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Clay Millican
BIO C
lay Millican absolutely owned the International Hot Rod Association during his time on the circuit, capturing 51 national event wins and winning six consecutive IHRA World championships. He left the IHRA circuit as the winningest Top Fuel Driver in IHRA history. Millican’s IHRA career got off to a blazing start as he won rookie of the year honors in 2000. The next year he was named Driver of the Year and was a finalist for the 2002 Car Craft All-Star Drag Racing Team. That would prove to be one of Millican’s best years on the IHRA tour as he won 10 consecutive events and finished the season with 11 victories, setting an IHRA record. He capped the year with his second world title and would follow up that year by advancing to every final round in 2003 en route to yet another title. While he was dominating IHRA, Millican was also dabbling in NHRA. He competed in 13 NHRA events in 2003 and then advanced to three consecutive final rounds in 2004. In 2009, Millican earned his first-ever Countdown to One appearance and reached a final round at Topeka. Now, the 47-year-old Millican is hoping to match his IHRA success on the NHRA Top Fuel circuit as he competes full time. Last year in the Parts Plus dragster, Millican qualified at 22 out of 23 races and made a strong push for a spot in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs before coming up just short. Last year should still be counted as a success as Millican finished 12th in the points race with four semifinal appearances (Phoenix, Englishtown, Bristol and Pomona). Last year at Pomona, Millican clocked career-best performances for time and speed, but he is after more than just personal bests. Now he is looking for his first win in NHRA. Over his career, he has reached five final rounds but the Drummonds, Tenn. native yearns for his first crown. Millican also understands that there is more to being a successful driver than just victories. Perhaps no other driver on the NHRA tour does as much social networking and television appearances as Millican. The driver of the Parts Plus dragster has made multiple appearances on various Speed Channel shows, appeared in Pinks All Out from 2009-2010 and starred in Burnout on MTV2. In all, Millican has come a long way from working as a forklift driver for Kroger Supermarkets who would make his Top Fuel debut in 1998. Six world titles later, Millican is a serious threat to capture the NHRA Top Fuel Mello Yello points championship in 2013.
Series Breakdown T
he National Hot Rod Association was founded in 1951, and in the sixty years that has followed, NHRA Mell Yellow Drag Racing Series has become the most popular racing league just outside of NASCAR in the country. Coca-Cola partnered up with the NHRA in 2002 and now drivers compete in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing series. The Pro Stock cars are sometimes called “factory hot rods,” because they resemble productionbased automobiles. The Pro Stock cars are the most technologically advanced machines in all of drag racing because of how they are built around a sophisticated tube chassis and four-link rear suspension. The cars can weigh no less than 2350 pounds and their engines must use two carburetors and spec gasoline. The engines themselves are restricted to a maximum of 500 cubic inches, which enables the engine to rev to 10,500 rpm and reach in excess of 1300 horsepower. The cars can reach more than 208 mph. Top Fuel Dragster: Top Fuel cars are, without question, the fastest-accelerating machines in the world. In turn these machines are often called the “kings of the sport.” Top Fuel cars can cover a quarter-mile in 4.4 seconds and reach more than 330 mph. The vehicles are powered by a supercharged, fuel-injected 500-cubic-inch Chrysler Hemi adapted engine. The cars themselves are 25 feet long and weigh 2250 pounds. Funny Car: The Funny Cars have a shorter wheelbase and a carbonfiber body (opposed to Top Fuel’s chromyl steel tubing and carbon-fiber composite), that loosely resemble a productionbased automobile. The Funny Cars reach 330 mph while tackling the quarter-mile in the 4.7-second range. Pro Stock: The Pro Stock cars are sometimes called “factory hot rods,” because they resemble production-based automobiles.
Engines are constantly being developed and are built around a sophisticated tube chassis and four-link rear suspension making the Pro Stock car the most technologically advanced machines in all of drag racing. The cars can weigh no less than 2350 pounds and their engines must use two carburetors and spec gasoline. The engines themselves are restricted to a maximum of 500 cubic inches, which enables the engine and reach in excess of 1400 horsepower, revving to 10,500 rpm. The cars can reach more than 210 mph in 6.5 seconds. Dave Connolly is the IDG Driver for the Pro Stock class. Pro Modified: Pro Mod cars run a similar chassis to Pro Stock cars but are not restricted to naturally aspirated gasoline burning engines. Instead Pro Mod cars are powered by one of three approved combinations. They may run a nitrous-based combination, a supercharged methanol combination or a turbocharged combination. These combinations allow a Pro Mod car to travel the quarter-mile in under 6 seconds at over 250 mph. Pro Mod cars are arguably one of the most difficult cars to drive in all of drag racing, as the cars are always on the edge of “out of control.” Rickie Smith is the IDG Driver for the Pro Mod class.
Pro Stock Motorcycle: The Pro Stock Motorcycles can run the quarter-mile in under seven seconds by reaching up to 195 mph. The highly modified vehicles feature a purpose-built tube chassis and a lightweight, aerodynamically enhanced replica of original bodywork. Makers such as Harley-Davidson, Buell, Kawasaki and Suzuki are a few of the vehicles that are featured in this class. Modifications are done to each of the models and makes to ensure a level playing field.
