All DSR championship run at Winternationals with new 2015 Dodge Charger R/T Matt Hagan and the Mopar Express Lane/Rocky Boots 2015 Dodge Charger R/T edges past DSR teammate Ron Capps in the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge in the first time the new model Charger raced in competition. (Photos courtesy of AutoImagery.com) DSR s Fast start in Pomona opener All-DSR final in Funny Car; Antron races for trophy Don Schumacher Racing started the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season nearly as well as it could be have hoped. Three of the four spots in the nitro championship round belonged to DSR teams and Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane/Rocky Boots 2015 Dodge Charger R/T won the NHRA Winternationals Funny Car title to match the one he ended the past season with en route to his second world championship. Matt had to face DSR teammate Ron Capps and the NAPA AUTO PARTS team in the final round which put a pair of the all-new Dodge Charger R/Ts in the finals for the first event in which the new carbon-fiber body was raced. DSR owner Don Schumacher holds the NHRA Wally trophy won Sunday by Funny Car driver Matt Hagan. Don did not attend the Winternationals while he is the midst of radiation treatments after successful surgery in late November. But he remains captain of the DSR ship. He texted throughout the weekend with Todd Okuhara, DSR s director of racing and cocrew chief on the Red Fuel/Sandvik Coromant Top Fueler.
It was a harrowing road to eliminations for Matt when an engine problem led to an explosion during Friday qualifying that resulted in a fireball that destroyed his new Mopar Express Lane body. The team went to its Rocky Boots version and worked well past midnight to get the car ready for the last sessions on Saturday. In Top Fuel, Antron Brown and the Matco Tools/U.S. Army team rallied from a disappointing No. 11 qualifying spot to get to the championship round where they lost to Shawn Langdon, whose time of 3.700 seconds in qualifying took away Antron s previous quickest ever run at 3.701 that his Matco team made in 2012. That 3.701, however, remains the NHRA elapsed time record because Langdon wasn t able to back up his run with a time within 1 percent of his 3.700. Bill Haskins gets a traditional Mello Yello shower from his Mopar/Rocky teammates after earning his first NHRA event title at the Winternationals. But those weren t the only happy teams heading for the next event on Feb. 20-22 at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park near Phoenix. Spencer Massey matched his fastest run ever at 332.18 mph from 2012 with the Red Fuel Powered by Schumacher/Sandvik Coromant team. The run in qualifying helped the team qualify fourth and advance to the semifinals where it also lost to Langdon. The best Top Fuel race came in the first round that unfortunately paired DSR teams where Antron (3.732, 326.87) edged Tony Schumacher and the U.S. Army team (3.787, 323.66). In Funny Car, Tommy Johnson Jr. and the Make-A-Wish Dodge nearly won the No. 1 qualifying position. Their time of 4.018 (314.46) was the best on Friday but lost the pole by 0.023 seconds on Saturday. Tommy advanced to the quarterfinals. For the Infinite Hero Dodge team and driver Jack Beckman, their joy had to wait until Tuesday. Crew chief Jimmy Prock, who joined DSR in the last month of the 2014 season, had less than two months to form a new crew and then basically changed their entire racecars. After a 4.00-second run during testing in Florida last month an ugly gremlin showed up at Pomona. Jack s racecar struggled to get down the track on its first three attempts and the fourth session was cancelled due to a persistent drizzle and
falling temperatures on Saturday. Jack did not qualify for Sunday s eliminations marking the first time that happened to him since the sixth event (Houston) of the 2012 season. The team had diagnosed the problem before leaving Pomona and headed to Phoenix to test on Tuesday. Despite shutting off not much farther than halftrack, the Infinite Hero Dodge produced times of 4.09, 4.12, 4.12 and 4.05; the slowest at 4.12 would have qualified 13 th at Pomona. The DSR teams drove the rigs to Phoenix and flew back to Indianapolis for a few days at home before heading west again next week. A year ago at Phoenix, Antron and the Matco Tools team won their first of six titles. Chandler adds Infinite Hero, Fast Jack to her lineup The Infinite Hero Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing critical funding to programs that combat mental and physical injuries facing returning military heroes and their families, announced today the expansion of a unique partnership with Terry Chandler and Don Schumacher Racing for the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season with driver Jack Beckman. Through funding from Terry, who also again will fund DSR s Make-A-Wish Funny Car team at DSR for driver Tommy Johnson Jr., the Infinite Hero (InfiniteHero.org) awareness campaign will expand from six events last year to the entire 24-race 2015 season with DSR. Jack, a two-time NHRA world champion living in Southern California, was ecstatic at the end of the past year when he learned