, 209.72 def. Allen Johnson, Dodge Avenger, 6.598, 210.97; Vincent Nobile, Avenger, 6.571, 211.26 def. Shane Gray, GXP, 7.003, 158.82; Greg Stanfield, GXP, 6.623, 209.20 def. Ronnie Humphrey, GXP, 6.592, 210.93; Mike Edwards, GXP, 6.567, 210.73 def. Warren Johnson, GXP, 6.634, 208.39; Jason Line, GXP, 6.549, 211.56 def. Jeg Coughlin, Avenger, 7.078, 156.92; Greg Anderson, GXP, 6.555, 210.83 def. Kurt Johnson, GXP, 6.618, 209.52

QUARTERFINALS – Stanfield, 6.636, 207.85 def. Morgan, 11.083, 77.23; Brogdon, 6.640, 208.68 def. Edwards, 14.908, 53.63; Anderson, 6.569, 211.39 def. Nobile, foul; Line, 6.561, 211.36 def. Enders, 6.610, 209.10

SEMIFINALS — Anderson, 6.590, 210.21 def. Brogdon, 6.632, 208.36; Line, 6.556, 211.23 def. Stanfield, 6.618, 208.68;

FINAL – Line, 6.558, 211.69 def. Anderson, 6.570, 211.06.

CHANDLER, Ariz. — Sportsman  final results from the 28th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway. The race is the second of 23 in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series:

Super Stock – Dan Fletcher, Chevy Camaro, 9.376, 144.04  def. Ken Etter, Plymouth Shadow, 10.166, 128.60.

Stock Eliminator — Leo Glassbrenner, Pontiac Firebird, 10.571, 116.81  def. Brad Hawk, Ford Mustang, 12.671, 103.00.

Super Comp – Greg Boutte, Dragster, 8.898, 174.71  def. Steve Whitfield, Dragster, foul.

Super Gas – Michael Miller, ’27 Ford, 14.757, 84.36  def. Ed DeStaute, Chevy Corvette, broke.

Super Street — Ray Dew, Chevy Nova, 10.874, 128.63  def. Ryan Herem, Chevy Camaro, 10.867, 132.65.

Top Dragster – Tom Koenen, Dragster, 7.090, 189.39  def. JR Lobner, Dragster, 6.824, 196.99.

Top Sportsman – J Wayne Silvia, Chevy Cavalier, 11.560, 101.09  def. Ted Carli, Chevy Cobalt, broke.

Robert Hight (Photo courtesy NHRA/National Dragster; Click to enlarge)

Robert Hight and the Auto Club Ford Mustang raced into the record books extending a number of personal best streaks today winning the 28^th annual Arizona NHRA Nationals in a great all John Force Racing final round against teammate Mike Neff.

In the final Hight’s Ford Mustang outran Neff’s Castrol GTX backed Mustang 4.139 seconds to 4.168 seconds, in the first all-JFR final round at Firebird Raceway. Until today, no other JFR driver other than John Force had won at Phoenix and he had won eight times.

“I’ll be honest with you. We did not have a chance if Mike Neff was running like he was running all day. I am not sure what kind of a problem he had on that last run but Jimmy just made it go down the left lane. We picked it up a little from the round before,” said Hight. “We were having trouble out there because there was a little bump that just upset our car because that was right where we were giving it some clutch. I’ll be honest I would not have bet on a 4.13 beating Neff in the final.”

Robert Hight (Photos courtesy JFR/Ron Lewis Photography; Click to enlarge)

Hight has appeared in two previous finals at Firebird Raceway losing to Tony Pedregon in 2007 and then to Jack Beckman in 2008. Today’s win was the 24^th of Hight’s career in 38 final round appearance. He has won at least one race every year of his career. This is the 16th different tour event Robert has won and it’s the 14^th different track on which he has won. In the last two rounds Hight was relegated to the trickier left lane.

“I have been to the final here a couple times but I never got the job done. This is big. We had some runs going over there that could have run 4.07 but they weren’t good enough to run that. Those bumps (in the left lane) were just tricky. I had to pedal it second round. We slowed it down against Courtney (Force) in the semis and we got by her. It wasn’t a great run but we got by her to get into the final. Going into the final (crew chief) Jimmy (Prock) said he was going to pick it up a little more but he didn’t want to give it away. I honestly thought Neff in that right lane would run 4.07 or go low like he has been doing. That has been a tough, tough car.”

This was also the second straight week Neff has posted quick time 4.072 seconds and top speed 309.91 only to lose in the final. Last week at the O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals it was 4.036 seconds and 316.97. This is also the first time JFR has been 1-2-3 in points in the Funny Car standings.

