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If you prefer a car that’s built, not bought, The club currently has two car shows, some if “function before fashion” describes your simple “rules,” and members who are really into automotive philosophy and you’re into building cars. Many are customized pre-1940 customizing pre-1975 vehicles, you might be cars with a small-block Chevy V-8. They’re a candidate for the Frankensteiners Car Club “bare-bones, low-budget hot rods made as safe - if you could get in. The club has a waiting list as possible,” The idea is to enjoy the car hobby of people because club members don’t want for $3,000 or $4,000, not $30,000 or $40,000. it to grow too fast, and nobody joins without An article on the club in the March edition of Ol’ Skool Rods magazine notes that club members approval from all club members. think “there is no better feeling than taking Started by “three guys with junk cars,” the parts that clearly don’t belong together and club has a simple objective: gather with your making them mesh.”Members lower, chop and car, truck or motorcycle, have a good time and, channel cars to produce something “loud, low of equal importance, be seen. “We get together and fast, a cool rod that turns heads.” at a house or a show, somewhere our cars will be seen in public,” driving their vehicles and The club doesn’t charge dues, so it uses fund having fun are essential for club members. “The from its two shows a year to fund all cost. last thing we want to do is make it into work,” Frankensteiners Ball in October this year will OCT 2015
be the 10th year anniversary for the ball. The show offers “TRICK OR TREATING CAR TO CAR, COLORING CONTEST FOR THE KIDS, COSTUME CONTEST FOR ADULTS AND KIDS, PIPE RAPPING, FLAME THROWERS, LOW RIDER LIMBO, VENDORS BOTH FOOD AND MERCHANDISE, DOOR PRIZES, TROPHIES, MUSIC, AND A GRAND PRIZE OF $500.00 CASH. All for just $5.00 per car, spectators are free. The club’s rules, by the way, are: have a pre’75 vehicle, help put on the Ball, display the club’s name on your car and attend at least one weekend activity a month. With “90 percent helping when someone’s car needs work,” For more on the club, visit www.frankensteiners. com. or on FACEBOOK. //
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WRITTEN BY Scott “Woody” Woodruff
DRAG RACING’S LARGEST EVENT HAS STORIED HISTORY AT U.S. NATIONALS INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 28) -- Indianapolis is a “Last year, watching T.J. win the Super Gas “The next year Uncle Jeg won Pro Stock from magic place for racers from all over the world, trophy 25 years after I did was the best ever,” the 16th qualifying spot, which had never been and for many, simply getting to compete at Troy Sr. said. “I had just finished making a done before. That was incredible because no historic Lucas Oil Raceway is a dream come true. run in my Pro Mod car and I was packing my one gave him a chance at the start of the day. ‘chutes. I heard on the PA that Super Gas was up, Then in 2009 I was at the finish-line shutdown But to win at Indy? That’s beyond the wildest so I ran over to watch on the TV monitors at the area when Uncle Jeg won it again. It was cool to dreams for most straight-liners. For the top end of the track. When it showed him going be one of the first people to congratulate him.” Coughlin family, however, the dream of through the finish line and the cameras zoomed winning at Indianapolis has become reality - in on him because he had won, I bet I jumped Jeg Coughlin, the five-time Pro Stock world champion, has won at Indy eight times, starting many times over. 10 feet off the ground. with winning the Super Gas divisional and The three JEGS.com pro drivers competing “All the NHRA guys were congratulating me national events in 1992. He also has three Pro at this year’s event - Jeg Coughlin Jr., Troy and I was going crazy. T.J. rolls around the Stock titles in the U.S. Nationals. Coughlin Sr. and Troy Coughlin Jr. - have each corner and gets out of his car. He’s completely won at Indy at least twice and have combined nonchalant about everything, which is just how “My win in ‘92 will be one I’ll always remember to win at Indianapolis 13 times. And while they he is, and I’m like, ‘Son, you just won the 60th quite vividly,” Jeg said “It was the year after certainly enjoy their own accomplishments, anniversary U.S. Nationals!’ And he says, ‘Yeah, Troy won, so we were trying to keep the S/G title in the family. There were lots of delays they also relish in their family’s success. pretty cool, huh?’” and the final went down late, late on Monday “I go back to 1991 watching and helping my It is pretty cool for Troy Jr., of course, and he’ll night. I had Sherman Adcock in the final, who brother Troy win in Super Gas,” Jeg said. “He cherish his two U.S. Nationals trophies, but needs no introduction of course, and there was the first Coughlin to win Indy and bring he’ll also carry the memories of his uncle Mike was this haze settling in over the track. When home that U.S. Nationals Wally, and yeah, that Coughlin winning in the old Pro Stock Truck I went through the scoreboards and turned on was a big deal for all of us. He had an extremely class there in 1999. the win light, it glowed in that haze. I still get fast, new-era race car that had a real ‘wow’ goosebumps thinking about it right now. “I was too young to be on the starting line, so I factor for everyone. It was fast all weekend long was at the fence in 1999 when Uncle Mike beat “I knew right then that no matter what I and he got the win.” Scott Perrin the Pro Stock Truck final,” Troy accomplished for the rest of my career, I would Troy Sr. has three wins at Indy, but some of his Jr. said. “He had a .401 light in the final, and always be able to say I won Indy.” warmest memories are getting to see son Troy when he left the Tree I knew it was over. I was But he would win Indy again, the first in 2000. Jr. win the U.S. Nationals in Super Gas in 2014 screaming as he went down the track. Jeg qualified No. 16 for the U.S. Nationals that and Super Comp in 2010. year, but that wouldn’t stop him on race day. PAGE 8
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“Winning from the No. 16 spot was crazy,” said “I remember they had to part this sea of people Son Troy experienced that feeling 19 years later Jeg, who remains the only pro driver to win and cars to get us up there, and I looked around in Super Comp, so he knows the feeling, too. from all 16 qualifying spots. “We almost got and saw every nitro driver and crew chief bumped Sunday because after I’d made my last hanging around the starting line. The stands “I’ve been lucky enough to win it twice, and qualifying run there were still guys behind me were absolutely packed and the cheers were it’s pretty surreal,” Troy Jr. said. “It’s Indy. It takes so much to win that race. You have to that could have put us out. We were struggling, deafening. To pull that off was so cool.” keep your head in the game for so many days. but Dad and Dick Maskin went over that car It’s a mental marathon more than anything else. Older brother Troy Sr. has pulled off three Indy from bumper to bumper Sunday night and I Plus, you have to keep the crew in the game. wins: the Super Comp divisional race in 1991, went out there and started taking them down. It’s exhausting. the U.S. Nationals in Super Gas in 1991, and We came to life at the exact right time.” the Super Gas divisional in 1993. “But I don’t think there’s a better feeling in Another great Indy memory for Jeg was winning “Winning there in 1991, I remember the the world than hoisting that trophy Monday the Hemi Shootout one year. late, great Leo Taugher coming over and evening. It’s that top-of-the-world feeling.” “I showed up having never driven that car, interviewing me and I was thinking I had really Charlie Westcott Jr.’s War Fish, and we accomplished something special for that to Why? Because it’s Indy. somehow made it through to the finals,” Jeg happen,” Troy Sr. said. “Sends chills up my “Indy’s a place I’ve been going to twice a year said. “Once again, the schedule was running spine right now just talking about it. That was all the way back to the diaper days with dad,” late, and by the time we got to the final against the first big race any of us boys had ever won Jeg said. “Being D-3 we have a divisional there the storied California Car Duster Car of Jim and it was just special. As a racer in one of the every year and of course the U.S. Nationals. DeFrank and Rick Houser, they had to run us Super classes, it just doesn’t get any bigger than There’s always been a certain mystic to that in between Funny Car and Top Fuel on Friday that ... winning the U.S. Nationals.” place for me, something that makes me dig a evening under the lights. little deeper and try a little harder.” //
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AUG 28-30 // EAGLE RIVER, WI PHOTOGHRAPHY BY Stacy Robinson
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.THE NORTH STAR.
WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED by Tom Edwards
STUDEBAKER
DRIVERS CLUB
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15TH ANNUAL LABOR DAY ORPHAN and STILL-MADE CAR SHOW Here’s how old I am, Studebaker hasn’t made a car since the 1960’s and they are still among my favorite automobiles. Based in South Bend, Indiana, Studebaker was founded in 1852 as a manufacturer of wagons that were used by the military, miners and farmers. Electric cars are beginning to establish themselves with a number of companies currently (get it?) in that field. That is a design concept Studebaker had too in 1902. The Studebaker brothers were literally about a century ahead of the curve. Two years later they initiated production of their first gasoline powered cars. For 50 years the company maintained a reputation for building reliable automobiles. However, after years of financial challenges, they merged with Packard. It proved to be a business move that brought about an end to two long-time auto companies. The South Bend facility closed in December of 1963 and the last Studebaker came off the assembly line on March 16. 1966 at the Hamilton, Ontario Canada plant. It was the end of an era but the North Star Studebaker Drivers Club is keeping
OCT 2015
the memories alive and well. The last time my wife Cathy and I were in Connecticut, I made it a point to drive past the location of the Studebaker dealership that was there when I was a kid. The building now has a different use but if I adjusted my eyes just a little I could still see an Avanti sitting on the show room floor. The Labor Day show in Hugo, Minnesota confirmed that after about half a century, it is still a great looking car. I have felt for years the design is just timeless. As Studebaker fans Cathy and I, and hundreds of others enjoyed the Labor Day get-together and the music being played was a perfect fit; 1960’s only. You know the good stuff. The rock band Steppenwolf is right. A Studebaker can still give you a Magic Carpet Ride even if, at our age, we are Born To Be Mild. As noted on their website (northstarwheel. com) “Welcome! We are a friendly group of individuals and families from across Minnesota and western Wisconsin that enjoy owning, driving, fixing and talking about Studebaker cars and trucks”. How true. The website has
some interesting links. The Discussion Forum and Studebaker Vendors both caught my eye. I have never owned a Studebaker but have thought about buying an Avanti for years. The first thought that always comes to mind is: if I get one, where would I have it worked on? In a conversation I had with a couple of North Star members I learned “That’s why you join a club”. Oh. That sounds easy and more importantly, I’m sure there is a high factor. Worldwide Studebaker drivers clubs have 13,000 members. From the cars Cathy and I saw at the Labor Day show in Hugo, it is easy to see why. After all these years they are still great looking cars and trucks. We were struck with the variety of rides we saw and with an exception or two of cars in the restoration process, they had one common thread; they were in like-new condition. The shine on them made wearing sunglasses mandatory. Keep in mind that every Studebaker on display was driven to the show. We didn’t see one brought in on a trailer. Cathy and I like that approach. They are cars. They should be driven and enjoyed. //
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// NORTH BRANCH, MINNESOTA \\
HAY DAYS PHOTOGHRAPHY BY Scott Robinson, Stacy Robinson & Victoria Baker
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PHOTOGRAPHY by Les Tension Photography
VSCDA ELKHART LAKE
VINTAGE FESTIVAL
Gorgeous cars showcase racing history against the beautiful fall colors at America’s National Park of Speed September 18-20 as the VSCDA Elkhart Lake Vintage Festival rolls into Road America. The weekend regularly attracts nearly 250 vintage and historic racecars to run over the threeday event including a field of pre-war models. New for 2015 is the Jaguar Clubs of North America (JCNA) Challenge Championship featuring a Jaguar concours and rally plus a special gathering of rare Allard vehicles. The fan-friendly paddock is open to spectators for close-up views of amazing racing machines prepared to era specifications all weekend. On Saturday fans can watch a historic road course reenactment tour, which will leave Road America and follow a route almost identical to the street course driven in the early 1950s. For Tickets and information check out www.roadamerica.com or call 800-365-7223. //
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WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED by Tom Edwards
.THE 10th ANNUAL.