TOP FUEL Top Performers Spencer Massey Car/Sponsor: Schumacher Battery Extender Crew Chief: Todd Okuhara Top Speed: 332.18 The 30-year-old standout raced to four victories in 2012 in nine final rounds. For his career he has 13 wins in 28 final rounds and added another nine last season. The Fort Worth native finished third in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs last season after finishing second in 2011. Tony Schumacher Car/Sponsor: U.S. Army Dragster Crew Chief: Mike Green Top Speed: 330.23 A full-time veteran of Top Fuel since 1997, Schumacher is the son of Funny Car pioneer Don Schumacher, the owner of Don Schumacher Racing. Schumacher drives the U.S. Army dragster and has 69 career Top Fuel wins in 118 final round appearances. He finished second in the points standings. Antron Brown Car/Sponsor: Matco Tools Dragster Crew Chief: Brian Corradi/Mark Oswald Top Speed: 328.78 The Matco Tools dragster raced to six victories in 11 final rounds in 2012 en route to the Mello Yello world championship. Brown also became the first African-American NHRA world champion. He clinched the title by recording two wins in three finals during the Countdown playoffs. Steve Torrence Car/Sponsor: Capco Racing/Torrence Motorsports Crew Chief: Richard Hogan Top Speed: 326.79 Last year Torrence raced to three wins in five final round appearances. Torrence qualified for the Countdown to a Championship playoffs for the second time in his career and qualified for all 23 events on the schedule. He topped out at No. 4 in the points standings. Morgan Lucas Car/Sponsor: Geico Power Sports/ Lucas Oil Dragster Crew Chief: Aaron Brooks/Rod Centorbi Top Speed: 330.96 Last year Lucas won three events (Gainesville, Houston and Brainerd) and held the points standings lead for the first time in his young career. The
29-year-old Lucas also recorded his career-best time and speed. He was a threat in each and every race, posting four No. 1 qualifying times throughout the year. Doug Kalitta Car/Sponsor: Mac Tools Dragster Crew Chief: Jim Oberhofer Top Speed: 3231.45 In 2012 Kalitta finished sixth in the final points standings despite falling in his only final round appearance. Kalitta, who has moved into the Mac Tools Dragster, qualified for all 23 events a year ago to advance to the Countdown to a Championship playoffs for the fifth straight year. Shawn Langdon Car/Sponsor: Al-Anabi Dragster Crew Chief: Brian Husen Top Speed: 334.15 Shawn Langdon turned 30-years old in 2012 and celebrated with his first career victory at Charlotte just days after his birthday. Langdon qualified for all 23 events and claimed five No. 1 qualifying positions, including three during the playoffs. The biggest highlight of the year may have been clocking the fastest speed in NHRA history at Reading. David Grubnic Car/Sponsor: Optima Batteries Dragster Crew Chief: Connie Kalitta Top Speed: 327.11 The Australia-native ended a six-year winless slump by claiming victory at Topeka. Grubnic qualified for the Countdown playoffs, finishing 10th overall in the points race. He also qualified for all 23 events. Brandon Bernstein Car/Sponsor: MavTV/Lucas Oil Crew Chief: Joe Barlam/John DeFlippis Top Speed: 330.31 Bernstein has 18 career Top Fuel wins in 38 career final rounds, but last season, Bernstein shook the monkey off his back by ending a three-year winless slump with a Pomona 2 victory. He was also able to finish fifth in the final Countdown standings. His career best E.T. is 3.736 Bob Vandergriff, Jr. Car/Sponsor: C&J Energy Services Dragster Crew Chief: Rob Flynn Top Speed: 326.24 For the second straight season,
Vandergriff raced to a win after claiming his second career win with a victory at Las Vegas 2. Vandergriff also qualified for the Countdown playoffs in 2012 and managed to find himself in the field for all 23 events. Vandergriff was named 1994 NHRA Rookie of the Year. Clay Millican Car/Sponsor: Parts Plus Dragster Crew Chief: Kurt Elliot Top Speed: 320.66 Entering 2013, the Parts Plus dragster was still searching out his first Top Fuel victory after four final round appearances. Millican stepped up to a full-time schedule last year and qualified for 22 of 23 events. He notched his career best time and speed at Pomona 2 and was a four-time semifinalist. Terry McMillen Car/Sponsor: Amalie Oil/UNOH Dragster Crew Chief: Richard Hartman Top Speed: 321.50 McMillen is looking to build off of quarterfinal finishes at Las Vegas 1, Atlanta and Bristol. He will look to also improve upon his career-best third place qualifying spot, which he nailed at Bristol. In 2010, McMillen qualified for 21 of 23 events. Khalid Albalooshi Car/Sponsor: Al-Anabi Racing Crew Chief: Jason McCulloch Top Speed: 328.46 After winning the 2011 NHRA Pro Mod championship, alBalooshi moved to the Al-Anabi Racing Top Fuel full time last year and earned his first career Top Fuel win in 2012. As a rookie, alBalooshi qualified for all 23 events and even took down eventual champion Antron Brown three times head-to-head during the Countdown playoffs. Brittany Force Car/Sponsor: Castrol Edge Dragster Crew Chief: Dean Antonelli Top Speed: N/A The 26-year-old Castrol Edge dragster began her rookie season in Top Fuel last year. Before joining the big circuit, Force competed in the Top Alcohol Dragster category in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. In TAD competition, Force proved her abilities by racing to two No. 1 qualifying positions.
