Women in Racing

Melissa Urist goes straight for the record book

October 4, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Longtime NMRA standout crewmember, Melissa Urist, recently made the jump from wrenching on her husband, John Urist’s, Street Outlaw record-holder, to wheelin’ her very own beautiful, competition orange turbocharged 2015 Mustang GT street car during the Nitto Tire NMRA All-Ford World Finals at Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Ky.

“I’ve been around this series for a very, very long time but always as a supporter, crew member, pep talker and helper. My husband, John and his business partner, Dwayne James, gave an opportunity to me I just couldn’t pass up. I jumped on it the moment it was presented and haven’t looked back since,” Urist said.

Record Timeslip — The record-setting timeslip still shows plenty of room for improvement.

Melissa Urist goes straight for the record book

The event marks the first-ever drag race for the rookie driver, who after some licensing test-session passes, clocked an impressive 9.508 second E.T. at 133.86 mph in street-trim. Not only was this an impressive first race for the rookie driver, but it was good enough to unofficially lay claim to the title of fastest turbocharged 2015 Mustang street car on the planet!

The pass, which Urist said had her lifting early around the 1,000 ft. mark, shows that there is still plenty of potential in the ride, and she is eager to push the car further this weekend.

Rain Soaked Bowling Green

Like so many other racing events this weekend, the Nitto Tire NMRA All-Ford World Finals are contending with cold rainy weather that have not allowed for qualifying thus far in most classes. Melissa is set to compete in the Turbo Coyote Shootout class.

“I want to go out there and lay down some sick numbers. Who wouldn’t want to win their first race ever?” she said. “Honestly though, there’s a lot of seasoned racers in the class I intend on running. My hope is to go out there, make fast, consistent runs and show what my street car is capable of doing on the track,” she concluded. (from StangTV.com)

Racing is scheduled to resume today at 8:30AM, with heads-up qualifying to follow the index classes.

Brittany Force lands No. 1 in Soggy PA

October 4, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Despite the wet and cold conditions that have plagued the 31st Annual NHRA Keystone Nationals this weekend in Reading, Pennsylvania, Brittany Force lands No. 1 qualifying position, the first of the 2015 season and fourth of her young career. The third year pro moved from 4th to 3rd in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship point standings, going around Larry Dixon by four points on the strength of her three qualifying bonus points and the points allocated for the No. 1 qualifier.

Brittany Force lands No. 1 Qualifying Position

Force’s run was the strongest of a session that saw most of the Top Fuel dragsters struggle with the cold conditions. With a short field in Top Fuel of only fourteen race cars, Brittany Force will face No. 14 qualifier Dave Connolly in the first round. The winner of that 1st round pairing will receive a bye into the semi-finals.

“It is definitely tough going into tomorrow with only one run under our belt. It is not just our team but everyone out here. Everyone will battle that. Like Robert said we would like to have more runs but these are the conditions we all had to work with. We put down an awesome run in this Monster Top Fuel dragster,” said Force, who has raced to three semi-final finishes in the last four races. “We drove right through the shake zone and put an awesome number up on the scoreboard. We set a new career best record which we broke from our time and speed here last year. We like Reading and we went all the way to the final last year. We are hoping to take it all the way this weekend.”

The Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster launched hard off the starting line and flew right down the middle of the lane, running a 3.725-second pass at 331.53 mph. It was the smoothest run of the session and at the top end Force knew she had made a solid pass.

“I could tell that run was a good one because it just felt fast. Sometimes you know it is on a killer run. That run it just felt fast and clean. I knew it was a good one but my radio came unhooked so I was trying to talk with my guys to see what it ran,” said Force. “I didn’t know what it ran until I hoped out at the top end. Everyone was cheering when we rolled up so I knew it was something good.”

Brittany Force is 2-1 against Dave Connolly with her two wins coming in first round match-ups this season. Most recently Force dropped a semi-final race to Connolly last weekend in St. Louis. She hopes to vindicate that loss, by taking the win against Connolly to put her in the semifinal.