classic
car show
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You know you are at a Minnesota classic car and hot rod show when you take a photo of a few very nice rides and a corn field is the backdrop. You just don’t see that every day. The setting was the Meadows on Fairview Assisted Living, Traditional Care and Memory Care – Ebenezer Meadows Campus in Wyoming, Minnesota. Great early August weather made it a perfect day for those that collect a wide variety of cars (and a fire truck) and everyone that enjoys attending shows that have them on display. Events Coordinator Lori Norman and 3 to 4 other staff Managers assist in setting up the site, registering cars and making popcorn. That’s a crew that has multitasking figured out! If you attend the show next year I highly recommend taste testing the popcorn. Ice cold lemonade proved to be welcome companion beverage. The first show was held as a fun event for Meadows of Fairview residents following a suggestion from a car club member that is the son of one of the residents. In 2008 the get together had 13 cars and by 2014 that number had grown to 48 classic cars and hot rods. My wife Cathy and I spoke with a few out of state car collectors and club members that told us it is a show they wouldn’t miss. As we walked around a rare Corvair pickup in great shape caught our eye. For both of us it’s a design we have liked since we were kids. In our case that would be a decade or two or three or, well, you get the idea. This show is always held on the first Sunday in August at the Meadows on Fairview parking lot. Cathy and I attend car shows frequently and recommend you take a look at the 2016 show. We’re confident a good time will be had by all. Classic cars, hot rods, popcorn, lemonade and automotive enthusiasts. That’s a great combination. //
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MINNESOTA DRAG RACING TEAMS
SHOW APPRECIATION FOR U.S. TROOPS WRITTEN by Mylie Lavold & PHOTOGRAPHED by Kelli Patrick, SSG Timothy Krouth & SSG Anthony Housey
Bishop Motorsports and Dubbin Motorsports extended what started as one-day gesture of appreciation to a trifecta of gratitude for troops at Camp Ripley.
the base they were very receptive. “They had never done anything like it before either,” says Patrick. “So we were all really excited!”
Dean Dubbin, owner of Dubbin Motorsports, It all started on July 31st when the two racing got wind of the plans and volunteered to join. teams visited Camp Ripley, the National Guard “The camp is only seven and half miles away training center in Little Falls, MN. “We brought from my place and I had seventeen and half our 2005 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster, 2005 years in the guard,” explains Dubbin. “So I felt Darren Erickson Dragster and a 2010 Neil & it was my duty to come along.” Parks Top Alcohol Dragster for our first ever Bishops Performance Motorsports Military The day was a great success with hundreds of Appreciation Day,” says Kelli Patrick, Bishop’s people stopping by to ask questions, check Marketing and Sales Director. “Every day the out the cars and take pictures. Staff Sergeant American hero guards our freedom and fights Anthony Housey from Camp Ripley’s Public to keep us all safe. This was a chance for us to Affairs office helped organize the event held in the PX parking lot. Housey says it was a show our support for them.” great opportunity for the soldiers to come Driver/Owner Chris Bishop and Patrick started in from training and experience something kicking around the idea for the event this past different, adding that it didn’t matter if you winter. They wanted to find a way to give were a drag racing enthusiast or a novice, back to the troops and since Camp Ripley is there was something in it for everyone. “The only an hour and half from their home base in racing teams really support the military and Grand Rapids it seemed like a great fit. Patrick it was great for the soldiers to see and feel says she wasn’t sure if it was even possible to that support.” do something like this but when she called PAGE 42
