DPR Sports & Racing News

History Making Day at Route 66 Speedway

Erica Enders becomes First Female to win in Pro Stock

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Photo By Joe Paolella

After yet another lengthy delay because of rain and several blown engines, the fans at Route 66 Speedway in Joliet were treated to some new Chicago history. Move over Danica, make room for Erica

Erica Enders made NHRA history Sunday at the OReilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals by becoming the first female to win an NHRA Pro Stock race.

Enders, one of only six females to ever compete in the 200-mph factory hot rod category, defeated Kurt Johnson, Vincent Nobile, and V. Gaines in the first three rounds to advance to her seventh career final round. The 28-year-old Texas native led season points leader Anderson all the entire run down the track in the final round to finally get the victory she has been seeking since starting her Pro Stock career.

Enders drove the GK Motorsports Chevy Cobalt to a final-round-winning performance of 6.627 seconds at 207.40 mph, holding off four-time world champion Greg Anderson, who trailed in the race in his Summit Racing Chevy Camaro with a 6.641 at 208.36.

Its awesome, said Enders, who becomes the 12th female to win an NHRA Pro category race. I think that if I could have planned it, I would have asked to run Greg in the final. You know that he made it very clear that he didnt want to lose to me. Hes a very competitive guy, and I love him to death, but I couldnt wait to beat him. Im glad [the win] came here in Chicago. I had my first final in Pro Stock here in 2005, and so it was nice to circle back around and get it done here.

Pro Stock is tough. It will humble you in an instant. When you think youve got it figured out, you go to Bristol and blow all your [engines] up. I cant say enough about my guys [crew]. Theyre amazing, and I love them.

Photo By Joe Paolella

Other winners from Sunday included Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Jeff Arend (Funny Car), and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle)

It doesnt get better than this, Brown said. Coming here to Route 66 Raceway is always special and goes beyond words because our team owner Don [Schumacher] will be inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, and what he has done for the sport, and our teams is amazing.

Right now, you look at Top Fuel and see how competitive that the class is. Its as tight as Pro Stock car. Were running e.t.s that are neck and neck, winning by 12 inches or less at over 320 mph."

Veteran driver Jeff Arend claimed his first Funny Car win of the season and fourth of his career by defeating rookie Courtney Force in the final round.

This was a real team effort this weekend, Arend said. I didnt do the best job as a driver, at least not with my lights, but we were able to get it done. My crew got this car turned around faster than Ive ever seen them do it, and that made all the difference in the world. This is the first win for the new Toyota Camry so that makes it even more special. I got to the final [here] last year and didnt win so this also makes up for that. I like to make the most of second chances.

Fan favorite and local driver Tony Schumacher was eliminated in the first round after his engine expired shortly after leaving the line..

Zizzo the No. 16 qualifier, upset his Chicago neighbor, No. 1 qualifier Tony Schumacher, in round, thanks in no small part to the massive engine explosion that Schumacher suffered, causing a lengthy clean-up just prior to the heavy rain and storms hitting the Speedway.

The Army driver was not injured. It's his third first-round loss at his home track in the last four years.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, three-time world champ Hines scored his second win of the season on his Screamin Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson when final-round opponent LE Tonglet turned on the red light at the start on his Nitro Fish Buell. It was Hines 27th career victory.

As soon as I popped the clutch, I saw LEs red-light, and I knew Id won, Hines said. Then, it was a nice comfortable ride. I saw him in front of me and paid more attention to his bike than mine, and I think I probably missed high gear.

What would a race at Route 66 in Joliet be without a visit from Joliet Jake and Elwood Blue the Blues Brothers. The dynamic duo entertained the crowd during pre-race and during the rain delay at the track.

Eric Medlin: 1973-2007

Eric was a rival on 23 Sunday afternoons at NHRA races but a great friend to all of us. We shared many laughs and stories along the way with Eric, his dad John and his teammates. His smile was easy and genuine. He knew he was a lucky guy to drive one of the four John Force Mustang Funny Cars and to have his dad as his crew chief. He respected his responsibilities as a young ambassador for John Force Racing, his sponsors and for NHRA POWERade Drag Racing. Our hearts go out to the Medlen Family, the John Force Racing organization and everyone who knew and loved Eric Medlen.

