NHRA Funny Car records: 3.986 seconds, 320.58 mph The Battery extender Powered by Schumacher Electric/Valvoline Dodge Charger R/T with driver Jack Beckman, crew chief Todd Smith, assistant Terry Snyder and the rest of the team moved into the Funny Car points lead on Oct. 8 and set NHRA national records for elapsed time and speed at Reading, Pa. (AutoImagery.com photo) NHRA Top Fuel record: 3.701 seconds The Matco Tools Tools for the Cause Top Fuel dragster with driver Antron Brown, crew chiefs Brian Corradi and Mark Oswald along with the Wolf Pack crew set the NHRA national elapsed time record and extended their Top Fuel points lead to 104 points over teammate Spencer Massey on Oct. 8 near Reading, Pa. (AutoImagery.com photo)
Next stop: Las Vegas Brown extends T/F lead, Beckman new Funny Car leader with two NHRA Full Throttle events remaining in 2012 BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Oct. 19, 2012) In April at Las Vegas, after Don Schumacher Racing s Spencer Massey and the FRAM/Prestone team won the Top Fuel title at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event by beating teammate Matco Tools Antron Brown it was a hint of what was to come the rest of the season. Returning to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Oct. 25-28 Big O Tires NHRA Nationals, Brown and Massey are ranked 1-2, respectively, in the championship battle with two Full Throttle events left including the one in Las Vegas. Their teammate, Tony Schumacher and the U.S. Army, ranks third. DSR Top Fuel teams have been in the top-three nearly all year. They have combined to win 12 of the 21 Top Fuel titles this year: Brown six, Massey four and Schumacher two. But in April, celebrations had not taken place at the first four NHRA events in the DSR Funny All photos courtesy of AutoImagery.com Car pits. None of the four DSR Funny Cars had advanced past semifinals rounds, and the most disappointing was when Ron Capps and the NAPA AUTO PARTS team did not qualify for the Las Vegas event. During that span, drivers for John Force Racing won the first four titles including three by Robert Hight, and some assumed the 2012 Funny Car world champion had been determined. Well, that s why the championship trophy isn t awarded until the battle is over. Heading to Las Vegas, DSR has three of the top-four teams in the standings with Jack Beckman in the Battery extender Powered by Schumacher Electric/Valvoline NextGen Dodge Charger R/T ahead of teammate Capps for the lead by 23 points. Johnny Gray s Big O Tires/Service Central Dodge is fourth. Since DSR s April visit to Las Vegas, DSR Funny Cars have won nine of the past 16 NHRA titles: Capps four, Beckman three and Gray two.
A major reorganization by team owner Don Schumacher at Las Vegas resulted when Capps veteran crew chief resigned after not qualifying for the show. Schumacher moved crew chief Rahn Tobler from Beckman to Capps. Tobler took his crew and racecars with him. Schumacher hired veteran Top Fuel crew chief Todd Smith, who had never led a Funny Car team, and moved Capps former crew and racecars to Beckman. What resulted was one of the most miraculous turnarounds in motorsports by both teams. Tobler helped win the title at Atlanta in their third race working together. Smith and Beckman won the Topeka, Kan., title at the next NHRA event. With two events remaining, no engraving has started on the Funny Car championship trophy that has come down to three drivers: Beckman, Capps and John Force Racing s Mike Neff, who trails Beckman by 54 points. It was all for Alex s kids including Mario Gray, Service Central team mount valiant drive Johnny Gray and his Service Central team two weeks ago near Reading, Pa., carried the message of Alex s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer. The Service Central effort to help fight childhood cancer raised at least $78,000 this year to bring its all-time total to over $500,000 for Alex s, which was founded by the late Alexandra Alex Scott, who died of cancer at age 8 that was four years after she began selling lemonade to raise money to fight the disease. Gray visited Alex Scott Day Hospital at the Children s Hospital of Philadelphia the day before the NHRA event began at Maple Grove Raceway near Reading. He more than visited with several kids at the hospital, he quickly became their buddy and soon they were chatting like playground buddies. Gray also met young Mario Carpino and hosted him at Maple Grove. Gray and his team were disheartened after losing the event title in the championship round because they wanted to win it for Mario and kids at the Philly hospital. The foundation has funded over 250 research projects annually in the race to find a cure, and Mario, 9, whose smiling face was featured on the hood of Gray s racecar, has put forth major fund-raising efforts with his family for the foundation since he was diagnosed with inoperable brain tumors in December 2007. To Gray and his team, it was almost meaningless that their racing effort moved them from eighth to fourth in the championship standings. What mattered most was winning for Mario, Alex and the other kids helped by Alex s Lemonade Stand. Visit AlexsLemonade.org for information or to make a donation. 330-mph philanthropist Service Central's honorary crew member at Reading was Mario Carpino.