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One lucky soldier, Staff Sergeant Tim Krouth, was invited to get behind the wheel of Dubbin’s alcohol dragster. “I was just standing there waiting for Dean to start the car so we could hear the engine and he pointed at me and told me to get in,” says Krouth. “It was definitely something I wasn’t expecting.” And although for safety reasons he couldn’t actually drive the car, he was able rev the engine a little. Krouth worked at track previously but says the cars there were a lot smaller, so this was a huge thrill. It was even more special because there aren’t any cars like it around the area. “It’s the only car of its kind within a 5 to 6 state area,” says Dubbin, pointing out that it’s rare to even see them at tracks in the area. “The only local race we go to here is the Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. Otherwise we are in places like Dallas, Tulsa and Denver.” The soldiers weren’t the only ones who had an exciting day. The racing teams toured the 53,000-acre regional training installation that features numerous ranges and state-of-theart facilities to support military and civilian OCT 2015
agency training requirements. Dubbin said “We really got an in-depth behind the scenes also an opportunity to see first-hand some of it was great experience and pointed out that look at what those guys do and what it takes the military vehicles and equipment (including even though he has military experience and to run those cars,” says Krouth.“And being that a Black Hawk and a Chinook helicopter) and is still involved at things at the camp at times, close to the starting line was an experience I’ve even go for a ride in a Humvee. never felt before. When they took off you could things are always changing. feel the pressure and the power…and I thought The Humvee rides were a huge hit but Krouth “They explained the training that was going on, shooting rounds down range had some serious pointed out that the racecars got a lot of attention too. “Every time they fired up those the types of equipment, new technologies…it impact but this was totally different!” cars people headed that way no matter where was very impressive,” says Patrick. But she says it was even more than that, “Seeing it up close “It was great that Tony was so receptive to they were.” and personal really reminds you of the sacrifices making the weekend extra special for the “It was amazing to see all the people come that our service men and women make to keep troops,” says Patrick. through the gate and come over to talk to us,” us safe and to give us the freedoms that we Bringing everything full circle, the teams says Patrick. “It was so fun and a great way to enjoy every day.” headed back to Camp Ripley on September wrap up our racing year.” For part two of the trifecta, one lucky person 20th for the base’s 2015 Open House and was chosen in a drawing to attend the NHRA Community Appreciation event. “We had Both teams hope that others will follow their Nationals at BIR on August 20-23 with the about 3,000 people attend the event,” says lead and find special ways to show their racing teams. Staff Sergeant Krouth, his wife Krouth, who was integral in organizing the day. appreciation for our servicemen and women. // and two other servicemen were also treated to This year’s theme was “One Team” and really the event. To make the weekend extra special, expressed the feeling of the day perfectly. Patrick reached out to professional driver Tony Schumacher for help. Schumacher agreed to do The event gave the public a chance to visit with a meet and greet, provided passes to his team the many partners, vendors and organizations hospitality tent and got them on the starting that were on site and gave people a chance to get to know the National Guard Soldiers. It was line for his 2nd qualifying run. OCT 2015
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n a g r mo s a c u ALS l . NATION .S U A R H 2015 N h WINNER L E U F P O : 319.9 mp T d e e p s p sec // to et: 3.864
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HECTOR ARANA SR. AND JR.