Coming into the race Neff and Hight both have been runner-ups at Phoenix but neither had won. Hight now has a 2-0 final round record over his teammate winning today and Topeka last year which was JFR’s 200^th Funny Car national event win. This is the second straight year the two have raced at Phoenix. Neff won in the first round last year. HIght equaled his round win record at 6-6 with Neff.

This was the 37th all-JFR Funny Car final and this is just the third time that JFR drivers have opposed one another in consecutive final rounds. The last time that happened was 2001 when Tony Pedregon beat John Force at Englishtown, N.J., on May 20 and then next week (May 27) beat him again in the final round at Topeka, Kan. The only other time that there have been consecutive all-JFR finals was 1996 and again it was Force versus Tony. Force won both times, on Aug. 4 at Seattle, Wash., and on Aug. 18 at Brainerd, Minn.

Hight qualified No. 8 and had to outrun Bob Tasca III in the opening round He survived a close tire-smoking battle with the No. 1 qualifier Johnny Gray to advance to the semi-finals.

In the semi-finals he had to race teammate Courtney Force who in addition to being one of the favorites for the Auto Club Road to the Future Award, as NHRA rookie of the year has a tremendously consistent race car.

“If she keeps this pace going next race she will be in the finals. She is doing a great job. It is not as much fun having to race your teammate knowing that they can step up and run good. She had lane choice against me and she had run 4.09 the round before. We knew we couldn’t run 4.09 against her. I asked Jimmy to just make it go, let’s just see what happens. Luckily it worked out. She is doing a great job. She is loving it. I can tell you right now she is ready to go to Gainesville.”

After winning against Courtney, Hight was eager to get to the final with another teammate, Neff.

“This is a good comeback for us. It was pretty exciting watching Neff run 4.09 right in front of us. Seeing him get to the final guaranteed an all JFR final. It is two Ford Mustangs in the final just like Pomona. I am glad we were not out in the first round and we are racing in the final. It is going to be a great race between Neff and I. We’ll see what happens.”

By getting his first win of 2012 Hight qualified for the inaugural Traxxas Nitro Shootout. Knowing that the first seven slots could be locked up by race winners Hight wanted to ensure his Auto Club Ford Mustang was one of those seven race cars sooner rather than later.

“It is pretty exciting two weekends in a row having all John Force Racing Fords in the final. You have to cherish that because you know that is not going to keep happening. It is so tough to do. What is really cool is I got in the Traxxas Shootout. When they show you the rules and there are seven guaranteed spots for seven winners. That isn’t that easy. There are a lot of good Funny Cars out here. To get it this early that is a little bit of a relief,” said Hight.

This was the second final in a row for Neff and his only consolation today was he will leave with the Full Throttle Funny Car points lead. Neff now has led the points after 16 of the last 23 races. He led for the first time after last year’s NHRA Tire Kingdom Gatornationals which was the second race of the year.

Neff’s route to the final round started when he dispatched Bob Bode in the first round, then Ron Capps and Jack Beckman in consecutive rounds. After the final round Neff was philosophical about the day’s results.

“All in all, anytime you go to the final it’s a good day; especially to be leaving here with the points lead. That’s always a good thing, but still I’m frustrated with letting one slip away last week and then I feel like I let this one slip away here too. It was a good opportunity to win the race today,” said Neff. “Our car has been running great and to just have it not do what we wanted it to and shake and I had to peddle it an just barely lose it, you know, it’s frustrating. We want to win, we work hard, but on the positive side we’ve had two races with two Force cars in each of the finals. We’re definitely satisfied with that. We’re happy about it. We’re just a little frustrated that we haven’t won either of those two, but we’ll just keep on keepin’ on.”

In the most anticipated first round match-up of the day Courtney Force outran her father John Force and moved to the second round for the second race in a row. For Force the first round loss on the heels of his season opening win at the Winternationals was bittersweet.

“I went through it with Ashley. There is just a difference in emotion. You love your kids. You want them to do well. I want her to do well for her sponsor Traxxas. I had the points lead which I haven’t had in a while. I just choked it out there. The car dropped a cylinder. It wasn’t going to run anyway no matter what I did,” said Force. “You have to get your energy up every run. It is hard to get in that fight mode where you want to drill the competition; it is hard to get that way against your family. No matter how hard I try.”

The first round was the third consecutive time the pair had gone down the track side by side and each lap had a little bit of playful drama according to the veteran Force.

“Yesterday she had flickered the light on me and in the next session I flickered the light on her. I don’t do it to screw her up. If I screw her up and hurt her as a driver then I could have sponsor problems. I don’t want to screw her up. When I did it I wanted her to see what it was like. I’ll be honest it distracted me a little bit in the first session yesterday. When I rolled in her light flickered and instead of thinking ‘OK, whatever,’ like I would have against another driver and I’d have gone on in. With her I was like is she screwed up. I didn’t think she was screwing with me. I thought, ‘Was is she in trouble?’ What she may not realize is if you don’t light that bulb and the tree comes down you won’t get a time. I remember I was thinking get her in there, get her in there. That was in qualifying so I went back against her in the second session so she could see it from my side.”

