Full Size or as a Toy, Ford Raptor is a Winner!

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor’s Success as Performance Truck Mirrored in the Toy Store as Top-Selling Licensed Truck

• Ford F-150 SVT Raptor has become the most sought-after truck for licensed merchandise

• Raptor’s popularity on toy store shelves reflects its popularity in Ford showrooms. Sales of Ford’s high-performance off-road pickup increased by 40 percent in 2012

• Raptor replicas and integrations have helped the world’s most popular toy and video game brands enjoy tremendous success

  

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 20 2012 – You don’t need a license for the latest Ford F-150 SVT Raptor high-performance truck product. You can now buy the Ford high-performance truck in the toy shop.

 

Reflecting Raptor’s leading sales results – with an increase of 40 percent in 2012 – sales of licensed products of Raptor are also leading their categories in toy and gaming segments.

 

Raptor replicas are extremely popular when it comes to children’s choices in toys and video games. Manufacturers know how much children of all ages enjoy the pickup. In fact, Ford Motor Company’s licensing demands have reached an all-time high, replacing GM’s Hummer brand as the most sought-after licensed truck. 

 

  Raptor’s popularity in licensed merchandise clearly reflects its leading position in the performance truck market. Its reputation as the ultimate high-performance off-road pickup has helped increase sales this year by 20 percent, breaking last year’s record. And, in October and November, Raptor sales reached an all-time high as the first and second best sales months, ever.

 

The most popular toy and video game brands in the world enjoy tremendous success from their Raptor-inspired creations.

 

“We knew we had a winner on our hands when we first introduced Raptor to the toy and video game companies three years ago,” said Mark Bentley, licensing manager, Ford Global Brand Licensing. “Licensing executives from all the top brands immediately understood Raptor’s potential and moved quickly to sign agreements with Ford Global Brand Licensing. They have not regretted that decision.”

 

A wide range of toys from ride-ons to simulator games are available this holiday season:

 

• Mattel licenses Raptor for its Hot Wheels and Matchbox brands
• Fisher-Price licenses the highly popular Raptor Power Wheels Ride-On. It is one of the most popular toys at Walmart since its introduction in 2011
• Electronic Arts “Need for Speed” franchise showcases Raptor in its No. 1-selling racing video game, “Need for Speed Most Wanted”
• Microsoft Forza 4’s top-selling racing simulator game counts Raptor as one of its most downloaded vehicles

“Raptor products can be found in nearly every major distribution channel,” said Bentley. “From toy retailers such as Toys R Us, Walmart and Target, to hobby stores such as Hobby Lobby, Michaels, smaller independent retailers, drug store chains and dollar stores, Raptor is everywhere.”

 

Raptor isn’t limited to toy trucks, remote-controlled trucks and video games; replicas are now available in almost every imaginable form for kids to enjoy, including 3D puzzles and sketchbooks.

 

It is a global phenomenon licensed by companies in Canada, Germany, Japan, China and Brazil, so children all over the world can enjoy the fun of Raptor.

 

“Although it is a very American truck, Raptor is truly global in its appeal and is sought by companies everywhere,” said Bentley.

 

# # #

Antron in the Running for Speed Performer Award.

Brown finalist for Speed Performer of the Year

 

 The

2012 NHRA Top Fuel champion Antron Brown is one of 16 racers from 13 styles of racing from throughout the world to be nominated for the 7th annual presentation of the Mario Andretti Trophy as the Speed Performer of the Year.

"This might be one of the most difficult decisions to date," said Andretti, the only driver to win the Indianapolis 500, Daytona 500, and Formula One world championship. "Every year, a few racers seem to elevate themselves above the rest, but this is a season loaded with extremely strong and passionate performances that all deserve consideration."

Brown is joined by 2010 Speed Performer of the Year Sebastian Vettel (F-1), Fernando Alonso (F-1), Brad Keselowski (NASCAR), Jorge Lorenzo (MotoGP), Casey Stoner (MotoGP), Ryan Hunter-Reay (IndyCar), Kyle Larson (USAC), Sammy Swindell (World of Outlaws), Sebastien Loeb (World Rally), Andre Lotterer (World Endurance Championship), Max Biaggi (World Superbike), Scott Pruett (Grand-Am), Donny Schatz (WoO), Josh Hayes (AMA Pro Superbike), and Ryan Villopoto (Supercross).
Representing both four-wheel and two-wheel efforts across the globe, the Mario Andretti Trophy goes to the racer who puts a premium on winning races, shines on the sport's biggest stages, and does it all with a measure of sportsmanship and class.

Brown and his Matco Tools team out of Don Schumacher Racing won six NHRA national event titles in 11 championship rounds to earn his first NHRA world championship. The New Jersey native living in Pittsboro, Ind., led by crew chiefs Brian Corradi and Mark Oswald, also was the No. 1 qualifier three times this season and set the NHRA elapsed time record in Top Fuel with a time of 3.701 seconds on Oct. 8 at Maple Grove Raceway near Reading.

Brown is the first African-American to win a major U.S. auto racing season championship.

The 36-year-old hopes to become the second drag racer on the elite roster; DSR teammate Tony Schumacher won the prestigious prize in 2009 after being runner-up the previous year.

Andretti will present the trophy, a 100-pound sculpture created by bronze artist Elie Hazak, as part of a Speed Center special Jan. 27.

Another Good Thing for the World Champion!

Matco Tools will enter 13th season as marketing partner with Don Schumacher Racing as Brown’s primary sponsor

December 03

---

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Dec. 3, 2012) – Matco Tools and Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) became marketing partners in 2000 and that relationship will continue in 2013 with a contract extension to serve as the primary sponsor on the Matco Tools Top Fuel Dragster for 2012 NHRA world champion Antron Brown.

Matco is a manufacturer and distributor of premium quality automotive equipment, tools, and tool storage for professional technicians.

“Matco Tools is pleased to continue our relationship with Antron Brown and Don Schumacher Racing,” said John Green, vice president of marketing at Matco Tools. “Our employees, distributors, and customers look to Antron and the Matco Tools’ racing team as a part of our family and we look forward to another year of high visibility generated through this racing partnership.”

Matco started with DSR in 2000 as an associate sponsor on the U.S. Army Top Fuel Dragster driven by Tony Schumacher before moving to primary status on a DSR Funny Car in 2001. In 2008, Matco Tools became the primary sponsor for Brown when he moved from riding Pro Stock Motorcycles to piloting 330-mph Top Fuel Dragsters.

“This truly is a blessed day for me because I can continue to fly the colors of Matco Tools,” said Brown, 36, a native of Chesterfield, N.J., living with his family in Pittsboro, Ind.

The contract extension is one of several that DSR owner Don Schumacher expects to make before the end of the year. DSR was started in 1998 and has won 196 NHRA national event titles and 11 NHRA world championships since then. This season, DSR fielded seven professional teams out of its 120,000-square-foot headquarters that employs 120 in Brownsburg, Ind.

“Matco Tools is one of our first marketing partners, and I always will remember the faith they showed in DSR during our earliest years,” Schumacher said. “We consider each Matco distributor across the country to be members of our team.”

