Celebrating, promoting and supporting female racers and women in motorsports

You are here: Home / Archives for Lists

Traveling the country one track at a time

//  by 

One of the great things about racing, is that it has allowed me to travel the country, one racetrack at a time. I tried to sit down and think of all the tracks I’ve been to, which isn’t an easy task. Sad part is, that although I’ve been all over the U.S., I couldn’t tell you much about the cities I’ve visited BESIDES which track surfaces are good and how the pit parking was.

The list that I can remember is about 40+ right now, including a few over the ocean in Puerto Rico. I’m hoping to add to it as the years go by. (or as I can remember where else I’ve been!)

A look at all the tracks I’ve been to in my brief career
  1. US 19 Dragway — Albany, GA
  2. Goodtimes Drag Strip — Baileyton, AL
  3. Houston Motorsports Park — Baytown, TX
  4. Beechbend Raceway — Bowling Green, KY
  5. Bradenton Motorsports Park — Bradenton, FL
  6. Bristol Dragstrip — Bristol, TN
  7. National Trails Raceway — Columbus, OH
  8. Atlanta Dragway — Commerce, GA
  9. One Way Dragway — Cottonwood, AL
  10. Cordova Dragway Park — Cordova, IL
  11. Southeastern Int’l Raceway — Dallas, GA
  12. Darlington Int’l Dragway — Darlington, SC
  13. Dothan Dragway — Dothan, AL
  14. Douglas Drag Strip — Douglas, GA
  15. Texas Motorplex– Ennis, TX
  16. Gainesville Raceway Park — Gainesville, FL
  17. Huntsville Dragway — Harvest, AL
  18. Emerald Coast Dragway — Holt, FL
  19. O’Reilly Motorsports Park — Indianapolis, IN
  20. Carolina Dragway — Jackson, SC
  21. Route 66 Raceway — Joliet, IL
  22. Lakeland Motorsports Park — Lakeland, FL
  23. The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway — Las Vegas, NV
  24. Twiggs Co. Raceway — Macon, GA
  25. Gateway International Raceway — Madison, IL
  26. Montgomery Motorsports Park — Montgomery, AL
  27. Summit Raceway Park — Norwalk, OH
  28. Orangeburg Dragstrip — Orangeburg, SC
  29. Orlando Speed World — Orlando, FL
  30. Phenix Motorsport Park — Phenix City, AL
  31. Pomona Raceway — Pomona, CA
  32. Ponce International Raceway — Ponce, Puerto Rico
  33. Maple Grove Raceway — Reading, PA
  34. Silver Dollar Raceway — Reynolds, GA
  35. Old Dominion Raceway — Richmond, VA
  36. Rockingham Dragway — Rockingham, NC
  37. Puerto Rico International Speedway — Salinas, Puerto Rico
  38. Alabama International Raceway — Steele, AL
  39. Heartland Motorsports Park — Topeka, KS
  40. South Georgia Motorsports Park — Valdosta, GA
  41. Palm Beach International Raceway — West Palm, FL

I don’t even want to think how many road miles that adds up to!

My favorites are Bristol’s Thunder Valley for the beautiful scenery and awesome atmosphere as the cars race through the mountain valley, and Norwalk’s Summit Raceway Park because of the midway and great hospitality (and because it was my first 6 sec, 200mph pass there). The ultimate package has to be Ponce Int’l Raceway in Puerto Rico, its a drag racer’s dream! More on that in another blog post though…

I’m hoping to add the rest of the NHRA tour onto my list at some point (in the not-so-distant future).

Twitter for the racing crowd

//  by 

One of my favorite social networking tools is Twitter. I’ve been using it for a couple of years now, and although I first thought it was rather odd and didn’t “get it”, I’ve realized the myriad of different usages for the service, and how they can be customized and utilized for personal needs. (Visit me on Twitter here)

Lately, I’ve been very excited by the adoption of Twitter by many different racing teams as a way to communicate with fans. There are endless opportunities for teams to use Twitter in a new and engaging way.

