Fast Jack in winner s circle with Prock, Infinite Hero; Antron defends Four-wide title, takes points lead for Matco The NHRA Four-Wide Nationals was sensory overload for Jack Beckman and Don Schumacher Racing, and it wasn t just because 40,000 horsepower fired up at the start of each race Sunday near Charlotte Motor Speedway. Jack and his Infinite Hero 2015 Dodge Charger R/T led by crew chief Jimmy Prock dominated the competition during championship eliminations that was capped by the best elapsed time of Jack s career (3.983 Crew chief Jimmy Prock and Don Schumacher enjoy their first win together. seconds) to win his first NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series title since September 2012.
That s a total of 54 races and 29 months that the 2012 Funny Car world champion was unable to break into a winner s circle. For the first time ever, DSR won its fifth consecutive NHRA national event title including all four this year and the last one of the 2014 Mello Yello season. While those feats alone would be reason enough for DSR to celebrate, it also marked the 100th Funny Car title for DSR. And, Antron Brown with the Matco Tools/U.S. Army team led by crew chiefs Brian Corradi and Mark Oswald won its first event trophy of the year and took over the championship points lead which it has not held for almost a year. Adding to those lofty achievements: DSR swept the nitro titles for the third straight race marking the 47th time DSR left with both trophies; DSR pushed its trophy total to 247; And the weekend began with the announcement that Pennzoil is The Official Oil Technology of DSR in a multiyear agreement. In addition to winning seven of a possible eight nitro titles this year, Antron was runner-up at the opener in Pomona, Calif. And six of DSR s seven drivers already are qualified for the $100,000 Traxxas Nitro Shootout events to be held during the U.S. Nationals held over Labor Day Weekend in Brownsburg, Ind. "Don has put all the right people in all the right places, Antron said. We are able to lean on each other. We have grown as a tight-knit unit. We work hard together. We learn together." With 20 of 24 Mello Yello events remaining, including next weekend s jaunt west to Las Vegas for the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals where DSR s Tony Schumacher is the reigning champion, it s a long row yet to hoe. But certain to make this season s highlight reel will be Jack s return to the winner s circle and with Jimmy for the first time. You never know when your last win is your last win, said Jack, who has won Antron Brown and the Matco Tools dragster takes the early lead and holds it in the championship heat of Sunday's Four- Wide Nationals. 16 times in his career along with being the 2003 NHRA Super Comp world champ. You keep thinking this (winning)
will snowball and is going to roll on forever, and then you go two and a half years without one and you start to wonder. "I can't guarantee we'll win another race this season," he said Sunday in the media center. "I think we will, but I can't say for 100 percent. But, I know for sure we'll be better than we were today. Jimmy and the team will be even better the rest of the year because they're getting better every race. All the little things are coming together. It could be a harbinger of what s to come: The last time Jack won was when he doubled-up with Antron near St. Louis in 2012 and both went on to win NHRA world championships. It marked the second consecutive year Antron won the Four-Wide to go with one title in the track s fall race. "It has been an incredible run for us at this race, said Antron, who won for the 48th time. The reason we love coming here is because the fans get really, really excited about it and plus this is the only time we come out and have a battle royal with nitro cars. It's pretty incredible, pretty insane, a lot going on. There will be a lot going at Las Vegas beginning Thursday with the annual NHRA Fan Fest 5-7 p.m. on The Bridge in front of New York-New York DSR s official hotel on the Las Vegas Strip with a free autograph session from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tommy Johnson Jr. and the Make-A-Wish 2015 Dodge Charger R/T advanced to the championship heat of the Four-Wide Nationals and finished as a semifinalist.
