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For Immediate Release
Contact: Gordon Murray, SuperHero Productions, Gordon@SuperHeroPro.com
Frank Pedregon Announces
Addition of Second Car to Run IHRA Nitro Funny Car Class
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FONTANA, CALIFORNIA, NOVEMBER 21,
2005: Frank Pedregon announces plans to add a full, second
Mopar Funny Car team to his team in order to compete in the
new IHRA Toro Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car class. As an
addition to his current operation that is scheduled to run
the entire NHRA POWERade series in 2006, Pedregon says a search
is underway to identify a driver for the new team.
"I'm taking email applications from interested drivers
who can bring substantial funding as part of their deal,"
Frank Pedregon said. "I am providing a car that is a
proven contender - the same car I ran 4.70s in this year.
I'll also provide a crew chief and team to attack that series
- with the plans of taking home the first championship of
the IHRA's new Funny Car Series."
Interested parties can contact Pedregon through SuperHero
Productions, a Phoenix, Arizona-based agency. The email address
for inquiries is: fpedregon@SuperHeroPro.com. Pedregon stated
that inquiries would only be accepted by email.
"This in no way affects what I am doing in the NHRA,"
Pedregon emphasized. "I am scheduled to compete in all
23 races this year and I expect to finalize the sponsorship
deals for my team any day now."
Pedregon began the 2005 season with plans to run an abbreviated
schedule, but was able to secure sponsorship from Toyo Tire
Company to finish his season. After a brilliant runner-up
finish at the US Nationals in Indianapolis, Pedregon maintained
his successful racing, proving to be a challenge to every
driver he faced.
"I loved what we were able to accomplish in 2005 - it
was a great season. I want to grow this operation and continue
to offer opportunities to minorities as well as seasoned drivers.
The IHRA will be a perfect place for someone to get their
feet wet in this amazing class, and I know our car will be
the one to beat," he said.
"The guys at SuperHero are going to manage the driver
application process and assure that everything works smoothly.
They are top-of-the-line professionals, and I'm glad to have
them as a part of our team.
"2006 will be an exciting year for Frank Pedregon Racing.
From NHRA to NASCAR and now IHRA - we're definitely going
to be making things happen," he said.
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| IHRA
Adds Nitro Funny Car Class for 2006 Sanctioning
body and Michigan-based fuel company enter three-year agreement
Race fans coming to 2006 Hooters IHRA
Racing Tour national events will get a bigger dose of nitromethane
than in seasons past. Michigan-based Torco Racing Fuels
owner Evan Knoll and the Norwalk, Ohio-based International
Hot Rod Association have reached an agreement that will
create the Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car class,
a professional class that will be part of IHRA's schedule
at all 11 national events during the next three years.
"This is a big, big deal," IHRA President
Aaron Polburn said. "We knew, as we look to continue IHRA's
growth, this was a necessary step because Nitro Funny Car
is one of the the most popular classes in drag racing. Evan
Knoll was interested in helping us do this because, quite
frankly, Evan is a drag racing fan and knows what people
want to see at the strip. I'm really excited and already
counting down the days until the '06 season starts."
Knoll is excited about the opportunity
to bring the nitro Funny Cars back to IHRA competition.
He's also excited about the future as well.
"You couldn't help but see the
fan reaction to Mike Ashley and Del Worsham in Rockingham,"
Knoll said. "The place went crazy. We need to capitalize
on that. A lot of things have transpired in this sport lately
that makes this decision an easy one and a smart one as
well. I think you are going to see the face of drag racing
changing in the near future and we want to be a part of
it at Torco Racing Fuels, Torco Pro Nitro and Knoll Gas
Energy.
"I can't wait for 2006."
Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny
Car will have a purse and payout structure that mirrors
the revamped IHRA Torco Racing Fuels PRO Nitro Top Fuel's.
Also, each entry in the class will receive a free car and
driver entry as well as eight crew passes. A revised 2006
IHRA schedule will be released next week and nine of the
11 '06 events will be scheduled on "non-competing" weekends,
this meaning IHRA will revise as to not hold races on the
same weekend as POWERade NHRA national events.
The new class will also have no effect
on IHRA's popular Alcohol Funny Car class, which will remain
a professional class with the same payouts and purses.
"People love nitro, and we're going
to give it to them in large doses starting next season,"
Polburn said. "With such a great sponsor teaming up
with us to bring IHRA fans such a great class I expect great
things."
