BROWNSBURG, Indiana -- The NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series visited Memphis Motorsports Park in Millington, Tenn., on a new, cooler date over the weekend, whereas the former date was prior to the U.S. Nationals in August. Three Ringers supporting teams landed in the Winner’s Circle at the O’Reilly Mid-South Nationals presented by Pennzoil on Sunday.
Coming off the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle win at the U.S. Nationals only a couple weeks ago, Andrew Hines and his Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson team carried the momentum into Memphis. Hines faced Steve Johnson and his Snap-On Tools/Wyotech Suzuki in the money round. Johnson had a huge jump on Hines off the line, but Hines tracked him down to pick up his fourth win of the season. Hines now sits atop the points in the Countdown to Four, with Matt Smith trailing by 24 points. The Dallas race this weekend will set the top four in Pro Stock Motorcycles in the Countdown to One since the bikes do not compete at the Richmond event.
In Pro Stock action, fans viewed the same matchup from the U.S. Nationals…with the same outcome. Dave Connolly and his Torco Race Fuels Cobalt is on a definite hot streak right now. With his win on Sunday, Connolly mathematically put himself in position to keep one of the four spots in the Countdown. Connolly defeated Anderson 6.648/207.59 to 6.658/208.65 mph.
While she’s not in the Countdown in the Top Fuel category, Melanie Troxel is still collecting wins in the remaining races of her Top Fuel career. It was announced at Indianapolis she will pilot a second Funny Car to Mike Ashley in 2008. Troxel defeated a tire-smoking Doug Herbert to collect her second win of the season with a 4.728 second, 313.22 mph run.
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck and Nextel Cup Series’ both competed at New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, N.H. Three Ringers teams ran in the New Hampshire 200, but didn’t produce the results they had hoped. Tim Sauter led the Ringers supporting teams to the line finishing 23rd in his No. 07 Lester Buildings Chevrolet, Brendan Gaughan in the No. 77 South Point Resort Chevrolet in 25th and Sauter’s teammate Chad McCumbee right behind him in 26th.
Ringers team Penske Racing and its two drivers Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman competed in the Sylvania 300 on Sunday. Chase driver Busch was plagued by electrical issues during the race and finished 25th, dropping to 12th in Chase for the Nextel Cup points. His teammate Newman led all Dodge cars to the finish line in ninth. The Busch and the Cup Series head to Dover this weekend, while the Truck Series heads to Sin City and the bright lights of Las Vegas.
Johnny Greaves had a down and then up weekend in Championship Off-Road Racing (CORR) in Lancaster, Calif. On Saturday, Greaves had an extensive lead on the field, but his steering gaveway and crashed and ended up crammed underneath a parked semi-truck. His Monster Energy/Potawatomi Toyota crew pulled an all-nighter to get his Pro-4 truck back in running condition. The work paid off as Greaves powered his Toyota to a Baldwin Cup victory; however, officials penalized him 30 minutes after the checkered flag due to aggressive driving. He was penalized nine points, but kept the win. Greaves and team head to Wheatland, Mo., to hopefully take the inaugural WSORR championship title.
About Ringers Gloves
Ringers Gloves, Official Gloves of NHRA and title sponsor for the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle, is a full-line manufacturer of high-end, task specific gloves, SFI 3.3/1, 3.3/10, 3.3/20 racing gloves, UnderX protective undergarments and rdigs pit boots.
Keep up with your favorite Ringers racers in ‘07 by logging onto the newly redesigned www.ringersgloves.com for photos and highlights!