When DSR has a fund-raiser for charity, the MVB (Most Valuable Bidder) with an auction reaction-time rivaling any of DSR s lightning-quick drivers is Indiana s Nadine Dutkiewicz and her husband, Thomas. They contributed thousands of dollars to Riley Children s Foundation that supports Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health during the Big O Tires DSR Open House before the U.S. Nationals. And a couple months before the Open House, Nadine got what she wanted and helped DSR and NHRA drag racing fans puff out their chests when she posted a winning bid of $17,100 in ESPN Jimmy V Foundation Auction for a unique prize package compiled by Ted Yerzyk, DSR s Director of Marketing and Public Relations. It tied the bid for the second highest in the national radio and on-line ebay.com auction with an ESPN Monday Night NFL Football package, and nearly topped the $19,000 top bid of the auction for an Ultimate College Football experience. Thanks to DSR marketing partners especially Service Central that provided airfare, rental car and $600 in spending money NHRA and Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Nadine and Thomas will attend next weekend s Las Vegas Big O Tires Nationals and receive: Round-trip flights to Las Vegas; four-night stay at New York-New York Hotel & Casino, DSR s official Las Vegas hotel; rental car; full-event suite tickets and DSR hospitality for the weekend; full facility s tour (tower, starting line, top end, ESPN compound); DSR swag bag (crew shirts, t-shirts, diecasts, autographed parts); a day at the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Las Vegas Motor Speedway; and dinner at Gallagher s in NY-NY with DSR drivers Jack Beckman, Antron Brown, Matt Hagan and Tony Schumacher. A vote for Antron s Toyota DragQuoia is a vote for RFC The Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge will be make charitable donations totaling $100,000, and DSR Top Fuel driver Antron Brown wants the biggest chunk to go to his designated charity, Racers for Christ. Brown and Funny Car driver Alexis DeJoria are two of the competitors along with NASCAR s Clint Bowyer and Kyle Busch. Brown has worked with Toyota Racing Development technicians in Los Angeles merging a Toyota Sequoia SUV with aspects of his Top Fuel Dragster. Fans will vote for to vote for their favorite Dream Build Challenge team between Oct. 20 and Oct. 29 at ToyotaRacingDreamBuild.com where they also can register to win the Toyota Racing Dream Trip Grand Prize. The fan grand prize will feature an exclusive race experience, and the winner can select from either an NHRA or NASCAR race event. The NHRA Grand Prize package features two general event tickets for select NHRA races with driver pit hospitality access, event parking and a $1,500 American Express gift card. The winner will also have an opportunity for a meet-and-greet with a Toyota racing driver. The NASCAR edition of the Dream Race Trip includes two grandstand tickets and two NASCAR Hot Passes for a race along with a $1,500 American Express gift card. Additionally, during the voting period, a voter can win a $100 American Express gift card. NEXT NHRA FULL THROTTLE EVENT: Las Vegas Friday: Qualifying, 1 p.m., 4 p.m. Saturday: Qualifying, Noon, 3p.m. Sunday: Championship eliminations, 11 a.m. UPCOMING FULL THROTTLE EVENTS Oct. 25-28, Big O Tires NHRA Nationals, Las Vegas Nov. 8-11, Auto Club of Southern California NHRA Finals, Pomona, Calif.