In the first round race the student took her shot at the master and waited for the 15-time champ to stage which is highly unusual for any driver to attempt. Force traditionally has a habit of staging second.

“She doesn’t seem to be bothered by much. Even up there staging I asked her what took her so long to get in. She told me she knows that I sit. She said everybody told her that. I told her OK so this early in the game we are sitting. She said no I was just going to go in and let you go in. She is not losing her focus with all that thinking.  She is probably smarter than me. She is like her mom that way,” said Force through a broad smile.

The youngest Force qualified 12^th and successfully went up against her father for the first time ever in eliminations winning with a 4.146 ET at over 307 mph.

“Coming up here for first round I had my dad and I knew it was going to be tough. I raced him in qualifying a couple times. We both had fun and kind of messed with each other on the tree and then we were able to do it again first round. I don’t know if it threw him off, but I was able to get the win. My car went out and ran pretty good and he got in trouble early in the right lane,” said Force

Courtney got a great lead off the line and never had to look back, as the Castrol Ford Mustang got sideways and the elder Force spent time trying to correct the car.

“I hate beating him (John Force). He is my dad and I have dreamed about racing him for such a long time. The fact that I can go out there against him first round was pretty amazing. We have had a pretty consistent car all weekend. I know he was trying to step it up that run to try and outrun me. I know we have a good car and it got a little lose at the top end. We just want to go from A to B and not make any mistakes. I waited on him a little bit. He wasn’t going to go in to stage so I waited a little longer because I know he likes to be second. We definitely had some fun on the starting line. That was a good win for Traxxas and Ford plus Auto Club, BrandSource, Mac Tools and Castrol. I hate beating up on Dad, but that was fun,” said Force.

The largely-celebrated win sent her into a quarterfinals match-up where the youngest Force would have lane choice over new full-time racer Todd Lesenko. Alongside Lesenko, Force recorded her career-best ET with a 4.099 at 306 mph and proceeded to turn on her win light for the second time today.

“Second round we had Lesenko. I actually ran my career-best ET, a 4.09, and the best of the round so that definitely gave me a lot more confidence going into the semis. I was excited to get my first second-round win in a Pro category. It must be rookie luck because I am still in shock that I am even out here driving one of these. That was awesome,” said Force.

Despite the team’s constant efforts to improve, Force lost in the semifinals to teammate and brother-in-law Robert Hight. Force ran a 4.199 ET at 299.93 mph to Hight’s 4.158 ET at 304.32 mph.

Jason Line

Defending champion Jason Line and the Summit Racing team continued their strong start to the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing season on Sunday, capturing the Pro Stock title at Sunday’s 28th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals in Chandler, Ariz.

Starting from the second position, Line defeated Jeg Coughlin Jr., Erica Enders and Greg Stanfield in the early rounds before squaring off in the final against his teammate Greg Anderson, who won the season opener in Pomona, California, just one week earlier.

Historically, the all-Summit encounters have been very close races, and the championship round in Phoenix was no exception.  The two drivers left the starting line within a thousandth of a second of each other and rocketed down the quarter-mile as if welded together, with Line’s 6.558-second, 211.69 mph pass pulling out the narrow victory over Anderson’s 6.570-second, 211.06 mph run.  This marks the 28^th win of his career (which ties Darrell Alderman for 7th on the all-time Pro Stock wins list), first of the 2012 season and first at Firebird Raceway.

“It feels good to get my first win here in Phoenix,” said Line.  “We’ve had one of the best cars in the class for the first two races, but weren’t able to close the deal in Pomona, so it’s great to get the job done today.

Jason Line (Photo courtesy NHRA/National Dragster; Click to enlarge)

“Of course, going into the final we knew a Summit car was going to win, which took some of the pressure off.  Still, anytime you go up against Greg, you know you’re going up against one of the very best, so you have to be on your very best game if you hope to beat him.  Fortunately, we were able to make a good run and get the win.”

Line’s pursuit of victory was challenged from the start, as he opened against former champion Coughlin. Although his opponent was able to gain the advantage at the start, the KB Racing driver used the quickest elapsed time of eliminations at 6.549 seconds to reel him in and advance to the second round.  He then returned to form against Enders, leaving first and once again posting the quickest time of the round to advance to the semifinals, where another strong 6.556-second, 211.23 mph run propelled him into the 57^th final round of his career.

“Going into the first round, I knew how good he can be on the tree, but I also felt we had a significant performance advantage, so I was looking for a safe light – just not that safe,” said Line.

