Backstretch Motorsports

MORRISON, Colo. – Cory McClenathan raced to the No. 1 qualifying position in Top Fuel as qualifying came to an end Saturday at the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway

Tony Pedregon (shown left), Greg Anderson and Eddie Krawiec were also No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories at the 13th of 24 events on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

[read more...]

MORRISON, Colo. – Tony Pedregon raced to the provisional No. 1 qualifier at the 29th annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals in Denver.

Cory McClenathan, Allen Johnson (shown left) and Steve Johnson were also No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories at the 13th of 24 events on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

This was the first time in NHRA history that Top Fuel and Funny Car ran at the interim distance of 1,000 feet.

[read more...]

Andrew Hines

COMMERCE, Ga. – The No. 1 provisional qualifiers from Friday in all four categories held on to those top spots as qualifying wrapped up Saturday for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals in Commerce, Ga.

Tim Wilkerson’s run of 4.774-second pass at 325.92 mph in his Levy Ray & Shoup Chevy Impala SS from the previous day was enough to keep him in the top spot in Funny Car. It is Wilkerson’s third No. 1 qualifier of the season and 13th of his career.

“It’s a good feeling to be first, no doubt about that,” said Wilkerson. “Hopefully we can win some rounds tomorrow. It would sure be special going in to St. Louis leading the points, especially for the people at Levy Ray & Shoup.”

[read more...]

COMMERCE, Ga. – Cory McClenathan piloted his FRAM dragster to a 4.562 at 327.03 provisional low qualifying effort for what may be his first No. 1 qualifier of the season, 31st of his career and third at Atlanta Dragway.

“I think coming in here we knew the track was going to be a little on the green side,” said McClenathan. “They re-did the surface and did a good job with that. NHRA came in and did their stuff and it was great.”

Tim Wilkerson looked to continue his qualifying domination as he took the provisional No. 1 qualifier in Funny Car Friday at the 28th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals.

[read more...]

Ashely Force Becomes First Female Funny Car Points Leader

LAS VEGAS – Tim Wilkerson (above) broke a three and ½ year winless streak and denied Ashley Force her first career Funny Car win in the process at the ninth annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Wilkerson, a Springfield-Ill.-based auto service shop owner, drove his Levi Ray & Shoup Chevy Impala SS to a 4.962 at 292.58 to a win over Force, who turned in a 4.993 at 313.95 in her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang.

Despite the loss, Force leaves the event as the first woman in NHRA history to top the Funny Car point standings as the tour moves to Atlanta.

[read more...]