STOPPED SHORT AT INDY BUT REMAIN CONFIDENT AS COUNTDOWN LOOMS
INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 7) -- Hector Arana Sr. Motorcycle points and is a contender in the and son Hector Arana Jr., both past winners Countdown to the Championship. of the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, were stopped short this year “It’s great that I have an opportunity to win during eliminations at Lucas Oil Raceway. the championship,” Arana Sr. said. “We’re The father-son Pro Stock Motorcycle duo going to regroup and look at everything we’ve sponsored by Lucas Oil exited the competition done over the year and come up with a plan so we can be consistent and get back into the in the first and third rounds, respectively. winner’s circle.” Arana Sr., who won the prestigious U.S. Nationals in 2009, qualified sixth aboard Arana Jr., who won the U.S. Nationals in 2011, his son’s Buell from the 2014 campaign and lost in the semifinals to Jerry Savoie, who faced Steve Johnson in the first round of went on to win the final. Arana Jr. also will eliminations. Arana Sr. pulled a starting-line compete for the 2015 title in the Countdown to the Championship. advantage thanks to a reaction time of .015. Johnson caught Arana at the 60-foot mark “It’s not too bad,” Arana Jr. said. “I felt like and the pair stayed together until the timing I did a pretty good job riding my Lucas Oil traps. Johnson crossed the finish line first, Buell. I had some good lights. We had some 6.946 seconds at 193.38 mph to 6.977 at good, tight, close racing. Those other two 194.83. Arana Sr. is ninth in NHRA Pro Stock guys, Chip Ellis and Jerry Savoie, they’re there (in the final) because they have this OCT 2015
track figured out. They’re leaving the starting line well. Their 60-foot runs are good. They’re making really good runs. We need to go back home, go testing, and figure it out so we can catch up to these guys. The Countdown is starting and we just have to test, get it figured out, and we’ll be OK.” Arana Jr. met Jim Underdahl in the opening round and won easily because his opponent fouled on the starting line. In the second round, Arana Jr. faced Andrew Hines and pulled a .003-second lead on the start. It was a tight race, with the Arana Racing rider winning by .0023-second (approximately eight inches). The Lucas Oil Arana Racing team will next compete Sept. 18-20 at the first race of the Countdown to the Championship in Charlotte, N.C.. //
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LABOR DAY // 2015
NHRA U.S. NATIONALS INDIANAPOLIS, IN PHOTOGRAPHY by David Pruszka
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e i h c ri n o t p cram 47 sec t: 3.7 h career e 28.54 mp 3 : d e e p op s career t
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FALL JAMBOREE PHOTOGHRAPHY BY Scott Robinson
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF GARY NASTASE
JOHN FORCE RACES TO SEMI-FINALS AT CAROLINA NATIONALS
CHARLOTTE, NC --- The Countdown to the the veteran driver and her 4.086 ET at 305.63 “We’re positive leaving Charlotte this weekend. Championship began today at zMax Dragway mph beat his tire-smoking effort of 9.391 We’re excited that we had a pretty consistent car all throughout qualifying. We picked up a and 16-time Funny Car champion John Force, seconds at 58.24 mph. bonus point for being the third-quickest of the driving a Jeff Gordon Tribute Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, raced to the semi-finals “We came into race day with a high-pressure last qualifying round and then came out this and established himself as a championship first round against the No. 1 guy in the morning and posted low ET of the round. I’m contender once again. As the No. 6 qualifier Countdown to the Championship. The really excited. I’m proud of (crew chief) Ron Force took out John Hale and Ron Capps in Traxxas team was able to be a spoiler for the Douglas and my team and I’m looking forward first race out. We got the win and ran the to the next event,” Force said. the opening two rounds. quickest of the session. The Auto Club of Southern California In the semi-finals against No. 2 qualifier Del Worsham