DeJoria Breast Cancer Awareness livery

October 3, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Its been a dismal, cold, soggy weekend so far at the 31^st annual NHRA Keystone Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, but Alexis DeJoria’s new Breast Cancer Awareness livery was hot enough to light up the pits in Reading, PA. The NHRA Funny Car driver unveiled her new #FightLikeAGirl hot pink Patrón XO Cafe Incendio Toyota Camry livery today during a brief dry moment, the only racing action of the wet weekend so far.

Alexis DeJoria Breast Cancer Awareness Funny Car livery

DeJoria’s hot pink livery will be run all month long in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In conjunction, her Free Mammograms for the Fans program will give fans the opportunity to take part in free screenings to detect problems early.

“October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and we got to debut our bright pink Toyota Camry today during the first round of qualifying. We’re going to be running this pink scheme at the Dallas and Las Vegas October events as well. I’m looking forward to blinding all of my competitors!” joked DeJoria of her neon pink Camry and matching pink parachutes.

The rain and cold weather at the Maple Grove track this weekend made Saturday’s qualifying attempt the only action of the weekend thus far. Teams struggled to make it down the track, and Alexis was only able to post a 13.036 second pass at 76.76 mph for the No. 14 qualifying position. If the weather cooperates tomorrow, she will face No. 3 qualifier, Jack Beckman, in the opening round of eliminations.

ESPN will air today’s qualifying rounds and Alexis’ hot pink Funny Car tomorrow morning, October 4 6:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. EST (ESPN2)

Leah Pritchett in Formula Ford

September 30, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

NHRA racer Leah Pritchett is trading in her Top Fuel firesuit for a thinner road racing variant next weekend (Oct 9-10). The Gumout standout is set to drive a vintage Formula Ford open-wheel car in the Vintage Auto Racing Association “Shootout at the Ranch” at Spring Mountain Motorsports Resort Ranch and Country Club, in Pahrump, Nevada.

Leah Pritchett in Formula Ford

Pritchett, a semi-finalist in the “Gumout Lady in Car” Top Fuel dragster at the NHRA Carolina Nationals two weeks ago, switched gears to train in a Formula Ford testing session at Willow Springs Raceway north of Los Angeles recently, in preparation for her road racing debut in the ‘Shootout at the Ranch.’

“Going from a 325-mile per hour Top Fuel dragster to a tiny 135-mile per hour Formula Ford road racing car is a drastic change for me,” said Pritchett, runner-up in this year’s NHRA Southern Nationals near Atlanta. “But I really have enjoyed the challenge of hitting the apex and shifting through the gears. In the Top Fuel car, the race is over quickly…. Under four seconds. In the Formula Ford, you have to concentrate much longer and hit your marks. The racing is different but just as tough mentally.”

Pritchett, the 27-year-old California native who resides in Avon, Ind., began her racing career at age eight in the Junior Dragster division and worked her way through the smaller ranks before making it to the ultimate drag racing class, Top Fuel, in 2013.

Road Racing limited future

NHRA fans can relax, as Pritchett has no plans to abandon her drag racing roots. The veteran drag racer will return to the Las Vegas area three weeks after the Formula Ford event to compete in the NHRA Toyota Nationals at the ‘Strip” at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway when Pritchett drives the Gumout ‘Lady in Red” Top Fueler for Dote Racing on Oct. 30-Nov. 1. Last year, Pritchett qualified fifth and took her mount to a semi-final finish at the “Strip.”

“I am not changing my career to move into the road racing ranks,” Leah said. “I’m a drag racer through and through. It’s something I wanted to do since I was six or seven years old. At age 12, I knew I want to race professionally. Now, this Formula Ford race is a unique opportunity to try another racing skill set. I have enjoyed the new challenge already.”

Switching from the incredible g-force on acceleration of the 1,000-foot straight line track in the National Hot Rod Association, to the 3.1-mile road racing complex will be pushing new limits for Pritchett. The road racing track at Spring Mountain Motor Resort & Country Club has a combination of fast sweeping corners, quick esses, off-camber turns, and over 125-foot of elevation change. But the course features four high-speed straights that should be more familiar to the drag racer. The new racing facility northwest of Las Vegas incorporates replicas of some of racing’s most famous corners including Mosport’s 5a and 5b, Watkins Glen’s “Bus Stop”, and Road Atlanta’s turn one and Laguna Seca’s “Corkscrew.”