Brown has won 21 NHRA event titles with Matco Tools including six this year. He has advanced to 42 championship rounds and earned No. 1 qualifying honors 21 times during his tenure with Matco.

The New Champion in NHRA Top Fuel!

It is Always a Team Effort ro get to the Winners Circle!!

Antron Brown Wins the World Championship!

"Antron Brown became the first African-American to win a major U.S. auto racing title Sunday at the Auto Club NHRA Finals.

Brown, who lost in the opening round of eliminations, had to wait until the final round before he could grab the championship trophy, when Tony Schumacher lost in a photo finish to Brandon Bernstein.

Brown entered Sunday’s eliminations 67 points ahead of Tony Schumacher and for a while it appeared that Schumacher would put together another magical come-from-behind victory to take the title. Schumacher's U.S. Army dragster lost the final to Bernstein's ProtectTheHarvest.com dragster by eighth-thousandths of a second.

Antron Brown

When the win light went on in Bernstein’s lane, Matco Tools dragster driver Brown was mobbed by his teammates, family and friends in a huge celebration at the starting line.

“I feel so blessed to be in this moment right now and this is a big huge moment,” Brown said. “I am just glad we could bring it home for Don Schumacher Racing. To win the world championship the way the competition has been this year in Top Fuel and to run and compete how we’ve been doing all season long is just phenomenal. We all switched the lead back and forth a bunch of times. Is this really happening?”

Brown, who earned six victories in 11 final rounds and was top qualifier three times en route to his title, continues the great history of diversity in NHRA..

“If I can be an inspiration for any of the kids out there who have dreams, any Americans, that’s all I want,” said Brown, who became the 18th different driver to win a Top Fuel world championship title". ##
National Dragster.

And yes, he has been an inspiration for many across the nation. This was a grueling experience for the team, in that Antron lost in the first round due to a malfunction.

It was nearly a catastrophe. As I understand it, a fuel line was not tightened correctly and fuel was blowing into the cockpit.  The heat was so intense, Antron suffered minor burns on his hands and vision was severely impaired.  As I was told, "it was all I could do to maintain control and bring the race car to a stop".

Team effort?  Were it not the fact that he had a sixty-five point lead amassed throughout the year, there would have been no celebration.

As we bring the season to a close, we must conclude, if given the opportunity, and good team preparation with a vivid goal in sight, we can and will succeed.

More on Antron and the blurred road to the Championship in the next posting.

The "Dream" and History in the Making

Antron Brown on the verge of making U.S. motorsports history.

Given NHRA’s impressive history of diversity since Wally Parks founded the world’s largest motorsports sanctioning body in 1951, it might be surprising to some that an African-American driver hasn't celebrated a world championship in NHRA’s marquee Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

Female and Hispanic drivers have won NHRA world championship titles, including Shirley Muldowney, Angelle Sampey, Cruz and Tony Pedregon and Hector Arana Sr., and many African-American drivers have participated in and won Full Throttle Series races throughout the years.

If Antron Brown can have a successful finish to his incredible 2012 Top Fuel season, he will make history as the first African-American to win an NHRA Pro series title as well as the first to win a major auto racing crown in the U.S.

Brown brings a 65-point lead to the season-ending Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals, Nov. 8-11, at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in the hot rodding hotbed of Southern California. If he can outlast championship rivals Tony Schumacher, Spencer Massey, and Shawn Langdon at that event, he will earn the title that he’s worked so hard to achieve during his 15-year drag racing career.

“This is a huge dream for me and for the kids who are out there now,” Brown has said. “If it helps anybody else change their dream or their story, I’m all for it. Looking at color and different stuff like that, I’m just an American. I love it. I embrace the sport, and that’s where I stand with it.”

Brown has had a great season, racing to six victories in 11 final-round appearances and posting three No. 1 qualifying positions at the controls of his 8,000-horsepower Matco Tools dragster. After building a 104-point lead following the fourth race in the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship playoffs, Brown hit a rough spot at the penultimate event in Las Vegas. His team posted its worst qualifying position of the season (13th) and lost in the first round, scoring only 31 points at the event. Seven-time world champ Schumacher took advantage of Brown’s misstep and as the top qualifier and runner-up moved to second in the standings, cutting Brown’s lead to 65. Massey is in third place, 70 points back.

“We lost some points, but we’ll go into Pomona with the lead,” Brown said. “Our Matco boys are going to keep working hard. We had a lot of things go wrong [in Las Vegas] that usually never go wrong, like the clutch management system breaking, electrical wires breaking. All these little nit picky gremlins came out that weekend.”

Brown, who had an opportunity to win the championship title last season, says he continues to learn from setbacks and works hard to stay positive and keep moving forward.

“It is what it is, and that’s drag racing,” Brown said. “The bad part is that we’ve let these other guys get back in it, but that’s OK. It’s the Countdown to the Championship. We’re going to hit Pomona, and we’re going to give it our best shot and give it all we got.”

One thing is for sure, Brown will be tested in Pomona. FRAM dragster driver Massey is as hungry as ever to win his first championship title, and he won the season-opening Winternationals at this track. Meanwhile, Schumacher, who has won this event four times, has a legendary history at this track, where he used last-race heroics to win series titles in 2006 and 2007. Brown certainly doesn’t want to become the latest victim of a magical Schumacher come-from-behind performance.

“We’re going to keep on pressing,” Brown said. “We’re not whipped. We’ll keep digging and make sure everything is working the way it’s supposed to and be ready for Pomona. One thing is that the good Lord is an able guy; he never gives you anything you can’t handle. Things happen for a reason, and this is all part of it. We’ve put ourselves in a good position in case something like this happened.”

No matter the outcome, Brown has a special way of keeping everything in perspective. He understands that he has come a long way from growing up in Chesterfield, N.J., and dreaming of becoming an NHRA world champion. Right now, he’s in the middle of living that dream.

“We’ve just been very fortunate, and I’m just staying humble,” Brown said. “You’ve just got to be humble because if not, the sport will humble you and make you cringe. You go from hero to zero in our sport, and that’s why I just keep the same attitude I always have.”

There will be an addendum to this article, regardless of the results this week.  Dream Realized.

GM on a Roll in Retail Sales

GM U.S. Sales Increase 5 percent in October

Retail sales up 7 percent, fleet down 2 percent

2012-11-01

 

DETROIT – General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) today reported its highest October sales in the United States since 2007, with deliveries up 5 percent versus a year ago to 195,764 vehicles.  Year-over-year sales to retail customers were up 7 percent and sales to fleet customers were down 2 percent.

“GM had a solid October in a month that was marked by a devastating national tragedy,” said Kurt McNeil, vice president, U.S. sales operations.  “All of us at GM are deeply saddened by the loss of life and the extensive damage caused by the storms, but we’re really encouraged by the national and local response, which will speed the recovery.”

GM’s new cars had a standout performance in October.
“With new designs like the Chevrolet Spark, Buick Verano and Cadillac ATS, and a growing reputation for quality and good resale value, we are becoming an even more formidable competitor in every segment – not just traditional GM strongholds like trucks,” McNeil said.

Sales of GM passenger cars increased 15 percent in October compared with a year ago. Crossovers were up 3 percent and sales of full-size pickup trucks were up 8 percent.

