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Two women qualify for Indy 500

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Two women qualify for Indy 500: Simona de Silvestro and Pippa Mann both making the starting grid for the 99th running of the Indianapolis 500.   The women will participate in the historic race, marking the 5th start for de Silvestro and the 4th for Mann.

Simona starts 19th (Row 7)

Simona de Silvestro Indy 500 TE Connectivity AndrettiiSimona de Silvestro put the No. 29 TE Connectivity Honda at the 19th starting position for Andretti Autosport with a 4-lap average of 223.838 mph in qualifying time trials.   This places her in the 7th row for race day.

Simona ran into some trouble early in practice week, when the rear of her race car caught on fire after exiting pit row in Tuesday’s practice session.    She was able to escape uninjured, and learned the fire was the result of a faulty buckeye, the component that reseals the fuel cell after a fuel stop.

Warmup:  221.296
Lap 1:  224.085
Lap 2:  223.660
Lap 3:  223.577
Lap 4:  224.032
Average: 223.838

Pippa Mann qualifies for Indy 500Pippa Mann starts 28th (Row 10)

Pippa Mann was  able to secure the 28th starting position for Dale Coyne Racing in the #63 Susan G. Komen Honda entry.   Mann posted a 4-lap average of 223.104 mph during her qualifying efforts, placing her in Row 10 for the Indy 500.

Pippa also encountered difficulty during Indy practice, when she lost control exiting Turn 4 of the track and made contact with the entrance wall to pit row, before spinning up the track surface.    The team raced to get Mann back onto the track in time for qualifying.

Warmup:  220.257
Lap 1:  223.157
Lap 2:  222.870
Lap 3:  223.145
Lap 4:  223.242
Average: 223.104

Women qualify for the Indy 500

There have been 9 women qualify for the Indy 500 to date:

  1. Janet Guthrie (3 starts)
  2. Lyn St. James (7 starts)
  3. Sarah Fisher (9 starts)
  4. Danica Patrick  (7 starts)
  5. Milka Duno (3 starts)
  6. Simona de Silvestro (5 starts)
  7. Ana Beatriz Figuereido (4 starts)
  8. Pippa Mann (4 starts)
  9. Katherine Legge (2 starts)

Source: Wikipedia

Hot-streak ends in Atlanta for Enders

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Erica Enders Stevens in Atlanta qualifyingErica Enders was on a hunt to win three NHRA national events in a row, but fell a little short after a semifinal loss at the 35th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals.   The NHRA Pro Stock reigning World Champion pushed her streak of elimination round-wins to 10 in a row, the longest such streak of the season in any pro category.

It’s hard to be disappointed with a semifinal round showing, but I kind of feel that way because I know we have the car that can win,” said Enders, driver of the Elite Motorsports Camaro. “You can’t win them all, but it sure is addictive when you get on a roll. You feel so much confidence that it’s really weird when you come up a little short.”

Tie for No. 1 qualifying spot decided by MPH

Erica Enders Burnout AtlantaEnders started the weekend off right, tying the quickest elapsed time of the qualifying with a 6.546-second blast, but nabbing the second spot due to Jason Line’s slightly better top speed. Line, who posted an identical 6.546,edged out Enders in MPH, a 211.23 to 210.28 mph by Enders.   The strong qualifying improvements come after the team’s surprising decision to switch over to the new Elite Camaro build for Enders at the start of the season, a car that hadn’t been proven in competition.

We actually started the year with this car, but the new fuel and tires they have us running put us a touch behind, so we brought out last year’s championship car and started gathering data. I have such a special place in my heart for that car, and I know how she runs and how she reacts to every little thing, so we were able to use her to figure out the fuel and the tire and apply that to this new car.    This new one is absolutely the smoothest, most drive-able car I’ve ever driven. It’s the next generation, and I know it’s going to take us to a new level.”

Semi-Final Finish for Erica Enders

She posted a 6.543 at 211.49 mph in beating first-round opponent John Gaydosh and used a 6.561 at 210.97 mph opposite Shane Gray in the quarterfinals.   In a class where races are routinely decided by thousandths of a second, Enders was consistent, continuing her hot-streak and proving quicker than everyone at the track during eliminations- except Greg Anderson.  Anderson was fractionally better each time, running a 6.541 in Round 1 and a 6.560 in Round 2.