“Fortunately, he had some trouble, we ran well and were able to pull out the win and move on.  This car is absolutely phenomenal right now, and it’s taken a lot of hard work by everyone on this team, both here at the track and back at the shop to get us in this position, so I’m glad we were able to get this win for them today.

“I’m also happy to win this race for (team owners) Ken and Judy Black, as well as our sponsors, Summit Racing Equipment, Red Line Oil, Cometic Gaskets, Mac Tools, PAC Valve Springs, Wilson Manifolds, Diamond Pistons, K&N Filters, SpeedDawg Shift Knobs, Wiley X and everyone else who supports us.

“All in all, today was a really good day, but I’m looking forward to getting home and spending a little time with my family, who I haven’t seen since before Pomona.

“After that, it will be time to get back to work.  We have a couple weeks before the Gatornationals and just like everyone else, we’re going to be spending some long hours looking to make these cars run even better. We’ve gotten off to a good start, and we want to keep it going.”

“Moving our operation to Georgia just makes more sense,” Monte elaborated. “Georgia is much more centrally located to testing facilities and to the ADRL tour tracks. We have a great shop setup there and I think this will work out better all around.”

John Montecalvo (Photo by Ian Tocher; Click images for larger versions)

And as a die-hard bowtie racer, there’s probably few as excited about the return of the Chevrolet Camaro to Pro Stock as John Montecalvo. With a stunning Eddie Hollon design, Montecalvo is sure to do the Camaro’s return justice.

“The Camaro is iconic and I’m excited to see it back at the track in Extreme Pro Stock competition,” told Montecalvo. “There’s been a lot of talk surrounding the Camaro body, so 2012 should be another exciting year for XPS.”

Montecalvo’s 2012 Camaro, built by RJ Race Cars, features his defining red, white and blue color scheme, but with a striking new design currently being perfected in paint by Steve from S&D Enterprises. Returning with the red, white and blue will be long-time engine builder, Sonny Leonard, as well as RAM Clutches, Braswell Carburetors and MSD Ignition – all names synonymous with Montecalvo’s racing career.

“I’m looking forward to getting this 2012 season underway,” Montecalvo said. “With all the changes, getting back in the driver’s seat will actually be a break!”

Montecalvo plans to get behind the wheel of his new Camaro for the annual Eastern Spring Test Nationals at South Georgia Motorsports Park March 5^th-8^th.

“Wade [Rich, SGMP Facility Operations] always does an excellent job of prepping his track. The surface should be on kill, so we should be able to get a good feel for the Camaro there before ADRL kicks back up at Houston.”

Courtney Force (Photo courtesy NHRA/National Dragster; Click to enlarge)

Courtney Force gave the Funny Car field at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona a run for their money last weekend when she began her pro career in her Traxxas Ford Mustang. Courtney qualified in the no. 12 spot and took out Bob Tasca III in the opening round of eliminations on Sunday before falling victim to John Force Racing (JFR) teammate Mike Neff, who won 40 rounds throughout the 2011 season, more than any other driver.

The 2012 O’Reilly Winternationals event was a big step forward for Force, JFR as a whole and new sponsor Traxxas, who came on board as primary sponsor for the rookie driver at the beginning of this season.

Force is only the second of eight Funny Car drivers at John Force Racing to snag a first round win during a debut event. The first was Gary Densham, who drove from 2001 through 2006. Densham made it to the semi-final round at the 2001 NHRA Spring Nationals at Houston, Texas.  The other six JFR drivers exited their first events for the team in the first round of eliminations.

“I think our first race out for the season went a little better than expected. We were going in with very modest attitudes because all parts of our Traxxas team were new- driver, crew members, car, parts, etc. Our main goal in Pomona was to get qualified. We got in the field and were able to get past first round so it definitely was a good weekend for the Traxxas Ford Mustang team,” said Force.

“It’s an honor to be one of the few drivers at John Force Racing to do well at my first event. It was definitely a team effort. I try to take everything I learn from the previous season and everything that my teammates have taught me, including my sister Ashley, and use that to move forward. I think that making it that far was good for us and the guys. They worked hard for it. With all of them being new and having to work together I think we all handled it well,” said Force.

New to the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing series is the Traxxas Nitro Shootout. In addition to Traxxas being announced as the Official Radio Controlled Performance Products of the NHRA, the new sponsor is giving Top Fuel and Funny Car teams a chance at a $100,000 prize.

The first seven event winners from both Top Fuel and Funny Car classes qualify for a spot in the shootout and are joined by an eighth driver voted in by fans. The Traxxas Nitro Shootout will be held during the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, with Top Fuel showcased on Saturday, Sept. 1, and Funny Car featured on Sunday, Sept. 2.