John Force at Joliet in 2006 (Below)

Johnson Begins Countdown to 4 Fight While Stevens Readies to Play Spoiler at Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis on Aug. 29 Sept. 3

• Allen Johnson is one of only eight NHRA Pro Stock drivers with title hopes still alive as the NHRA Countdown to 4 begins
• Richie Stevens Jr. is ready to assume the spoiler role at Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
• Allen Johnson stats
• Richie Stevens Jr. stats
• Mac Tools U.S. Nationals event details
• 
  

Team Mopar driver Allen Johnson can rest and reflect on a stellar 17-race effort. During the NHRA Countdown to 8, he secured his Mopar/J&J Racing Dodge Stratus R/T team the fourth spot in the Countdown to 4, the next section of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Following that brief respite, Johnson will go back to work as the four-race Countdown to 4 shootout begins at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis on Aug. 29 Sept. 3.

Richie Stevens Jr., Johnsons teammate, saw his 2007 title aspirations run out at the previous race in Reading, Pa. Despite taking one round win at the event, Stevens was unable to catch another HEMI-powered driver, Larry Morgan, for the eighth and final spot in the Countdown to 4. With his championship hopes gone, Stevens and his Team Mopar/Valspar Dodge Stratus R/T team will stay focused on wins and also look to play spoiler to the drivers still competing with his teammate Johnson for the NHRA Pro Stock title.

Allen Johnson is one of only eight NHRA Pro Stock drivers with title hopes still alive as the NHRA Countdown to 4 begins
As a veteran, Johnson enters the NHRA Countdown to 4 [the four-race second section of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship that will whittle the eight-man field down to four remaining title finalists] just 30 points behind leader Greg Anderson. Johnson maintained his grip on the fourth position in the points standings entering the Countdown to 4. This feat may prove fortuitous as the Countdown continues.
I feel like its huge, said Johnson of holding onto the fourth spot in the standings. Were all separated there by just a few points. I guess at the end of it well see how huge it is. I feel like ten points will be the difference in making the top four or not. Maybe one round or half a round will make the difference at the end of it.
Johnson and his J&J Racing team, including crew chief, Mark Ingersoll, and engine builder, Roy Johnson [Allen Johnsons father], qualified for the Countdown to 4 with races to spare. That gave the team the luxury to work on the setup of Johnsons Dodge Stratus R/T before the next section of the Countdown began.
We had a new motor in [the Stratus R/T] at Reading, and tried some new things on the motor we had been running, Johnson said. Theres just four or five changes were trying to incorporate into a new engine we hopefully will have at Indy.
With eight drivers left to battle for the NHRA Pro Stock title, Johnson wants to start the Countdown to 4 on a positive note at Indy.
Our strategy is going to be very simple, remarked Johnson. Were going to follow the strategy weve had all year, to have lane choice and win first round, and then push it a little harder, so we can win lane choice for the second round. Its huge to do well at this first race to give you some momentum.

Richie Stevens Jr. is ready to assume the spoiler role at Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
Don Schumacher Racings Stevens Jr. left it all on the race track in Reading in an effort to make the next section of the Countdown. Unfortunately, the gap between his 10th spot in the Pro Stock standings and the eighth and final spot in the Countdown to 4 was too large to close.

But the Louisiana native hasnt lost any of his fight. With nothing to lose, he may be even more dangerous. Stevens Jr. has a burning desire to play spoiler to the seven teams challenging teammate Johnson for the NHRA Pro Stock title (Stevens Team/Mopar Valspar Dodge Stratus R/T is tuned by Johnsons J&J Racing team).