The Torco Racing Fuels Nitro Funny
Car Ironman winner at Hooters IHRA national events will
take home $23,000. The runner up wins a cool $16,000 while
semifinalists will receive $13,000 each. Qualifiers in the
eight-car field are guaranteed $10,000 while the #9 and
#10 qualifier will win $3,000.
The 2006 World Champion will win $150,000
while the runner up will take home $50,000. The third place
finisher will net $25,000 while the fourth place finisher
will win $15,000 and the fifth place finisher $14,000.
The total dollar amount up for grabs
next season will be $1,475,000 in Torco Racing Fuels Nitro
Funny Car.
Torco Race Fuels will have all grades
of its popular fuel on site at all IHRA Hooters national
events. Torco Race Fuels is the official
race fuel of the IHRA.
Attached is a photo of Mike Ashley, who ran in the Nitro
Funny Car class on the NHRA side in '05. Ashley is expected
to run the full IHRA schedule next season. The photo was
taken at Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina.
Feel free to call me with any questions. Thanks.
|
For Immediate
Release
Contact: Bobby Bennett, Harley Communications
harleynsc@aol.com
Quain Stott signs major sponsorship with SKULL SHINE Long
Haul for second car; Three drivers to share duties
COLUMBUS, NC - Quain Stott will bring two cars to all eleven
IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series events to compete in the Torco
Race Fuels Pro Modified division. The veteran driver of the
LeeBoy Paving '63 Corvette has inked a deal for his second
car with Torco Race Fuel's newest product line SKULL SHINE
Long Haul car care products. A trio of drivers will share
the driving chores on this supercharged 1963 Corvette most
recently handled by Tommy D'Aprile.
D'Aprile will return for a limited schedule and will be joined
by the duo of Brian Pfeifer and "Dyno" Dave Heitzman.
"This is a great opportunity for our team to have this second
car out there," Stott said. "I have to really thank Evan Knoll.
He's the driving force behind this and the great team he's
assembled at Torco Race Fuels. We are going to do driving
by committee this season I think it is going to work well
for us."
Evan Knoll holds nothing back when offering his praises of
Stott.
"Quain Stott provides a first class team," said Evan Knoll,
owner of Torco Race Fuels. "Quain has been a loyal supporter
of our team and this is just a way of giving back to those
who have remained by our side through thick and thin. I think
this is going to be a great time to be had by all."
Stott has been part of Knoll's fuel program since 1996. As
an upstart Pro Modified driver, Stott was befriended by Pfeifer.
Pfeifer serves as the General Manager for Torco Race Fuels.
He has long served as Knoll's crewchief on his Top Alcohol
Dragster before his ascension to Top Fuel.
Pfeifer, of Niles, Michigan, along with Heitzman will undergo
drag racing school training in the near future.
"This should be interesting," Pfeifer said. "I've driven an
alcohol dragster before, but I know this is going to be a
different kind of beast. I respect this car and I look forward
to the challenge. I'll be getting some seat time before the
season starts. I really feel confident."
Heitzman, of Toledo, Ohio, is no stranger to running quick
and fast. A former member of the now defunct IHRA Super Eliminator
class, Heitzman has a personal best of a 6.30 elapsed time
at 220 miles per hour.
Heitzman will be assisting in the marketing of the SKULL SHINE
Long Haul product line throughout the 2006 season.
"This is going to be a lot of fun and I'm thankful for the
opportunity Evan has given me," Heitzman said. "There is going
to be a learning curve and I am very confident in the fact
I will be part of a successful team. I'm just going to go
out there and give it my best shot.
"I'm very excited and looking forward to the opportunity to
get the opportunity to race with a professional like Quain
Stott."
This is being made possible through the support of backing
from Knoll's newest product line SKULL SHINE'S Long Haul.
SKULL SHINE'S Long Haul is a full line of car care and transporter
cleaner products. The full product line can be found at http://www.long-haul.com/.
Stott will also carry major associate sponsorship of SKULL
SHINE on his primary race vehicle as well.
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IHRA
Announces Revised 2006 Schedule
With the addition of Torco
Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car as a professional class to
the Hooters IHRA national event line-up, IHRA wanted to make
things easier on all racers, both sportsman and professional.
The original 2006 national event schedule had too many conflicts,
so to accommodate as many racers as possible a new schedule
was formulated that would move a number of events to weekends
where there would be no conflict with NHRA events.
"I don't know why we hadn't done this in years past, but it
makes perfect sense," IHRA President Aaron Polburn said. "Why
force racers to make a choice if it isn't necessary? We think
this will help both organizations in the long run and should
definitely help our professional and sportsman car counts."
