NHRA Archives – Page 9 of 17 – Horsepower & Heels

Brittany Force pre-season NHRA interview

February 5, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Drag Racing Top Fuel driver, Brittany Force, talks about the big changes made to her Monster Energy team over the off-season during this NHRA interview from the recent Nitro Spring Training test sessions being held at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, AZ.

Brittany Force pre-season: anticipation runs high

The addition of legendary championship-winning crew chief Alan Johnson to the team as technical advisor has made headlines during the past few weeks.

Will Brittany Force see her first Top Fuel win this season?

Comment below with your thoughts of when her elusive first win will come!

FireAde signs on with Leah Pritchett and BVR

February 4, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

NHRA Top Fuel driver Leah Pritchett has just announced a multi-race deal in which her Bob Vandergriff Racing top fuel dragster will feature FireAde 2000 as primary sponsor at select events in the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, and serve as an associate sponsor throughout the rest of the season.

Ron Thames, owner of Fire Service Plus which makes the Fireade product and I starting discussing ways we could work together last October,” said team owner Bob Vandergriff Jr. “We’re both excited we were able to put together a program that will benefit both sides, they make a great product and it’s been very well received at every level we’ve introduced it.”

FireAde manufactures innovative, user friendly and environmentally safe fire extinguishers. Their products are made from 98% organic compounds, so they contain no hazardous chemicals and are biodegradable. FireAde is used by the NHRA Safety Safari and their extinguishers can be found in retailers all around the world.

When you think of B2B and creating opportunities I kept hearing one name, Bob Vandergriff and BVR,” said Ron Thames. “Since creating this partnership our company has already had doors opened for us at both the retail level and in the oil fields sector. I’m looking forward to growing this program and we’re off to great start already.”

This is Pritchett’s first season with Bob Vandergriff Racing and her first full-season behind-the-wheel of a top fuel dragster. FireAde joins Quaker State as the second major company to team up with Bob Vandergriff Racing to support Leah Pritchett this season. Pritchett finished #14 in points last year after only competing in 16 out of 24 races. With the backing of BVR, she is focused on earning her first win in Top Fuel and competing for the championship title.

The 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Series season will begin at the 56th annual Circle K Winternationals in Pomona, California on February 12 – 14.

First test with EFI a success for Enders

February 1, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Two-time defending NHRA Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders is fresh off a successful first test session with her new EFI-equipped Elite Motorsports Mopar Dodge Dart on Saturday at North Star Dragway.

The Pro Stock class recently made the switch to NHRA-mandated electronic fuel-injected engines, an imposed 10,500-rpm limit, and a shorter wheelie bar configuration . Enders and her Elite team also were testing their new equipment under their manufacturer alliance with Mopar and Dodge – a new RJ Race Cars Dart built in the shops of crew chiefs Rick and Rickie Jones.

I was really impressed,” Enders said. “It was a pretty awesome experience. I feel like my expectations were a little tainted by what other people had reported about EFI and I didn’t know what to expect, but then to experience it first-hand with my guys, I’m very optimistic. Things went well, and I’m excited about the season. We accomplished a lot in one day, and we did that because of the preparation and hard work of all my Elite guys.”

Enders put her new Dodge through the motions in a full day of testing, while the team took notes on the many differences between the former Pro Stock configuration and the new one.

The drivability is absolutely different,” Enders said. “It’s definitely challenging, but change always is. I couldn’t have asked for a better first experience with it. We had a great track to test on, and with a brand-new race car and all the new EFI stuff, we went out and went right down the racetrack — no blips, no hiccups, nothing. It was great.”

The new body changes also meant a clear-view for Enders – no more large hood scoop blocking her vision from inside the car.

I’ve never raced with an open windshield like that,” Enders said. “I’ve always had a hood scoop or a blower or something, so it was definitely different to have a wide-open view. That was a big change, but I ignored that aspect of it because I was so focused on doing my best in the race car. That wasn’t even a thought.”

The team continues preparations for the start of the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season with upcoming pre-season testing at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Ariz., starting next Sunday.

Back in Green: Alexis DeJoria

January 28, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Alexis DeJoria has just unveiled her 2016 NHRA Funny Car livery.

The team is going back to their roots for the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season. Operating out of the Kalitta Motorsports camp, The Patrón Spirits Company-backed Toyota Camry Funny Car team will be “Back in Green for 2016”, once again sport the iconic ‘Patrón Green’ as they return to the distiller’s signature Patrón Silver label.