PRO STOCK Top Performers Greg Anderson Car/Sponsor: Summit Racing Equipment Pontiac GXP Crew Chief: Rob Downing/Jeff Perley Top Speed: 213.74 For the 12th consecutive year Anderson won an event last season, bringing his career total up to 73. Anderson won four events last year in nine final round appearances. He has won four NHRA championships but last year finished fifth in the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series points standings.
Erica Enders-Stevens Car/Sponsor: GK Motorsports Chevy Cobalt Crew Chief: Dave Connolly/Tommy Utt Top Speed: 213.57 Enders-Stevens is no stranger to NHRA history. After becoming the first woman to qualify No. 1 in Pro Stock at Topeka in 2006, she became the first female to win an NHRA Pro Stock race. She also finished a career-best fourth in the Mello Yello Series points standings.
Jason Line Car/Sponsor: Mopar/J&J Racing Dodge Avenger Crew Chief: Rob Downing/Jeff Perley Top Speed: 214.35 The 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Series champion won a pair races last year, posting wins at Phoenix and Charlotte 2. He has two career championships and 29 Pro Stock career victories. The most impressive stat from 2012 might be his nine No. 1 qualifying positions earned.
Ronnie Humphrey Car/Sponsor: Summit Racing/Genuine Hotrod Hardware Pontiac GXP Crew Chief: Troy Humphrey Top Speed: 212.79 2012 saw Humphrey make his careerbest speed at the Charlotte 1 event. He also advanced to two semifinals and four additional quarterfinals rounds. He has one career final round appearance, coming in 2011.
Allen Johnson Car/Sponsor: Mopar/J&J Racing Dodge Avenger Crew Chief: Mark Ingersol/Roy Johnson Top Speed: 212.59 Johnson earned his first-ever NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championship title in 2012. The title was earned thanks to seven victories in 11 final round appearances with 10 No. 1 qualifying positions. Vincent Noble Car/Sponsor: Mountain View Tire Dodge Avenger Crew Chief: Mark Ingersol/John Nobile /Nick Mitsos Top Speed: 212.83 The 21-year-old Noble scored a pair of wins in 2012, including yet another Houston victory. He won his first Pro Stock victory in Houston in 2011. Last year he also became the youngest driver to win the $50,000 K&N Horsepower Challenge. He also earned the event win at Norwalk. Mike Edwards Car/Sponsor: Penhall/K&N/Interstate Pontiac GXP Crew Chief: Terry Adams Top Speed: 213.47 Edwards won two events in 2012, bringing his career total to 34. He won the 2009 Pro Stock world championship and is a threat anytime the tour heads to Las Vegas. He won both events at the track in 2011.
Shane Gray Car/Sponsor: Gray Motorsports Chevy Crew Chief: Justin Elkes Top Speed: 212.46 Last year, Gray posted a pair of semifinal finishes (Topeka and Norwalk) while competing in all 23 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events on the schedule. In 2011, he won at Topeka, the second of his career wins. He has made four final rounds. Rodger Brogdon Car/Sponsor: MAV TV Pontiac GXP Crew Chief: Tim Freeman Top Speed: 213.57 Brogdon has not yet won in Pro Stock, but he does have one final round appearance, coming in 2011. Last year, he made the semifinal round in Phoenix and finished No. 12 in the points standings. Greg Stanfield Car/Sponsor: Nitro Fish Gear/Coffman Tank Trucks Pontiac GXP Crew Chief: Eddie Guarnaccia Top Speed: 212.36 Stanfield made the Countdown playoffs for the fourth straight year in 2011 after capturing one event and finishing with three runner-up distinctions. He finished in second place in 2010 in the final points standings. Last year, Stanfield finished with 497 points, in 17th place.
Dave Connolly Car/Sponsor: IDG Chevrolet Cobalt Crew Chief: Todd Bevis Top Speed: 211.23 Connolly won the NHRA U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis and reached three final-round appearances in 2012. He has27 career wins, including 23 in Pro Stock in 41 final round appearances. He is also co-crew chief for Pro Stock driver Erica Enders-Stevens Larry Morgan Car/Sponsor: Lucas Oil Ford Mustang Crew Chief: Johnnie Gray Top Speed: 212.09 Morgan has 10 career Pro Stock wins in 33 final round appearances. His last win came in 2009, which broke a seven-year drought. Last season, Morgan made the semifinals at Brainerd en route to a top 10 finish in the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series points standings. Jeg Coughlin, Jr. Car/Sponsor: JEGS.com/Mopar Dodge Avenger Crew Chief: Roy Johnson Top Speed: 212.29 Coughlin was back to full-time competition last year after missing much of 2011. He returned to form, snagging a runner-up finish at Pomona 1 and finished ninth in the final points standings. Coughlin moved into eighth place on the Pro Stock career wins list with 52 in 2010. In 2008 he won a fourth career Pro Stock world championship, his second straight crown. Kurt Johnson Car/Sponsor: Total Seal GXP Crew Chief: Kurt Johnson Top Speed: 211.03 The Lawrenceville, GA, native made two appearances in the quarterfinals last season and looks to return to the top 10 in the final points standings in 2013 after finishing 15th last year. Johnson picked up his 40th career win in 2011, his first win since 2008. In 2009 he finished in the top ten of the points standings for the 17th consecutive season.
