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.

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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.

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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.