Driver Alexis DeJoria began her NHRA career in 2005 representing the ultra-premium spirits company’s Patrón Silver brand. Making her debut in a black and green Patrón Super Gas Corvette Roadster, Alexis turned heads in the recognizable color scheme as she progressed through the NHRA ranks, eventually making her highly anticipated Funny Car debut in 2011.

DeJoria’s race team became synonymous with the Tequila Patrón brand. After eight years in green, the team shocked the NHRA world by showing up to the 2014 season-opener in Pomona, California in purple and gold. The team represented the Patrón XO Cafe liqueur brand throughout the 2014 season until the final race of the year when they surprised fans yet again with a red, orange and yellow car emblazoned with Patrón’s latest incarnation, Patrón XO Cafe Incendio. While the Incendio brand was originally intended to be a one-race-only look, fan response was so positive that the new colors remained for the 2015 season.

As the Patrón team enters its fifth year of Funny Car racing, they will return to the quintessential green Patrón Silver scheme.

Alexis and the entire Patrón team were tremendous partners in helping us launch and generate excitement and awareness for the new Patrón XO Cafe Incendio. However, in 2016, we decided to return to the classic Tequila Patrón livery on Alexis’ Toyota Camry Funny Car for the 2016 season. Additionally, this more closely aligns Alexis DeJoria Racing with our global motorsports marketing platform, including our Tequila Patrón ESM Team, racing in the World Endurance Championship series,” said Lee Applbaum, Chief Marketing Officer at Patrón Spirits. “Though it can sometimes be difficult to see clearly at 300-mph, we couldn’t be more proud to fly our colors, and our iconic Patrón Silver bottle, on Alexis’ incredible 10,000-horsepower race car.”

Three-time Funny Car winner Alexis DeJoria couldn’t be more excited about the decision to return to the classic Tequila Patrón livery.

We started our first season in Funny Car branded with Patrón Silver. I love the way the green and silver looks on the car, it’s incredibly sharp,” said DeJoria. “It makes sense to represent the company’s flagship spirit on our Toyota Camry. I think the fans will like it too- it’s very recognizable. Everybody knows that label. When you think of Patrón, you automatically think of the Patrón Silver bottle. Over the years, we’ve had a lot of fun with the other Patrón brands on our car, but I’m really happy to get back to our roots for year five.”

Alexis DeJoria and the Tequila Patrón Toyota Camry Funny Car team take to the track on Friday, February 12^th in Pomona, California for the first qualifying round of the NHRA season at the 56^th annual Circle K NHRA WinterNationals. Fans can get a sneak preview of Team Patrón’s updated look at the NHRA Nitro Spring Training test session in Phoenix, Arizona, February 3-6.

Alexis DeJoria’s 2016 livery teaser

January 27, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Check out this teaser video posted on Alexis DeJoria’s 2016 livery

Our hearts are pumping, and we can almost smell the nitro, folks! Just a few more weeks until the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season begins at Auto Club Raceway. Check out this awesome teaser video that Alexis DeJoria posted to her Facebook today in anticipation for the unveiling.

Alexis DeJoria will return to the NHRA Funny Car class in her Kalitta-backed Patron Funny Car when the season opens in Pomona for the 56th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals on February 11-14, 2016. Stay tuned, the official unveiling will take place tomorrow.

Sneak Peek: Erica Enders new Dodge Pro Stock

January 14, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Elite Motorsports | Erica Enders Dodge Pro Stock 2016 Dart

NHRA Two-time Pro Stock World Champion Erica Enders has released a few sneak-peek shots of her striking new ’16 Dodge Dart. The car will be making its competition debut a month from now, when she begins her pursuit of a third consecutive NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series title.

Erica Enders’ new Dodge Pro Stock was built by RJ Race Cars in Galesburg, Ill., the famed shop led by Enders’ crew chiefs, Rick and Rickie Jones. They previously crafted her championship-winning cars from 2014 and 2015.

Enders’ Elite Motorsports team is beginning a partnership with Mopar this season and will field Dodge Darts in Pro Stock competition trim. The car is built to new NHRA Pro Stock specifications, including several new rules for 2016 and beyond: fuel-injected engines with a 10,500 rpm limit, plus the removal of hood scoops and shortened wheelie bars.

“Rick and Rickie take a lot of pride in the cars they produce,” Enders said. “They both have said these two cars are the best two pieces that have ever come out of their shop. That’s pretty cool.”

