Backstretch Motorsports

BAYTOWN, Texas – When Jeg Coughlin surveys the Pro Stock landscape in 2009, he sees several improved teams and an increased level of competition overall.

That just makes the two-time defending NHRA Pro Stock world champ hungrier to secure his third consecutive NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series crown. It is a feat that only three drivers have been able to accomplish in the history of the 200-mph category: Bob Glidden, the late Lee Shepherd and Greg Anderson.

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CHANDLER, Ariz. (Feb. 22, 2009) - Ron Capps drove the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Funny Car straight into the winner’s circle for the second consecutive event in the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, and is undefeated in 2009.

Capps and crew chief Ed “Ace” McCulloch proved once again that they are serious about winning their first Funny Car championship this year, as No. 1 qualifier Capps charged through the field to claim his 27th career national-event win (26th in Funny Car) in 56 final rounds, marking the first time he has won from the No. 1 position.

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POMONA, Calif. – After five days of inclimate weather in Southern California, Mother Nature finally decided to play nice.

Doug Kalitta raced to his first Top Fuel victory in more than a year Tuesday at the rain-delayed Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

Ron Capps and Jason Line also were winners in their respective categories at the first of 24 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series events in 2009. The season-opening event, which had been plagued by five straight days of rain delays, was finally completed under clear blue skies.

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POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 15) — “Big Daddy” Don Garlits didn’t do it. Neither did Shirley Muldowney.

By qualifying for this weekend’s 44th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals Saturday afternoon, 38-year-old Jeg Coughlin Jr. did something two of his drag racing idols never accomplished — he won a fourth world championship in a professional category.

Streaking through NHRA’s ‘08 playoffs with an exceptionally strong effort that produced a victory, two runner-up finishes, a semifinal ending, and a quarterfinal result, Coughlin arrived at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona needing only to make the 16-car field to clinch the 2008 title. He’s now won four Pro Stock championships since the start of the new millennium (2000, ‘02, ‘07, and ‘08) to go with his 1992 Super Gas world title.

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ENNIS, Texas – Larry Dixon’s up to bat with two strikes and a day to go.

At the past two events, Dixon’s qualified No. 1 on the strength of his provisional nights of qualifying. And at the last two events, he didn’t make it out of the second round on Sunday.

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MOHNTON, Pa. – In a final round that matched teacher against student, Funny Car driver Jack Beckman raced to his second win of the season at the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals.

Tony Schumacher, Jeg Coughlin, and Matt Smith also were winners at the 17th of 24 events on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

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JOLIET, Ill. – After Friday it looked like Ashley Force would become the first woman in NHRA history to qualify No. 1 in Funny Car. Only Melanie Troxel – the only other woman currently competing in the category - could beat her. On her last chance, Troxel did it.

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JOLIET, Ill. – Plenty of drivers stepped up as early-season favorites this year - new names and old.

In Top Fuel, Chicago’s Tony Schumacher and crew chief Alan Johnson continue to tighten their grip on Top Fuel while drivers like teammates Antron Brown and Rod Fuller stand in their way. Fan-favorite Ashley Force has proven herself a serious contender for the 2008 NHRA POWERade Series world championship title in Funny Car – and although the moniker means less to her than the trophy, she would be the first woman to earn it.

But that can change all too fast.

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With Milestones and History in Tow, Force Heads to Thunder Valley

BRISTOL, Tenn. – In what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive Funny Car seasons in NHRA history, John Force and his daughter Ashley have teamed up to provide plenty of early season buzz with some memorable milestone performances.

First, at Las Vegas in early April, 25-year-old Ashley became the first female to lead the Funny Car point standings with a runner-up finish in her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang. John then arrived at Atlanta Dragway in late April and became only the second driver in NHRA history to attend 500 NHRA events, joining Pro Stock legend Warren Johnson on that short list.

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I have to start the day with a big “thank you” and tip of the cap to the guys at On Pit Row, “The Fastest Two Hours in Radio”. I’m honored that Steve Wronkowicz and Charlie Turner gave the opportunity for racing’s “enriched web” folks to speak a bit by hosting me and the “Best O’The Net” last evening. The show, that featured some of the best web-based news and blog authors was a blast to be a part of, if not a bit intimidating for this author. If you weren’t careful, you may have just learned a thing or two by listening. I know I did, listening to the likes of Luke Poland, Marc Boland, Darren Fauth, Bob Ellis and the others. And together, we may have solved all of racing problems in a single two hours. Not to mention that the majority seems to favor Greg Biffle to win at Darlington.

Head on over to On Pit Row website (using the link above) and be sure to save it to your favorites.

The weekend past was a tremendous weekend for motorsports. Lots of fast activities taking place, lots of winners got new trophies to carry home with the bragging rights. We will start with the SCORE Desert Racing Series.

The 22nd Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 featured 263 total starters roared through the rugged trails and washes of Mexico’s Baja California desert Saturday, and the smoke and dust cleared, there was second-generation veteran Las Vegas desert racer Brian Collins earning the overall and SCORE Trophy-Truck victory in the No. 1 Collins Motorsports Mopar Dodge Ram 1500.
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