We gave it a shot, we just came up a little bit short, said Stevens. Were just going to go out there and try to win races. Weve got nothing to lose as a team. Well try a couple of things on the car and try to go for it all instead of being conservative. But its really not going to change the approach of the team too much.
The Countdown is over for me so I can go out there and try to be a spoiler and win races. I can try to hopefully help out A.J. a little bit and take some of his biggest competitors out.
Stevens has had an up-and-down ride recently at the U.S. Nationals. He hopes 2007 will see him reach the summit with a visit to victory lane.
The U.S. Nationals is always the best. Every one wants to win that one, said Stevens. I came close two years ago and had a runner-up to Greg Anderson in the finals in 05. I had a terrible one last year. I went from having one of the best races to one of the worst races at Indy the last two years. I went from runner up to a DNQ, so now all thats left is to win it.
The runner-up finish at Indy in 2005 was especially meaningful for Stevens. It came after a grueling week that saw the New Orleans resident flee Hurricane Katrina by car and drive to the U.S. Nationals just in time to make qualifying. For a few days, he was unable to contact his parents and sister, who lived in the New Orleans area (they weathered the hurricane safely).
This [weekend] will also be the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Stevens said. It would be nice to go out there and win it, especially coming off of missing the Countdown to 4.
Allen Johnson stats

• Has a 21-15 round record in 2007
• Has the 4th spot in the NHRA POWERade Countdown to 4 playoff, only 30 points behind leader Greg Anderson
• Qualified third and scored a semifinals finish at the 2006 U.S. Nationals
• Captured his 5th career win at the 28th Annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals in July
• Took his third career No. 1 qualifier spot at the Mile-High Nationals and set the Bandimere Speedway track record
• Has 11 quarterfinals, six semifinals, and three finals appearance in 2007 (to date)
  

Richie Stevens Jr. stats

• Held the 10th spot in the NHRA Pro Stock points standings following the previous event, the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals
• Finished runner-up to Greg Anderson at the 2005 U.S. Nationals
• Recorded a career best ET and speed of 6.598/209.20 in qualifying second at Englishtown in June
• Had two wins (Dallas, Las Vegas) in the final five events of 2006
• Finished in the NHRA POWERade Pro Stock top 10 for the fifth time in his career in 2006
• Has six career wins and 11 career final round appearances
  

Mac Tools U.S. Nationals event details
The Mac Tools U.S. Nationals is scheduled for Aug. 31 Sept. 3 at OReilly Raceway Park. Qualifying coverage will air on Sunday, Sept. 2 from 12:30 to 1:30 a.m., 2 to 5:30 p.m. and on Monday, Sept. 3 from midnight to 1 a.m. (EDT) on ESPN2. Eliminations coverage will be broadcast on Monday, Sept. 3 from noon to 3 p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. (EDT) on ESPN2. For more info on the NHRA, log on to www.nhra.com

CAPPS AIMS TO "ACE" THE U.S. NATIONALS

CARLSBAD, Calif. (Aug. 28, 2007) - After leading the 2007 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings by as much as 154 markers since the fourth national event of the season, Ron Capps finds himself just a half-round ahead as all but 10 of the points he garnered in the first 17 races are erased and the new Countdown to Four begins this weekend at the U.S. Nationals at O'Reilly Raceway Park.

Having clinched the No. 1 slot in the Countdown to the Championship at the last event in Reading, Pa., Capps is ready to deliver the Brut Revolution Dodge Charger R/T into the winner's circle for his first U.S. Nationals win and his fourth Skoal Showdown triumph this weekend.

And he has an "Ace" up his sleeve. That's crew chief Ed McCulloch, who has won more U.S. Nationals Funny Car titles than any other driver. McCulloch had claimed five Funny Car victories (1971, '72, '80, '88, '90) and one Top Fuel win (1992) at this prestigious event before he retired as a driver at the end of 1993. Both Capps and McCulloch have competed in seven Showdown bonus events. This weekend will mark Capps' eighth appearance in the Showdown.

"I've talked time and time again about the approach that a veteran racer like Ed McCulloch has," said Capps, a three-time winner this season. "Not just counting how many times he's won Indy, but the intensity of how he approaches race days.

"It's such a fun, intense moment to go to battle with him at every drag race. I really can't tell you how much I enjoy racing with him and learning from him. And I try to take that with me when I go to the starting line at big races like this and coming down to the championship. I so badly do not want to let him or the Brut crew members down. He's been through so many high-pressure situations in the past as a driver and now as a crew chief, I want the best for not just the whole team but for Ace."

