We are the champions of the world! 2014 NHRA MELLO YELLO Top Fuel World Champs 2014 NHRA MELLO YELLO Funny Car World Champs Countdown dominance puts DSR at the top again POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 16, 2014) Dominance. No word better describes how Don Schumacher Racing s U.S. Army and Mopar Express Lane/Rocky Boots championship teams performed in the six-race NHRA Countdown to the Championship that culminated with each being crown world champions.
Each team was about average when the Countdown began; Tony Schumacher and the U.S. Army were ranked fourth and Matt Hagan and the Mopar/Rocky Dodge Charger R/T team were seventh. Army crew chief Mike Green with assistant Neal Strausbaugh, and Hagan s crew chief Dickie Venables with assistant Michael Knudsen took some lumps in the first half of the season while plotting success in the telltale Countdown. Midway through the season, it would have been hard to predict that DSR would finish the season with 21 event titles including five in Top Fuel and three in Funny Car during the six-race Countdown. It s not about how you start but how you finish, said DSR owner Don Schumacher. I just can t believe that it all came together in such a fairytale way. DSR now owns 13 world championship trophies and 240 NHRA event titles, which is the most by any team in the sport. And no organization has mastered the Countdown concept better than DSR. Consider these statistics since the first Countdown playoff in 2007: DSR has won five of the eight Top Fuel championships with the U.S. Army team and driver Tony Schumacher winning it four times; In Funny Car, DSR has won three world titles and no team has won more in the past eight years and that includes DSR winning three of the last four championships including Matt Hagan winning this year and in 2011; This year, DSR won five of six Countdown titles in Top Fuel and three in Funny Car; The Mopar/Rocky team s record in elimination rounds was an astounding 18-3 and not far back was the U.S. Army team with a 15-3 mark. The final weekend of the 2014 Mello Yello season was indicative of DSR s dominance in the Countdown. The U.S. Army team clinched its championship at the end of Saturday s qualifying sessions but Green and his team wasn t about to rest on their laurels and advanced to the championship round for the fourth time in the previous six races. In Funny Car, the Mopar/Rocky team took it a step further by winning the title of the season finale for the second consecutive year. After clinching the team s second world title in the semifinals, the Mopar/Rocky team defeated John Force in the championship round for its fourth title of the season. The championship was really what we were after, said Hagan, who clinched the championship in the semifinals when he and Force both won. The race win was the icing on the cake, but it solidified that we had a great race car. To be the best you have to beat the best and everyone says (Force) is the best and we beat him. It was nice to finish it out strong. Schumacher adds, It s just an awesome deal to win the championship and then also win the race. This Countdown format is crazy. You have to be strong in the Countdown with some good races then the rest takes care of itself. Another shining moment for DSR was a semifinals finish for the Make-A-Wish team with driver Tommy Johnson Jr., crew chief John Collins and assistant Rip Reynolds. The team ended its first season together by finishing third in the championship standings which is the best for Tommy since his professional career began in 1989. Another bright spot for DSR was the fast finish by Spencer Massey in the Red Fuel Powered By Schumacher dragster with crew chiefs Todd Okuhara and Phil Shuler. The team shot up to second in points after winning the title at Las Vegas two weeks before Pomona and finished the year ranked third in Top Fuel. Although Antron Brown and the Matco Tools team with crew chiefs Brian Corradi and Mark Oswald could only muster a 6-5 record in Countdown eliminations, the 2012 world champions won a categorybest six titles including the third event of the Countdown at St. Louis. Ron Capps and the NAPA AUTO PARTS team led by crew chief Rahn Tobler and assistant Eric Lane will remember a strong finish to 2014 that included a 4.005-second qualifying run at Pomona that earned the No. 3 seed. Their final ranking of eighth for the season is misleading because the team finished only 61 points out of third. Jack Beckman and his MTS/Infinite Hero team are ready for 2015. The team finished strong with its third crew chief of the year, Jimmy Prock, but lost its last two first-round matches with times that would have nearly every other race in the opening rounds.
NHRA AAA AUTO CLUB FINALS SCRAPBOOK Tony and Don Schumacher take a victory ride with U.S. Army soldiers. Matt and his father, David Hagan. The Dodge Charger R/T sponsored by Rodger and Karen Comstock's MTS to benefit the Veterans Trust Fund Foundation was selected as Best Appearing Car at Pomona. Ron Capps and the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge qualified third with a time of 4.005 seconds at 317 mph. Antron Brown and the Matco Tools dragster finished the season with six event titles to lead the Top Fuel category. The Red Fuel Powered By Schumacher team with driver Spencer Massey won three titles in 2014 and jumped to third in points to end the season. Tommy Johnson Jr. and the Make-A-Wish team finished strong by qualifying No. 2 and finished the year third in points.