FUNNY CAR Top Performers Robert Hight Car/Sponsor: Auto Club Ford Mustang Crew Chief: Jimmy Prock Top Speed: 321.81 2012 was a good year for Hight as he won four consecutive races in Phoenix, Gainesville, Las Vegas 1 and Charlotte 1. Hight managed to set a new career-best speed with 321.81 and finished seventh in the final points standings, the eighth straight year he has finished in the top 10.
Jack Beckman Car/Sponsor: Valvoline Dodge Charger Crew Chief: Todd Smith Top Speed: 320.58 Last year was a special one for Beckman as he captured his first career NHRA Funny Car world championship while also setting his career best e.t (3.986) and career best speed (320.58). In his eighth season of racing, he won three events to get over the hump after coming up just short of a title in 2011.
Bob Tasca Car/Sponsor: Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Shelby Mustang Crew Chief: Chris Cunningham/Marc Denner Top Speed: 314.46 In 2012, Tasca added another win to his Funny Car resume, giving him four victories in nine final rounds. The victory was his first since 2010. In 2012, Tasca also set a new career best in speed with 314.46. He was No. 12 in the final points standings.
Ron Capps Car/Sponsor: NAPA Auto Part Dodge Charger Crew Chief: Rahn Tobler Top Speed: 320.89 In the closest race in Funny Car history, Capps finished in second place in the overall points race by a mere two points. It was the fourth time in his career he finished as runner-up to the title. He did managed five wins and ran the quickest elapsed time in Funny Car history with 3.964.
Cruz Pedregon Car/Sponsor: Snap-on Tools Toyota Camry Crew Chief: Lee Beard Top Speed: 316.75 The Snap-on Tools Toyota Camry racer took home a victory last year in the season-ending Pomona event, as well as a runner-up finish in Charlotte 1. Pedregon finished as the No. 1 qualifier in five events and was fourth in the final points standings.
John Force Car/Sponsor: Castrol GTX Ford Mustang Crew Chief: Mike Neff Top Speed: 319.22 The 15-time Funny Car world champion raced to a season-opening win in Pomona to kick off the 2012 season. He would also win the inaugural NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootout and finish No. 9 in the final Funny Car Point standings, four spots behind his daughter Courtney. His last Funny Car world championship came in 2010.
Mike Neff Car/Sponsor: Castrol GTX Mustang Crew Chief: Mike Neff/Bernie Fedderly Top Speed: 318.84 Neff has found great success as a crew chief, but he is back behind the wheel searching to improve upon his career-best third-place finish in 2012. Last year he won four events while making seven final round appearances. He won the NHRA Rookie of the Year award in 2008.
Johnny Gray Car/Sponsor: Gray Motorsports Charger Crew Chief: Rob Wendland Top Speed: 319.45 Last season, Gray won two events and finished in sixth place in the final Funny Car points standings, the best he has ever posted during his career. He has three wins over the last two seasons and has made 12 final rounds over his Funny Car career, which began in 2001. He has also found success in the Top Alcohol division and the Pro Stock series.
Courtney Force Car/Sponsor: Traxxas Ford Mustang Crew Chief: Rong Douglas/Danny Hood Top Speed: 319.60 Force proved racing is in the genes by posting her first career Funny Car victory in just her 15th career race. She also recorded two No. 1 qualifying positions and made three total final rounds en route to a fifth place finish in the final points standings. She was honored with the Auto Club Road to the Future award, giving her rookie of the year honors for 2012.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE
Top Performers Eddie Krawiec Car/Sponsor: Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Crew Chief: Matt Hines Top Speed: 199.26 Krawiec has turned the Pro Stock Motorcycle world on its head after winning his second straight world championship, third overall, in 2012. Krawiec won nine times and made 11 final rounds last season as he dominated the field. Krawiec made his NHRA debut in 2004 before winning his first title in 2008. Andrew Hines Car/Sponsor: Vance & Hines Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson Crew Chief: Matt Hines Top Speed: 198.73 Hines is looking to get back on top of the Pro Stock Motorcycle world after earning three straight world championships in the mid2000s. Last season Hines won six events in 11 final round appearances only to finish runner-up to Ed Krawiec. Hines finished third in the final points standings in 2011. Hector Arana, Jr. Car/Sponsor: Lucas Oil Buell Crew Chief: Hector Arana, Sr. Top Speed: 197.39 Arana, Jr. took a final step back in 2012 after exploding onto the scene in 2011, when he
claimed three wins and was the top-qualifier seven times. He finished third in the points standings after he won the Auto Club Road to the Future Award and finished second in the final points standings in 2011. Hector Arana, Sr. Car/Sponsor: Lucas Oil Products Buell Crew Chief: Hector Arana Top Speed: 196.10 Arana serves as crew chief for both himself and his son, and last season, the pair finished third and fourth in the final points standings. The older Arana has six wins in his 23-year career. In 2010, Arana raced to five runner-up positions one year after earning his first world championship. Karen Stoffer Car/Sponsor: TBD Suzuki Crew Chief: Gary Stoffer Top Speed: 198.00 Stoffer has been the model of consistency over the past decade. Last year, Stoffer finished in the top 10 for the ninth straight season as she posted a fifth-place finish. Stoffer has six career wins in 18 final rounds. Her last win came in 2011. Matt Smith Car/Sponsor: Smith Racing Buell Crew Chief: Steve Tartaglia
Top Speed: 195.39 Smith added another final round appearance to his career total of 28. He has 13 wins, the last coming in 2011, but he still managed to finish sixth in the points standings, the sixth straight season he has qualified for the Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Michael Ray Car/Sponsor: Sovereign/Star Racing Buell Crew Chief: George Bryce Top Speed: 194.02 Ray earned his first career victory in Dallas while also making his first Countdown to a Championship playoff appearance. He finished eighth in the final Pro Stock Motorcycle standings. Ray now boasts a pair of final round appearances. Louis Tonglet Car/Sponsor: Zloop Computer/Electronic Recycling Suzuki GSX-R Crew Chief: Gary & GT Tonglet Top Speed: 196.27 Tonglet won the 2010 Full Throttle Series World Championship in his first full season, becoming the youngest champion in history at 20-years-old. Last year, Tonglet posted one runner-up finish for the season and finished No. 9 in the final points standings. He has nine wins and 12 final rounds in his career.