Crew Chief Ron Douglas

“I’m definitely excited about the Traxxas Nitro Shootout. I think it’s something amazing to bring back into the sport. I grew up watching the Big Bud Shootout and the Skoal Showdown so it’s exciting. Giving the fans those different events all at one race is pretty awesome especially mixing it up this year with Traxxas and making it so the fans have a say in who that eighth entry is. I think it will make for an interesting race,” said Force.

This coming weekend, Force will continue to build experience as she competes in the 28th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway, Feb. 17-19.

“I’m looking forward to going to Phoenix because I think we have a pretty consistent car, great crew chiefs and a great group of guys behind us. We definitely want to go out there and try to get qualified again, make it in the field and just try to stay as consistent as we were at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona for the Winternationals. We want our car to continue to do well, we want to learn from it and push it a little harder and make it go a little quicker because it’s going to be tough to beat some of these guys that are our competitors.”

“Conditions are going to be different out in Phoenix, but I think as long as we keep doing what we have been and keep the car going down the racetrack maybe we can go one more round further,” added Force.

(Photos by Ian Tocher; Click to enlarge)

Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels has renewed their long-time partnership with Bill Glidden Racing again this year.

Part of the Big Tire Development Program, Bill Glidden Racing will continue to work closely with Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels to provide product development staff with evaluation results of tire and wheel products in real-world racing. Mickey Thompson will provide support to the Bill Glidden Racing team as they compete in the Extreme 10.5 class of the 2012 ADRL drag racing series.

Billy Glidden

“Bill had another great season in 2011, and we want to continue to support his efforts and help him maintain his momentum,” said Ken Warner, VP Sales and Marketing, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels. “He is consistently on the list of top performers in the 10.5 class, and a fierce competitor in this drag racing series. We are looking forward to another great year in 2012.”

Officially established in 2007, the Big Tire Development Program is a collaborative effort that allows real-world testing and evaluation of the ET Drag tire and wheel line in a variety of applications and racing environments. Evaluative data is used for product development that results in consistently exceptional and reliable products for racers on the strip.

Kim Morrell (Photos courtesy Kim Morrell; Click to enlarge)

A chance encounter last month while displaying her race bike in a special tribute to women in motorsports display at the Johnson History Museum in West Palm Beach, Florida, led to Kim Morrell securing new sponsorship for her 2012 ADRL Pro Extreme Motorcycle (PXM) debut.

“I met a man there who knows Kevin Kendrick at Modified Asphalt Solutions up in Iowa and he told Kevin about me and we were able to put something together for the Houston race,” the 2010 PXM champion explains, referring to the ADRL season opener Mar. 30-31, at Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, Texas. “Right now it’s just for that race, but Kevin and some of his people are going to be there with me, so hopefully they’ll like what they see and we can do more in the future.”

Based in West Des Moines, Modified Asphalt Solutions (MAS) produces environmentally friendly ground-tire-rubber asphalt for major paving projects throughout the U.S. and internationally.

“Obviously the asphalt business is a real working-man, blue-collar-type atmosphere and we think it’s a good fit for the kind of racing that Kim is involved with,” says Kendrick, who also admits to being a motorcycle racing enthusiast. “Although I don’t own a bike right now, I’ve had them in the past and I never turn down an opportunity to go for a ride.”

Morrell will be riding the same Timblin Chassis-built Suzuki that she had last year, powered by a nitrous-boosted, 1800-cc John Sachs-built engine, but at the new 625-pound minimum weight mandated by the ADRL this year.

“We’re going testing this weekend at Palm Beach (International Raceway) and I can’t wait to get back on that thing,” Morrell declares. “I am so excited and so pumped up right now, I can’t wait for this season to start.”

The on-site replay shows Jack Beckman veering in front of Gary Densham's Funny Car just as they crossed the 1,000-foot finish line. (Photos by Roger Richards/CompetitionPlus.com; Click to enlarge)

By Ian Tocher

When Jack Beckman suddenly veered right and crossed the center line into Gary Densham’s lane during round two of Funny Car at the NHRA season opener at Pomona, Densham says he instinctively got off the gas and hit the brakes—hard. But the Bellflower, California-based veteran downplays any suggestion it was a masterful driving job.

“It was kind of different because all you can see is the whole windshield filled with the back of his car. You’re thinking, ‘Man, this isn’t NASCAR, we’re not supposed to be drafting out here.’ But probably the best thing that happened was we were getting our butts kicked and he was far enough ahead for me to see (him). So there was some dumb luck involved there,” Densham insists.

“I mean, you’re driving these things from the back seat and the guy has got to be a car length ahead of you before you can even see him. And just as I saw his nose poke out there I then saw it dart over in my direction. And win, lose or draw I’ve only got one of these (cars) and I don’t want to tear it up any worse than I have to.”

Once repairs were made to Densham's body, Beckman visited to autograph the damage, writing "Jack Beckman was here--and here!"