Lane choice can be critical on race day, and Anderson’s thousandths-of-a-second advantage was just enough to earn the critical decision in the match-up against Enders.    Anderson would take the win, 6.562 to Ender’s losing 6.582.

That thousandth of a second he got us by in Round 2 was enough to give them lane choice in the semi’s, and when a track is as hot and tricky as this one you need every little edge you can get,” Enders said. “I think that right lane was just a touch better and our race pretty much proved that. I could have been better on the Tree, but it may not have mattered because he had a .015-second light.  This is a Summit race and I know those guys put a premium on winning their title sponsor’s races. We spun a lot and the car moved around and we ended up with a 6.582 to his 6.562. Game over. I’m still really proud of this team, and winning 10 rounds in a row is special. We’ll have to just start another streak.”

Enders won’t dwell long on the loss, as she and her fellow Pro Stock driving husband Richie Stevens, head onto the midwest for next weekend’s NHRA Kansas Nationals in Topeka, Kan.

I love Topeka,” Enders said. “The first ever national event was in Kansas and there is some question whether we’ll race there again after this year, so it would be extra special to get another Wally there.  We’ll stop by the shop in Oklahoma and freshen everything up. We did switch to our new Rick Jones car this weekend and it was perfect every time down. It’s like driving a Cadillac the thing is so smooth. We’re just getting to know each other but so far, so good. We’ll definitely be ready for Topeka.”

Karen Stoffer out first round in Atlanta

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An early exit for Pro Stock Motorcycle veteran, Karen Stoffer at the 35th Annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals in Atlanta, Georgia this weekend.   Stoffer, who is still running a limited schedule due to lack of sponsorship, started the weekend off well in qualifying but was just too aggressive off the line, losing at the tree on Sunday.

Karen Stoffer out 1st round in Atlanta
Photo: NHRA

All-female opening round

During qualifying, the 2015 Gatornationals winner was able to post an impressive 6.875 second elapsed time at 195.59 mph, earning her the top qualifier position.   The pole marked Karen Stoffer’s third career No. 1, and the first this season.  This would pair her first round against No. 16 qualifier, Angie Smith.   Though Stoffer carried the advantage entering the first round of eliminations, a 7-0 record over Smith, she was a touch too early off the starting line, turning on the red light and handing the win to Angie.   Karen left 0.002 seconds before the tree, a false start making her 6.861 second 195.3 mph pass invalid.   Meanwhile, Angie would have trouble down track, running a slower but winning 7.199 second E.T. at 162.98 mph.

Seeking Sponsorship: Help Karen Stoffer

Karen entered Atlanta Dragway No. 3 in points, but is still lacking sponsorship to put together a full-schedule.  Despite her position in the championship points chase, she is unsure of where her “limited schedule” will take her for the 2015 season.   The team is still aggressively seeking marketing partners to secure a full-time schedule.

Early exit in Atlanta for Alexis DeJoria

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Alexis qualifies at dusk in Atlanta
Photo: Gary Nastase/ Alexis DeJoria Racing

Alexis DeJoria still hunting for her 1st win in 2015

Drag Racing Funny Car driver, Alexis DeJoria and her Patrón XO Cafe Incendio Toyota Camry Funny Car team went into the 35th Annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals hoping to pick up their elusive first event win of the 2015 season. Unfortunately for three-time Funny Car winner, Atlanta Dragway would not become the dry-spell breaking victory for the Kalitta affiliated team.

DeJoria ready to run in Atlanta
Photo: Gary Nastase/ Alexis DeJoria Racing

After qualifying in the No. 8 spot with their 4.064-second run from the second qualifying session, Alexis and the Patrón team faced No. 9 qualifier Ron Capps in the first round of eliminations on Sunday morning. The two went head-to-head in the final pairing of Funny Cars. DeJoria made a good clean run in her Toyota Camry, but her 4.091-second pass didn’t stand up against Capps’ 4.081-sec run, ending Team Patrón’s day much earlier than they had anticipated.