• Passenger car sales were driven by a 37 percent increase in Cadillac car sales, a 27 percent increase in Buick car sales and a 12 percent increase in Chevrolet car sales.
• Combined sales of mini, small and compact cars were up 72 percent compared with a year ago, driven by strong Spark and Sonic sales and a 34 percent increase in Cruze sales.  Chevrolet dealers also delivered a record 2,961 Volts.
• Crossover sales were driven by double-digit increases for the Cadillac SRX, GMC Acadia and GMC Terrain.
• Overall truck sales were down 2 percent, reflecting lower sales of the GMC and Chevrolet mid-size pickups, which have been discontinued, and large SUVs.

“Year over year, the light vehicle selling rate has increased for eight consecutive quarters without a tailwind from the residential housing sector, but that is starting to change,” said McNeil.  “If these trends continue, housing may be the final piece of the puzzle that lifts sales above 15 million units on an annual basis just as GM prepares to launch even more new cars, crossovers and trucks.”
GM will replace 70 percent of its U.S. nameplates with redesigned or all-new vehicles over the course of 2012 - 2013.  In anticipation of robust demand, GM has increased its year-end inventory target from the 650,000-unit range to 660,000 to 670,000 units.  This change reflects higher planned stocks of new passenger cars.  The truck inventory target is unchanged.##

Top Fuel going into the Finals in November

Driver Standings
Top Fuel

1. Antron Brown, 2,522.
2. Tony Schumacher, 2,457.
3. Spencer Massey, 2,452.
4. Shawn Langdon, 2,406.
5. Brandon Bernstein, 2,336.

Even though  there are many other competitors and classes competing in NHRA, as you can tell, I have chose to focus on Top Fuel Standing. There are many reasons, but the primary reason is how close the standings continue to be.  The other reason is the limited information available on a continual basis, especially in the Sportsman Classes..

Next year- 2013, this will change. It is my hope to be in a position to get first hand information as to performance, specifically in Division Seven.

But if things go as planned, I will give details after the Finals in November.

SEMA Show Update for Chevrolet

Chevrolet Performance Takes Many Forms at SEMA Show

 

Expanded ‘Shop Talk’ Displays, Malibu Turbo Performance Concept featured

DETROIT – From stylized mini cars to drag strip-conquering muscle cars, Chevrolet will show its broadest-ever range of performance and personalization choices at the 2012 SEMA Show. The annual automotive aftermarket extravaganza kicks off Oct. 30.

Last week, Chevrolet previewed a squadron of small-car concepts debuting at the event, while performance-oriented visions of the new Malibu Turbo and the forthcoming 2014 Impala will also be on hand. Chevy’s display wouldn’t be complete without a few Corvette and Camaro concepts, but their details are being kept under wraps until the show opens.

“At Chevrolet, performance comes in many different forms that appeal to many different customers – and that’s exactly what we demonstrate at the SEMA Show,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “We play close attention to the reaction our concepts receive, because the feedback helps determine the viability for producing new accessories and even special-edition production vehicles.”

Chevrolet is taking its popular Shop Talk garage experience display to a higher level this year, too. Building on the success of the engine-building demonstrations last year, the new Shop Talk display will offer four “bays” of activities:

·         Crate Powertrain Systems – Chevrolet Performance’s engines, transmissions and controllers are featured, along with a crate powertrain system installed on the open chassis of a 1988 Monte Carlo SS.

·         Chevrolet Performance Parts and Accessories – Displays of new Camaro ZL1- and 1LE-based upgrade kits, along with exterior and interior enhancements are on hand, with installation demonstrations performed on a Camaro SS throughout the event.

·         Sonic Personalization Installation – Chevrolet Performance brakes, suspension components and wheels, along with Z-Spec accessories, will be demonstrated with live installation sessions on an Inferno Orange Metallic Sonic.

·         Build Your Own Crate Engine – The assembly procedures for a supercharged LS9 crate engine will be demonstrated, showing the steps customers take when they purchase the Build Your Own Crate Engine option with an LS7 or LS9 engine from Chevrolet Performance.

“Chevrolet Performance is the direct line from the factory for performance and personalization parts and the SEMA Show gives us the chance to show everything our engineers have been working on,” said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “From Sonic to Cruze, to Camaro, Corvette and Silverado, we offer more parts and accessories than anyone in the aftermarket.” 

Chevrolet Performance’s range includes E-Rod emissions-compliant crate engines, which have received Executive Order numbers from California Air Resources Board – making them legal for installation in more than 20 million pre-1996 vehicles in California.

Impala was America’s best-selling full-size sedan in 2011 with sales of more than 171,000, which earned it a place among the year’s 10 best-selling cars overall, along with Chevrolet Malibu and Cruze.

More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

                                                                        # # #

Finally, a New Silverado!

New Silverado Pick-up Next Year.

DETROIT – Chevrolet will take the wraps off the all-new Silverado 1500 full-size pickup on Dec. 13 at a special event in the Detroit area. The bold exterior design of the new Silverado reflects the enhanced capabilities of the truck while features such as jewel-like, projector beam headlamps showcase the careful attention given to every detail.

The new Silverado will be on public display for the first time at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in January, and will start production next year.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

###

Antron on a roll toward the Championship!

Antron Brown waded through the field to his sixth Top Fuel victory of the season Sunday at the  NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park, and in the process, increased his championship points lead.

It's a continued  demanding job in these Top Fuel events, but even more-so when you have to roll by your team mate to get to the winners circle

Brown defeated his rival, Spencer Massey in the final round and moved 21 points ahead of the Texas driver with only three races remain in the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

Brown, who battled side-by-side with Massey all weekend, took the victory with a final-round performance of 3.766 seconds at 325.22 mph in his Matco Tools/Aaron’s dragster while Massey trailed with a 3.812 at 324.05 in his FRAM/Prestone dragster.

Antron Brown

“Our team hit a grand slam here this weekend,” Brown said. “We qualified No. 1 and took it one round at a time. It was a great weekend, but it’s always a struggle. This class is very competitive, and these guys aren’t playing anymore. You have your struggles here and there, and you have to keep on overcoming them. I’m just so happy for our Aaron’s/Matco guys.”

Brown beat Bruce Litton, Steve Torrence, and Brandon Bernstein in early rounds before unleashing his quickest run of the day in the final against Massey.

“It was a stressful day where we matched up against some great competition,” Brown said. “Matching up against my teammate [Massey] in the final was big — we’ve been back and forth in the points. It’s great to have six wins, but right now, they’re all in the past. We need to go back to the shop and get focused on these last three races. It’s just so competitive out here, and this points race is going to go down to the last race.”

There are a few reasons I stay focused on Antron and his successes, the most prolific reason is my wanting to be like him when I grow up. He, to a degree, is living the life is drag racing I envisioned when I graduated from high school many decades ago.

But for the lack of sponsorship, there go I.

Whew, Antron wins Again at the Motorplex!

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Brother Antron won Top Fuel Sunday at the AAA Texas  Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex near Dallas.

In the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship.
Brown claimed his fifth victory of the season and moved into a tie for the points lead with the driver he beat in the final round, teammate Spencer Massey. Brown drove the  Matco Tools dragster to a 3.898-second run at 311.49 mph to hold off Massey’s FRAM dragster, which finished with a 3.945 at 300.60.