Densham did win, of course, as Beckman’s lane swap represented an automatic disqualification, however unexpected or without fault it was.

“The only thing we can figure is that some fluid got on one of the rear tires,” Beckman says. “No human could have turned the steering wheel so quickly to make that move.”

Despite running about 280-plus miles per hour when the incident occurred just past half-track, only the left front nose of Densham’s ’09 Charger made contact with the single, central wheelie bar on Beckman’s car, poking a small hole in the body and cracking the fender. Several crew members from opposing teams—including Beckman’s—helped Densham’s part-timers make hasty repairs before his third-round pairing with former teammate John Force, who went on to win the event.

“We’re lucky it happened just before finish line,” Densham points out. “Otherwise we would have been dealing with automatic parachutes opening up and possibly getting tangled up together, but Jack did a great job of getting it back over there to his lane and we both able to just coast on through there. No harm; no foul, basically.”

Still, Densham recognizes experience may have played a role in the relatively benign outcome of what was a potentially disastrous scenario.

“Yeah, that could’ve been pretty nasty, but Jack did a great job and I guess I did okay and luckily we got out of it with no more than we did. I guess it was pretty lucky we had two experienced people there.”

Densham went red off the start in his semi-final match against eventual race winner John Force.

Rodger Brogdon (Photo courtesy Lucas Oil; Click to enlarge)

The Lucas Oil drag racing family has a new member with Pro Stock driver Rodger Brogdon joining the fold with his MAVTV/Lucas Oil/Charter Communications Pontiac GXP.

“It’s very exciting for us to be joining with Forrest, Charlotte and Morgan Lucas,” Brogdon said. “They are such a great family and the support and love they’ve shown for drag racing is tremendous. It’s an honor.”

Partnering with Top Fuel driver Brandon Bernstein, Brogdon will be a big part of the new network’s public awareness strategy.

“Rodger and Brandon are perfect representatives for MAVTV,” said MAVTV president Bob Patison. “They’re both great racecar drivers, solid family men and well respected individuals in their communities. As we grow this network, we know they will be an integral part of spreading the word about the wonderful programming we’ll always provide at MAVTV — the best in Movies, Action and Variety.”

Brogdon will continue to run a GXP before switching to the Chevy Camaro body when they become available in the spring. The team’s power will still be supplied by Victor Cagnazzi Racing. That combination saw the affable Texan smash records, reach the finals in his hometown of Houston and finish a career-best eighth in 2011.

“Victor and his group provide us with great horsepower,” said Brogdon, who qualified seventh at the season-opener in Pomona. “We know we can win any race we enter and that’s important. We’re more than happy with our relationship there.”

A native of the Houston suburb of Tomball, Texas, Brogdon said the partnership with MAVTV will only make this team more fearsome as the ties between his new sponsors and teammates are strengthened.

“The people at Charter Communications have been great to work with and they’re a big part of MAVTV’s initial growth phase,” Brogdon said. “They’re certainly helping MAV take an extra step by getting them in several million more households.

“It’s going to be fun to work with my new teammates. I got to know Morgan really well when he raced Top Alcohol Dragsters because he ran Division 4. He’s a good kid and a great racecar driver. I’m also looking forward to getting to know Brandon Bernstein a little better. MAV has big plans for the future and it’s an honor to be working with Brandon on getting this network as much exposure and notoriety as we can.”

Brodgon, who won multiple Comp Eliminator titles in Div. 4 before making the move to Pro Stock, said that despite the new affiliation with MAVTV and Lucas Oil, he’ll maintain the closest relationship with good friend, car owner and fellow racer, Steve Kent.

“Steve Kent and Kent Services and Trucking, man, what can I say about them? Bottom line, there’s no way I’d be racing without Steve’s support,” Brogdon said. “He’s the backbone of everything we do.

“We used to bang on each other pretty good in Comp Eliminator and finally one day he said we should join up and race together. We both wanted to move to Pro Stock and now here we are with an incredible group of sponsors and a race team that can win. I couldn’t be happier.”

(Photos courtesy NHRA/National Dragster; Click to enlarge)

Spencer Massey circled the date for his return to Firebird International Raceway the day he left the track near Phoenix last fall. It was Oct. 14 and one of the most disappointing days in the 29-year-old Top Fuel racer’s young career at Don Schumacher Racing.

That was Saturday, and instead of getting ready for the following day’s championship rounds, Massey and his Prestone/FRAM team were packing up after failing to qualify for the 20th of 22 events of the 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

Led by crew chiefs Phil Shuler and Todd Okuhara, the team rallied to a runner-up finish in the next race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, keeping their hope of a world championship alive, but two weeks later at the NHRA Finals, the dream ended with a semi-finals loss to eventual champion Del Worsham.