NHRA FULL THROTTLE STANDINGS Countdown to the Championship (Through Oct. 8, 2012; DSR drivers in CAPS) TOP FUEL Pts. Pts. Behind 1. ANTRON BROWN 2,491 -- 2. SPENCER MASSEY 2,387-104 3. TONY SCHUMACHER 2,355-136 4. Shawn Langdon 2,351-140 5. Brandon Bernstein 2,314-177 6. Morgan Lucas 2,267-224 8. Doug Kalitta 2,228-263 7. Steve Torrence 2,212-279 9. David Grubnic 2,193-298 10. Bob Vandergriff 2,149-342 FUNNY CAR 1. JACK BECKMAN 2,437 -- 2. RON CAPPS 2,414-23 3. Mike Neff 2,383-54 4. JOHNNY GRAY 2,246-191 5. Cruz Pedregon 2,244-193 6. John Force 2,217-220 7. Courtney Force 2,216-221 8. Robert Hight 2,211-226 9. Tim Wilkerson 2,207-230 10. Jeff Arend 2,180-257 11. MATT HAGAN 1,129 DSR s chase to 200 extends to 2013 Don Schumacher Racing can come very close to winning its 200th NHRA event title this, but that milestone will have to wait to be achieved next season. DSR has won 195 titles including 21 this season 12 in Top Fuel and 9 in Funny Car. Only four nitro titles remain available in 2012. DSR titlists this season: Antron Brown (Top Fuel) 6 Spencer Massey (Top Fuel) 4 Ron Capps (Funny Car) 4 Jack Beckman (Funny Car) 3 Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel) 2 Johnny Gray (Funny Car) 2
(Updated through Oct. 8, 2012; 21 of 23 events) TOP FUEL ANTRON BROWN, Matco Tools Tools for the Cause dragster Career at Las Vegas: Wins 1 (2011-Apr.), Runner-ups 3 (2001-Oct./Pro Stock Motorcycle, 2008-Apr., 2012-Apr.), Poles 1 (2010-Apr.) 2012 April at Las Vegas: Qualified No. 12, lost to Spencer Massey in final round 2011 October at Las Vegas: Qualified No. 5, lost to Del Worsham in semifinals 1st 21 6 5 3 0 49-15 260 37* 36 32 2 443-221 *21 Top Fuel SPENCER MASSEY, FRAM/Prestone dragster Career at Las Vegas: Wins 1 (2009-Oct.), Runner-ups 1 (2011-Oct.), Poles 0 2012 April at Las Vegas: Qualified No. 2, defeated Antron Brown in final round 2011 October at Las Vegas: Qualified No. 2, lost to Del Worsham in final round 2nd 21 4 5 3 0 43-17 69 10 12 6 2 120-57 TONY SCHUMACHER, U.S. Army dragster Career at Las Vegas: Wins 6 (2004-Apr., 2005-Oct., 2006-Oct., 2008-Oct., 2009-Apr., 2010- Oct., Runner-ups 2 (2002-Oct., 2003-Oct.), Poles 8 (2003-Oct., 2006-Apr. & Oct., 2007- Apr. & Oct., 2008-Apr. & Oct., 2010-Oct.) 2012 April at Las Vegas: Qualified No. 4, lost to Antron Brown in second round 2011 October at Las Vegas: Qualified No. 12, lost in first round to Antron Brown 3rd 21 2 5 3 0 37-19 358 69 48 70 8 625-281 FUNNY CAR JACK BECKMAN, Battery extender Powered by Schumacher/Valvoline Dodge Charger R/T Career at Las Vegas: Wins 1 (2006-Oct.), Runner-ups 1 (2009-Oct.), Poles 0 2012 April at Las Vegas: Qualified No. 3, lost to Cruz Pedregon in second round 2011 October at Las Vegas: Qualified No. 8, lost to Ron Capps in second round 1st 21 3 0 4 1 33-17 154 15 15 8 6 201-133 RON CAPPS, NAPA Carlyle Tools Dodge Charger R/T