"I'm excited with the additions IHRA has made to its professional
show. Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car as a professional
class in '06 is a very big deal. We look forward to working
with IHRA to make the Skull Gear World Nationals the greatest
show in drag racing," Bader, Jr. said. "The Skull Gear World
Nationals are IHRA's biggest event and we are actively working
to make the weekend even bigger and better than ever before.
Now that this is behind us hopefully we can put all the rumors
and speculation behind us. We are ready to focus on what is
important, building our event and putting on a great show
for the fans."
The 2006 Hooters IHRA season will kick off March 24-26 at
San Antonio Raceway with the 5th Annual Amalie Oil Texas Nationals
presented by Ancira Cars, Trucks and RV's. The next event
will be held April 21-23 at Rockingham Dragway, the 36th Annual
IHRA Spring Nationals presented by Castrol. The series then
moves north of the border to Grand Bend Motorplex for the
7th Annual Mopar Canadian Nationals presented by Castrol June
2-4. The series moves west in Canada to Budweiser Motorsports
Park in Edmonton for the 4th Annual Western RV Rocky Mountain
Nationals presented by Torco Race Fuels June 23-25. The 4th
Annual ACDelco Motor City Nationals will take place next,
July 7-9 at Milan Dragway in Milan, Michigan. This will be
followed by the last event of the season in Canada, the 5th
Annual Canadian Nationals at Toronto Motorsports Park July
21-23. The 25th Annual Torco Race Fuels Northern Nationals
will take place at US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Mich.
August 4-6 followed by the 29th Annual Skull Gear World Nationals
presented by PPG at Norwalk Raceway Park August 24-27. The
series heads to New England Dragway for the 11th Annual Amalie
Oil North American Nationals September 8-10. The 15th Annual
Torco Race Fuels President's Cup Nationals follow September
29-October 1 at Maryland International Raceway in Budds Creek.
The 2006 season will wrap up with the 11th Annual IHRA World
Finals at Rockingham Dragway October 20-22. |
Tune In to SPEED TV Every Day for IHRA Action
By
Mike Perry | IHRA Communications
Starting Nov. 28 at 5 p.m. IHRA programming
will have a consistent home on SPEED TV. The motorsports network
will include IHRA drag racing in its weekday line-up of programming,
starting with the rebroadcast of the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals.
Each weeknight and Saturday, through Christmas Eve, IHRA Drag
Racing will be featured on SPEED TV at 5 p.m. The complete
schedule is in addition to the remaining IHRA Drag Racing
broadcasts already scheduled for SPEED TV, highlighting the
final races of the 2005 IHRA season.
"Any time you can get more exposure it is a good thing," IHRA
President Aaron Polburn said. "When SPEED did this last year
the ratings were great and the response was better than expected.
This is a big thing for our racers, sponsors and fans. NeWave
Productions did a great job with the production and I am sure
everyone is looking forward to the rebroadcasts."
The IHRA Drag Racing rebroadcast schedule
(all programs start at 5 p.m. est):
Date Event Venue
Nov. 28 Amalie Oil Texas Nationals
San Antonio Raceway
Nov. 29 IHRA Spring Nationals Rockingham
Dragway
Nov. 30 IHRA Spring Nationals Rockingham
Dragway
Dec. 1 ACDelco Virginia Nationals Virginia
Motorsports Park
Dec. 2 ACDelco Virginia Nationals Virginia
Motorsports Park
Dec. 3 Torco Race Fuels Northern Nationals
US 131 Motorsports Park
Dec. 5 Mopar Canadian Nationals Grand
Bend Motorplex
Dec. 6 Mopar Canadian Nationals Grand
Bend Motorplex
Dec. 7 Western RV Rocky Mountain Nationals
Budweiser Motorsports Park
Dec. 8 Western RV Rocky Mountain Nationals
Budweiser Motorsports Park
Dec. 10 Skull Gear World Nationals
Norwalk Raceway Park
Dec. 12 Dukes of Hazzard Motor City
Nationals Milan Dragway
Dec. 13 Dukes of Hazzard Motor City
Nationals Milan Dragway
Dec. 14 ACDelco Canadian Nationals
Toronto Motorsports Park
Dec. 15 ACDelco Canadian Nationals
Toronto Motorsports Park
Dec. 17 Skull Gear World Nationals
Norwalk Raceway Park
Dec. 19 Torco Race Fuels Northern Nationals
US 131 Motorsports Park
Dec. 20 Torco Race Fuels Northern Nationals
US 131 Motorsports Park
Dec. 21 Skull Gear World Nationals
Norwalk Raceway Park
Dec. 22 Skull Gear World Nationals
Norwalk Raceway Park
Dec. 23 Amalie Oil Texas Nationals
San Antonio Raceway
Dec. 24 Amalie Oil North American Nationals
New England Dragway
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| Millican
Named 2004 IHRA "Sportsman of the Year"
For Immediate Release:
January 20th, 2005
Media Contacts:
Andrea Geurin: ageurin@lehmanracing.com
C.J. Perry: cjperry@ihra.com
Chicago - January 20, 2005 Top Fuel
driver Clay Millican, the four-time IHRA Top Fuel Champion
and winningest professional driver in the league's history,
won the coveted "Sportsman of the Year" award
at the 34th Annual Hooters/IHRA Championship Awards Banquet
at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center on January 15,
2005.