Erica Enders and her Elite Motorsports team are expected to test the new Dodge Pro Stock in Phoenix the week before the season-opening event, Feb. 12-14, at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, Calif.

What do you think of the new, sleek, hoodscoop-less Pro Stock design?

Leave us a comment below!

Aerospace extends NHRA participation

January 13, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Horsepower & Heels Motorsport Professional of the Year finalist, Kim Kussy, announced today that Aerospace Components has extended its agreement as the presenting sponsor of the NHRA Excellence in Engineering Award at select NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events through the 2017 season.

“We are excited to announce our multi-year involvement as presenting sponsors of the NHRA Aerospace Components Excellence in Engineering Award,” said Kim Kussy, co-founder, President and CMO of Aerospace Components Inc. “Because we design and manufacture high performance drag racing billet aluminum components, this program is a perfect fit to honor and support those sportsman racers who exemplify the best engineered vehicles with a Wally trophy.”

Aerospace Components Excellence in Engineering

Formerly the Best Engineered Car Award, NHRA’s Excellence in Engineering Award will be presented at 12 NHRA Mello Yello Series races in 2016. The prestigious award is presented to an individual who brings a unique edge in craftsmanship and technology to each NHRA national event. Voted on by the NHRA Tech Department, the recipient receives a special award-specific Wally to commemorate the achievement. Past winners have included unique chassis builders, drivers that feature distinctive parts and individuals who work to design and test unique concepts.

The NHRA is very proud to have Aerospace Components continue its partnership with NHRA Drag Racing,” said Gary Darcy, NHRA senior vice president of sales and marketing. “The NHRA features some of the world’s most mechanically and technically complex machines and the NHRA Aerospace Components Excellence in Engineering Award honors those who continue to push the boundaries and break barriers in our high-speed sport.”

The program is only one of the ways Kim Kussy stays active within the racing community, supporting customers and racers for their successes. Aerospace Components is family-owned and operated by the Kussy family and has been producing high quality components for 30 years.

They began doing government contract work, primarily the manufacturing of defense systems, guidance systems and space station components, with Kim growing the business becoming one of the most successful professional women in motorsports.

Today, the Aerospace Components name is known throughout the racing industry as one of the leaders in manufacturing high performance drag racing products. They design and build brake systems for any make or model car, billet aluminum vacuum pump systems, fuel pumps, water pumps, two speed power glide shifters and more.

Autoweek names Erica Enders for Driver Award

January 5, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

NHRA Pro Stock driver, Erica Enders continues to rack up accolades for her historical “R-EE-peat” championship season. Most recently, Autoweek names Erica Enders as its inaugural Autoweek Driver Award recipient.

Enders earned her second consecutive Pro Stock championship with a dominant performance in the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, winning nine races, breaking Angelle Sampey’s single-season win record for females, passed legend Shirley Muldowney for second place in career wins by a woman as her total increased to 21 career victories, and most recently, was voted the Horsepower & Heels Female Racer of the Year and Female Motorsport Professional of the Year.

Enders also set an all-time NHRA record by winning three consecutive final rounds on holeshots (in Brainerd, Minn.; Indianapolis; and Charlotte), proving deadly on the tree all season long, leading to her being able to clinch the championship in Las Vegas with one race remaining on the schedule. She became the first driver in Pro Stock to win back-to-back titles since the great Jeg Coughlin Jr. accomplished that feat in 2007-08.

It’s a huge honor to be named as the winner of the Autoweek Driver Award, especially considering it covers all of motorsports,” Enders said. “Sometimes drag racing is overlooked, so it’s pretty neat for us. Thanks to (team owner) Richard Freeman, (crew chiefs) Rick and Rickie Jones and Mark Ingersoll, and all my Elite Motorsports guys. I’ve got the best, smartest, most loyal guys in the business, and they make this whole deal possible. I’m a blessed girl to be their driver, and we’ll continue to live this dream.”

The Autoweek Awards were launched to “recognize individuals or companies who, over the course of the last year, have made substantial contributions to the continued relevance and advancement of car culture.”

The magazine said of Enders, “No other driver has dominated their sport to the degree that Enders has over the course of the last two years.”

Victory Motorcycle driver Angie Smith eager to return

December 14, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Victory Motorcycle driver Angie Smith is eager to return to NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle competition in 2016. The husband-wife power team of Angie and Matt Smith introduced the Victory Motorcycle brand to the NHRA Mellow Yellow drag racing series competition this season, after Victory began looking for a way to get into the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle class in late 2014. They met with a handful of teams before settling on the championship-winning pair.