NHRA 101
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rofessional Drag Racing is the most powerful motorsport in the world. At its core, drag racing is simple: it’s an acceleration contest that typically takes place between two vehicles. The contestants start side-by-side, standing still, and race to the finish line at the end of the track. The first one to cross the finish line wins.
to race. The most important lights to the driver are the 3 amber lights stacked in the middle of the tree. When these lights come on, the driver immediately hits the throttle and the race begins. Below the amber lights are a green light and a red light. These simply indicate if it was a fair start (green), or the driver left too soon and is disqualified (red).
NHRA National Events are the top-tier of professional drag racing across the world. They typically take place over a 3-day period and consist of several categories of vehicles, all racing for individual category championships. The professional categories will spend the first 2 days qualifying, and the last day competing for the event title. Qualifying is used to determine the 16 quickest cars in each class, and bracket them in a tournament-style ladder. Winners advance, losers go home… there are no second chances in professional drag racing. The competitors go head-to-head in a series of rounds until a single winner is determined.
The Score Boards: Drag racing more than any other motorsport is a numbers game. Races are broken down into thousandths of seconds, and the difference between winning or losing can be less than the blink of an eye. The score board will tell you much of what just happened on any given race, and allow you to enjoy what you are seeing that much more. One score board is placed on each side of the racetrack at the finish line representing the left and right lanes. Score boards come in different shapes and sizes but will usually have two rows of numbers as their predominant feature. The top row of numbers indicates the elapsed time (in seconds) that the car in that lane just recorded. For example, a number of 6.253 means the car in that lane covered the racing distance in just over 6 and a quarter seconds. The bottom row of numbers usually indicates the mph the car was travelling at the finish line. During qualifying, if the bottom number is showing a time instead of speed, that is the “bump” spot that a car needs to go quicker than to qualify. The most important feature on the scoreboard for the spectator is the “win light.” There will be a series of flashing lights on each scoreboard, the side that is flashing is the side that just won that race. You will never see both scoreboards flashing at the same time.
Obviously the race cars and drivers are the most important part of any drag race, but there are 3 other elements that are key to understanding the sport. They are the racetrack, the “Christmas Tree” and the score boards. The Racetrack: Drag races are contested on a straight line over a quarter-mile distance for most categories. The sports fastest “nitro powered” vehicles only race to 1000 feet for safety reasons. The racetrack has a series of electronic timing beams that go across the track at the starting line, 60, 330, 660, 1000 feet and at the finish line. There is also a “pre-stage” beam that is placed 7 inches in front of the starting line. The pre-stage beam is used to warn the driver he is getting close to the actual starting line. A final beam is placed 66-feet in front of the finish line and is used to calculate the speed of the cars. When you look at the racetrack, you will see the large orange blocks in the middle of the track; they are part of this timing system. The Christmas Tree: This electronic starting system replaced “flag” starters in 1963. The Christmas Tree (or tree) is the large pole covered with lights that sits between the lanes close to the starting line. Its purpose is to ensure both cars are lined-up evenly and provide a fair start to both drivers. The top of the tree has two sets of LED lights that look like a circle with a line through the middle. The top of the circle turns on when the “pre-stage” beam is broken (see racetrack above). The bottom of the circle and the line turn on when the race car breaks the starting line beam and is in position
Glossary of Terms Aftermarket: Generally, the replacement parts and highperformance products market. The design and selling of custom parts for automobiles. Ballast: A controlled amount of weight, functionally positioned, used to help cars meet class weight requirements. Blueprinting: The meticulous matching to factory specifications all parts and/or components. Handfitting parts to the absolute design callout or manufacturer’s specifications. Breakout: In handicap racing, when the contestant has run quicker than his dial-in, the driver’s most consistent qualifying time. Burn down: When both cars intentionally hesitate before moving into the “Stage” position at the Christmas Tree, therefore delaying the start of the race. Drivers seek to gain a mental advantage over their opponent through this process by seeking to interrupt the other driver’s normal routine. Burnout: Spinning of rear wheels at high RPM in water to heat and clean tire rubber prior to a run, resulting in increased traction. Burned piston: A condition where a cylinder runs lean (too much air in the air-to-fuel mixture) causing suffi cient heat to burn a hole through the piston. Burst panel: A section of the front of a Funny Car body designed to relieve pressure and minimize the effects of a supercharger explosion. Catch can: A container used to catch liquid overflow, preventing spillage on the race track. Also known as catch tank. Chassis: The frame of the race car. Christmas Tree: An electronic starting device incorporating calibrated LED lights displaying a visual countdown for