Special deal for Shoe s News readers, friends Celebrate DSR championships with 30% off through November You might not have been able to join Don Schumacher Racing s winner s circle celebrations on Nov. 16 after Matt Hagan and the Mopar Express Lane/Rocky Boots Funny Car team joined Tony Schumacher and the U.S. Army Top Fuel teams as the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Series world champions. So DSR wants to let you join the party with a super discount of 30 percent on merchandise purchased through DSR s ShoeRacing.com store where if you use the code CHAMPS you will get a great deal on items including the limited edition Championship t-shirts for Tony and Matt that are shown above. This offer is good ONLY through the end of November so take advantage of DSR s great deals to help you lighten Santa s load and make your race fans enjoy the holiday season even more while show supporting for the baddest and best organization in drag racing. This offer is for Internet orders only. NHRA stars, fans, bowlers roll for DSR s Riley fundraiser There won t be any losers on Wednesday night (Dec. 10) when some of world s top professional drag racers join with the Indianapolis bowling community and race fans at Royal Pin s Western Bowl in Indianapolis to make one big winner. And the big winner will be the Riley Hospital for Children and Riley Children s Foundation. The fifth annual DSR Bowling for Children fundraiser will be at Royal Pin s Western Bowl at 6441 W. Washington St. near Indianapolis. DSR drivers compete fiercely against each other and our NHRA rivals, but on this winter night we ll all be on the same team supporting the kids and families who trust Riley Hospital for Children to provide unequalled medical care, said Mike Lewis, DSR senior vice president. We are proud to contribute the proceeds from our two annual DSR fundraising events to the Riley Hospital Foundation. DSR also has an open house and car show at its Brownsburg headquarters during the U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway Park in Brownsburg over Labor Day Weekend that has combined with the bowling event and other endeavors to raise more than $300,000 for the Riley Children s Foundation. Leading the roster of sports celebrities expected at the event will be NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series stars, including: The Riley Children s Foundation receives all proceeds from the tournament that will feature the fun No-Tap scoring format where nine pins down on the first ball also is scored as a strike.
The event begins with appetizers and soft drinks at 6 p.m. for all entrants and those with VIP access to the Hall of Fame private room. Bowler registration is from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Driver and VIP introductions are slated for 7:15 p.m. with bowling to start 15 minutes later. The entry fee is $60 per bowler, and teams of four or individuals are welcome. Each entry includes the cost of bowling, admission into the VIP room, a special event T-shirt and rental shoes if needed. Non-bowling spectator admission is $10 and one child 12 and younger will be admitted free with a paying adult. A special $5 spectator pass is available for anyone with a Performance Racing Industry credential. OFF THE TOP So much to be thankful for at DSR and winning is only one reason By JEFF WOLF DSR Public Relations Being part of Don Schumacher Racing the past three years has been rewarding, and leaves much to be thankful for this week. Best of all, is that the NHRA Mello Yello Series and DSR have completed another successful season and, most importantly, another safe one. And I ve been spoiled. DSR s U.S. Army team won the NHRA Top Fuel world championship on Nov.15 at Pomona, Calif., and the Mopar/Rocky Boots team provided the bookend to the weekend the next day when it added the Funny Car world title. As a PR rookie in 2012, Antron Brown was the best in Top Fuel and Jack Beckman finished No. 1 in Funny Car. That s four championships out of six since I ve been at DSR. My PR partner and DSR Social Media Manager Leah Vaughn, who started six months before me, tops that with Hagan s championship finish in 2011. She has five and remarkably has been part of nearly half of the 13 DSR has won. I did nothing to help crew chiefs Mike Green and Dickie Venables tune those championship cars and lead those championship teams. Actually, our crew chiefs don t let me handle a tool within 100 feet of their pit areas. And our drivers won t listen to any tips on how to cut better lights leaving the starting line and keeping their race cars straight and in the groove at over 320 mph. But at DSR, everyone contributes to our success in one way or another. People who boo DSR simply don t know us. But in sports, you buy a ticket and you have the right to cheer whichever team you like and boo the rest. And if you re being booed you must be winning and DSR has done that a lot. Once again, Leah Vaughn does the heavy lifting in the DSR PR department with world championship help from Matt Hagan while her co-workers Ted Yerzyk, left, and Jeff Wolf standby.