Chandler would fund his DSR team for the entire upcoming season, and that his crew chief would be Jimmy Prock with John Medlen serving as the assistant on the 2015 Dodge Charger R/T. Terry, who lives in New Mexico, joined with her brother, Johnny Gray, to fund the DSR Funny Car he drove in 2013 that honored their late father, John R. Gray. When Johnny retired from fulltime professional drag racing, she decided to continue with DSR to help provide awareness to special causes. Through the many years of my brother being involved with NHRA and me loving the sport too I wanted to give back to some deserving people who mean so much to me: children and our military heroes and their families, Terry said. Through both the Make-A-Wish and Infinite Hero teams last season, I was able to meet so many inspirational people being served by both organizations. To be able to fund both teams to raise awareness and support for these causes means the world to me. It brings so much joy to my life and I hope it inspires others to help too. After Terry decided to return this year to back the Make-A-Wish Funny Car team, she generously added Jack s team to her fold. Last year, fans had the opportunity to support the Infinite Hero cause and receive a military challenge coin that had gone down the track with Jack. This year, a new edition of the coin will be available for purchase with a donation of $100 or more to Infinite Hero Foundation at the Oakley store on event midways during NHRA races and online at InfiniteHero.org. Jack will be available at races to sign and record the track time for coins after each run.
Fans and friends of DSR stepped up last season to raise more than $150,000 for the foundation, said Infinite Hero Foundation President and Oakley CEO, Colin Baden, who added the foundation has donated nearly $2 million to 10 different veteran service organizations. Jack, who enlisted at 17 in the Air Force and served four years, is steadfast in his support of U.S. military personnel and has regularly visited Veterans Hospitals since becoming a professional racer in 2005. He was presented with the U.S. Air Force Wall of Achievers honor in Enlisted Heritage Hall at Gunter Annex of Maxwell Air Force Base in May 2013 joining other enlisted men and women who have contributed to the growth and development of the U.S. Air Force. I m such a huge believer in the Infinite Hero program, said Jack, who won the 2012 NHRA Funny Car world championship for DSR and the NHRA Super Comp world championship in 2003. I was sold on the Foundation when I first heard about it. It s more than a feel-good-thing, it s empowering... helping our veterans get back to a new normal. Terry labeled Most influential woman in NHRA by noted SoCal columnist Terry Chandler was featured in the Sunday sports section of the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin along with other Southern California newspapers and touted for her philanthropic endeavors in NHRA including sponsorship of DSR s Make- A-Wish and Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Funny Cars. The following are excerpts from the story written by veteran motorsports reporter and columnist Louis Brewster: Those who attend the final day of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season-opener on Sunday at Auto Club Raceway will hear about Terry Chandler and a few may even catch a glimpse of the most influential woman in the sport Terry Chandler is not a driver nor is she a team owner. In fact, she tries to avoid the spotlight whenever possible. She s just happy to be doing what she does in the sport, and there are many who are also appreciative of her efforts. The charming woman from New Mexico, always with a smile, sponsors a pair of Don Schumacher Racing Funny Cars. In 2014, she brought Tommy Johnson Jr. back into the sport by sponsoring the car previously driven by her brother Johnny Gray. Chandler provided the funding for the Make-A-Wish Foundation Dodge Funny Car. The organization does not contribute to the funding, but does benefit from the added exposure. Terry with one of her Wish Kids at a recent NHRA event. This year, continuing her philanthropic effort, she is sponsoring Jack Beckman s Dodge for Infinite Hero Foundation for the entire season. For complete story, go to DailyBulletin.com/topic/NHRA
Matco Tools unveil Antron Brown, the 2012 Top Fuel world champion, will unveil his 2015 dragster design Sunday at the annual Matco Tools Expo and National Business Conference at the Gaylord Palms in Orlando, Fla. The new design will debut on the track next weekend at the Mello Yello event near Phoenix at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. Bombed Reigning Top Fuel champ Tony Schumacher, left, photo-bombed fellow 2014 world champ Matt Hagan last weekend during a photo shoot with AutoImagery.com photographer Richard Shute. Work well done DSR fabrication shop manager Joe Fitzpatrick, right, celebrates the Funny Car win with Matt Hagan. Fitzpatrick was in Pomona for the Winternationals to observe the performance of the 2015 Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car body that he helped Mopar develop for than a year. A special salute from noted artist Bruce Tatman...
