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.