Force dropped a close race 4.148 to Force evened the score and is now 6-6 to Chevrolet Camaro SS team ran into trouble 4.138 seconds. This was the first time Force Beckman in eliminations. This was the first in the first round racing Shane Westerfield. has faced Worsham at the Carolina Nationals time the two have raced in Charlotte at zMax Hight was the No. 5 qualifier but in the first but the 143-time winner was 50-25 against the Dragway, but their fifth match-up this season. round he left on Westerfield only to haze his It was also the fifth time they have met in Goodyear slicks at half-track. While Hight was veteran driver before today’s race. the opening round on race day. Force was pedaling his 10,000 hp Funny Car Westerfield “(Crew chief) Jon Schaffer and this team gave deemed one of the most-likely to shake up got around the two-time Carolina Nationals me a good race car. If I would have been a the Countdown when she missed her final champion and grabbed his first round win. little better on that tree I could have won that opportunity at a Top Ten spot on race day at “That was a tough race. The conditions were round and maybe this race in this Jeff Gordon the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals. tricky but that is no excuse. This Auto Club Chevrolet Camaro Funny Car. That is all part of it,” said Force. “(Del) Worsham did his job In the second round Force then lined up with Chevrolet team is better than that and we will but I will keep working hard. I have a really lane choice over Tommy Johnson Jr. She be ready for St. Louis. That is a AAA race and good hot rod now. In these kinds of conditions took the right lane and also took the starting we will be supporting AAA Missouri that race. whether we have a loose race track or we are in line advantage, but her Traxxas Chevrolet You always want to do well at every race but it the heat we are running with the best of them. Camaro SS Funny Car went up in tire smoke means a little more when your sponsor’s name is on the event. We have won at zMax before That is all we have been trying to accomplish almost immediately. and today just wasn’t our day. The good news this year with all our changes. If I keep getting “We came out in the heat in the second round is the points leader went out early so the point that race car I will be one of the best drivers.” and smoked the tires. We’ve had a consistent standings really just tightened up today,” said car all weekend long so it’s a little bit of a Force will head to the AAA Insurance Midwest Hight, who is only four points out of 7th place bummer, but you have to push this car to NHRA Nationals in the No. 5 spot in points. in the points. compete with these guys out here. They were Today Courtney Force lived up to the all running pretty quick and Tommy Johnson The Monster Energy Top Fuel team and Countdown to the Championship spoiler Jr. had a solid run. I pedaled the car hoping to driver Brittany Force suffered a tough first label when she dismissed NHRA Funny Car get down and get after him, but he was already round loss against three-time world champion points leader Jack Beckman in the first round through the lights by the time I got down there. Larry Dixon. As the No. 12 qualifier Force of eliminations. She left the starting line before was relegated to the left lane and as the tree PAGE 54
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turned green her Monster Energy dragster took off only to drive into tire smoke at 300 feet. Dixon’s 10,000 horsepower Top Fueler also lost traction but the veteran driver was able to regain control and just drive around Force at the finish line to get the round win. Force entered today’s race at the No. 5 driver in the Mello Yello point standings and she will head to St .Louis, the second stop on the Countdown to the Championship, in 6th place. “It was a tough weekend for us. Qualifying was a challenge and we ended up No. 12 going into race day. That is not where we are used to being for qualifying. We came up short in the first round but luckily the way everything fell we didn’t get hurt too bad in the points. We
