Teams
New Car: Pete Berner’s XPS ’12 Camaro
(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. Continue Reading »
Robertson Showing A/FC at Detroit Autorama
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. Continue Reading »
Hight Finishes First in Funny Car at Firebird
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 28th 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. Continue Reading »
Line Wins for First Time in Phoenix
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. Continue Reading »
Montecalvo Moves Team South; Readies New XPS Camaro
Although continuing much of the traditions and relationships that have helped the New Yorker become a two-time Pro Stock world champion (IHRA and ADRL), John Montecalvo has also been busy with major changes in the off season. New to the lineup of associate sponsors is Extreme Batteries. And, not only is a new car on order, but also a new trailer by Pegasus. But perhaps the biggest move for the JM Racing Team is a quite literal one. The team’s new headquarters is now in Georgia. Continue Reading »
Quarter-Final Finish Encourages Courtney and Crew
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. Continue Reading »
Glidden Gets M/T Backing Renewed
(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. Continue Reading »
New Sponsor Paves Way for Morrell’s PXM Season
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. Continue Reading »
Densham Credits ‘Dumb Luck’ for Avoiding Disaster
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. Continue Reading »
Brogdon Joins Lucas Oil Racing Family
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. Continue Reading »