I m thankful for all fans but most proud of those who support DSR. Beyond adding two championships and 21 event titles this season, DSR has given back. Thanks to Terry Chandler and her backing of our Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T team that has brought greater awareness for a wonderful organization and allowed hundreds of Make-A- Wish kids and their families to be our guests at the races. If anything this year tops two championships and Matt closing the year by beating the 16- time world champ for the ring and Pomona title, it would be two weeks before that when Make- A-Wish teen Austin Zimmerline s wish became reality when he won a race for his team with Tommy Johnson Jr. driving Austin s two-seat dragster that beat DSR teammates Jack Beckman and Antron Brown in the other lane at Las Vegas. The smile on Austin s face and the standing ovation the Las Vegas crowd honored him with is one experience I have to be thankful for. And more thankful for the giant hearts inside Terry and Don for making it happen. There are so many heartfelt stories behind the scenes at DSR. And those who boo DSR because no organization owns more NHRA event titles than us, well, you just don t know us. Or you re jealous. One story that epitomizes the incredible passion of our crew members and hospitality staff is that U.S. Army crewman Mark Ellis. He worked for another big team last year but was released early this season as part of that organization s cutbacks. He interviewed with a DSR crew chief but was told no jobs were available and his only opportunity would be to apply for a spot on DSR s hospitality crew, which is an entry level position and the hardest job at DSR; they re first to arrive, last to leave and it s nonstop work in between. After a few races, an opening came up on the U.S. Army team and Mark was promoted. He left Pomona as a world champion crewman. That s perseverance, and that s DSR. Terry also has supported the Infinite Hero Foundation for several races on Jack Beckman s Dodge. And our loving fans and friends have helped DSR raise more than $300,000 for Riley Children s Foundation and Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health through our annual Open House that kicks off the U.S. Nationals and bowling event that is coming up on Dec. 10. There is so much for us to be thankful for at DSR, and winning on the track is merely part of it. More than 120 employees and their families will have a good Thanksgiving because Don wants to continue having the best racing organization in drag racing history and make it even better. Everyone at DSR wishes you and your family the happiest of Thanksgivings and even those who like to boo us. And thanks to DSR, I not only have a job but 10 cylinders of Dodge power in my garage. It might not be a Viper but I m content with a 1999 Jeep Cherokee with a six and 2007 Dodge Caliber with a four. Now, let s eat.
DSR driver 2014 and career statistics, standings for 2014 TOP FUEL TONY SCHUMACHER: U.S. Army - 2014 NHRA Top Fuel World Champ for 8 th time 2014 1st 24 5 1 5 6 7 4 0 39-19 CAREER 408 77 54 64 107 98 76 8 703-325 Best Time, Speed: 3.735 sec. (10-5-14, Reading, Pa.); 330.55 mph (11-1-14, Las Vegas 2) SPENCER MASSEY: Red Fuel Powered by Schumacher 2014 3rd 24 3 0 3 11 7 0 0 28-21 CAREER 119 17 14 27 29 30 7 2 190-100 Best Time, Speed: 3.728 sec. (5-31-12, Englishtown, N.J.); 332.18 mph ANTRON BROWN: Matco Tools 2014 7th 24 6 2 5 2 9 3 0 41-18 CAREER 310 47 (31 TF/16 PSB) 40 63 84 73 37 3 517-260 Best Time, Speed: 3.701*/** sec. (10-8-12, Reading, Pa.); 328.78 mph (10-8-12, Reading) * Quickest ever/** NHRA record FUNNY CAR MATT HAGAN: Rocky Boots/ Mopar Dodge Charger R/T - 2014 NHRA Funny Car World Champ for 2 nd time 2014 1st 24 4 2 5 6 6 1 0 39-20 CAREER 144 14 16 20 42 45 16 4 189-126 Best Time, Speed: 3.986 sec. (7-26-2013, Sonoma, Calif.); 322.27 mph (9-17-11, Charlotte 2) TOMMY JOHNSON JR.: Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T 2014 3rd 24 1 2 5 11 5 1 0 31-23 CAREER 346 10 (8 FC/2 TF) 15 45 80 152 10 47 255-292 Best Time, Speed: 3.999 sec. (2014, Joliet, Ill.); 322.73 mph (2014, Pomona 1) RON CAPPS: NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T 2014 7th 24 2 1 9 5 8 1 0 32-22 CAREER 435 43 (42 FC/1 TF) 42 77 88 168 16 18 538-374 Best Time, Speed: 3.964 sec., (5-31-12, Englishtown, N.J.); 320.89 mph (5-31-12, Englishtown) JACK BECKMAN: MTS Veterans Trust Foundation Dodge Charger R/T 2014 11th 24 0 1 2 7 14 0 0 14-24 CAREER 204 15 20 37 58 68 10 6 251-183 Best Time, Speed: 3.986 sec. (10-6-12, Reading, Pa.); 320.30 mph (4-15-12, Charlotte 1) NHRA MELLO YELLO CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS - final (Final points; DSR drivers in CAPS) TOP FUEL FUNNY CAR Driver (wins) points behind driver (wins) points behind 1. TONY SCHUMACHER (5) 2,594 ---- 1. MATT HAGAN (4) 2,628 ---- 2. JR Todd (1) 2,463-131 2. John Force (3) 2,585-43 3. SPENCER MASSEY (3) 2,430-164 3. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1) 2,442-186 4. Shawn Langdon (1) 2,419-175 4. Courtney Force (4) 2,421-207 5. Doug Kalitta (2) 2,407-187 5. Robert Hight (5) 2,414-214 6. Steve Torrence 2,406-188 6. Del Worsham (1) 2,393-235 7. ANTRON BROWN (6) 2,405-189 7. Alexis DeJoria (3) 2,382-246 8. Khalid albalooshi (2) 2,326-268 8. RON CAPPS (2) 2,375-253 9. Richie Crampton (2) 2,299-295 9. Tim Wilkerson 2,310-318 10. Brittany Force 2,249-345 10. Cruz Pedregon (1) 2,244-384 11. JACK BECKMAN 1,097 ----
2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series REGULAR SEASON 2013 DSR WINNNERS 2014 WINNERS 1. Feb. 6-9 Pomona, Calif. TF albalooshi FC J. Force 2. Feb. 21-23 Phoenix TF Tony FC Ron TF ANTRON FC DeJoria 3. March 13-16 Gainesville, Fla. TF Antron/200 FC Gray TF Kalitta FC Hight 4. March 28-30 Las Vegas TF Tony TF TONY FC DeJoria 5. April 11-13 Charlotte, N.C. TF Spencer FC Matt TF ANTRON FC Hight 6. April 25-27 Houston TF ANTRON FC Hight 7. May 16-18/19 Atlanta (PSM) TF Antron FC Gray TF SPENCER FC Hight 8. May 23-25 Topeka, Kan. FC Gray TF SPENCER FC C. Force 9. May 29-June 1 Englishtown FC Matt TF Crampton FC C. Pedregon 10. June 13-15 Bristol, Tenn. TF Langdon FC TOMMY 11. June 19-22 Epping, N.H. TF Spencer TF TONY FC RON 12. June 26-29 Chicago TF Tony FC Matt TF ANTRON FC MATT 13. July 3-6 Norwalk, Ohio FC Gray TF ANTRON FC J.Force 14. July 18-20 Denver TF Spencer TF Todd FC Hight 15. July 25-27 Sonoma, Calif. FC Ron TF albalooshi FC C. Force 16. Aug. 1-3 Seattle FC Matt TF Kalitta FC J. Force 17. Aug. 14-17 Brainerd, Minn. TF Spencer FC Ron TF Lucas FC RON (Indy) 18. Aug. 27-Sep. 1 Indianapolis TF Crampton FC DeJoria Traxxas FC Shootout/Jack Traxxas TF Shootout/TONY COUNTDOWN 2013 DSR WINNERS 2014 WINNERS 19. Sept. 12-14 Charlotte, N.C. TF TONY FC MATT 20. Sept. 19-21 Dallas TF TONY FC C. Force 21. Sept. 26-28 St. Louis TF Antron TF ANTRON FC C. Force 22. Oct. 2-5 Reading, Pa. TF TONY FC MATT 23, Oct. 31-Nov. 2 Las Vegas TF Antron TF SPENCER FC Worsham 24. Nov. 14-16 Pomona, Calif. FC Matt TF Lucas FC MATT DSR total: 14 DSR total: 7 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Feb. 5-8 NHRA Winternationals Pomona Feb. 20-22 NHRA Nationals Phoenix March 12-15 NHRA Gatornationals (PSM) Gainesville March 27-29 NHRA Four-Wide Nationals (PSM) Charlotte April 10-12 SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals Las Vegas April 24-26 NHRA SpringNationals Houston May 15-17 NHRA Southern Nationals (PSM) Atlanta May 22-24 NHRA Kansas Nationals Topeka June 4-7 Toyota NHRA Summernationals (PSM) Englishtown June 12-14 NHRA New England Nationals Epping June 19-21 NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Bristol July 2-5 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals (PSM) Norwalk July 9-12 Route 66 NHRA Nationals (PSM) Chicago July 24-26 Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals (PSM) Denver July 31-Aug. 2 NHRA Sonoma Nationals (PSM) Sonoma Aug. 7-9 NHRA Northwest Nationals Seattle Aug. 20-23 Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals Brainerd Sept. 2-7 U.S. Nationals (PSM) Indianapolis NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship Sept. 18-20 NHRA Carolina Nationals (PSM) Charlotte Sept. 25-27 AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals (PSM) St. Louis Oct. 1-4 NHRA Nationals (PSM) Reading Oct. 15-18 AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals (PSM) Dallas Oct. 29-Nov. 1 NHRA Toyota Nationals (PSM) Las Vegas Nov. 12-15 Auto Club NHRA Finals (PSM) Pomona
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 240 NHRA national event titles and 13 world championships. Follow Don Schumacher Racing at ShoeRacing.com, 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