“I know this Nevada track will pose a variety of challenges,” said Pritchett, a Cal State University communications graduate. “I have been thinking about the Formula Ford race almost every day recently as the weekend approaches. The training I received at Willow Springs was a great asset as I prepare for the Formula Ford race. It is a different mindset from the drag racing experiences but I feel I can use some of my racing thoughts and reflexes from the drag racing to the road course. I’m very excited about this new challenge.”

Practice and qualifying are set for Friday (Oct. 9) and the Formula Ford main event is scheduled for Saturday (Oct. 10).

Watch Leah Pritchett in Formula Ford Teaser

Elaine Larsen cinches Jet Championship

September 29, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Elaine Larsen, owner of the Larsen Motorsports Jet Dragster team, was able to cinch the 2015 IHRA Jet Dragster World Championship at the San Antonio Nationals this weekend. With one race to go in the 2015 season, Larsen and her female crew chief, Paige Sanchez, were able to race their Miller Welds Dragster to a runner-up finish at the event, securing the championship points lead for the title.

Runner up at San Antonio Nationals

Although Elaine would post a faster 5.892 second at 265.96 mph pass in her Miller Welds Dragster, her teammate Shea Holbrook would leave quicker off the starting line, earning a holeshot victory against the reigning 2014 IHRA Jet Dragster World Champ.

Larsen cinches Jet Championship

Larsen, who has recorded four wins this season and five runner-up finishes in 11 races to date, was able to defend her 2014 title to retain the Jet Dragster World Championship with one race to go, the upcoming IHRA World Finals in Memphis, TN (Oct 9-10).

Elaine has over 20 years of drag racing experience, and with husband Chris Larsen, operates Larsen Motorsports, a hot spot of driver and engineering development for women in motorsports. Her crew chief, Paige Sanchez, a Mechanical Engineering student, made sure that the Miller Welds Dragster was in championship contending form all season. The duo promote “Girl Power” in the male dominated world of drag racing, and encourage education and advancement through their Jet Technology Center display at races. There, fans can watch Paige service the General Electric J-85 engines used in the Miller Welds dragster.

Free Mammograms for the Fans

September 28, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

While many professional athletes celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness month by wearing pink uniforms or using other pink-ribbon awareness, NHRA Funny Car racer Alexis DeJoria goes above and beyond to fight the disease. Her “Free Mammograms for the Fans” program returns for the third year, allowing female race fans the opportunity to receive a free mammogram in the mobile mammovan while attending the NHRA race.

Alexis DeJoria Racing partners again with the Nevada Health Centers (NVHC) to offer any female ticketholder over the age of 40 attending the NHRA Toyota Nationals event in Las Vegas (Oct 30-31), a free mammogram, regardless of health insurance status. In addition, she has partnered with Baylor Health Care Systems (BHCS) for a similar program at the AAA NHRA FallNationals in suburban Dallas (Oct 16-17).

“With the success of ‘Free Mammograms for the Fans’ the last two years, we decided to expand the program to include the Dallas race, which now falls during National Breast Cancer Awareness month in October,” said DeJoria, an Austin resident who will proudly sport a hot pink Patrόn XO Cafe Incendio Toyota Camry Funny Carthroughout October in NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series competition.

Alexis DeJoria has been raising funds for the cause with the sale of special “Fight Like a Girl” bracelets, with 100% of the proceeds going to the “Free Mammograms for the Fans” program. The addition of presenting sponsors Patrón Spirits Company and Toyota assisted the program’s growth to Dallas and the Texas Motorplex.

“I really want to thank the Patrón Spirits Company and Toyota for their support, as well as Kalitta Motorsports, everyone who bought items on our eBay fundraising page, purchased our pink Fight Like a Girl bracelets and made donations,” said DeJoria, who has qualified for the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs. “It all goes toward this very wonderful life-saving cause and we would not be able to provide this service to our fans without their support.”

Those wanting to get screened at the race do not need an appointment or referral. Although health insurance is not required, those who are insured should bring their insurance information to the race. Test results will be sent via mail approximately ten days following the event.