#100 from Don to Jack DSR WINS 100th FUNNY CAR TITLE WITH Photo illustration by Aaron Holland/DSR DSR DRIVER DSR CAREER TENURE Ron Capps 30 44 2005-present Jack Beckman 16 16 2006-present Matt Hagan 16 16 2009-present Whit Bazemore 13 20 2001-06 Gary Scelzi 12 37 2003-08 Johnny Gray 7 7 2011-2013 Don Schumacher 5 5 1970-1973 Tommy Johnson Jr. 1 10 2014-present Jerry Toliver 0 0 2008 Scotty Cannon 0 0 2002
DSR Made the Switch Pennzoil becomes Official Oil Technology of DSR Don Schumacher Racing officially Made the Switch by announcing last week that it has a marketing partnership that makes Pennzoil The Official Oil Technology of DSR in a multiyear agreement. The iconic Pennzoil logo debuted Friday during the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals near Charlotte Motor Speedway as a major associate on DSR s 2015 Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car driven by two-time and Pennzoil will be a major associate sponsor for DSR and be featured on the Funny Car of Matt Hagan this fall near Dallas. reigning world champion Matt Hagan along with having a presence on DSR s six other race cars. Pennzoil will also be a major associate for Hagan next weekend Las Vegas and during the July 24-26 Mopar Mile-High Nationals near Denver. Pennzoil will be the featured marketing partner on his Dodge for the Oct. 16-18 race at the Texas Motorplex near Dallas. We are very excited to be associated with Pennzoil and bring them back out to NHRA Mello Yello drag racing, said Don Schumacher, who founded DSR in 1998 and has since won 240 NHRA event titles and 13 NHRA world championships. As a pioneer Funny Car driver/owner in the late 1960s and early 1970s the Chicago native won five NHRA event titles. Pennzoil has proven to be a product consumers have relied on for nearly a century and has such a long and successful history in motorsports, and we are proud to become part of that tradition. The Pennzoil race oil to be used by Don Schumacher Racing will be formulated with PurePlus Technology, a unique process that converts pure natural gas into a first-ofits-kind, high quality full synthetic base oil. This pure, clear PurePlus base oil has fewer of the impurities found in crude oil, allowing it to fully enhance the benefits of the additives also found in Pennzoil Platinum and Pennzoil Ultra Platinum Full Synthetic motor oils. Two-time and reigning NHRA Funny Car world champion Matt Hagan joins, from left, Jeff Wilhoite (Shell key account manager to Chrysler), DSR owner Don Schumacher and Jesse Campos (director OEM marketing) for Friday s announcement near Charlotte. We are very proud to announce this relationship with Don Schumacher Racing and Dodge MOPAR in the NHRA, said Jesse Campos, Pennzoil s director OEM marketing. The demanding competition in the NHRA is the ultimate proving ground for Pennzoil. Not only to showcase our current products, but to take the knowledge we gain on the track to aid in the production of innovative lubricants for consumer vehicles in the future. Pennzoil is best known in drag racing for its association with 1993 NHRA Top Fuel world champion Eddie Hill, a popular Texas racer who retired in 1999 after winning 13 NHRA national event titles. Pennzoil s drag racing history includes supporting rising star Don Big Daddy Garlits in 1958, who went on to become the most famous drag racer ever.
Continuing a rich motorsports history, Pennzoil has proven again that its storied relationship with a variety of racing teams, cars and series translates learning from the track to real-world benefits on the road and beyond. Cutting edge PurePlus Technology is running under the hood of Pennzoil motorsports technical partners across NASCAR, IndyCar and the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship Series. Pennzoil motorsports sponsorships maximize performance and engine reliability for the teams and will help them push the limits in 2015. Pennzoil Pure Plus Technology is used off the shelf in all of the Chevrolet twin-turbocharged V-6 engines that compete in the IndyCar Series, including 2014 IndyCar champion Will Power. Pennzoil Pure Plus Technology was also under the hood of the 2015 Daytona 500-winning car of Joey Logano and Team Penske earlier this year. For more details on the Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic motor oils with PurePlus Technology line of motor oils and product availability, visit Pennzoil.com. To stay up-to-date on the latest activities, be sure to Like the official Pennzoil Facebook Page (facebook.com/pennzoil) and follow Pennzoil on Twitter (twitter.com/pennzoil) and Instagram (instagram.com/pennzoil). Win with the Las Vegas Review-Journal Visit the Las Vegas Review-Journal s website ReviewJournal.com for a chance to win a DSR VIP for a Day family four-pack for Saturday (April 11) of the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The winner wins for four Saturday reserved tickets, VIP parking and four admissions into DSR s Club Nitro Hospitality Pavilion for the day and a visit with Ron Capps. Check out drag racing on frontstretch.com Thanks to frontstretch.com, NHRA drag racing is making major inroads into the NASCAR world. The popular NASCAR website began branching out to cover the Mello Yello Series and in addition to regular event reporting, drag racing editor Toni Montgomery writes regular columns, features and produces unique and entertaining videos starring NHRA drivers. DSR sponsor s daughter wins first NHRA national event title Mia Tedesco, whose father s CARS Protection Plus is a DSR associate sponsor, won her first NHRA national event title Sunday when the 21-year-old finished first in Top Alcohol Dragster at the Four- Wide Nationals at zmax Dragway near Charlotte. The Four-Wide event, in which all but pro categories 'Shoe's News' photos by AutoImagery.com Mia Tedesco, top, goes on for her first NHRA national event win. PHOTO COURTESY: Roger Richards, CompetitionPlus.com used the traditional two-lane format, was Tedesco s second national event of the season with plans for eight national events and eight in NHRA divisional races. CARS Protection Plus, which is owned by Michael Tedesco, offers comprehensive service contracts with a wide range of coverage to meet the specific needs of your vehicle and budget. For more on Mia: visit MiaTedesco.com
Spencer Massey and the Sandvik Coromant/Red Fuel team are solidly No. 4 in points heading to Las Vegas. Spencer keeps when not under the canopy by mixing his fuel and signing autographs. NAPA KNOW HOW Crew chief Rahn Tobler, below, has guided Ron Capps and the NAPA AUTO PARTS team to one win in two final rounds this year.
Jack Beckman invited the DSR Hospitality crew into the winner's circle Sunday: From Left, Riley Horrall, Ed Kyburz, Alex Ehereman, Blake Holding, Jack, Malcolm Clark, David Rolfes, Jeff Gypsy Mohr and Kyle Sams.