This marks Millican's first time
to win "Sportsman of the Year", which is considered
to be the IHRA's most prestigious award. The award is voted
on by IHRA members and recognizes the driver whom they feel
exemplifies the best qualities of teamwork, fellowship,
and compassion that personify the winning human spirit.
"This is the coolest award that
I've ever won," said Millican. "It is not something
that reflects on my driving ability, but rather it is an
award that means people think I'm a good guy. There are
so many drivers out there deserving of this award, drivers
who will give you anything they've got to keep your car
going and help you in any way they can. To be included in
the same group as those guys is pretty awesome."
Millican was also honored with a
Second Team All- America designation in December by the
American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association,
a motorsports press organization. This was the second time
in his career that he was named to the second team. Additionally,
Millican has been nominated for the Eastern Motorsports
Press Association's Al Holbert Memorial Driver of the Year
Award. The winner will be announced at the EMPA Convention
this weekend in Trevose, Pennsylvania.
Millican and Team Werner/Lehman Racing
had a stellar 2004 season, winning seven of the 12 IHRA
events that took place throughout the year, bringing their
career win total to 37, which is higher than any other professional
team in IHRA history. The team has won the IHRA Top Fuel
Championship four years in a row, a feat that has not been
matched by any other Top Fuel team in the league's history.
Below is a list of season highlights for the team:
| Clay
Millican's 2004 IHRA Summary |
- 7 event wins in 9
final rounds
- 2 runner-ups
- 11-time number one
qualifier
- 11-time low E.T. of
the race
- 10-time top speed
of the race
- 2004 win/loss record
of 26/5 = 84% round winning percentage
- Career win/loss record
of 132/18 = 88% round winning percentage
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Peter Lehman Racing,
LLC
Andrea Geurin
Public Relations Manager
email: ageurin@lehmanracing.com
phone: 312-726-5719
For more information
on Lehman Racing and Clay Millican, please visit www.lehmanracing.com.
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| For
Immediate Release
January 18th, 2005
Media Contact:
C.J. Perry-IHRA Public Relations Manager
419-660-4225
IHRA
and Mr. Gasket Honor Pro Am Tour Winners
Mr. Gasket Pro-Am Tour
divisional champions and runners-up were honored this past
Friday during the annual IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series
Banquet Weekend.
Champions and runners-up in the seven Mr. Gasket Pro-Am
Tour classes and Junior Dragster in Division 4 were recognized
during the reception. Assisting in the awards presentations
were Dave Sebring and Ollie Volpe from Mr. Gasket.
Six drivers were recognized as the best within their respective
division regardless of class. Those drivers were: Wes McCracken,
from Williamsport, Penn., Hays Stock, Division 1; Anthony
Bertozzi, from Ashland, Virginia, Mallory Top Dragster,
Division 2; Rusty Cook, from Cynthiana, Ky., Lakewood Super
Rod, Division 3; Slate Cummings, from Hammond, Louisiana,
ACCEL DFI Super Stock, Division 4; Scott Stillings, from
Indianapolis, Ind., Division 5; Steve Furr, from Harrisburg,
N.C., Lakewood Super Rod, Division 9.
Also recognized during the ceremony were the top six tracks
on the Mr. Gasket Pro-Am Tour. Those tracks were: Quaker
City, Dan Swindell, Division 1; Carolina Dragway, Jeff Miles
Jr. and Angel (Miles) Sanders, Division 2; Tri-State Raceway,
Bob and Pat Louden, Division 3; Lone Star Raceway Park,
Glenn and Dee Brabham, Division 4; Cordova Dragway Park,
Scott and Laura Gardner, Division 5; Farmington Motorsports
Park, Allen Carpenter, Division 9.