“Toyota is extremely supportive of everything that each of our teams does to help promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we are excited that working extensively with Alexis DeJoria Racing on their ‘Free Mammograms for the Fans’ program has afforded us the opportunity to make an additional impact,” said Ed Laukes, Vice President marketing, performance and guest experience for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. “If we are able to save the life of so much as one mother, daughter, sister, wife or friend, it will be well worth our additional investment in our partners at DeJoria. It truly is rewarding to be able to assist one of our race teams on a program that is so meaningful to so many people.”

For more information, please visit www.alexisdejoria.com.

Shea Holbrook wins first IHRA Jet race

September 28, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Multi-motorsport standout Shea Holbrook just earned her first jet drag racing victory at the IHRA Nitro Jam San Antonio Nationals. She defeated the newly crowned IHRA World Jet Drag Racing champion, Elaine Larsen for the Ironman win, the first win of her rookie drag racing season.

Holbrook took her Florida Institute of Technology dragster to an impressive 5.920 seconds at 268.98 mph performance against Elaine Larsen, but it was her 0.0562 reaction time that nailed the holeshot victory against Elaine’s faster but losing 5.892 second at 265.96 mph.

Though a rookie in drag racing, Florida native Shea Holbrook is a veteran behind the wheel, competing in SCCA road racing competitions for over 7 years. She teamed up with Jet Dragster veteran and women in racing pioneer, Elaine Larsen and Larsen Motorsports to teach her the ropes of drag racing a 300+mph jet dragster. The opportunity came as the result of a successful crowd funding campaign through Dark Horse Pros.

“A big thanks to Chris and Elaine Larsen for presenting this idea. I don’t think they nor I thought we’d ever put a road racer in a jet dragster but hey, so far so good! Around this time last year we were in talks about this program and we ran a Dark Horse Pros crowdfunding campaign. Thanks to fans, supporters, friends and family we exceeded our goal by 103% in 30 days. I’ve always been a big fan of wearing your heart on your sleeve and I thank everyone for allowing me to do so.”

Shea and her FIT jet dragster team have just one more stop on the IHRA Nitro Jam schedule, the IHRA Summit World Finals in Memphis, TN October 9-10, 2015.

Enders just misses 4th consecutive victory

September 28, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Elite Motorsports driver and current NHRA Pro Stock points leader Erica Enders just misses 4th consecutive victory with a runner-up finish at the 4th Annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals on Sunday at Gateway Motorsports Park.

After qualifying in the No. 3 spot, Enders continues to prove unstoppable at the tree, with another stellar driving display in St. Louis. Last week, she became the first driver in NHRA history to win three consecutive finals on holeshots when she won in Charlotte, and looked to be on track to extend that historic marker this weekend, leaving first on all her opponents, including reaction times of .002, .002, and .003 in her last three rounds.

“I’m super comfortable in the car,” Enders said. “I know what I’m capable of, I know what my guys are capable of, and that gives me peace of mind. I’m able to go out there and do my job. We’re going to leave with our heads held high, go to Reading, and try to continue to spread the points on those KB boys.”

Enders began her day by blitzing Alex Laughlin with a pass of 6.586 seconds at 210.87 mph, to his losing 6.819 second at 200.23 mph run. Crew chiefs Rick and Rickie Jones and Mark Ingersoll made improvements on her Transportation Impact Camaro for her second round matchup against Elite teammate Vincent Nobile. Enders left with a .002 light advantage and made a pass of 6.620 seconds at 211.66 mph to get the win over Nobile, who ran a 6.561 second at 210.31 mph E.T.

Another incredible .002 light gave Enders a holeshot on semifinal opponent Bo Butner, who made the quicker pass, a 6.520 at 212.43 mph, but Enders’ 6.524-second pass at 212.06 mph was enough to hold him off and put her in the final round.

Enders just misses 4th consecutive victory

In the final, Enders again had an unbelieveable .003 light, but her car went into uncharacteristic tire shake. All she could do was abort the run and watch teammate Drew Skillman get his first career victory with a pass of 6.529 at 211.63 mph.

“Of course we want to win, but today was Drew’s day,” Enders said. “It was just meant to be for him. If I have to lose, I’m glad it’s to my teammate, so we’re still able to share the winner’s circle under the Elite Motorsports banner.”

By racing to the final round, Enders extended her points lead to 113 over KB Racing driver Greg Anderson, who lost in the second round.