One of the most beneficial usages is the fact that fans can now follow and request text message notifications to their phones for their favorite drivers. That means that if I subscribe with notification to JFR’s twitter account, I’ll get an instant text message update from the team whenever they tweet a new event. If PR people handle this right, it means insider information available instantaneously… and it also means a great database in which to reach out to your fans.
I’ve started assembling the Twitter Guide for the Drag Racing Crowd, to include a list of all the drag racing related twitter feeds. Feel free to add to my list in the comments section, and I’ll post them online soon for everyone to use.

[UPDATED 6/1/09]

***Sanctioning Bodies***
@NHRA — NHRA Official Twitter
@IHRAMotorsports — IHRA Official Twitter
@March Meet — Nostalgia Drag Racing Meet
@GSAProMods — NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Challenge
@NAPA_Goodguys — Live tweeting from the Goodguys Events

***News Orgs***
@go2geiger — Go 2 Geiger Drag Racing News
@femaleracing — Female Racing News Network
@ProStockCars — Pro Stock Cars News
@nhraphil — Phil Burgess, Editor for National Dragster
@ChevyHigh — Chevy High Performance Magazine
@SpeedFreaks — Speed Freaks Motorsports Radio & TV
@SpeedSceneLive — Speed Scene Live Webcast
@ThunderRoadShow — The Thunder Road Show Radio
@SpeedTV — Speed TV Channel
@competitionplus — Competition Plus
@DragTimes — Database of Drag Racing and Dyno
@FTTV — Full Throttle TV

***Drivers/Teams***

–Top Fuel
@MARNews — Mike Ashley Racing, Antron Brown Top Fuel
@TeamKalitta — The Kalitta Racing Top Fuel/Funny Car Team
@KennyBernstein — Kenny Bernstein Racing Top Fuel Team
@TerryMcMillen — Top Fuel Driver Terry McMillen
@BobVandergriff — Top Fuel Driver Bob Vandergriff
@shoeracing — Don Schumacher Racing Top Fuel/Funny Car Teams
@bacamotorsports — Top Fuel Driver David Baca
@alanabiracing — Alan Johnson Top Fuel/Funny Car Teams
@DougHerbert — Top Fuel Driver Doug Herbert
@RacerJRTodd — NHRA Top Fuel Driver J.R. Todd
@topfueldragster — Stevens Family Top Fuel Team
@Cory_Mac_TF — Top Fuel Driver Cory McClenathan
@HillaryWill — Top Fuel Driver Hillary Will
@HotRodFuller — Top Fuel Driver Rod Fuller
@ClayMillican — Top Fuel Driver Clay Millican

–Funny Car
@JFR_Racing — John Force Racing Funny Car Teams
@Tasca3 — Nitro Funny Car Driver Bob Tasca III
@TeamWilkerson — Nitro Funny Car team of Tim Wilkerson
@MattHaganRacing — Nitro Funny Car Driver Matt Hagan
@ITGMotorsports — In the Groove Nitro Funny Car/Pro Stock Bike Team
@DaleCreasyJr — Nitro Funny Car Driver Dale Creasy Jr.
@GaryDensham –Nitro Funny Car Driver Gary Densham

–Pro Stock
@TeamJEGS_Jeg_Jr — Pro Stock Driver Jeg Coughlin Jr.
@ACDelcoRacing — Pro Stock Team of Kurt Johnson
@BBenza — Pro Stock Driver Bob Benza
@Erica_Enders — Pro Stock Driver Erica Enders

–Pro Stock Motorcycle
@SJR_Racing — Pro Stock Motorcycle Driver Steve Johnson
@ShawnGann — Pro Stock Motorcycle Driver Shawn Gann
@hdracing — Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Pro Stock Motorcycle Team

–Pro Mod
@NielsenRacing — Outlaw Pro Modified Nitrous team
@madmantaylor — Pro Mod Driver Frankie Taylor
@rodhouckracing — Pro Mod Driver Rod Houck
@BarklageRacing — Barklage Pro Mod Racing Team

–Other Classes
@nitrokitty — Nostalgia Funny Car Driver Mendy Fry
@CourtneyEnders — Courtney Enders
@CourtneyForce — A/Fuel Dragster Driver Courtney Force
@MKRacer — Nitro Crew Chief Mike Kloeber
@wellsmotorsport — IHRA Top Sportsman Carlos Wells
@HorsepowerHeels — Pro Mod Driver Erica Ortiz
@LeducDiamond — Nostalgia Funny Car Driver Leah Leduc