Antron Brown

“This is definitely the way to rebound,” said Brown, the playoff top seed who dropped to fourth in the standings after a first-round loss at the playoff opener last weekend in Charlotte. “I have to give credit to my team for sticking together. We were winning in the first round in Charlotte when we broke an input shaft. It’s so easy to get down after something like that. We came here, and the car was throwing us fits by being overaggressive. Brian [Corradi] and Mark [Oswald, co-crew chiefs] kept backing it off until they got a good handle on it in the semi's.”

Brown and Massey lead seven-time world champ Tony Schumacher by 24 points and the suddenly surging Shawn Langdon is now 41 points back as the playoff race in the 8,000-horsepower category gets intense.

“In that final, we had to give it everything we had against the FRAM car,” said Brown, who beat three Countdown contenders — David Grubnic, Langdon, and Morgan Lucas — in the first three rounds. “We edged them, and it felt really good to win and to tie them in the points lead. We have four races left, and it’s going to be a slugfest to the end. Everybody’s throwing haymakers. It’s an all-out battle royal right now.”

I spend so much time dwelling on the accomplishments of Antron for a number of reasons. The primary one is the fact the he is the most visible professional race car driver in the US. Recognition should be given when one is a winner in that these "streaks" are often short-lived.

I quote others and inject my own thoughts and feelings because I don't want to lose the "flavor" others put into the demanding schedule in the NHRA program.

The other is simply who he is as a man first, a competitor second and third, how he "represents" on and off the track and in the community.  

Hillary Will released From Top Fuel Team, Larry Dixon is new driver.

As the die hard's know, Larry Dixon will compete in the next few NHRA events in the ride Hillary was vacated from this week . We will talk a bit more about that later, Below is a portion of her final goodbye.  Full context is in ND.

Excerpts From her blog....

"I was released from my driving job last Sunday evening at the U.S. Nationals. At first I was upset, then sad and hurt, now I’m accepting and ready to move on. I am thankful I had the opportunity to race this year. I love driving, I love winning, and I love being a part of a team. I wish the Dote Racing team the best of luck. It is a safe and good-running car and I’m thankful I got to drive it. I’m even more thankful to have had the opportunity to get to know some of my former Dote teammates: Doug, Glen, Charlie, Steve, Chris, Brandon, Ryan, Tad, Justin, Steve B., and Whitey. Special thank you to one of our sponsors and a good friend of mine, Dave Stickland. He came to a number of our races, helped out where he could, and provided us with all the Adam’s Polishes we could ever need.

I have always asked myself whether my racing career was doing anything to contribute to the world in a positive way. In order for me to get a sense of fulfillment from my job, which I need, I have to know I’m giving something back. Eventually I realized that I was. I realized I could be an example to women and girls of all ages by showing that a woman can succeed in a male-dominated field. I made it my platform to help females see that they can succeed in any male-dominated field such as politics, law, construction, truck driving, flying, engineering, law enforcement, and the list goes on. I strongly believe that our country can only benefit from more women joining the work force and pursuing traditionally male-dominated careers. Then we can be an example to the rest of the world. I could write an entire book on this subject.

Now I will continue this platform and contribute to the world in a different way but not by way of being a race car driver. I am starting a new chapter and starting a new career. I feel like I have had a successful racing career. The opportunity to drive a car at over 330 mph is not something many people can say they have done. While this was awesome, racing gave me so much more than I could have imagined and I will forever be thankful.

Drag racing allowed me the chance to work with the late Scott Kalitta. I have great memories from him teaching me and mentoring me through my transition into Top Fuel. I still have the hand-written notes he gave me about how to do the warm-up procedure when I was first learning in 2005. One of my favorite wins was in Australia for the Scott Kalitta Memorial Race in 2008. 

I loved driving for team owners Ken and Judy Black. They are terrific people, and I will be forever thankful that they gave me the opportunity they did. 

I’ve been fortunate enough to work under the tutelage of crew chiefs, Bucky Austin, Dick LaHaie, Jim Oberhofer, and Tom Conway. They are all very smart and it was a privilege to work with them. Jim “O” never gave up on me when I was struggling as a rookie driver. He was always very encouraging.

I wouldn’t have even been on the Top Fuel radar if it hadn’t of been for Bucky Austin risking his reputation and helping our upstart, family-owned Top Alcohol team. We didn’t know what we were doing and didn’t even have the right tools, but he took us under his wing and taught us how to be a winning team and taught me how to be a winning driver. I will forever be grateful to him as well.

Racing allowed me the once-in-lifetime opportunity to do two goodwill tours in war zones where I met men and women risking their lives for our country on a daily basis. They were very inspiring and I came back a changed person.  In the beginning of 2008, I went to Qatar and Afghanistan with former NASCAR drivers Ricky Craven, Randy LaJoie, and Jeff Fuller. Then in late 2008, I went to Kuwait and Iraq with race car drivers Jeff Bodine, Arie Luyendyk Jr., and Scott Wimmer. Both tours were life changing. I will forever remember the soldiers I met and the stories I heard.

Ken Black and Grandpa

I loved racing with my family and getting to spend so much time with my Dad and Grandpa when I raced in the sportsman ranks. We have so many amazing memories that we talk about all the time.  My Dad and Grandpa have always been so supportive of whatever I do. Before racing, it was gymnastics. They go above and beyond what most parents and grandparents would do. And sometimes they are just there to lend an ear. I can’t tell you how many times my Dad has been there for me on the other end of the phone while I vent my frustrations or concerns and sometimes shed some tears.

So my next move is to get a job that isn’t driving a race car. I have a lot of areas I’m interested in career-wise so it is time to pursue some of them. One of my good friends suggested I write a book about my life as a professional racer. I think it might be a good idea because it would be an entertaining read. Maybe now since I’m not traveling to Ohio every week and traveling to races I will have a better case to make for getting that dog I’ve been wanting. I will go to races as my job allows to support Matt, see my friends, and to support my sister who races super gas and my Dad who races Top Dragster.

In closing, I have nothing but gratitude for the opportunities I have had in racing. I am truly blessed and forever thankful for the support from my family, friends, and fans. Cheers to the next chapter". (From National Dragster

 

Schumacher "eeks" out the win at Indy and makes history!

Sunday, September 09, 2012

Tony Schumacher raced to a record ninth Top Fuel victory Sunday at the rain-delayed Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Auto-Plus at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.

 Schumacher moved past “Big Daddy” Don Garlits for the most  Top Fuel wins at Indy and into a tie with Pro Stock great Bob Glidden for most Pro category wins at the world’s most prestigious drag race. In the final round, Schumacher powered his U.S. Army dragster to a 3.806 at 315.34 to hold off Spencer Massey, who trailed with a 3.828 at 319.37 in his FRAM/Prestone dragster.

Tony Schumacher

“It may be sweeter [than the first Indy win],” said Schumacher of his second victory of the season and 69th of his career. “Anymore, it’s more difficult to win a race, by far, than it has probably ever been. There was a time where we were a tenth ahead of everybody and just needed to not make any mistakes, but the top seven cars are all so close that it’s pretty gratifying.”