“It was a great points day,” Enders said. “The competitor side of us allows us to be frustrated when we don’t win, but we’ll go back and go through our notes, and one of us will stay and test tomorrow. It’s a great day. A.J. helped us a lot by beating Greg second round, and I was able to put another 40-point spread on him. That’s all that matters. We’ve got to keep pace. I really wanted to win four in a row and have eight for the season and have those records, but God has a bigger plan, and I’m OK with that. We’ve got our eye on the big prize.”

Second round loss for Alexis Dejoria

September 28, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

NHRA’s Alexis DeJoria, driver of the Patrón XO Café Incendio Toyota Camry Funny Car, struggled in qualifying for the second consecutive weekend at the 4th Annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals in St. Louis, MO. She was able to regroup and recover on eliminations day, but bowed out in the second round

Lackluster Qualifying Position

After a 4.073 run in her second qualifying attempt, Alexis DeJoria was unable to make her way cleanly down the track in qualifying. That 4.073 second pass was good enough at the time for the sixth provisional spot, but was bumped back into the 12th position before racing began on Sunday.

Second round loss for Alexis DeJoria

Her first round match up would be against Tommy Johnson Jr., who had eliminated her just one week prior in Charlotte. DeJoria was ready for a chance to return the favor, and the pair left together at the tree. She would charge ahead by the finish line, running her first three second pass on the weekend and defeating Tommy Johnson Jr, 3.966 second E.T at 292.77 mph to his losing 4.332 second E.T. at 211.49 mph.

In the second round she would face Ron Capps. Although she posted another consistent light, traction issues returned and the Patrón XO Café Incendio Toyota Camry Funny Car fell to tire smoke before half-track against Ron Capps, resulting in a second round loss for Alexis DeJoria.

“Very much like our last weekend in Charlotte, we did not qualify the best but we got in the show and that is all that matters,” said DeJoria. “In the first round, we ran our best time of the entire weekend and won the round. We went into the second round and shook the tires. I still feel like we can do something in these last few races. We are just trying to find that consistency. I have to just keep sticking to my guns and work on my part and hope the best. I have the upmost faith in my team and I know we will have something for them in Reading.”

Alexis entered the weekend 7th in points for the Countdown to the Championship. She leaves the event in the same position, 204 points outside of the leader, teammate Del Worsham (unofficial results).

Brittany Force throws the first pitch

September 25, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Brittany Force throws the first pitch at St. Louis Cardinals home game

Brittany Force throws first pitch — NHRA fuel dragster driver Brittany Force throws the first pitch at the St. Louis Cardinals game, September 24, 2015 Photos by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

Thursday evening, NHRA Top Fuel driver Brittany Force took the mound at Busch Stadium for the ceremonial first pitch before the Cardinals defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 7-3. Beforehand, Brittany Force, the 2013 NHRA Rookie of the Year, was nervous but excited.

“I was nervous about it all day and really have been nervous since we decided to do it. I had a bad experience throwing out the first pitch once before. I told myself I would never do that again. I decided to give it another try at the Cardinals game. We had a busy day before the pitch with a press conference and media interviews,” said Force. “We actually got down on the field for a few minutes and then we had some time to wait. I asked the Cardinals staff if there was a place I could practice. I just wanted to calm my nerves. I went into the hallway and practiced throwing a few pitches with Marc Gewertz who is one of the National Dragster photographers. I am so glad he helped me out. It calmed me down and he gave me some good pointers.”

As Force took the field she thought about how her racing career played a major role in not just affording her this opportunity but also putting her in position to make a solid pitch.Waving to the crowd, five-time Top Fuel finalist Brittany Force throws the first pitch – a nice straight pitch right to catcher Travis Tartamella a recent call up by the Cardinals.

“I think the biggest cross-over from racing to baseball was the importance of practice. I get in my race car for about ten minutes before we run and I just go over my routine. Going through the motions just makes me more comfortable. That is the same process I did for the game last night,” said Force. “Everyone with the Cardinals was so nice. Will Patterson from the Cardinals let me get down on the field earlier in the day. He said the Cardinal fans would be awesome and he was right. Some time you climb in your race car whether it is first round or final round and there are some runs you are so nervous but I just tell myself it will be over in four seconds. You just have to do the best job that you can. The pitch turned out really well.”