The pressure is on for the top eight in the Countdown to earn a place in the Countdown to Four in the next four races, and this weekend brings extra anxiety for those also competing in the $100,000 Skoal Showdown bonus event. With five qualifying rounds scheduled, including running the Showdown during those sessions, there will be no time to relax. "The key is to hopefully get our Brut car qualified well before we begin the Showdown," said Capps, who is looking for his first Funny Car championship after three bridesmaid career finishes. "I've been in a position in the past, along with other drivers, going into Sunday with two qualifying runs left, being part of the Showdown and not yet solidly qualified. Having to focus on the final two qualifying passes is difficult, because you're trying to win that $100,000 bonus and yet you need to get qualified, and it's in the heat of the day.

"So, if you're not in the show by the time Sunday rolls around, you could be in a heap of trouble. Talk about pressure.

"It's so important for us to get qualified high either in the Friday night run or the Saturday afternoon and night runs. We don't need that extra pressure of going into the Showdown not being qualified."

RON CAPPS QUICK FACTS:
* Clinched No. 1 in the Countdown to the Championship at Reading, Pa., event
* Leading 2007 Funny Car point standings after back-to-back wins in Gainesville and Houston, another win in St. Louis, three runner-up, two semifinal, three quarterfinal, five first-round finishes and a DNQ in first 17 races
* Led Robert Hight in rankings by 78 points before the Countdown to Four at the U.S. Nationals
* Has never won the U.S. Nationals
* Has three Skoal Showdown titles: 1998, 1999 and 2002
* No. 6 qualifier at U.S. Nationals in 2006, lost semis to Robert Hight
* Third in 2006 final point standings
* Had class-best five wins in 2006: Gainesville, Fla., Bristol, Tenn., Topeka, Kan., Houston and Englishtown, N.J.
* Had three wins, four runner-up finishes in 2005 (St. Louis was his first
win for DSR in '05), won at Chicago 2 at Route 66 Raceway and Las Vegas 2
* 2005 Funny Car championship runner-up, eight points short of title
* Qualified No. 1 once in 2005, in Dallas; first time since Brainerd 2000
* Has seven career No. 1 qualifiers, none in 2006 or 2007 so far
* A perennial fan favorite, Capps has driven and won in both Top Fuel and Funny Cars since he began his pro NHRA career in 1995
* His best season points finishes were seconds in Funny Car in 1998, 2000 and 2005
* He has 25 event wins in 51 final rounds to his credit (24 national event wins in Funny Car, one in Top Fuel)
* His career-best elapsed time (established during an event) is 4.694 seconds, set in 2005 in Dallas
* His career-best speed is 331.61 mph (Pomona 1, '07)
* Capps' career record against 14-time champion Force is 17-38 in round wins. He's won nine of the last 11 meetings against Force, and has won the last four first-round match-ups over Force
* Age 42 (June 20, 1965); born and raised in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
* Lives in Carlsbad, Calif., with wife Shelley and daughter Taylor (11) and son Caden (6)
* Is featured, along with son Caden and the Brut Revolution racing crew, in a number of Brut ads appearing in mainstream magazines, such as People, Sports Illustrated, etc.
* New to Don Schumacher Racing in 2005 after eight years with Don Prudhomme.
* Has tested for IROC Series and competed in Skip Barber Formula Ford, Dirt Late Models, Mini-Sprints and Go-Karts
* Is the subject, along with teammate Tony Schumacher, in the behind-the-scenes TV series, American Dragster, airing on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD

WEEKEND SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, Aug. 31 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSION at 6:15 p.m.
SATURDAY, Sept. 1 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 1 p.m. and 6:05 p.m.
SUNDAY, Sept. 2 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
SKOAL SHOWDOWN ELIMINATIONS at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 5 p.m.
MONDAY, Sept. 3 - Pre-race ceremonies, 9:30 a.m. FINAL ELIMINATIONS at 11 a.m.

