Backstretch Motorsports

GLENDORA, Calif.– As the investigation continues into the tragic accident that took the life of driver Scott Kalitta, NHRA announced today that beginning at the Mopar Mile High Nationals in Denver, Colorado, both the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes will race to 1,000 feet instead of the traditional 1,320 feet or one-quarter mile. This is an interim step that is being taken while NHRA continues to analyze and determine whether changes should be made to build upon the sport’s long standing safety record, given the inherent risks and ever-present dangers associated with the sport.

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Koretsky Picks Richie Stevens to Drive Nitro Fish Pontiac GXP

After deliberating for more than a week, Kenny Koretsky decided Tuesday to put Richie Stevens in the seat of his Nitro Fish/Indicom Electric Pro Stock Pontiac GXP for this weekend’s Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Norwalk,
Ohio.

“It’s no secret I’ve been thinking about doing something like this since my crash at Topeka (May 31),” said the fan friendly Koretsky. “Well, now it’s official. Richie was in Joliet (Ill.) testing with Eddie (Guarnaccia, team crew chief) and getting comfortable in the car. If everything goes well – and it should – Richie will be racing at Norwalk.”

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Anderson, Ellis also lead on first day of quals

MADISON, Ill. – Melanie Troxel’s black clouds lifted literally and figuratively during Friday qualifying at Gateway International Raceway.

Troxel drove her ProCare Rx Dodge Charger to a 4.802-second pass at 327.59 mph to lead the NHRA POWERade Series Funny Car field into the second day of qualifying at the O’Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals presented by Castrol after early morning thunderstorms.

Her Dodge started to skate on the track but Troxel never lifted off the throttle for her best run of the year, after making the field only twice in six races so far this season.

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WORSHAM SEEKS A MONUMENT TO TROPHY-CASE EXPANSION

ST. LOUIS — It sits at the foot of the Mississippi River, a mammoth 630-foot inverted catenary curve made of stainless steel, and has become one of the most iconic National Monuments in the United States. It is, of course, the Gateway Arch in downtown St. Louis, and it can be easily seen from the staging lanes at Gateway International Raceway, in nearby Madison, Ill., where the NHRA tour heads this weekend for the O’Reilly Midwest Nationals. Though most simply call it “the Arch” it is more officially part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, which commemorates rapid westward expansion during the early history of the United States. With most pioneers setting off from St. Louis, the last great western outpost, the city became known as the “Gateway To The West” and the Gateway Arch symbolizes that history to this day.

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INDEPENDENT TEAMS FARE WELL IN OPENING EVENTS AS POWERade SERIES MOVES ON TO ST. LOUIS

ST. LOUIS – Some teams don’t know they’re hot.

When Alan Bradshaw (above) qualified No. 1 in Gainesville, his crew didn’t believe it. It took a visit from an NHRA official, a trip to the media center for Bradshaw and a run sheet before they finally did – and then the Vegas Fuel Top Fuel dragster team followed it up with another No. 1, in Houston, proving they weren’t just lucky.

The 2008 season has been good to the one-car teams.

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COMMERCE, Ga. – In a final round for the ages Ashley Force beat father John, becoming the first woman in NHRA history to win a national event in Funny Car at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals in Commerce, Ga.

Ashley faced father and NHRA legend John Force in the final round, driving her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang pass the iconic legend with a run of 4.837 at 320.36. Though John was competing in his 500th race and came within one round win of reaching 1,000, it was the younger Force who stood in the winner’s circle at the end of the event.

“I’m just happy to win an event,” said Force. “That was the main thing. Being a female, that’s exciting for the record books and everything, but my team, we just wanted to get our first win. To get it finally done here in Atlanta, we’re just a little bit relieved but so excited as well.”

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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.”

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Wilkerson blasts his way to the top spot

ATLANTA, Friday: At the close of the first day of qualifying at the Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals, Tim Wilkerson blasted his way to the top, putting his Levi, Ray & Shoup Chevrolet Impala SS in the No. 1 qualifying position.

During the winter months the entire quarter-mile length of the Atlanta Dragway surface was replaced. So, as the day began, the tuners and drivers didn’t know what to expect of the racing surface. But Wilkerson didn’t let the unknown deter him. In the opening round of qualifying, Wilkerson dropped a cylinder and ran 4.950 at 301.60 mph, and ended in the fourth spot. Then as the air became cool and skies overcast, Wilkerson made a monster leap to the top, posting an impressive 4.774 at 325.92 mph.

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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.

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FORCE BECOMES SECOND DRIVER TO REACH 500 EVENT MARK; ALSO POISED TO MAKE HISTORY AS FIRST TO REACH 1,000 ROUND WINS

COMMERCE, Ga. – In the late 1970s Tom McEwen was already “The Mongoose,” a fabled character in the Funny Car category with a fan base of his own.

That’s when he met a dreamer.

McEwen remembers John Force as the guy whose car was always on fire.

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