John Crone Memorial 5k Walk/Run On behalf of Summit for Soldiers, we challenge you to walk/run in support of our country s heroes Saturday, April 18 Hendricks Regional Health-YMCA, Avon (outside trail) Check-in/Registration 9:30 a.m. $20 entry includes a race t-shirt, refreshments and prizes for winners! Online registration closes April 16 secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=121061 ALL PROFITS GO TO SUPPORT SUMMIT FOR SOLDIERS Questions or comments? Contact Lexi Green at lexigreen361@gmail.com New DSR merchandise is just a click away Shop at ShoeRacing.com ShoeRacing.com
DSR drivers 2015: career statistics, standings thru Charlotte 1 (4 of 24) TOP FUEL ANTRON BROWN: Matco Tools/U.S. Army 2015 1st 4 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 10-3 CAREER 314 48 (32 TF/16 PSB) 41 65 84 73 37 3 528-263 Best Time, Speed: 3.701 sec.-nhra record (2012, Reading, Pa.); 328.78 mph (2012, Reading) TONY SCHUMACHER: U.S. Army 2015 2nd 4 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 8-3 CAREER 412 78 55 64 108 99 77 8 711-326 Best Time, Speed: 3.720 sec. (2015, Phoenix); 330.55 mph (2014, Las Vegas 2) SPENCER MASSEY: Red Fuel Powered by Schumacher/Sandvik Coromant 2015 4th 4 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 7-3 CAREER 124 18 14 28 29 32 7 2 198-103 Best Time, Speed: 3.728 sec. (2012, Englishtown, N.J.); 332.18 mph, (2015, Pomona; 2012, Charlotte 1) FUNNY CAR MATT HAGAN: Mopar Express Lane/Rocky Boots Dodge Charger R/T 14 Funny Car World Champ 2015 2nd 4 2 0 0 0 2 1 0 8-2 CAREER 148 16 16 21 44 47 18 4 197-128 Best Time, Speed: 3.975 sec. (2015, Phoenix); 324.83 (2015, Phoenix) RON CAPPS: NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T 2015 3rd 4 1 1 0 1 2 0 0 7-3 CAREER 439 44 (43 FC/1 TF) 43 76 89 170 16 18 545-377 Best Time, Speed: 3.964 sec., (2012, Englishtown, N.J.); 320.89 mph (2012, Englishtown) TOMMY JOHNSON JR.: Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T 2015 4th 4 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 5-4 CAREER 350 10 (8 FC/2 TF) 15 46 83 152 10 47 260-296 Best Time, Speed: 3.999 sec. (2014, Joliet, Ill.); 322.73 mph (2014, Pomona 1) JACK BECKMAN: Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T 2015 7th 4 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 4-2 CAREER 208 16 20 37 59 69 10 7 252-185 Best Time, Speed: 3.983 sec. (2015, Charlotte); 320.30 mph (2012, Charlotte 1) 2015 NHRA MELLO YELLO CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (Through Charlotte 1, 4 of 24 races; DSR drivers in CAPS) TOP FUEL FUNNY CAR DRIVER (WINS) PTS BEHIND DRIVER (WINS) PTS BEHIND 1. ANTRON BROWN 354 --- 1. Del Worsham 305 --- 2. TONY SCHUMACHER (1) 328-26 2. MATT HAGAN (2) 303-2 3. Shawn Langdon (1) 312-42 3. RON CAPPS (1) 279-26 4. SPENCER MASSEY (1) 286-68 4. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. 239-66 5. Doug Kalitta 238-116 5. Robert Hight 230-75 6. Richie Crampton 232-122 6. John Hale 224-81 7. Steve Torrence 213-141 7. JACK BECKMAN (1) 208-97 8. Brittany Force 192-162 8. Cruz Pedregon 206-99 9. Clay Millican 189-165 9. Courtney Force 198-107 10. J.R. Todd 180-174 10. Alexis DeJoria 193-112
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 MATT #241 2. Feb. 20-22 Phoenix TF ANTRON FC DeJoria TF TONY #243 FC MATT #242 3. March 13-15 Gainesville, Fla. TF Kalitta FC Hight TF SPENCER #245 FC RON #244 4. March 27-29 Charlotte, N.C. TF ANTRON FC Hight TF ANTRON #247 FC JACK #246/100 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 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= 1 FC= 3 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) 247 - NHRA Mello Yello event titles (Top Fuel 126, Funny Car 100, Pro Stock 3, Pro Stock Motorcycle 18) ABOUT DON SCHUMACHER RACING Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered near Indianapolis in Brownsburg, Ind., fields seven professional NHRA teams in the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. In Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by eight-time and reigning world champion Tony Schumacher, the 2012 NHRA Top Fuel world champion Matco Tools/U.S. Army dragster driven by Antron Brown and the Red Fuel by Schumacher/Sandvik Coromant dragster driven by Spencer Massey; and in Funny Car, two-time and reigning world champion Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane/Rocky Boots 2015 Dodge Charger R/T, 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge, the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge of Ron Capps and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr. DSR has won 247 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