***Tracks/Facilities***
@norwalkracefans — Summit Raceway Park in Norwalk, OH
@gatewayraceway — Gateway Int’l Raceway in Madison, IL
@BMSUpdates — Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN
@OReillyRaceway — O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis, IN
@InfineonRaceway — Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA
@RacePBIR — Palm Beach International Raceway in Palm Beach, FL
@ACSUpdates — Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA
@LVMotorSpeedway — Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, NV
@MapleGrove — Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, PA
@The_Dirty_MO — Mooresville Dragway in Mooresville, NC

***Sponsors and Motorsports Miscellaneous***
@RacingJunk — Racing Junk Classifieds
@FordRacing — Ford Racing Division
@DragstarRacing — DragStar Apparel
@CastrolUSA — Castrol Engine Oils
@MandHtires — M&H Tires
@hotchkis — Hotchkis Suspension
@YokohamaTC — Yokohama Tire Company
@TitanMotorsport — Titan Motorsports in Orlando, FL
@wyotech — WYOTech
@NHRA_Museum — The NHRA Museum
@SummitRacing — Summit Racing Performance Powerhouse
@KNFilters — K&N Filters
@JFRaceStation — John Force Race Station
@TrickTitanium — Trick Titanium
@MQL_Racing — Motorcraft and Quick Lane
@Turbonetics — Turbonetics Turbochargers
@rehermorrison — Reher Morrison Engines

My top 10 favorite racecars

//  by 

There are so many cars over the years that have had a strong impression on me personally. Here are my Top 10, in no particular order.

1. John Gullett’s 2000 Single Turbo Mustang Pro 5.0 Car
This car single-handedly was the reason I ever wanted to drive a Pro 5.0 car in the first place. The car seemed to have gone through about 20 paint metamorphosis’ in its life time (they change paint as often as I change spark plugs), but my favorite of all time was this purple and bronze flamed rendition (at left).
Achievements: John broke many FFW Pro 5.0 records, the latest running a 6.36 with a small block and twin turbos in 2006.
Where is it now? Though the car was put up for sale at the end of 2006, John still owns the car and has put it aside to focus on family for awhile.
2. Mike Ashley’s Gone in 6.0 Seconds “Eleanor” GT 500 Mustang Pro Mod
This is my all-time favorite Pro Mod, and quite possibly my favorite car of all time. The first time I saw Eleanor was at the inaugural Drag Stock event in Jackson, SC. That weekend, Mike pushed Eleanor to the first 3 second 1/8th mile performance, a feat that was celebrated by Gotham City handing out free t-shirts. I ran to get mine, and I still have that shirt.
Achievements: The car evolved into many different forms over the years Mike campaigned the car, and was the car he won his NHRA Pro Mod Championship in.

 

Where is it now? Tim Tindle current owns the car under a different paint scheme and still competes in NHRA Pro Mod.
3. Scotty Cannon’s ‘Mater 1963 Studebaker Pro Mod
This car is one of the coolest looking and most successful cars around. Made famous by six time Pro Mod Champion Scotty Cannon, and later driven by son Scott Cannon, the car has seen more winners circles than any other car out there.
Where is it now?Local Alabama racer R.E. Smith now owns the car and is competing in the Southern Outlaw Series, which is cool because I get to see the car alot now.4. Mike Murillo’s Texas Jam “Star Car” Super Street Outlaw Mustang