Schumacher beat Hillary Will, Morgan Lucas, and top qualifier Shawn Langdon in early rounds to advance to his 11th career U.S. Nationals final round.

“To have a chance to win a ninth against my teammate who was running as good if not better and had lane choice made it a perfect moment,” Schumacher said. “I didn’t feel like I was stellar on the lights, but I left on everybody, Mike Green [crew chief] made the car run fast, and we got the trophy.”

Another Don Schumacher Racing driver, Antron Brown, secured the top seed in the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship, and Bob Vandergriff Jr. held off Clay Millican and Khalid alBalooshi for the 10th and final playoff spot in Top Fuel.

Now we look to the future in the it is possible in 2013, Schumacher will be carrying a different banner on the car.  Rumor has it, the Army's logo will not be on the side of the car as well as on the trailer.  New sponsor in the wind?  Hope so.

Evan Knoll, the Rise and Fall, in a Nutshell

The life and times of Evan Knoll were mercurial in racing. At one time, he and his businesses, including Torco Racing Fuels, were everywhere you looked when it came to marketing and advertising. There seemed to be no end to his effusive brands and his ability to fund sponsorships, especially in drag racing, for almost anyone.

Torco Racing Fuels and Knoll Gas were relatively small businesses that were run as any small successful operation would. But the friendly and gregarious Knoll loved drag racing and drag racing loved Knoll's almost charitable bounty. As the song from Kool & The Gang said: "Party here, party there, everywhere". It was a party indeed.

It was less than ten years ago that Knoll burst on to the racing scene with what seemed an endless cash reserve, partnering with both small and large teams. The infusion of funds appeared to come out of nowhere. Several millions of dollars were distributed year-in and year-out for sponsorships in every walk of drag racing life with dozens and dozens of teams being supported by Knoll's seemingly generous business.

Then to compound the outwardly wealthy situation, Knoll started purchasing many of the teams he was sponsoring. Knoll was always partying with a lavish lifestyle. Tens of millions of dollars were being pumped out of the Michigan based business - until the end came … and quickly.

The end
About five years ago, monies were getting tight around the same time the Great Recession drew nearer. Then all sponsorships and funding for racing were halted. Many were shocked and upset that funding was pulled out from underneath them. There were no more excesses and for those of us who always wondered where the dollars were coming from, it all started to make 'cents'.

Federal agents raided Knoll's companies four years ago. The IRS stated that he bilked the government for more than $80 million. Last year, the U.S. government filed charges against Knoll for tax-fraud. Knoll pled not guilty. Without getting into the specifics, the alleged fraud occurred when Knoll created a method for producing false accounts to the IRS. He would then receive refunds on an excise tax and in-turn used those funds to achieve bank loans.

The big house
This week in federal court Knoll pleaded guilty to bank fraud, admitting he falsified documents to receive refunds on tax-exempt fuel sales he purportedly made (source - WOOD). In court, Knoll acknowledged he devised the plan himself, deceiving those around him, including employees, accountants, banks and of course the government. Said Knoll: "I take full responsibility for my company. I'm sorry." (Source - WWMT)
Nearly everything that Knoll owned has been auctioned off including racecars, boats, planes and big houses.

Evan Knoll's sentencing hearing will be in November when he'll be facing heavy fines and up to 70 years in federal prison. The party's over.
Source - Associated Press, Michigan Live

Again, Antron Wins Sonoma!

Antron Brown scores again to keep Swing sweep hopes alive!

 

 
Brown raced to the Top Fuel victory Sunday at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals and moved into position to become the first NHRA driver to sweep the three-race Western Swing, twice!

Antron Brown

Brown, who became one of seven drivers in NHRA history to sweep the Western Swing in 2009, outran Spencer Massey in the final to claim his third win in Sonoma, his fourth victory of the season and 35th of his career. Brown’s Matco Tools dragster produced a final-round of 3.814 seconds at 318.02 mph to hold off Massey’s charging FRAM/Prestone dragster, which finished in 3.826 at 323.50. So close, but just enough to take the win.

“The car is just running phenomenal, it’s so easy to drive,” said Brown, who defeated Steve Torrence, Tony Schumacher, and Brandon Bernstein to advance to the final round.

“The boys [crew chiefs Mark Oswald and Brian Corradi] made great decisions each and every round,” Brown continued. “It’s one of those weekends that everything worked out.

It was brutal for us given the [eliminations] ladder we had. We had to take it one round at a time. We kept our head down and kept digging. We aren’t going to talk about [sweeping the Western Swing]. We can talk about sweeping if we get to the final round in Seattle next weekend. First, we have to qualify. Then we have to get past first round. The competition is just that good.”

Brown says he’ll try to remember what worked for him in 2009 as he approaches a second sweep of the Western Swing.

“We’re going to take the same approach this time like we did the last time,” Brown said. “We aren’t going to look into the future, and we’ll just focus on the here and now.”

Due to qualifying bonus points earned by Massey, he and Brown moved into a tie for the series lead. They are 126 in front of third-place Tony Schumacher, the seven-time world champ. So in reality, its too close for any high anticipations next week.

“We’re just trying to shoot for it and win as many races as possible,” Brown said. “We want to go into the Countdown as the points leader, and there’s an extra 20 points on the line if you can do that. That proved to be huge last year in the final race of the season. We are clawing for everything that we can get.” 

As one who has been involved in NHRA drag racing for a number of years, I have yet to understand the neglect major news media seems to skew towards the professionals competing in the sport, and yes, it is a team sport! The driver is just the most visible component on the team. 

For the past few years, Antron Brown has been the most visible in Top Fuel, the fastest class in any motorsport.

Antron Wins Denver, now on to Sonoma!

Antron is eager to build on past success as NHRA heads to Sonoma

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The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to Sonoma for the 25th annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals, July 27-29, and Antron Brown, the defending Top Fuel champ and winner of the most recent tour event in Denver, can’t wait to return to Wine Country, even if he’s not much of a wine drinker.

“I don’t drink wine, but I like looking out at the vineyards and the beautiful countryside that surrounds the track,” Brown said. “It’s just the atmosphere up there and the weather where it can be cool in the morning and then warm up in the afternoon.”

Sonoma’s textbook weather and premier facility have provided great conditions in seasons past, and this year should offer more of the same.
“The sun setting over the mountains is something I always look forward to because then it gets cool and quick, especially in Friday night qualifying, and that’s when it’s time to throw down,” Brown said.
This year, the event in Sonoma is the middle leg of the grueling three-week Western Swing, and Brown has plenty to look forward to as he returns not only as a two-time winner at the track, but also a fan favorite.
“It always feels great to go back to a track where you won at the year before,” Brown said. “Sonoma has been one of my favorite racetracks on the tour since I started racing Pro Stock Motorcycles there. It’s more exciting out there because you have all types of fans that come out, a lot who have followed me from when I was on a Pro Stock Bike to when I moved to Top Fuel.”
Brown’s Don Schumacher Racing teammate Ron Capps (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also defending winners of the event that will be telecast on ESPN2.