“After our finish last year–coming in second place, coming up just a little short–it makes you that much more hungry, that much more motivated, to want to win a championship,” Massey said. “We’ve always wanted to win; I’ve always wanted to win. This winter we all sat around and focused, acted like it was not an off-season.

Spencer Massey

“We put that new race car together. We went out and tested. The car ran very well. We came here and it shows. It shows that these guys know what it takes to get a car down the racetrack,” he said.

Massey and his focused Prestone/FRAM team vented last year’s frustration at the next opportunity and started 2012 in a dominating fashion last weekend at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, Calif., when it set the NHRA speed record (328.62 mph) and recorded the second quickest run (3.745 seconds) ever to win the NHRA Winternationals. It was Massey’s seventh NHRA pro title.

The Prestone/FRAM team qualified second then recorded consistent times of 3.782, 3.776, 3.745 and 3.750 seconds during Sunday’s elimination rounds. Massey needed the record run to get past DSR teammate Tony Schumacher in the semis, a stellar effort that serves as a testament to the experience of Okuhara and Shuler.

“It shows that they know what it takes to get the car down the racetrack,” Massey said. “After the second round, we didn’t have any computer data, and Phil and Todd tuned that thing like it was a Top Fuel car in 1968. They looked at the plugs, looked at the bearings, and it went 3.74 at 328 mph. They’re very smart and knowledgeable, and it shows.”

It also helped that it took Schumacher a little longer to get ready at the starting line.

“We sat up there a little bit longer in the staging beams, waiting for Tony to turn on the pre-stage light. We sat there, burning about two gallons more (of nitromethane). That’s about 18 pounds less on the front end where the fuel tank is,” Massey explained. “I knew I was going to be light on the front end, and I knew it was going to run a little bit better.”

He made another stout run against teammate Antron Brown in the final.

“It’s awesome to start like this and have the No. 1 spot going into Phoenix. This is my life dream, and we’re living it,” Massey said.

“Coming off this win, we have the momentum. It’d be awesome to go back to back. We have a target on our backs. I’d love to have the bulls-eye on my back all year long.”

(Photo by Roger Richards/CompetitiomPlus.com; Click to enlarge)

Everyone knows how miserable it feels to have a 102-degree fever. You’re hot. You’re cold. And sore all over. Most would call in sick to work and stay under blankets. But Ron Capps can’t take a few sick days away from his office.

The veteran driver of the NAPA AUTO PARTS Funny Car woke up sick with a high fever Sunday morning. He not only showed up for work but advanced to the semi-finals round of the NHRA Winternationals on a cold, dreary day at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, California.

“Fever this morning and feel like I was run over by a Freightliner truck,” Capps posted Tuesday on his Twitter.com account (@NapaRonCapps).

Regardless, Capps promises to be with his Don Schumacher Racing teammates when they arrive in Phoenix for the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway this weekend.

Capps, who won the Phoenix title in 2009 and was runner-up there in 2005, was pleased with how crew chief “General” Tim Richards had his NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T running at Pomona.

“It’s encouraging going into Phoenix,” he said of the car’s performance before leaving Pomona on Sunday. “The best part about having a guy like the General is when we get conditions that are warm and marginal track conditions that aren’t like they were here at Pomona you have to have the experience and be a savvy crew chief to be able to back the car down and he has that.

“The best part is looking around at the crew guys. We just lost, but they are encouraged. They are excited and can’t wait to go to the next race. That means a lot.”

“I want to make sure everyone knows how much it means to me that I have had so many people concerned for my well being, it’s staggering all the people that have inquired about my health the past few months,” Goforth said. “I want everyone to know that I am on my way back to being healthy, but it has certainly been a long process.”

Goforth, who also owns the car his son, Cary, drove to the 2011 XPS championship, said he continues to receive an IV and shots of morphine each day, but hopes to soon resume an active routine at his home and race shop in Holdenville, Oklahoma.

Dean Goforth (Photos by Ian Tocher; Click to enlarge)

“I have not been able to maintain my regular schedule, but I have been lucky to have good people around me that are capable of running my business, I have been going to the shop every day and I am able to get in and out of my Extreme Pro Stock car, it’s like physical therapy pushing the clutch in and getting in and out, and if the Lord is willing to let me, I am planning to drive this car in Houston at the end of March during the first ADRL event,” he said.

“The doctors have told me that if I had not been in such good shape physically for my age that this infection would have killed me. For me that’s a good feeling that I have been doing the right things. It really tells me that the good Lord knows what he is doing,” Goforth continued. “I have lost some weight and people who I have known my whole life didn’t recognize me–but that’s probably not a bad thing!

“I will be happy to be free of all the drugs and IV and am looking forward to getting back to normal, running my business and getting back in the race car.”