The Star Car was probably the very first car that made me want to drag race, period. The first time I saw the car in person was on the cruise to World Ford Challenge in 1999. I was so very excited because I found out Mike Murillo was staying at the very same hotel I was in Joliet. That was in my early years of racing, and I was completely star-struck by Mike.
Achievements: This car defines the hay-day of Mustang 5.0 Racing, and is a legend of its time. Mike won all kinds of Super Street Outlaw Championships with this car.
Where is it now? I’m not sure what happened to the original Star Car, but Mike races on in Outlaw 10.5 with a newer, badderer version, Star Car 2.
5. Steve Grebeck’s “Psycho Bitch” Pro 5.0 Mustang
This car was so ahead of its time, and also the most tragic of the list. Grebeck’s rich history in Mustang racing made him one of my favorite drivers. He started off driving one of the earliest cars in Mustang Racing history, Stormin’ Norman’s convertible. But this car, named Psycho Bitch for its violent tendencies, was one of the most advanced and impressive machines I’d ever seen. Unfortunately, Steve lost his life in the car at the Orlando FFW race in 2002. That day, that pass will forever be etched in my mind. I felt such incredible sadness that I never pushed pass my shyness to meet and talk to him while he was still with us.
Achievements: The car, owned and sponsored by Harry Hrushka at Precision Turbo, was one of fastest turbo doorslammers in its day, and well ahead of its time.
Where is it now? The car was involved in a fatal crash with Bill Rimmer at the 2002 Fun Ford Weekend Spring Break Shootout in Orlando, FL. RIP, Steve Grebeck.
6. Billy Glidden’s Super Street Mustang
I remember jumping the fence at the Orlando World Street Finals in 1999 just to get a photo with Billy Glidden, one of the most famous and notorious Mustang racers. Though him and I would later have some not-so-pleasant run-ins over my move to Pro 5.0, its hard to argue with the legendary feats that he’s accomplished as a racer, and his mark as Drag Racing’s very own Celebu-spawn. Billy is the son of Pro Stock icon Bob Glidden.
Achievements: This man is legendary in the winners circle in every form of street racing, all with a tried-and-true small block nitrous combination.
Where is it now? The same car, in service for almost a decade, is still earning Billy and Shannon paychecks on a regular basis.
7. Tom Moore/Dennis Lugo Super Street Outlaw Mustang
I learned so much about racing from this car. The first car I ever was in the pits with, Dennis’ driving of this true 10″ tire’d freak machine was pretty inspirational. Running back in 99-00, the car was quite the handful with wild wheelies and plenty of squirrel-y action.
Achievements: Held the last standing FFW true 10″ record before the class allowed the 10.5W tire.
Where is it now? Last known location, the car was sold to Javier Collazo in Puerto Rico.
8. “Big Daddy” Dwayne Gutridge’s Drag Radial Mustang
THE reason I chose to start my career in Drag Radial racing…. the famous launch MM&FF picture of Dwayne’s car with all 4 wheels off the ground, on BF Goodrich Drag Radials (sorry, couldn’t find it online). I spent all of 2003 chasing Big Daddy for the runner-up in FFW Drag Radial. The man was crazy on BFGs.
Achievements: Was on top of the Radial revolution, and virtually unstoppable for several years on BFG Drag Radials.
Where is it now? Not entirely sure, but I’d bet that Dwayne still has this car.
9. Mike Ashley’s Torco Nitro Funny Car
Mike makes the list twice because it was the first nitro car I ever got up close and personal with. The Gotham City team played host to me at the 2006 US Nationals, allowing me to go to the starting line with a Nitro Funny Car and sit in the pits as they serviced it between rounds. Not only did I make some great friends and learned about the “Big Boys”, it truly was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and what fueled my desire to drive a Nitro car. Mike’s stories at the hotel over dinner about his learning curve of moving to Funny Car from Pro Mod are so inspiring and entertaining.
Achievements: Mike won several Wallys in Funny Car during his two year stint, with the pinnacle being his US Nationals win in 2007.
Where is it now? Melanie Troxel took over driving duties in 2008 with new sponsor and owner Roger Burgess of R2B2 Racing.
…..and since I just couldn’t decide, #10 is a TIE.
10. Jason Wood’s 1959 Cadillac Hearse Pro Streeter
For most creative and all-around cool, my vote goes to this unique ride that I was able to check out for the first time at the 2007 Orlando World Street Nationals. The attention to detail is really impressive, and creativity is just unsurpassed.
Where is it now? The car had an up-close encounter with the wall at its first outing, but my hopes is they have it back out and better than ever.
[and]
Travis Swearingen’s Junkyard Willys Pro Mod
Besides being a super cool team, (hi Barb and Dan!) the Swearingen’s have a badass little hotrod. It may look like a junker, but that’s the beauty of it… the car is painted up to be a rusty old Willys, and again, its all in the details. The front, broken grill has bugs splattered with interesting *ahem* anatomy. Check out the details if you ever see this one in person.
Where is it now? You can check this one out on the ADRL Pro Extreme tour.