DSR drivers 2015, career statistics; 2015 standings - thru Pomona 1 (1 OF 24) TOP FUEL ANTRON BROWN: Matco Tools/U.S. Army 2015 2nd 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3-1 CAREER 311 47 (31 TF/16 PSB) 41 63 84 73 37 3 520-261 Best Time, Speed: 3.701 sec.-nhra record (2012, Reading, Pa.); 328.78 mph (2012, Reading) SPENCER MASSEY: Red Fuel Powered by Schumacher/Sandik Coromant 2015 3rd 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2-1 CAREER 120 17 14 28 29 30 7 2 192-101 Best Time, Speed: 3.728 sec. (2012, Englishtown, N.J.); 332.18 mph, (2015, Pomona, Calif.; 2012, Charlotte 1) TONY SCHUMACHER: U.S. Army 14 Top Fuel World Champ 2015 9th 1 5 0 0 0 1 0 0 0-1 CAREER 409 77 54 64 107 99 76 8 703-326 Best Time, Speed: 3.735 sec. (2014, Reading, Pa.); 330.55 mph (2014, Las Vegas 2) FUNNY CAR MATT HAGAN: Mopar Express Lane/Rocky Boots Dodge Charger R/T 14 Funny Car World Champ 2015 1st 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4-0 CAREER 145 15 16 20 42 45 16 4 193-126 Best Time, Speed: 3.986 sec. (2013, Sonoma, Calif.); 322.27 mph (2011, Charlotte 2) TOMMY JOHNSON JR.: Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T 2015 6th 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1-1 CAREER 347 10 (8 FC/2 TF) 15 45 80 152 10 47 256-293 Best Time, Speed: 3.999 sec. (2014, Joliet, Ill.); 322.73 mph (2014, Pomona 1) RON CAPPS: NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T 2015 2nd 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3-1 CAREER 436 43 (42 FC/1 TF) 43 77 88 168 16 18 541-375 Best Time, Speed: 3.964 sec., (2012, Englishtown, N.J.); 320.89 mph (2012, Englishtown) JACK BECKMAN: Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T 2015 18th 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0-0 CAREER 205 15 20 37 58 68 10 7 51-183 Best Time, Speed: 3.986 sec. (2012, Reading, Pa.); 320.30 mph (2012, Charlotte 1) 2015 NHRA MELLO YELLO CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (DSR drivers in CAPS; thru 1 of 24 events) TOP FUEL FUNNY CAR DRIVER (WINS) POINTS BEHIND DRIVER (WINS) POINTS BEHIND 1. Shawn Langdon (1) 124 --- 1. MATT HAGAN (1)107 --- 2. ANTRON BROWN 92-32 2. RON CAPPS 94-13 3. SPENCER MASSEY 78-46 3. Del Worsham 74-33 4. Larry Dixon 73-51 4. Robert Hight 73-34 5. Richie Crampton 59-65 5. Courtney Force 61-46 6. Doug Kalitta 56-68 6. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. 60-47 7. Steve Torrence 54-70 7. John Hale 51-56 8. Leah Pritchett 52-72 8. Bob Bode 46-61 9. TONY SCHUMACHER 36-88 9. John Force 40-67 10. Brittany Force 33-91 10. Cruz Pedregon 38-69 18. JACK BECKMAN 5-102
NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Jan. 15-18 PBIR, Jupiter, Fla. testing REGULAR SEASON 2014 WINNERS 2015 WINNERS 1. Feb. 6-8 Pomona, Calif. TF albalooshi FC J. Force TF Langdon FC HAGAN #241 2. Feb. 20-22 Phoenix TF ANTRON FC DeJoria TF FC 3. March 13-15 Gainesville, Fla. TF Kalitta FC Hight TF FC 4. March 27-29 Charlotte, N.C. TF ANTRON FC Hight TF FC 5. April 10-12 Las Vegas TF TONY FC DeJoria TF FC 6. April 24-26 Houston TF ANTRON FC Hight TF FC 7. May 15-17 Atlanta (PSM) TF SPENCER FC Hight TF FC 8. May 22-24 Topeka, Kan. TF SPENCER FC C. Force TF FC 9. June 5-7 Englishtown TF Crampton FC C. Pedregon TF FC 10. June 12-14 Epping, N.H. TF TONY FC RON TF FC 11. June 19-21 Bristol, Tenn. TF Langdon FC TOMMY TF FC 12. July 3-5 Norwalk, Ohio TF ANTRON FC J. Force TF FC 13. July 10-12 Chicago TF ANTRON FC MATT TF FC 14. July 24-26 Denver TF Todd FC Hight TF FC 15. July 31-Aug. 2 Sonoma, Calif. TF albalooshi FC C. Force TF FC 16. Aug. 7-9 Seattle TF Kalitta FC J. Force TF FC 17. Aug. 21-23 Brainerd, Minn. TF Lucas FC RON (Indy) TF FC 18. Sep. 3-7 Indianapolis TF Crampton FC DeJoria TF FC Traxxas Shootouts TF TONY TF FC COUNTDOWN 2014 WINNERS 2015 WINNERS 19. Sept. 18-20 Charlotte, N.C. TF TONY (Dallas) FC MATT (Dallas) TF FC 20. Sept.25-27 St. Louis TF ANTRON FC C. Force TF FC 21. Oct. 2-4 Reading, Pa. TF TONY FC MATT TF FC 22. Oct. 16-18 Dallas TF TONY FC C. Force TF FC 23, Oct. 30-Nov. 1 Las Vegas TF SPENCER FC Worsham TF FC 24. Nov. 13-15 Pomona, Calif. TF Lucas FC MATT TF FC DSR TOTALS: TF = 14 FC = 7 TF= FC= 1 DSR 2014 SEASON TOTALS 2 - World championships (Tony s 8 th in Top Fuel, Matt s 2 nd in Funny Car) 14 - Top Fuel event titles (Antron 6, Tony 5, Spencer 3) 7 - Funny Car event titles (Matt 4, Ron 2, Tommy 1, Jack 0) DSR ALL-TIME TOTALS 13 - World championships (Tony 8, Matt 2, Antron 1, Jack Beckman 1, Gary Scelzi 1) 241 - NHRA Mello Yello event titles (Top Fuel 123, Funny Car 97, Pro Stock 3, Pro Stock Motorcycle 18) ABOUT DSR Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields seven professional NHRA teams. In Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, the 2012 NHRA Top Fuel world champion Matco Tools dragster driven by Antron Brown and the Red Fuel Powered by Schumacher dragster driven by Spencer Massey; and in Funny Car, 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T, 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane/Rocky Boots Dodge, the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge of Ron Capps and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr. DSR has won 241 NHRA national event titles and 13 world championships. Follow Don Schumacher Racing on Twitter at @shoeracing and Facebook.com/shoeracing Don Schumacher Racing ShoeRacing.com - (317) 858-0356 Jeff Wolf Leah Vaughn wolfj@shoeracing.com vaughnl@shoeracing.com (702) 524-1368, cell (618) 516-1988, cell