GARY SCELZI QUICK FACTS:
* Fifth in Funny Car points after qualifying No. 1 and winning the 2007 season-opening Pomona event, and again qualifying No. 1 and winning the Chicago event. His other results this season are first-round losses in Phoenix, Gainesville, Las Vegas, Englishtown and Denver, quarterfinal finishes in Houston, Atlanta, St. Louis, Topeka and Bristol, and a DNQ in Norwalk
* Is 286 points behind leader Ron Capps, 47 points short of third
* Two TF wins in Seattle (2000, 2001), one runner-up (1997)
* No. 1 qualifier four times in Seattle (1997, 2000, 2001 in TF, 2003 in FC)
* Qualified No. 11 in Seattle in 2006, lost second round to teammate Ron Capps
* Seventh in 2006 Funny Car points, with a win in Denver (three final rounds), runner-up in Englishtown, N.J., runner-up in Brainerd, Minn., and three semifinal finishes in Bristol, Tenn., Joliet, Ill., and St. Louis.
* Also had seven quarterfinal finishes and no No. 1 qualifiers in '06
* Claimed the 2005 Funny Car championship, his first, by eight points over his teammate Ron Capps, 32 over third-place John Force
* Won three times in 2005 (Bristol, Chicago 1 and Sonoma); was low qualifier six times (Las Vegas 1, Atlanta, St. Louis, Reading, Las Vegas 2, Pomona 2)
* Is a three-time Top Fuel champion (1997, 1998, 2000)
* Became only the second NHRA driver to have won crowns in both Top Fuel and Funny Car. Kenny Bernstein is the first
* Has set 24 Funny Car top speeds since joining Don Schumacher Racing in 2003
* Is a member of the largest team in NHRA pro history: Don Schumacher Racing - one in Top Fuel, three in Funny Car, one in Pro Stock, two in Pro Stock Motorcycle (all four pro categories)
* Is first Funny Car driver to break the 330-mph barrier (330.15 mph at Route 66 Raceway in 2004)
* Career Funny Car bests: 4.690-second ET (Pomona 1 '07), 333.49 mph (Pomona 1 '07)
* Qualified in top five 19 times in 2005, No. 1 six times
* Age 46 (Aug. 11, 1960), born and raised in Fresno, Calif., where he lives with wife Julianne and sons Dominic and Giovanni
* Dominic, 10, races Restricted 600 Mini Sprints
* Runs Scelzi Enterprises, a custom truck body design and manufacturing business in Fresno with his two brothers
* Won his first Top Fuel crown as a rookie
* Has 10 Funny Car wins, 25 Top Fuel wins
* Sixth in 2003 Funny Car points, his first full season in that class
* 2007 is his fifth straight season racing for Don Schumacher Racing
* Is the only NHRA driver to have won in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car. He accomplished this feat by winning Nitro Funny Car at Infineon Raceway in 2003
* Is one of the few Funny Car drivers who has a round winning record against the 14-time Funny Car champion John Force: 12-10, 3-1 in final rounds
* Says he's stepping away from NHRA competition at end of 2007, but not retiring

JACK BECKMAN QUICK FACTS:
* No. 7 in 2007 NHRA Funny Car point standings after 13 events and one season victory in one final round, in Denver
* Also has three semifinal finishes, one quarterfinal finish and a DNQ
* Set national elapsed-time record of 4.662 seconds and national speed record of 333.66 mph at final 2006 event in Pomona, Calif. The ET record has since been eclipsed. Beckman still holds the speed record
* As a Funny Car rookie in the last five races of 2006, he qualified No. 1 once (Pomona 2), reached two final rounds (Las Vegas 2 and Pomona 2), won once (Vegas), and set both ends of the national record (Pomona 2)
* Residence: North Hills, Calif.
* Hometown: Granada Hills, Calif.
* Date of birth: June 28, 1966
* Married, Jenna (wedding date 11/7/06), son Jason Russell (3/8/07)
* Height/weight: 6'0", 185 lbs.
* Serves as instructor at Frank Hawley's NHRA Championship Drag Racing School and has taught over 6,000 students since 1998; former Sergeant in U.S. Air Force (1984-88); cancer survivor; licensed in nine different NHRA categories
* First Start in TF: Las Vegas 1 2005
* First Start in FC: Reading, Pa., 2006
* Competed in only 12 TF events in 2005, ended season 15th in points
* Career-best FC elapsed time: 4.662 seconds (Pomona 2 '06)
* Career-best FC speed: 333.66 mph (Pomona 2 '06)
* Career-best TF elapsed time: 4.563 seconds (TF, Brainerd 2005)
* Career-best TF speed: 324.28 mph (TF, Brainerd 2005)
* In 2003 won Super Comp world championship in Lucas Oil Series and Division 7 Super Comp championship

Photo Gallery from Route 66 Raceway, July 1, 2012