Bucket List!

//  by 

Everyone should have a list they keep of things they want to do in their lifetime. The Jack Nicholson/Morgan Freeman flick The Bucket List last year really brought this idea to the top of mind for people, and I’ve seen plenty of lists out there with some really inspirational goals.

I often talk about my magic “list”, things I’ve done, things I’ve added along the way, but I’ve never sat down to write it out. I’m going to attempt a good list, I’m sure I’ll forget plenty and they’ll be added on as I go. Consider it a work in progress. So here goes my Bucket List….

  1. Learn how to play the guitar and break it out with friends and drinks for good times
  2. Finish my degree and maybe even learn another trade
  3. Learn to fly a plane and get my pilot’s license
  4. Dance until the sun comes up in Ibiza, Spain
  5. Sit on the beaches in Cuba and experience life the way it was… and the way it still is now (learning about the part of me that I don’t know anything about)
  6. Drive the length of the US1 coastline in a drop top Mustang (preferably with a turbo on it)
  7. Run a marathon (or two, or three)
  8. Drive a Fuel Dragster or Funny Car
  9. Dance on the Bar at Coyote Ugly Las Vegas, 6/2008
  10. Be a bartender at a cool pub and invent a drink they name after me when I’m gone
  11. Hang out with Jesse James over a beer and talk shop
  12. Become a cool Mom to a talented and empowered daughter
  13. Take Ju Jitsu and be strong enough to kick some serious butt, but mentally above it all
  14. Own a pair of seriously rediculous heels from a too expensive designer
  15. Drive on the Autobahn in something worthy of my lead foot
  16. Backpack through Europe with no itinerary and just submerge in the culture
  17. Be in Times Square for the Apple Drop on NYE
  18. Snowboard down a slope like I’m not from FL and know what I’m doing
  19. Write a book that gets published
  20. Travel to Alaska and visit Bus 142 outside of Fairbanks (Christopher McCandless’ last dwelling)
  21. To not settle for someone I can live with, but find the someone I can’t live without
  22. Get married barefoot on a beach in a white bikini dress
  23. To assemble a brain-trust and start my own successful business
  24. To overcome claustrophobia
  25. Own and live in a log cabin on the bluff and want for nothing else
  26. Learn to belly-dance Shakira style
  27. Own a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer! Huntsville, 1/2008
  28. Take a ride in a military fighter jet with Papi’s picture so he can be with me and achieve both our dreams together
  29. Swim under a waterfall La Mina, Puerto Rico 12/2000
  30. Quit chickening out and get my first tattoo
  31. Win the Championship in a professional class racing (Pro Mod, fuel, whatever.)
  32. Make someones dream come true… anonymously…. and watch them enjoy it without ever knowing who it came from.
  33. Have my own office… no more cube! QuStream 11/2007
    Upgraded: Have a corner window office on mahogany row with a nice view!
  34. Chase a tornado Twister-style across the county and stand in awe at its power
  35. Visit Pearl Harbor and all the other big WWII memorials and museums and learn about the great heros of that era, especially the flying aces
  36. Learn to spin from a good DJ mentor and play a set in my hometown (Orlando)
  37. Build an old skool chopper… myself.
  38. Help my BFF with her dream of her own Bar & Grill, “Eleven”, because I believe in her so much and want to see her do it.
  39. Put bright Atomic Pink highlights in my hair
  40. Ride a bright pink Vespa with a old skool helmet and googles to Bike Week in Daytona
  41. Attend Burning Man
  42. Leave this world knowing I stood for something….

I’m looking forward to crossing some off this list as I go. I don’t expect that I’ll ever get to some of them, but others are well within my reach, and I intend to do something about it.

What does your Bucket List look like?

Leave me a comment with yours!

Blog Anniversary

//  by 

Wow, its been 4 YEARS since I started this blog.   FOUR. YEARS.

I took a stroll down memory lane, and gathered up a few highlights in the archives. Let’s call this the Horsepower & Heels Greatest Hits Album.