It was a close race against Ron Capps. I really had a good feeling about this weekend but at least we don’t have to wait long until we’re back racing again. We’ll be in Topeka, Kan. next weekend and we’ll get back after it,” said DeJoria, who has raced to two semi-final finishes so far this year.

Chutes out in Atlanta Alexis DeJoria
Photo: Gary Nastase/ Alexis DeJoria Racing

The Kalitta Motorsports Patrón XO Cafe Incendio Toyota Camry Funny Car team heads to the midwest from Atlanta for the series’ first back-to-back race of the season. They will enter the 27th annual NHRA Kansas Nationals, May 22-24, in 9th place in Topeka with 361 points.

Career best qualifying effort for Leah Pritchett

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Leah Pritchett starts 3rd in Atlanta

Leah Pritchett AtlantaNHRA Top Fuel racer Leah Pritchett recorded her best career Top Fuel qualifying performance Saturday during the Summit Racing NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway.   Leah took the Gumout dragster to the third qualifying spot in the 16-driver field for Sunday’s elimination drag races.

The 26-year-old veteran driver from Avon, Ind., drove her nitro-burning Top Fuel car to a 3.792 second elapsed time at the Commerce, Georgia drag racing facility during Friday’s round, a time that would hold the No. 3 position secure through two rounds on Saturday.

Pritchett’s third starting spot in Sunday’s final eliminations places her behind former NHRA Mello Yello Series champions Antron Brown and Tony Schumacher in the 16-driver Top Fuel division.  Brown notched the No. 1 spot at 3.758 seconds followed by Schumacher’s 3.767 and Pritchett’s 3.792.

In addition, Pritchett’s third qualifying position was best of the female drivers in the nitro classes at Atlanta Dragway which included Brittany Force (10th) in Top Fuel and Alexis DeJoria (8th) and Courtney Force (10th) in Funny Car

Again the track conditions are tricky here at Atlanta Dragway,” said Pritchett, who’ll take on drag racing legend Chris Karamesines in the first round of eliminations Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. EDT. “it was difficult to get all of the horsepower to the pavement Saturday but we still ran a 3.88.  And that was one of the best passes of Saturday. Now, we’ll concentrate on winning rounds in eliminations. Looks like almost anyone could get to the final round on Sunday.  I want to be in that position on Sunday afternoon with a chance to win the race.”

Pritchett posted three consistent qualifying runs at Atlanta Dragway – 3.792, 3.809 and 3.887, some of the most consistent numbers in the class. Pritchett is looking for her first Top Fuel victory in her third season in the Top Fuel class, having captured three NHRA national events previously in the ProMod

ESPN2 will televise the final eliminations of the 35th NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals at 9 p.m. EDT Sunday.

 

 

Ashley Sanford throwing KC first pitch

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Ashley Sanford, KC Royals

Ashley Sanford to throw opening pitch in KC Royals home game

Rising NHRA Drag Racing A/Fuel sensation, Ashley Sanford will be the guest of honor at the Kansas City Royals home game on Wednesday, May 20th.   Sanford will be throwing out the opening pitch in their game against the Cincinnati Reds in front of the hometown crowd at Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City.

I am so honored and blessed to be given such a memorable and amazing opportunity! I’m currently crossing my fingers that I won’t trip or throw the ball at someone’s face,” says Sanford about the game opening first pitch duties.

Ashley Sanford’s Gelish A/Fuel drag racing team arrives in Kansas for the NHRA Topeka National event, where she will be competing.

Join Team Angelle

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Star Racing and three-time NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Angelle Sampey just announced a crowd funding fan sponsorship campaign called Join Team Angelle designed to provide fans with unique opportunities to get closer to the action and the inner workings of the drag racing team. Today at the 35th Annual Summit Racing NHRA Southern Nationals, Star Racing team owner George Bryce and Angelle Sampey-Drago, the winningest female motorsport athlete in history held a press conference at the Atlanta Dragway to share the details of the new campaign.