IHRA is a division of Clear Channel Motorsports/Entertainment
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| For
Immediate Release
January
18th, 2005
Media
Contact: C.J. Perry-IHRA Public Relations Manager
419-660-4225
IHRA
Celebrates Champions with Most Successful Banquet in its
History
IHRA
hosted its 34th annual Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series awards
banquet Saturday in Covington, Ky., crowning the 2004 World
Champions and special award winners from the season. The
banquet was the most attended and most successful banquet
in IHRA's history.
Clay
Millican was awarded his fourth consecutive IHRA Top Fuel
World Championship, as well as the $200,000 check that accompanied
it. Millican, the career leader in IHRA pro wins, was also
awarded Sportsman of the year, considered the highest honor
IHRA bestows.
Mike
Janis was awarded his second World Championship in Pro Modified.
It was a rocky ride back to the top for the Lancaster, N.Y.,
native. A pit fire at Budds Creek nearly ended his season,
but Janis and his crew were able to put his 1963 Corvette,
dubbed the Widowmaker, back into contention. To cap off
his night, he was named as Pro Driver of the Year.
Rob
Atchison was awarded his second consecutive crown in Funny
Car. It looked as though his friend and rival Mark Thomas
might have had the edge in the early going of the season,
but the London, Ontario native came back strong and defeated
Thomas by just 23 points for the season crown.
John
Nobile, from Dix Hills, N.Y., took home his first ever Sunoco
Race Fuels Pro Stock World Championship. The championship
came on the strength of his first ever Pro Stock victory.
His season was also enough to earn him Most Improved Driver
of the Year.
Bill
Bader was awarded the IHRA Man of the Year. The former IHRA
President highlighted his speech by congratulating the World
Champions one by one and by subsequently bringing his family
onstage.
The
successful Summit SuperSeries crowned its champions for
2004 in both the Box and No Box categories. Taking home
the championship in Box was Jonathan Tromp, from Aruba,
and winning the championship in No Box was John Hochstedler,
from Niles, Michigan.
Tromp
brought a large Aruban contingent with him, and they watched
as he was awarded a check for over $27,000, two Pit Pro
bikes, a turn key Worthy Dragster, and ironically enough,
a trip for two to Aruba.
Hochstedler,
winner of the No Box championship, raced at Osceola Dragway
in Osceola, Indiana. For his championship, he was awarded
a check for over $27,000, a Pontiac G6, a Huntsville 540
engine, and a trip for two to Aruba.
Jamie
Silance won the Erson Cams Top Sportsman World Championship.
Anthony Bertozzi was awarded the World Championship in Mallory
Top Dragster. It was his 14th IHRA championship. Slate Cummings
was awarded the ACCEL DFI Super Stock World Championship.
Craig
Marshall was crowned World Champion in Hays Stock. The ACCEL
Quick Rod championship was awarded to Ron Folk. "The General,"
as he's known, won his first World Championship after watching
his son Nick take home the Top Dragster crown last year.
Steve
Furr was crowned World Champion in Lakewood Super Rod. The
Harrisburg, N.C. native was also named Sportsman Driver
of the Year. Ed Pauley, delivering the most heartfelt speech
of the evening, was crowned as World Champion in Hurst Hot
Rod. The Shelby, N.C. resident had made 13 IHRA finals without
winning an Ironman before breaking through this year at
Kinston. He was also named as Most Improved Sportsman Driver.
Monty Bogan Jr., of Jonesville, S.C. was crowned as GM Performance
Parts Top Stock World Champion.
| Other
2004 IHRA awards recipients included: |
| Moroso
Grand Champion: Scott Stillings |
| Track
of the Year-Sportsman: Abilene Dragstrip, Tommy Dupree |
| Track
of the Year-National: Milan Dragway, Bill and Pam Kapolka,
Chris and Deneen Baxter |
| Track
Operator of the Year: Scott and Laura Gardner, Cordova
Dragway Park |
| Track
Promoter of the Year: Ralph Hester, Immokalee Regional
Raceway |
| Sportsman
Rookie of the Year: Bill Levatino Jr. |
| Crew
Chief of the Year: Doug Kuch (Bruce Litton and Doug
Foley) |
| Pro
Rookie of the Year: Doug Foley |
| Associate
Sponsor of the Year: Bill Taylor Enterprises |
| Sponsor
of the Year: Mr. Gasket |
| During
the IHRA team breakfast on Sunday, the following received
recognition awards for their achievement: |
| Team
Member of the Year: Duane Eiskant |
| Best
Customer Service: Kelly Devine |
| Best
Team Player: Bryan Sansbury |
| Performance
Award: Bob Stinnett |
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IHRA
is a division of Clear Channel Entertainment/Motorsports |
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