Brown understands the importance of the entire Western Swing, especially Sonoma, but he also is looking forward to the Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s playoffs. With only five races left in the regular season, the Western Swing means that it’s crunch time for teams hoping to secure a place in the top 10, and the Matco Tools team is looking for consistency and to use the Swing to help in the final races of the regular season.
“The Western Swing helps us get ready for the Countdown,” Brown said. “We need to keep focused and be more in line to be ready for the Countdown. We used to really hit the Western Swing hard, but we’ve learned it’s more important to prepare for those last six races than just worry about those three races.”

As much as Brown wants to focus on the Countdown, he would love to defend his win at Sonoma and use success in the Swing to move from second in points to first for the 20-point bonus that the leader receives at the beginning of the Countdown.
“Don’t get me wrong — we always hit it hard and want to win every time we roll our Matco Tools dragster to the starting line, and Sonoma is no different,” Brown said. “But we are working on things that might help us later in the season. We took a brand-new dragster the boys built back at the shop at Don Schumacher Racing to Denver to break in and plan to use that at Sonoma, too. We have to keep working on getting better and get our mindset ready to go for the championship.”

Not only can fans expect great on-track action all weekend in all four NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series categories and the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, but plenty of fan-friendly activity is also planned in the pits. The track will host special events throughout the weekend, including the Nostalgia Get-Together car display, winner’s circle interviews, Blast on the Grass car show, and the annual Eric Medlen Ice Cream Social Sunday afternoon after the final round.
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All fans are welcome to head down to the starting line on Sunday morning to be a part of pre-race ceremonies to see the top 16 drivers in each category introduced and for a chance to see their favorite driver up close and personal. After eliminations are complete on Sunday evening, fans can head back down to the starting line for the winner’s circle celebration and enjoy the taste of victory with the weekend’s winners.

Ford issues recall on thousands of Escapes.

July 16, 2012

 

According to a report from the New York Times, Ford is recalling almost 8,300 2013 Ford Escapes in the United States because improperly installed carpeting may interfere with a driver’s application of the brake pedal.

A report by Ford to the National Highway Traffic Safety administration said that the “mispositioned” carpeting “may result in the operator’s foot contacting the side of the brake pedal while transferring the foot from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal, potentially increasing stopping distances,” the story said.
In Canada, about 2,200 Escapes were also being recalled.

Though the recall is voluntary, Ford is required to inform the safety agency of its recall plan, or they could face a fine.

McKernan named chairman of NHRA museum.

 

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Thomas V. McKernan, chairman of the board of the Automobile Club of Southern California, has assumed the role of board chairman of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California. McKernan succeeds NHRA founder Wally Parks’ longtime friend and So-Cal Speed Shop founder Alex Xydias, who will continue to be an active board member. McKernan has served as a board member since 2010.

“I am truly honored to be taking on this new role for the museum,” said McKernan. “This is a wonderful opportunity to ensure that we are meeting Wally Parks’ dream — to influence, collect, and interpret drag racing’s rich history for a diverse community.”

The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California opened to the public in 1998 based on the vision to preserve the history of NHRA and America’s love affair with hot rods, speed records, and classic automobiles.

“We have a great board of directors, and I’m delighted to have McKernan assume the role as chairman,” said Xydias. “He has demonstrated a genuine commitment to the museum and passion for the sport. He is a tremendous asset for the museum.”

McKernan and the Auto Club have been tremendous supporters of the museum and the NHRA at all levels of the sport. In addition to its presenting sponsorship of the museum, the relationship includes naming rights for Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, entitlement rights of the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, entitlement of the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals in Dallas, entitlement of the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals in St. Louis, sponsorship of the Auto Club Road to the Future Award annually recognizing the sport’s Professional rookie of the year, and presenting sponsorships of the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion in Bowling Green, Ky., and the popular California Hot Rod Reunion at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield.

In addition, Auto Club is the presenting sponsor of the NHRA Safety Safari presented by AAA and the NHRA Drags: Street Legal Style presented by AAA.

Alexis DeJoria-Illustration of what it takes in the Pro Ranks of the NHRA

Heiress Alexis DeJoria intent on succeeding at drag racing

The 34-year-old left the executive suite for the noise, grunge and pulse quickening speed of the drag strip.

                                           Alexis DeJoria

 

Alexis DeJoria can do just about anything in the world she wants to do. And often does.
She vacations in the south of France. She rescues seals on the east coast of Canada. She models, does commercials, sky-dives and even has her own radio show.

But what DeJoria, daughter of billionaire John Paul DeJoria, founder of Paul Mitchell Hair Care Systems and Patron Tequila, wants to do most is race 8,000-horsepower dragsters 300 mph, even though grimy drag strips don’t appear to be compatible with the life of a glamorous heiress.

“That’s the false perception that everybody has of me,” said DeJoria, a rookie Funny Car driver who will compete this weekend at the NHRA Dollar General Summernationals at Heartland Park Topeka. “They see my dad, and they think I’m this Paris Hilton-type girl.
“That’s not how I was raised, and that’s not how I grew up. My dad had a really strong work ethic, and we always believed … you’ve got to go out there and do something for yourself, no matter if you’re a girl or a guy. I had to find my passion, and that was drag racing.”

DeJoria, 34, joined her sister, two brothers and a cousin in the family business for four years before the roar of engines and speed of drag racing beckoned her from a 9-to-5 executive job at Paul Mitchell to a seat in the cockpit of a dragster.

“I’ve always been somewhat of a thrill seeker and when I was 16, I went with a hot-rod buddy of mine to Pomona for an NHRA race and I was hooked,” she said. “The speed and the power of these cars are unimaginable. They’re the fastest-accelerating cars in the world, and that was something that really grabbed me.”

This season, driving the Patron Tequila Camry for renowned Kalitta Motorsports with 2011 Top Fuel champion Del Worsham as her crew chief, DeJoria has won just one round in seven races, but it was a biggie. She upset 15-time Funny Car champion John Force in her third race at Gainesville, Fla.

“I was running excellent numbers and getting down the race track, which is key, especially in qualifying,” said DeJoria, who had lost to Force in the season opener at Pomona. “If it’s your time, it’s your time, and the more consistent car you have, the better your chances are for sure.”

She qualified 10th in the last two races, including a first-round pairing against Force’s younger daughter, Courtney, in what was the first matchup of rookie female Funny Car drivers in NHRA history, but lost by 0.076 seconds. DeJoria is 15th in the points standings, five spots behind Courtney Force for top rookie.

“I’m happy with my progress,” she said. “I’m definitely getting better on my reaction times, but it also comes from me having more confidence in my car when it gets down the track. I’m not so concerned about what I’m going to do to get it down the track. I can focus more on my starting line, my reaction times. Del told me it would happen — just take time, don’t stress out about it so much — but the more confidence you get in a car, the better it runs.”

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DeJoria, a single mother of a 9-year daughter, co-owned and operated her own team for several years in the NHRA’s lower divisions. She famously survived a horrible crash at Englishtown, N.J., in 2009 when her parachutes snapped off before they could stop the car from running into the barrier.