Join Team AngelleJoin Team Angelle

The team announced that through a new website JoinTeamAngelle.com, visitors will have access to latest news and behind-the-scenes perspectives from Sampey and Bryce, through team blogs, YouTube videos and social media posts from the track, the shop and testing grounds.    JoinTeamAngelle.com also allows fans a chance to get involved in the action, with details on sponsorship opportunities that have been designed to deliver enhanced access to the team and one-of-a-kind collectables from Team Angelle and Star Racing.

When I was asked to return to the NHRA circuit last year by George and Jackie Bryce of Star Racing, the overpowering pull that ultimately brought me back to the track was my connection with our fans. At Star Racing, we believe that the time has arrived to change the dynamics involved with funding a race team. Through this campaign, we are striving to provide our fans with opportunities to enjoy unmatched experiences,” said Sampey.

One of the crowd favorites, Angelle regularly interacts with fans online and at the track between rounds, sharing information about her life on the road, her family and other interesting aspects of her colorful personality.   Faced with an uncertain future in funding of her program, she was bombarded by fans who wanted the opportunity to help.

Over my more than 40 years in racing, I’ve lost count of how many fans I’ve met who have a deep love for our sport and also have the desire to get as close as they possibly can to it. The passion people have for our sport and the support our fans continually provide for our Star Racing Team continues to amaze me,” said Bryce. “Those fans who become members of Team Angelle will have access to unique experiences that promise to bring fans closer to our team in a significant way.”

From a $100 Join Team Angelle membership to event sponsorships of $7,500 and above,  the crowd funding program offers a range of options which seek to provide fans with memorable benefits. The team has structured its sponsorship levels to place experiences within reach of fans and it has also designed the upper-level sponsorships packages with smaller and mid-sized businesses in mind.

Through the success of this campaign, we believe that we will consistently race to the Winner’s Circle and we will be in the hunt for the Championship this season,” said Sampey. “We also believe the time has arrived to give fans the opportunity to see the inner workings of a NHRA team. The packages we are offering to our fans as memberships have been designed to provide unique experiences that will take our fans behind the ropes of our race operation.”

There is no doubt that Angelle has what it takes to return to the winner’s circle and capture the winningest driver in the class, a feat she trails by 4 wins.    She has already overcome a season-ending injury late last year, powering through rehabilitation and training to return to the bike in time for the season opening Pro Stock bike race.   Since her return from retirement, there has been a different vibe surrounding her team.  The vibe is a more personal feeling, a closer connection to fans that may be attributed to the old adage, “absence only makes the heart grow fonder”.     Her long awaited homecoming has been a treasure appreciated on both sides.

I’ve been in winner’s circle and held the championship trophy many times in my career, but our success this year promises to be the sweetest one of all. This year, we will have a special opportunity to share our victories in the most meaningful of ways with our fans,” said Bryce.

Watch Angelle and George’s Announcement

For more information on the fan sponsorship campaign, visit JoinTeamAngelle.com.

Monster Energy Top Fuel unveiled

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Brittany Force debuts new Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster

Monster Energy Top Fuel teamBrittany Force and John Force Racing just unveiled their new Monster Energy Top Fuel Dragster at the 35th Annual  Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals  in Commerce, GA.    The unveiling took place in the Force Racing pits amidst the media and spectators.

The 3 year sponsorship announcement for the Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster was made Wednesday by Monster and the John Force Racing team.

 Brittany Force unveils new Monster Energy Top Fuel Dragster

 

Monster Energy Top Fuel Dragster unveilingPhotos: Gary Nastase Photography/ John Force Racing

Monster Energy last appeared in NHRA competition with  the support of Kenny Bernstein’s Monster Energy Funny Car.   Brittany and Courtney are credited with landing the sponsorship deal for John Force Racing, presenting their motorsports / female racer pitch to the company themselves and working out the details of the arrangement.  Company executives were so impressed by the women’s business savvy and presence, they were sold on the idea.    John Force himself had tried many times for a meeting with Monster related to sponsorship, but was unsuccessful at ever even gaining a meeting.