each driver, activated by a designated official. Chromoly: Also Chrome Moly. Short for Chromium Molybdenum steel. A very strong type of steel tubing used to build the frames for many dragsters. Chute: Short for parachute or dragchute. Used to assist high-speed braking. CID: Cubic inch displacement. Clutch can: Bell housing, the bell-shaped housing used to encase clutch and flywheel. Clutch dust: Carbon dust created by the wearing of the surface of the clutch disks as they slide together during the clutch lockup process. Clutch lockup: The progression of clutch disk engagement controlled by an air timer management system. Competition area: The staging lanes and race track surface. Competition license: Drivers in NHRA sanctioned events must have an NHRA competition license. To obtain a license, Drivers in pro categories must be at least 18 years old or turn 18 during their first season. Drivers from the four professional categories must also pass a physical examination and complete six licensing runs. Corrected altitude: Result of factoring barometric pressure, humidity, temperature and grains of water per pound of air. Information is used for race car tuning purposes. Deep staged: A driver is deep staged when, after staging, he or she rolls a few inches farther, which causes the prestage light to go out. In that position, the driver is closer to the finish line but dangerously close to a foul start. Diaper: A blanket made from ballistic and absorbent material (often Kevlar) that surrounds the oil pan and serves as a containment device dur-
ing engine explosions. Disc: In brakes, the rotor, the part which revolves, and against which brake linings are pressed to provide braking. Displacement: In an engine, the total volume of air/fuel mixture an engine is theoretically capable of drawing into all cylinders during one operating cycle. Downforce: Vertical aerodynamic pressure which aids a race car in achieving traction. Driver’s suit: Generally, protective clothing made of fireresistant material. Dropped cylinder: A cylinder becomes too rich (too much fuel in the air-to-fuel mixture), which prevents the spark plug(s) from firing. Dynomometer: A stationary device that measures an engine’s torque to determine horsepower. E.T.: Elapsed time. The total time it takes to go from starting line to finish line. Eliminations: When cars are raced two at a time, resulting in one winner and one loser. Winner continues to race in tournament-style competition. Fire bottle: Slang term for fire extinguisher. Mounted in various positions on the different categories of race cars, these bottles contain fire retardant and are activated by the driver when fire is present. Flash shield: A device to encompass the air inlet of a carburetor’s sides, top and rear. Protects driver in case of engine backfire. Foul start: When a car leaves starting line before green-light starting signal. Fuel check: A tech station used to inspect fuels to ensure content is within limits allowed for that particular class. Analysis of fuel.
Fuel injection: A system replacing conventional carburetion which delivers fuel under pressure into combustion chamber or air flow prior to entering chamber. Gilmer belt: Toothed or splined drive belt used with matching pulley, generally a non-slip drive belt. Halon: Special Freon fire extinguisher. Generally a 3-to-5 percent concentration will extinguish fire. HANS device: Safety device positioned on a driver’s shoulders that connects to the back of his or her helmet to limit movement of the head and neck during a crash. Headers: Fine-tuned exhaust system routing exhaust from engine. Replaces conventional exhaust manifolds. Hemi: Generally an engine with a combustion chamber resembling a hemisphere or round ball cut in half. Holeshot: Starting line advantage achieved by the quickerreacting driver. Horsepower: Numeric value given to the amount of power produced by an engine. Hotchkiss-type driveline: An open or exposed drive shaft assembly. The type of rear suspension in which the springs absorb the rear-end torque. Hydraulic lock (hydrolock): A cylinder fills with too much fuel, prohibiting compression by the cylinder, causing a mechanical malfunction. Inline: Cylinders in a single row, valve stems in a single row. Interval timers: Part of a secondary timing system that records elapsed times, primarily for the racers’ benefit, at 60, 330, 660, and 1,000 feet.