Undaunted, DeJoria continued racing and posted a breakthrough victory in the Top Alcohol Funny Car national division last year at Seattle and also earned her nitro license.
“It’s a part of racing,” she said of the wreck at Englishtown, a track where Scott Kalitta died in a crash in 2008 and Neal Parker died in 2010. “You see guys blow up and crash all the time. It’s something you have to accept and understand that it is possible it’s going to happen. It’s not a matter of if, but when. There are a few drivers who have been pretty lucky and never in an accident before. But it’s a test, for sure. I always prepare myself mentally, ‘OK, if this happens, what are you going to do if you catch on fire?’ … Luckily, I didn’t get hurt. It was easier for me to bounce back.”

DeJoria entered four nitro Funny Car races last year — the maximum in order to retain her rookie status — and though she failed to qualify once, lost two first-rounders to Bob Tasca and one to Mike Neff when she was disqualified for red-lighting at the start, DeJoria picked up valuable experience.

“She brings a lot of energy,” said Worsham. “She’s really upbeat and excited and motivated and wants to do this, and that rubs off on the whole team, including myself, to get somebody who never complains. She always looks to the positive. Even in some of these losses we probably should have won, she’s been awful good about it.”

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Women have found more success in NHRA drag racing than any other form of motorsports. In all, 46 women have competed in the Full Throttle Series over the years, including the legendary Shirley Muldowney, who had 18 career victories and three Top Fuel dragster championships (1977, ’80 and ’82). Hillary Will (Top Fuel) and Erica Enders (Pro Stock) are series regulars, and Ashley Force Hood, who is now on maternity leave, won four Funny Car races during 2008-10 and finished second in the points standings in ’09 and third in ’10.

DeJoria’s goals for this year are modest.
“This year, being my first year and a new team … and Del is brilliant, but this is his first time being a crew chief, so we’re all learning right now,” she said. “If we can win rounds, that would be great. Qualify for every race, that would be great. If we would happen to win a race, that would be amazing.”

DeJoria, who sports more than a dozen tattoos, including a dragon around the ankle of her throttle foot, will arrive at Heartland Park with a freshly decorated tattoo on her right forearm.“You’ll see it in Kansas,” said DeJoria. “It’s an F-15 Strike Eagle, two racing flags, and two rods and pistons from my car. In the background it will be this big sunburst. It represents racing, my love, and fighter planes, I wanted to be a fighter pilot when I was a little girl and am obsessed with fighter planes.”

She also has some free hair care advice, courtesy of Paul Mitchell, for the ladies.
“You don’t need to wash your hair every single day or it will dry your hair out,” said DeJoria, who sports a long mane. “It’s much better every other day if you can, but when I’m racing, all bets are off. I have to wash my hair every day.”

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/16/3614438/nhra-summernationals-heiress-intent.html?story_link=email_msg#storylink=cpy

Carroll Shelby Remembered

Carroll Shelby Remembered

Life was a poker game for Carroll Shelby and he played to win with the end justifying the means - as long as you stayed legal, didn't exaggerate beyond what the listener should know better than to believe and you were reasonably kind to women, children and dumb animals. Holding his cards close to his chest and almost always with an ace in the hole, he was a fierce, determined and unrelenting competitor.

He looked and mostly dressed the part he played -  a tall, self-reliant Texas cowpoke ready to take on the world. When he walked on the set of a TV spot he shot for Chrysler, the director said, "He's the perfect Carroll Shelby."

His looks, easy laugh and smile and his unpretentious "good old boy" guise, coupled with his racecar driver-builder fame made him welcome in throne rooms, board rooms, bedrooms and with his eponymous brand of chili seasonings and corn bread mix, even the kitchen. It might have included the bathroom if his Carroll Shelby Pit Stop deodorant had sold.

On the golf course his dissembling took the form of "playing just well enough to win," according to an old friend. Disingenuous or not, it belied the substance behind the warning of lesser, perhaps envious mortals, "Be sure to count your fingers after you shake hands with Shelby." For the unaware, that warning meant being "slickered "by Shelby. More often it was a case of their slickering themselves.

The good old boy had a computer behind his engaging grin. He listened, observed and quickly calculated how a situation affected his interests and how to best respond - without revealing what related irons he had in the fire or what he knew about the other fellow and his proposition.

He let people talk themselves in or out of a deal. Deals that, financially or ego-wise, he didn't need to make - except when others were making money on his name. If money was going to be made on his "brand" he felt he deserved a cut. If nothing satisfactory was forthcoming or he felt his name and brand were being tarnished, he went to court. So often that one journalist complained, "when is it going to end?" It has.

And, he worked to win - a factor often overlooked when limning the story of Carroll Shelby as amplified and embellished by three generations of auto enthusiasts. More importantly, he didn't rest on his laurels. If he didn't have three or four projects going that would make news, it was a bad week. What he could conceive, he had the energy and will to achieve, despite a congenital heart condition. He did not like excuses.

Working with him for 14 years as the 8th or 9th "PR man" of his career was like chasing after the man humorist Stephen Leacock described as, "mounting his horse and riding off madly in all directions." There was lots of fun, particularly since Carroll by that time didn't need a PR man - the automotive writers and an impressive numbers of news, feature, sports and general interest writers he'd met over the years knew and liked him. They could always count on "old Shel" for a good quote, a colorful anecdote or apt homespun analogy. What he needed was a gatekeeper to filter the opportunities, the media and appearance requests that flowed his way - constantly. At least two different bio films came his way but have yet to materialize.

He was the "Ali" of autodom- bold, irreverent and confident. He enjoyed stealing the spotlight by doing or saying the unexpected. Like Ali, he had fans around the world. A thousand or more named one of their newborns, "Shelby." His star rose higher and shone brighter than many of the talented, dedicated people he attracted to his projects. But, as one associate observed, "He made a lot of Southern California mechanics rich. " As the years went by Carroll tried to acknowledge and make amends to those who felt their contributions had been lost in his shadow.

A decade after Carroll left the automotive scene, Lee Iacocca re-introduced him at Chrysler as "The Mr. Excitement of the auto industry." The times and the circumstances that made him so may never return.

If there were a "Hall of Fame for those who got the last drop out of living," Carroll Shelby would have a special niche. Certainly not with the saints or scholars or those born to power or riches - far from it. In fact, he might have to do a little penance in purgatory before ascending to his perch. But you can bet he'll make it.

JR Todd feeling more comfortable in second outing.

Dollar General NHRA SummerNationals will be better for JR Todd

Six years ago, J.R. Todd commanded attention as he made his Professional debut in a Top Fuel dragster, and now, after a hiatus from NHRA competition that spanned more than two seasons, he has returned behind the wheel of a second car out of the Bob Vandergriff Racing stable. With the first two of a handful of scheduled events behind him, the Indiana-based nitro pilot is prepared to make a powerful impression with a strong showing at his sponsor’s event, the Dollar General NHRA SummerNationals at Heartland Park Topeka.

The former Jr. Dragster racer is acutely aware of his potential and is bringing it all to the table, just as he always has. Despite a limited schedule in his debut season, Todd finished in the top 10 in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series standings after tallying three victories in four final rounds and earned the 2006 Auto Club Road to the Future Award as the top rookie driver. Time away from NHRA competition was not time away from drag racing, either. Todd allowed no time for an accumulation of rust and raced a partial schedule in Pro Mod in the ADRL series and traveled to Qatar to run in the Arabian Drag Racing League, where he won the points championship.