Changes for Taylor Ferns at Plymouth Speedway

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Taylor Ferns
Photo Courtesy of Al Steinberg

Although it won’t be the  first time for Taylor Ferns at Plymouth Speedway, there won’t be much familiarity for 20 year-old sprint car racer entering this weekend’s Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt event.    Since her last visit to the Indiana track, it has undergone a conversion from a half-mile paved configuration to three-eighths-of-a-mile dirt format.   Her last appearance at the track was at the wheel of a midget three years ago, and returns this weekend aboard the Eco-Mend/Jimmy’s Towing Maxim, a winged sprint car.

Taylor Ferns ready for Plymouth Speedway

Saturday, May 16th begins the action for the Engine Pro Sprints event, presented by ARP.  A full racing program is on tap for the winged 360-sprint car series based in Michigan.  Taylor’s last 360-sprint car experience came last fall at Waynesfield Raceway Park in Ohio, where she won a heat race and started eighth in the main event. Contact with another car led to a flip on the second lap, which ended her night.

Going from a 410 (sprint car) to a 360 (sprint car), I think easier than going from a 360 to a 410,” explained Ferns. “Everything happens a lot slower in a 360, and it is easier to adapt. A big difference is that they usually draw for starting spots in a 360, so you have to try to pass a lot of cars in order to get a good starting spot in the main event.”

Previous track experience of little value

Taylor FernsFerns’ most recent start at Plymouth in 2012 with the Honda USAC National Midget Series yielded a third-fastest qualifying effort for that event, her best-career qualifying effort with the series. She ran fourth in a heat race, finishing 10th in the main event. During the same season, she also raced with the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour.

Prior to that, Ferns competed in a co-sanctioned race with the USAC D1 Midget Series and STARS National Midget Series, finishing 10th in a 40-lap feature, after winning a heat race in 2011. She made her debut at Plymouth in 2009, with the Kenyon Midget Series.

Having been to Plymouth before will help, but that’s probably about the only thing we can take away from our last trip there to this time,” said Ferns. “It’s going to be a completely different experience. We’ve had a tough start to the season, so we are looking to get things turned around at Plymouth.”

Last weekend, Ferns raced at Eldora Speedway in Ohio, which featured both the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car Series in the “Mother of All Sprint Car Weekends.” Though she would finish ninth in the third heat race and wound up 14th in the B-main during the Friday opener, she encoutnered engine trouble in time trials Saturday that forced her to scratch for the remainder of the race program.

Two weekends ago, Ferns competed at Atomic Speedway in Ohio with the Ohio Valley Sprint Car Association. She finished fourth in the first heat race to transfer to the main event. In the A-Feature, she finished 17th.

We have been trying some different things, so hopefully we can have a good weekend and everything will go smoothly,” said Ferns. “We have had so much going on this year and haven’t been able to catch a break, so a smooth weekend is what we are after.”

Pippa Mann uninjured in Indy practice crash

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PIppa Mann crash in IndyPippa Mann, one of two women racing to qualify for the 99th Annual Indianapolis 500, suffered minor injuries in a practice crash late afternoon Wednesday.   Her #63 Dale Coyne Racing prepped Honda got sideways exiting turn 4, sending her down the bank and into the edge of the pit wall before spinning wildly back to the high side of the bank.

Bruised and Sore

Mann suffered a few bruises and general soreness, but was cleared by the track medical staff.    She told press that losing control was a mistake on her part, an unfortunate result of her infrequency in the seat leading up to this event.

I have a few new bruises, and I’m making friends with some ice packs tonight, but I am fine. I am, however, completely gutted for all of the hard working crew who now have to put a race car back together again,” said Mann following the incident.

Prior to the crash, she had posted the 14th fastest lap time of the 33 cars in practice Wednesday.  Her team will try and repair the damage for Pippa’s qualifying runs this weekend.  With Pippa Mann uninjured, she remains focused on the primary objective of her Indy 500 race quest, to represent and raise money for the Susan G. Komen organization in the fight against Breast Cancer.

If you really want to cheer me up tonight… There’s a certain campaign that stays rolling even while the race car is down!!

Mann’s Get Involved campaign has raised over $29,000 for Susan G. Komen, with 13 days to go before it reaches its conclusion just after the close of the Indy 500.    Fans can contribute by visiting pippamann.com/getinvolved or following #GetInvolved in social media.

Watch the Pippa Man crash from Indianapolis (video: Indycar)