Greg Anderson (Photos courtesy NHRA/National Dragster; Click to enlarge)

Greg Anderson and the Summit Racing team started the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing season in perfect fashion, taking home the Pro Stock title at Sunday’s 52nd annual NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, CA.  Starting from the fifth position, Anderson used a combination of strong performances and tremendous driving to defeat Larry Morgan, Allen Johnson and his teammate, defending champion Jason Line in the early rounds to advance to the final round, where he would square off against rival Jeg Coughlin.

Knowing he would need an error-free run to secure his fifth win at the NHRA season-opener, the four-time champion used his fourth .02 reaction time of the day to leave nearly in tandem with his opponent, and then powered through the quarter-mile in 6.549 seconds with a top speed of 210.87 mph, bettering Coughlin’s 6.586-second, 209.62-mph effort by approximately eight feet.  It was the 71^st national event win of Anderson’s career, fifth at the Winternationals and tenth at the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

“It was a wonderful Sunday for the Summit Racing team,” said Anderson.  “It seemed as if Jason and I had the two strongest cars today, and unfortunately because of where I qualified, we ended up having to race in the semifinals instead of the final, but we’re not about to complain. Once we both won in the second round, we knew we had a guaranteed berth for one of our cars in the final, and it turned out to be me, and I was able to close the deal, stopping that big yellow Mopar.

Greg Anderson (far lane) and Jeg Coughlin Jr.

“Going into the final, I knew how well Jeggie had been doing, but I tried to put it out of my mind, just as I had been all day.   I had good, consistent, lights all day, and we were able to get my car to perform, and when we do that, I have a good shot at winning the race, and today it all turned out good.  It was great to be back in the winner’s circle.

“Obviously, we’re very proud of the product we brought out here and the work that went into it during the winter.  It looks as if we had as good, if not a better season of development than our competitors, and to get this first win of the season just feels great.  It’s going to be a battle royal all season, but for now I am the only one who can say I’m going to win a race this year and it feels pretty darn good.

After working to dial in their tune-up throughout qualifying and with rain washing out the fourth and final session on Saturday afternoon, the KB Racing crew settled into the fifth position, coming into race day with several unanswered questions.  However, any concerns were quickly addressed, as Anderson posted the quickest elapsed time of the opening round at 6.539 seconds with a top speed of 211.46 mph to eliminate veteran Larry Morgan.  In the second round, he used an equally strong 6.550-second, 210.97 mph run to trailer Allen Johnson.

The final obstacle between Anderson and the 104^th final round of his stellar career was a familiar one – teammate Jason Line, who had claimed the No. 1 qualifying position and been one of the strongest cars in eliminations.  In one of the closest races of the day, he gained a slight advantage at the start and made one of best runs in the less-preferred right hand lane at 6.545-seconds, 211.03 mph to narrowly edge his partner’s 6.547-second, 211.83 mph pass, setting the stage for the final-round encounter with Coughlin.

“The good thing is that we knew going in that one of our Summit Pontiacs would be going to the final,” said Anderson.  “However, the way Jason was running, I had pretty much resolved myself to doing the best job that I could, with the chances of my loading up before him being pretty good.  Fortunately, things worked in our favor.  He didn’t make a great run, giving me a slight opening, while I made a very nice run, especially for that right hand lane, and I was able to come out on top by a few thousandths.

“It takes a lot of things to win in this class right now, including execution and luck, and today we executed great, and I got a little bit of luck in that he did not run as well as he could have.  That’s why races aren’t won in the logbook – they’re won on the track, with the favorites not always winning.  He gave me the inch I needed, and I was able to take advantage of it.”

Having extended his NHRA-best streak of years with at least one national event win to twelve, Anderson took time to acknowledge the benefit this early-season victory will have on his race team, as well as the tremendous effort put forth already to get to this position.  With only five days before qualifying gets underway at the next race in Phoenix, he knows there will be little time to celebrate this victory.  In fact, the team already has plans to work on improving their performance even further, heading directly to Las Vegas for a test session prior to heading to Arizona.

“As I said before this race, we came here scared to death because we didn’t know how we were going to stack up against everybody else, so it feels great to be able to put a smile on everybody’s face,” said Anderson.   “From the guys both here and back at our shop, to (team owners) Ken and Judy Black, to our sponsors, Summit Racing Equipment, Red Line Oil, Cometic Gaskets, Mac Tools, PAC Valve Springs, Wilson Manifolds, Diamond Pistons, K&N Filters and everyone else, this win rewards their confidence in us and lifts a load off our shoulders.

“Now we can get down to the nitty gritty and start digging in, focusing on going forward, knowing we’re going to have a great product with a chance to win every race when we roll in the gates.  It’s a great morale booster for everyone on this team.  Everyone’s happy and ready to work even harder.  We’re going to blow out of here tonight and head over to Las Vegas to test and see how we can make things even better.  This win is the best thing that could have happened to us and I believe the future looks great.”