Tough transition for Victory Motorcycle driver Angie Smith

But pioneering a new build and combination isn’t without its difficulties and challenges, as the team worked hard to develop the new Victory Pro Stock Motorcycle program. Angie struggled early in the season with the aerodynamics of the new smaller fairing on the Victory race-prototypes. At one of the first test sessions with the new bike, the team discovered that the Victory’s smaller fairing produced much higher wind resistance, with Angie’s hand actually blowing off the handlebars on one of her early runs, overpowering her slight build. She kept control and stayed on the bike, but her confidence suffered.

An NHRA-approved midseason adjustment to the bodywork alleviated some of the wind resistance that the team was fighting, also helping to put the Victory more on par to the other manufacturers in the class in performance and speed.

“It took a while to get my confidence back,” she said. “But toward the end of the season, I was doing a lot better. I think in 2016 we’re going to be really, really good.”

As the season progressed, so did the confidence of Angie Smith. She began the season at the bottom of the Pro Stock Motorcycle ladder, with a DNQ at the 4-wide Nationals and 7 total #16 qualifying starts. But midseason, during the Western swing, their tireless efforts would begin to turn around, netting her a #11 qualified position for the Bandimere event and a season-best #8 effort in Maple Grove.

We are 100 percent behind this deal,” Angie said. “There’s no 9-to-5, 40-hour work week. We’ve been putting in all of out time to make this program better because we want to make Victory happy and we want to be happy as racers. We want this partnership with Victory Motorcycles to last a lifetime. We want to get as many people as we can riding Victory Motorcycles. The best way to do that is win because that shows everyone how great these motorcycles are.”

Though she encountered a rocky start in 2015, Smith is no novice to the Pro Stock Motorcycle ranks. Angie is one of just 15 women in NHRA’s 64-year history to claim a national event trophy, and her crew chief/husband Matt says she will be adding to her career total in 2016.

She’s come a long way over the last couple of years,” he said. “The 2015 season was kind of a setback for her, mainly because of how the wind affects her on the Victory. She’ll be a lot better in 2016. We’ve just got to get her some more laps. She’ll be good next year.”

New ride: Leah Pritchett joins Bob Vandergriff Racing

December 10, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

NHRA Top Fuel driver, Leah Pritchett just announced that she will be joining the Bob Vandergriff Racing team in 2016 to field a second Top Fuel dragster with the support of Quaker State. Pritchett, who became a free agent last month when her Dote Racing team lost the Gumout sponsorship, pairs with teammate Dave Connolly, who returns driving the C&J Energy Services dragster for the full 2016 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

This will be Pritchett’s first full season since joining the Top Fuel ranks in 2013. Leah began her racing career in the Junior Dragster ranks at the age of eight before moving on to a successful Nostalgia Funny Car and Pro Mod driving career.

The opportunity to run a complete NHRA Top Fuel season has been a goal that I have worked towards for a very long time,” said Pritchett. “I am beyond excited for the opportunity to focus on making the countdown next season, competing for a Championship, working alongside Bob Vandergriff Jr., and re-introduce the Quaker State brand back into the NHRA. This dream is now a reality, thanks in large part to the vision of Bob Vandergriff Jr., as well as the support of great companies and people along my way to this personal and professional milestone, and of course my fans.”

Quaker State will be the primary sponsor of five NHRA races with associate sponsorships on both BVR Top Fuel Dragsters. Vandergriff is working hard in the off-season to secure more sponsors for the remaining races on the schedule. Quaker State has a long history with NHRA dating back to the ‘80s. The last car they sponsored was Tony Pedregon’s Nitro Funny Car which won the 2007 NHRA Funny Car Championship.

Bob Vandergriff Racing has presented Quaker State with an opportunity to get back into the NHRA, and we couldn’t be more excited for the 2016 season,” said Gita Gidwani, Quaker State Global Brand Manager. “Quaker State is a hardworking motor oil that has great synergies for working with a hardworking and dedicated driver like Leah Pritchett and we look forward to backing her as she continues her impressive NHRA career.”

We have two young drivers with extensive racing backgrounds, so 2016 should be an exciting year for BVR,” added Vandergriff. “Our goal is to put both Dave and Leah in the top 10 and take home the championship this year.”