Career at Las Vegas: Wins 4 (2001-Oct., 2005-Oct., 2009-Apr., 2011-Oct.), Runner-ups 2 (2006-Apr., 2007-Apr.), Poles 1 (2011-Oct.) 2012 April at Las Vegas: Did not qualify 2011 October at Las Vegas: Qualified No. 1, beat Johnny Gray in final round 1st 21 3 0 4 1 33-17 385 37 39 13 17 465-331 JOHNNY GRAY, Big O Tires/Service Central Dodge Charger R/T Career at Las Vegas: Wins 0, Runner-ups 2 (2011-Apr. & Oct.), Poles 0 2012 April at Las Vegas: Qualified No. 13, lost to Bob Bode in second round 2011 October at Las Vegas: Qualified No. 10, lost to Ron Capps in final round 4th 21 2 2 2 0 26-19 202 3 12 3 40 127-159 MATT HAGAN, Aaron s Dream Machine/Mopar Dodge Charger R/T Career at Las Vegas: Wins 0, Runner-ups 2 (2009-Apr., 2010-Oct.), Poles 1(2009-Oct.) 2012 April at Las Vegas: Qualified No. 10, lost to Bob Tasca in second round 2011 October at Las Vegas: Qualified No. 5, lost to Cruz Pedregon in second round 11th 21 0 4 0 1 23-20 94 5 10 10 4 109-85 DSR Career Best Times and Speeds TOP FUEL Driver s best time (date, location) Top speed (date, location) Massey 3.728 (5-31-12, Englishtown) 332.18** (4-15-12, Charlotte 1) Schumacher 3.736 (10-6-12, Reading) 330.30(4-15-12, Charlotte 1) Antron Brown 3.701*/** (10-8-12, Reading,) 328.78 (10-8-12, Reading) FUNNY CAR Driver s best time (date, location) Top speed (date, location) Hagan 3.995 (9-16-11, Charlotte 2) 322.27* (9-17-11, Charlotte 2) Capps 3.964* (5-31-12, Englishtown) 320.89 (5-31-12, Englishtown) Beckman 3.986** (10-7-12, Reading) 320.58** (10-5-12, Reading) Gray 4.010 (10-1-11, Reading) 319.45 (10-8-12, Reading) * Quickest, fastest ever ** NHRA national record 2012 DSR titles (through Oct. 8, Reading) 1. Pomona 1 TF Massey 2. Phoenix TF Brown 3. Gainesville none
4. Las Vegas 1 TF Massey 5. Charlotte TF Massey 6. Houston none 7. Atlanta FC Capps 8. Topeka FC Beckman 9. Englishtown FC Gray 10. Bristol/DBL TF Schumacher FC Capps 11. Chicago TF Brown 12. Norwalk TF Massey 13. Denver/DBL TF Brown FC - Beckman 14. Sonoma/DBL TF Brown FC - Gray 15. Seattle none 16. Brainerd FC - Capps 17. Indy TF Schumacher COUNTDOWN 18. Charlotte 2 FC Capps 19. Dallas TF - Brown 20. St. Louis/DBL TF Brown FC - Beckman 21. Reading none 22. Las Vegas 2 23. Pomona 2 About Don Schumacher Racing Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., consists of seven professional NHRA teams: in Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by seven-time world champion Tony Schumacher, the FRAM/Prestone dragster of Spencer Massey and the Matco Tools dragster of Antron Brown; and in Funny Car, 2011 NHRA Funny Car champion Matt Hagan in the Aaron s Dream Machine/Mopar Dodge Charger R/T, Valvoline NextGen Dodge piloted by Jack Beckman, the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge of Ron Capps and the Service Central Dodge of Johnny Gray. DSR has won 195 NHRA national event titles and nine world championships. Follow Don Schumacher Racing at ShoeRacing.com, on Twitter at @shoeracing and Facebook.com/shoeracing. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Don Schumacher Racing (317) 358-0356 Jeff Wolf wolfj@shoeracing.com (702) 524-1368, cell Leah Vaughn vaughnl@shoeracing.com (618) 516-1988, cell - 195 -