HUNTERSVILLE, NC — – The Inaugural NHRA Carolinas Nationals at the brand new zMax Dragway in Concord, N.C., was everything I expected it would be. The facility is absolutely amazing! When you drive in the main gate, the first thing you see if the gorgeous tower suites and media center structure, along with the John Force-dedicated grandstand on the left-hand side of the track. There are just so many amazing things about this track that I could go on and on forever. If you’re any sort of race fan, you definitely have to check this track out!
At the conclusion of the day on Sunday, two Ringers’ supporting racers were left standing in two of the professional categories; Pro Stock Motorcycle and Pro Stock. Steve Johnson’s luck continues to ride since the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis a couple weeks ago. After his victory there, Johnson was handed a win over Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle winner Eddie Krawiec after Krawiec red-lit off at the Tree. Johnson was so excited that he forgot to stop his Snap-On/WyoTech Suzuki at the end of the track and placed his bike gently in the sand trap.
Sunday’s Pro Stock class also saw a first-time winner on the 2008 season. Justin Humphreys was matched up against Kurt Johnson, but only seconds before KJ was to drive up to the burnout box, his car would not turnover. Numerous crew members from various teams pushed his ACDelco Chevrolet Cobalt so it would start, but per NHRA rules, the car is not allowed to be pushed start and KJ had to shut off his engine and was unable to restart. Humphreys collected his first career NHRA Pro Stock Wally in the Winner’s Circle Sunday afternoon. The one thing KJ can be happy about is he walked away from the event and heads into Dallas atop the Pro Stock points.
Ringers’ supporter Cruz Pedregon had a runner-up finish in the Funny Car class on Sunday, but also walked away with the points lead in his class.
In sportsmen action at zMax Dragway, Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Frank Manzo scored his 78th career win and Arnie Martel picked up another Wally in the Competition Eliminator class on Sunday.
Justin Lamb competed in Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series action at Auto Club Famosa Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif., and picked up a win in the Super Stock category on Sunday.
The NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series heads straight to the Texas Motorplex for the O’Reilly Super Start Batteries NHRA Nationals for this weekend’s event.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the teams of Penske Racing visited New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday for the Sylvania 300. Kurt Busch and his No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge led the trio to the finish line, after a delayed start due to rain in the area, in the sixth position. Raybestos Rookie of the Year contender Sam Hornish Jr. took the checkers in 30th, while Ryan Newman and his No. 12 Kodak Dodge’s engine expired with only 15 laps remaining, in 36th.
The Sprint Cup Series, along with the Nationwide Series head to Dover International Speedway for their respective races, while the Craftsman Truck Series ventures to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Qwik Liner Las Vegas 350.
The Championship Off-Road Racing series (CORR) visited The Quarry at Chula Vista, Calif., on Saturday and Sunday for Rounds 11 and 12 of series action.
The weekend started off with Scott Douglas injuring his knee in Friday’s practice session, preventing him from racing the weekend. He filled the seat of his No. 7 AMSOIL/Kumho Tire Ford F-150 with Pro Lite driver Chad Hord.
In the Pro 4 class, the Ringers’ supporting teams of the Rockstar/Makita/Team LeDuc stable celebrated the weekend sweep of one driver, with that of Kyle LeDuc. Kyle took home wins in both Rounds 11 and 12 of the series and the second visit to Chula Vista on the year.
Kyle’s brother, Todd, drove his Pro 2 Rockstar/Makita entry to a seventh-place finish on Saturday and 13th place-finish on Sunday after contact with another truck during the race. Their father, Curt, finished last in the Pro 4 class on Saturday after mechanical problems, but was able to recoup with a seventh-place finish on Sunday.
Johnny Greaves and his Monster Energy Potawatomi Tundra was the man chasing Kyle LeDuc for the win in the Pro 4 class on Sunday. A photo finish was used to determine the winner, but unfortunately, gave Greaves the second-place finish. In the Pro 2 class on Sunday, Greaves sat on the pole for the event, but suffered a mechanical issue during the race. In Round 11 on Saturday, Greaves picked up two podium finishes in third.
The next CORR rounds take place October 25-26 in Las Vegas.
To wrap up this week’s Minute, I would like to say thank you to Darlene and Sheri from Penske Racing on coming out to the NHRA races in Concord this weekend. It was both their first POWERade Drag Racing Series experiences!
It was also great to see many employees from Charlotte-based Chicago Pneumatic come out for a day at the races and check out the CP Tool Box and Road Show that travels to all the races.
Also, please keep the victims of Hurricane Ike in your thoughts and prayers and search and rescue missions are on for those who are missing, and as the clean up continues throughout Galveston and the Houston areas. Another family to keep in mind is that of Jeg’s Pro Mod racer Steve Engel. Engel was injured in a qualifying accident at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at O’Reilly Raceway Park.
After weeks of significant improvement and a promising road to recovery, Engel died unexpectedly on Sunday evening at Methodist Hospital in downtown Indianapolis. Engel was 49-years-old and is survived by his wife, Tonya and sons, Stevie and Michael.
Ringers Gloves, the 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, UnderX Performance gear, crew shoes, as well as a full line of accessories for every need. Isn’t it time you bring in the Ringers? Check us out at www.ringersgloves.com.