“I was definitely nervous when I was waiting to make that first qualifying pass in Houston,” said Todd, who had not piloted a Top Fuel dragster at an NHRA event since the NHRA Sonoma Nationals in 2009. “I had some butterflies because it was the first run back in competition, and I kind of felt like a rookie again. But the more runs I make, the more comfortable I am – and the more comfortable Kurt [Elliott, crew chief] is in his role. Our confidence is building together, and now we’re ready to go out there and race these guys and show them what we’re capable of.”

Although new to the crew chief position, Elliott has had no trouble getting the Dollar General dragster down the racetrack on each run. That first clean streak at the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries at Royal Purple Raceway produced a 3.95 at nearly 312 mph, and on his second pass, Todd clocked a career-best speed of 319.52. The team showed immediate signs of jelling, qualifying 11th and respectably earning a race-day start at its first event together.

The second outing, the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway, showed equal promise with another string of straight-down-the-track passes and a first-round match with eventual event victor Steve Torrence. Although Todd did not get the win in the first round, he clocked his quickest and fastest run of the weekend, a 3.859 at a career-best 319.67 mph.

“These last two races have gone really smooth for us, especially being that we are a relatively new team,” said Todd. “The competition is way tougher now than I ever remember it before in Top Fuel. You have to be able to run mid- to low 3.80s at will and in the heat now, and that’s pretty tough to do.
“Even though we haven’t been the quickest and fastest car out there, we’re going down the track, and I have to give it to Kurt for that. I think he was nervous at first, but I kept telling him, 'We’ve got nothing to lose these first few races; why not go for broke and show them what we’re capable of?' We’re learning every run and making improvements each time, and I was proud of him after that first run in Atlanta. I’m happy with the way things are going, and I’m so thankful Bob has given me the opportunity to drive.”

Todd and Vandergriff have been friends since Todd became a Pro in 2006, and the joining of forces is something that they have long been trying to make happen. Initially, the agreement is to race four to five events this year, although they are working to build the funding required to race 10 to 12 this season and a full schedule in 2013.

“When I left in 2008 – that was my last full-time ride – I didn’t know what was going to happen,” said Todd. “I finally got this lucky break with Bob, and I really hope we can build on it. It’s a little like having a carrot dangled in front of me, and I don’t want to have it taken away just yet.

“Hopefully, we can keep this going and do well for everyone at Dollar General this weekend. All of the big execs will be there, and they’ve never been to a drag race before. It will be cool to get them up there on the starting line between two Top Fuel cars, and hopefully we can put that big yellow dragster in the winner’s circle on Sunday. That would be the ultimate dream.” 

Corvette 2014?

Exclusive: This is the 2014 Chevy Corvette

The exclusive images you see here, derived from hours spent secretly poring over the sheetmetal of two seventh-generation Corvettes, show the next step in the supercar's iconic evolution. These aren't photos, but this is absolutely the next-generation Chevy Corvette in ZR1 trim. GM so doesn't want you to see these.

Love it or hate it, the Chevrolet Corvette is an American icon. For most of its 60 years, the 'Vette's shown that a commodity-focused U.S. automaker can confound expectations and compete with the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini. The seventh-generation Corvette — or C7 Corvette — as fan-boys and GM insiders call it — is designed to further confound those expectations.

These renderings were derived from hours this weekend I (and our designer) spent in secret, poring over the completely uncamouflaged "sheetmetal" of two versions of the next-gen Corvette. With limited time, we decided to, rather than show you the first one, a base level Corvette, we focused our rendering efforts instead on the high-performance ZR1 trim level.

None of our sources were willing to go on the record or allow me to run their name for fear they might lose their jobs. That's also why I'm showing renderings rather than actual photos — I don't care if it might cast doubt on the veracity of the styling — but I didn't want anyone losing their job over this.

That said, we showed these images to three different sources at General Motors — and all three confirmed that the images you see here accurately portray the ZR1 trim level for the seventh-generation Corvette. A fourth source — a non-GM employee — confirmed that the vehicle we show here is one of two Initial Vehicle Engineering Release (IVER) vehicles that's been making the rounds at the Milford Proving Grounds.

View the gallery

The ZR1 trim level is expected to come out later than the base model Corvette — which is slated for a 2014 model year and a reveal at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. At first glance, you think this is nothing more than an evolutionary change to America's supercar. But give it a second for that initial enormously deceiving glance to dissipate into a double-take. The changes — like the very Camaro-esque rear taillights, the over-exaggerated side vents, and a new window in the rear quarter — will be absolutely polarizing to any Corvette fan-boy. And other items — like a split-rear window, a la the Corvette Stingray, won't make it into production. ### Jalpnik.com

Corvette Fire Bug?

California Couple Gets $3.4M Judgement for Fire Caused by Corvette.

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For many automotive enthusiasts, our cars mean the world to us. While they may not be living, breathing things, they make a difference in our lives and bring us a lot of joy. So when something goes terribly wrong and a beloved car is the cause of serious damage to property or life, it’s that much harder to swallow.

According to the Boekamp family of southern California, that’s exactly what happened with their Corvette back in January of 2010, allegedly causing a fire that burned the couple’s home to the ground. This was a definite tragedy, but as we found out, some justice may be heading the couple’s way after a jury found General Motors liable for the damages and awarded the family $3.4 million. Unfortunately for the Boekamps, GM has already stated that they will be appealing the judgment against them.

A California jury found that a 2005 Corvette like this one was the cause of a fire that burned a family's house down back in 2010.

The Boekamp family lived in the same 5,300 square-foot home in San Diego’s east county for 29 years before a fire erupted in the structure on January 16^th, 2010. Although hardwired fire alarms didn’t wake the couple the night of the fire, the smell of smoke did and they were able to escape unharmed. Unfortunately the house and the couple’s two Corvettes, a 2005 and a 1962 model, weren’t as lucky.

But as it turns out the ‘05 Corvette owned by Pattie Boekamp may not have been a victim in the fire, but actually the culprit. The fire ignited just a couple hours after the Corvette was parked back in the garage on the evening of January 16^th, and upon exiting the house with the fire raging, Herbert Boekamp noticed a trail of gasoline leading from the car to the outside of the garage. That was enough to make him think that the Corvette may have actually caused the fire.

Upon investigation by someone appointed by GM to look at the burnt car, it was determined that the fire did in fact start in the car and that the mechanism inside the telescoping steering column was to blame. Although the case seemed cut and dry, GM apparently told the Boekamps that they had no case against the automotive manufacturer, to which the Boekamps responded with a lawsuit.

Just recently, a jury found GM to be liable for the fire and the home’s destruction, awarding the family $3.4 million. The judgment against GM was entered as of Monday April 2^nd. While the money won’t bring back the family’s home or personal processions, it is a start for rebuilding. Unfortunately, the family can’t rebuild on the property until all the legal issues surrounding the case are resolved.

But the Boekamp family may not even get that far. GM has 60 days to appeal the judgment against them and stated that they planned on doing so after the court’s recent ruling. We just hope that if the Corvette was the cause of the fire that justice is served for the Boekamp family. ##