Lexan: Trade name of General Electric used for a durable thermal resistant plastic material used where transparent material is required (i.e., face plates, goggles, windows, etc.). Line-loc: Locks the front brakes to allow the car to do a burnout, as well as remain still on the starting line prior to the launch of a run. Magnafl ux: The process of using a special electro¬magnet and magnetic powder to detect cracks in iron that may be invisible to the naked eye. Minimum weight: The lowest allowed weight for the vehicle in a particular class. Nitromethane: Produced specifically as a fuel for drag racing. It is the result of a chemical reaction between nitric acid and propane. Nomex: Trade name of DuPont, a fire-resistant fabric used in the manufacture of protective clothing. OEM: Original equipment manufacturer O.H.C.: Overhead cam. On board data recorder: Electronic recording device that provides specific performance data following a run. The data recorder cannot be used to control race car functions during a run. Otto cycle: The four operations of intake, compression, power and exhaust (4-cycle engine). Named for inventor Dr. Nikolaus Otto. Pedaling: When a driver lifts off the throttle, then gets back on it again, in an attempt to regain traction with the rear tires. Pilot chute: A spring-loaded device which pulls the braking chute from its pack. Port: The opening in an engine where the valve operates and through which the air-fuel mixture or exhaust passes. Pre-staged: When a driver is approximately seven inches behind the starting line and the small yellow light atop his
or her side of the Christmas Tree is illuminated. Protest: A complaint filed against a competitor, investigated by officials. Pro Tree: Used in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle, Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Super Comp, and Super Gas, which feature heads-up competition. All three amber lights on the Christmas Tree flash simultaneously, followed four-tenths of a second later by the green starting light. A perfect reaction time on a Pro Tree is .000. R.P.M.: Revolutions per minute. Reaction time: The time it takes a driver to react to the green starting light on the Christmas Tree, measured in thousandths of a second. The reaction-time counter begins when the last amber light flashes on the tree and stops when the vehicle clears the staged beam. Roll cage: Reinforced steel or Chromoly compartment that encloses the driver in the car. Rollout: The measurement of one complete revolution of a tire, measured in inches. Rollout equals 3.14 times diameter. Seating the clutch: The process of loading the clutch pack to allow the clutch discs and floaters to properly align with each other before a run. Scales: Used to weigh cars to assure that they meet class weight requirements. Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars are weighed after each qualifying pass. Shift light: In Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, a light is activated on the dash when it is necessary for the driver to shift gears. Shoulder harness: An uppertorso restraint device. Shut down area: The portion of the track after the finish line that drivers use to slow their machines following a run.
Sixty-foot time: The time it takes a vehicle to cover the first 60 feet of the race track. It is the most accurate measure of the launch from the starting line, which in most cases determines how quick the rest of the run will be. Slider clutch: A multi-disc clutch designed to slip until a predetermined RPM. Decreases shock load to drive wheels. Snell: Snell Memorial Foundation. A foundation generally known for its helmet specifications. Speed trap: The final 66 feet of the track before the finish line, where top speed is recorded. Spoiler: Aerodynamic device attached directly to the vehicle body (usually to the rear deck lid) such that airflow passes only over the top of the device. Used to create downforce, aiding in traction and stability. Spool: A one-piece ring gear carrier providing equal rotational drive to both rear axles. Staged: A driver is staged when the front wheels of the car are on the starting line and the small yellow light below the pre-staged light on his or her side of the Christmas Tree is illuminated. Once a driver is staged, the calibrated countdown of the amber lights leading to the green starting light may begin at any time. Staging lanes: Area of race facility which leads to the racing surface, where cars are lined up and/or paired before making a run. Stick: Generally a manual transmission requiring a clutch and manual gear changes. Stock: As originally produced by original equipment manufacturer. Street equipment: Equipment generally required by law or needed for legal street operation: license plates, windshield wipers, horns, lights, etc. Subframe: Used in construction of unibody vehicles when a full front-to-rear frame is not used.
Supercharger: Crank-driven air/fuel compressor (blower). Raises atmospheric pressure in engine resulting in added horsepower. Teardown: Physical inspection by NHRA staff to ensure that cars meet class specifications. Teardowns are done on a random basis during eliminations; usually after a run. Terminal speed: Maximum or top speed at finish line. Throttle stop: A device that limits RPM’s during a burnout or a run. Throttle travel: The distance between the pedal being at idle to being at full throttle. The shorter the throttle travel the quicker a car can get to full speed. Traction bars: A device to control rear-end torque and stabilize suspension. Transmits torque to frame, increasing traction. Transmission blanket: A flexible wrap intended to contain parts in case of transmission disintegration. Turbocharger: Exhaust-driven intake air compressor (turbo). (See Supercharger) Wedge: An engine with a combustion chamber resembling a wedge in shape. Need not have intake and exhaust valve stems parallel. Weight transfer: In drag racing, weight transfer is critical to traction. Vehicles are set up to provide a desired weight transfer to rear wheels. When the vehicle accelerates, the front wheels lift and weight shifts to the rear wheels, making the tires less likely to spin. Wheelie bars: Used to prevent excessive frontwheel lift. Wind tunnel: Stationary device used to study a race car’s aerodynamics. Wing: An aerodynamic device mounted such that air flow passes over and under the device. Used to create downforce, aiding in traction and stability. Also known as an airfoil.
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History of NHRA The Countdown to One is a six-race shootout to determine the champions of the various divisions. The top ten qualifiers make the countdown, and unlike NASCAR, drivers near the bottom of the Countdown can still come back and claim the crown. This year the Countdown to One begins in Charlotte on September 13.