are No. 6 and we are still in the championship mix. We can have a good race in St. Louis and be right in the championship hunt. The best part about this is in a couple of days we will be in St. Louis racing again,” said Force, a twotime finalist in 2015. //
MELLO YELLO CHAMPIONSHIP POINT STANDINGS FUNNY CAR – 1. Del Worsham, 2181; 2. Tommy Johnson Jr, 2175; 3. Jack Beckman, 2147; 4. Matt Hagan, 2133; 5. John Force, Jeff Gordon Tribute Chevrolet Camaro SS, 2125; 6. Ron Capps, 2100; 7. Alexis DeJoria, 2071; 8. Robert Hight, Auto Club Chevrolet Camaro SS, 2067; 9. Tim Wilkerson, 2055; 10. Cruz Pedregon, 2042; 11. Courtney Force, Traxxas Chevrolet Camaro SS, 913 TOP FUEL – 1. Antron Brown, 2199; 2. Tony Schumacher, 2190; 3. Larry Dixon, 2117; 4. JR Todd, 2114; 5. Richie Crampton, 2101; 6. Brittany Force, Monster Energy dragster, 2082; 6. Doug Kalitta, 2082; 8. Shawn Langdon, 2073; 9. Steve Torrence, 2069; 10. Dave Connolly, 2035 PRO STOCK – 1. Erica Enders, 2231; 2. Greg Anderson, 2148; 3. Chris McGaha, 2127; 4. Allen Johnson, 2122; 5. Larry Morgan, 2114; 6. Vincent Nobile, 2103; 7. Jason Line, 2093; 8. Shane Gray, 2085; 9. Drew Skillman, 2053; 10. Jonathan Gray, 2032 PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE - 1. Andrew Hines, 2193; 2. Eddie Krawiec, 2173; 3. Jerry Savoie, 2141; 4. Matt Smith, 2136; 5. Hector Arana Jr, 2112; 6. Karen Stoffer, 2089; 7. Jim Underdahl, 2062; 8. Chip Ellis, 2053; 9. Hector Arana, 2042; 10. Scotty Pollacheck, 2010
OCT 2015
THE DRIVERS JOHN FORCE // 66 Jeff Gordon Tribute Chevrolet Camaro SS FINAL QUALIFYING: 6th at 4.004 seconds, 313.80 mph BONUS QUALIFYING POINTS: +1 (3rd quickest of Q3) RACE RESULTS: Beat John Hale, Ron Capps; Lost to Del Worsham ROBERT HIGHT // 45 Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS FINAL QUALIFYING: 5th at 4.004 seconds, 313.95 mph BONUS QUALIFYING POINTS: +3 (Quickest of Q4) RACE RESULTS: Lost to Shane Westerfield COURTNEY FORCE // 27 Traxxas Chevrolet Camaro SS FINAL QUALIFYING: 9th at 4.062 seconds, 307.86 mph BONUS QUALIFYING POINTS: 0 RACE RESULTS: Beat Jack Beckman; Lost to Tommy Johnson Jr BRITTANY FORCE // 29 Monster Energy Top Fuel Dragster FINAL QUALIFYING: 12th at 3.902 seconds, 308.21 mph BONUS QUALIFYING POINTS: 0 RACE RESULTS: Lost to Larry Dixon FOLLOW JOHN FORCE RACING www.twitter.com/jfr_racing
REMAINING EVENTS COUNTDOWN TO 1
OCT. 15-18 AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals, Dallas, TX OCT. 29 - NOV. 1 NHRA Toyota Nationals, Las Vegas, NV NOV. 12-15 Auto Club NHRA Finals, Pomona, CA
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Hello Wheels of Thunder fans! As you read this, our temperatures cool from summer’s glow. Here’s to hoping you are outside enjoying our great Midwest and all I has to offer. Likely, if you are part of the Wheels Of Thunder readership, you love the outdoors. What a great 2015 it’s been and we’re heading into the snow season which is even better. Wheels of Thunder continues to stay on top of its commitment to showcase our region and our love affair with all things WHEELS! GameON! is in turn grateful for our partnership with Wheels of Thunder! GameON! is your weekly TV Sports & Entertainment show that puts the focus on the huge popularity of sports in our region. In this issue of Wheels of Thunder, you’ll see, better than ANY magazine in the land, all the unique stories, pictures and sponsor lowdown right at your fingertips. It’s only found by Wheels of Thunder. So, just like our grit and muddy friends at WoT, GameON! loves motor sports and ALL sports, from the variety of professional, college & high school sports to all the outdoor events that dot our regional landscape. GameON’s partnership with Wheels of Thunder is stronger than ever and just like you, we also enjoy the most comprehensive race magazine and website to be found! Wheels of Thunder magazine “gets it” and gets you the latest info, amazing pictures and all those terrific stories to the most passionate motorsports fans in the country! Emmy award winning GameON! is now in it’s 4th broadcast season hosting shows at B-52’s Burgers & Brew. We’re all over the winter sports ahead, from the
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