Top Fuel Champions 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Gary Beck Don Garlits Richard Tharp Shirley Muldowney Kelly Brown Rob Bruins Shirley Muldowney Jeb Allen Shirley Muldowney Gary Beck Joe Amato Don Garlits Don Garlits Dick LaHaie Joe Amato Gary Ormsby Joe Amato Joe Amato Joe Amato Eddie Hill Scott Kalitta Scott Kalitta Kenny Bernstein Gary Scelzi Gary Scelzi Tony Schumacher Gary Scelzi Kenny Bernstein Larry Dixon Larry Dixon Tony Schumacher Tony Schumacher Tony Schumacher Tony Schumacher Tony Schumacher Tony Schumacher Larry Dixon Del Worsham Antron Brown
Funny Car 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Shirl Greer Don Prudhomme Don Prudhomme Don Prudhomme Don Prudhomme Raymond Beadle Raymond Beadle Raymond Beadle Frank Hawley Frank Hawley Mark Oswald Kenny Bernstein Kenny Bernstein Kenny Bernstein Kenny Bernstein Bruce Larson John Force John Force Cruz Pedregon John Force John Force John Force John Force John Force John Force John Force John Force John Force John Force Tony Pedregon John Force Gary Scelzi John Force Tony Pedregon Cruz Pedregon Robert Hight John Force Matt Hagan Jack Beckman
Pro Stock 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Bob Glidden Bob Glidden Larry Lombardo Don Nicholson Bob Glidden Bob Glidden Bob Glidden Lee Shepherd Lee Shepherd Lee Shepherd Lee Shepherd Bob Glidden Bob Glidden Bob Glidden Bob Glidden Bob Glidden Darrell Alderman Darrell Alderman Warren Johnson Warren Johnson Darrell Alderman Warren Johnson Jim Yates Jim Yates Warren Johnson Warren Johnson Jeg Coughlin Jr. Warren Johnson Jeg Coughlin Jr. Greg Anderson Greg Anderson Greg Anderson Jason Line Jeg Coughlin Jeg Coughlin Mike Edwards Greg Anderson Jason Line Allen Johnson
Pro Stock Motorcycle 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Dave Schultz Dave Schultz John Mafaro John Myers Dave Schultz John Myers Dave Schultz Dave Schultz John Myers Dave Schultz Matt Hines Matt Hines Matt Hines Angelle Sampey Angelle Sampey Angelle Sampey Geno Scali Andrew Hines Andrew Hines Andrew Hines Matt Smith Eddie Krawiec Hector Arana LE Tonglet Eddie Krawiec Ed Krawiec
NHRA for everyone
Rising to the top While NASCAR has been slow to embrace minority and female drivers on its grandest stage, the National Hot Rod Association has always been a place where any driver can find success, regardless of gender or race. Last year, Antron Brown became the first African American to win a major U.S. motor racing title when he captured the Mello Yello Top Fuel championship, beating out seven-time champion Tony Schumacher. Brown had been close in years past but was finally able to push through and win the top prize in NHRA thanks to six victories in 2012. Brown isn’t the only minority to find success on the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Brothers Tony and Cruz Pedregon have each won the Funny Car championship twice while father-son combination Hector Arana Sr., and Jr., have proven to be a threat each year in the Pro Stock Motorcycle division. Arana Sr., won the Pro Stock Motorcycle championship in 2009 and finished fourth last season while Arana Jr., has finished second and third in the final points standings the last two years. Last year, rookie Khalid alBalooshi, a native of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, earned his first career Top Fuel victory, winning in Reading while beating Brown in three head-to-head meetings during the Countdown to a Championship playoffs. He was the 2011 NHRA Pro Mod champion. Women have also been major players in the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series for years. In 1976, Shirley Muldowney became the first women to win a major NHRA race, taking home a Top Fuel victory as part of a career that saw her win three Top Fuel season titles (1977, 1980, 1982). The Force family, with 15-time Pro Stock champion John at the forefront, has done much for women in racing as three of John’s daughters compete on the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Brittany Force made her Top Fuel debut earlier this year while Courtney Force and Ashley Force Hood are seasoned veterans in Funny Car. In 2008, Ashley won a funny car race on the Mello Yello circuit, becoming the first women to win such a race. Melanie Troxel would follow on Hood’s lead, capturing a win that same year to become the first woman in NHRA history to win both a Funny Car event and a Top Fuel event. Force and Alexis DeJoria are major players in the current Funny Car scene. In Top Fuel, Brittany Force is joined by 2013 rookie Leah Pruett, an Avon, Indiana native that has earned victories in the Pro Mod series before jumping up to Top Fuel. She previously won the 2010 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series Championship in Nitro Funny Car. Erica Enders-Stevens made history in 2012, becoming the first woman to win an event at the Pro Stock division. Enders-Stevens raced to four wins in 2012 and finished fourth in the final Mello Yello Series points standings. The recently-retired Angelle Sampey won three straight Pro Stock Motorcycle championship titles from 20002002. Karen Stoffer and Katie Sullivan currently compete in the Pro Stock Motorcycle division.
Schedule 2013 NHRA Mellow Yello Series Schedule with member tracks Feb. 14-17 Pomona, CA Feb. 22-24 Phoenix, AZ Mar. 14-17 Gainesville, FL * Apr. 5-7 Las Vegas, NV Apr. 19-21 Charlotte, NC * Apr. 26-28 Houston, TX * May 3-5 Commerce, GA May 17-19 Topeka, KS May 30- June 2 Englishtown, NJ * June 14-16 Bristol, TN June 20-23 Epping, NH * June 27-30 Chicago, IL * July 4-7 Norwalk, OH *
July 19-21 Denver, CO * July 26-28 Sonoma, CA * Aug. 2-4 Seattle, WA Aug 15-18 Brainerd, MN Aug. 28-Sept. 2 Indianapolis, IN * COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP Sept, 13-15 Charlotte, NC * Sept. 19-22 Dallas, TX * Sept. 27-29 St. Louis, MO * Oct. 3-6 Reading, PA * Oct. 24-27 Las Vegas, NV * Nov. 7-10 Pomona, CA * Denotes Pro Stock Motorcycle event as well
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