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Home , Del Worsham, Dragster (car), Funny Car, Gary Scelzi, Kenny Bernstein, Maple Grove Raceway

DSR's U.S. Army, Rocky/Mopar teams burn up Phoenix

Photos by AutoImagery.com

Tony, Matt grab career bests, poles, Phoenix titles Don Schumacher Racing enjoyed a remarkable weekend outside of Phoenix two weeks ago and plans for it to continue next weekend when the NHRA Mello Yello Series moves to Gainesville, Fla., for the 46th annual . Near Phoenix at the season’s second event, DSR’s Matt Hagan and Tony Schumacher and their teams produced a memorable weekend by extending DSR’s win total to 243 and marking the 42nd time the organization has won two titles at the same event. But it was even sweeter. Schumacher and Hagan used career best elapsed times to earn No. 1 qualifier positions, which was the third time DSR swept nitro poles and titles at the same race. They enhanced that on their winning title runs by further improving career bests. Hagan, the two-time and reigning world champ, is on quite a roll with Mopar Express Lane/Rocky Boots’ crew chief Dickie Venables, assistant Michael Knudsen and the 2015 Charger R/T crew that won the pole with a time of 3.978 seconds then in the title run improved to a 3.975 at 324.83 mph, which is the second fastest ever. The trip to winner’s circle at Phoenix was their third consecutive title including the season-finale last November. Since the six-race NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoff began last September the Mopar/Rocky team is 26-3 in elimination rounds. It’s hard for Schumacher, the eight-time and reigning world champion, to add to the U.S. Army team’s laurels but they did it at Phoenix. Tony and the team earned 11 out of a possible 12 bonus points in qualifying at Phoenix by being the quickest in the first three sessions and second best in the fourth. He used a career best elapsed time (3.722) to earn the 77th pole of his career then bettered that time (3.720) in the championship round for his 78th NHRA Wally trophy. The best news at Phoenix, however, came on Friday when team owner and Funny Car pioneer Don Schumacher completed the last of 31 radiation treatments since successful cancer surgery three months ago. But two successful events don’t complete a season and it’s on to Gainesville where Antron Brown and the Matco Tools team presented DSR with its 200th win two years ago and Johnny Gray preceded with the Funny Car title.

1,450 Matco distributors join Brown on 320-mph runs down the Antron Brown rides with more than 1,450 co-pilots when he drives his Matco Tools Top Fuel in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Brown, the 2012 Top Fuel world champion, unveiled the 2015 design for his Matco Tools Top Fuel dragster Feb. 15 at the annual Matco Tools Expo’s National Business Conference at Gaylord Palms in Orlando and it made its first runs two weeks ago at the Mello Yello race near Phoenix. The featured names belong to active Matco Tools distributors and Brown is proud to take their names along for the ride. The concept of incorporating the names of Matco Tool’s distributors follows last year’s annual “Tools for the Cause” campaign when Matco raised funds and awareness for Susan G. Komen®, an organization that funds breast cancer research and lifesaving community programs. The names of more than 1,300 people whose lives have been affected by breast cancer were featured on Brown’s “I Drive For” special edition pink Matco Tools dragster last October. This is the sixth season in which Brown has driven a DSR Top Fueler sponsored by Matco Tools. In 2008-09, Brown’s Matco-backed dragster was owned by David Powers and Mike Ashley, respectively. Brown has won 47 times and 31 of his NHRA event titles happened in a Matco dragster, including a series-best six times last year. PHOENIX SCRAPBOOK NAPA guests pack Wild Horse, Ron always a hit on 98KUPD Ron Capps started his racing weekend near Phoenix with his 12th annual visit to 98KUPD’s “Holmberg’s Morning Sickness Show” that is the area’s No. 1 morning-drive program (98kupd.com). Ron also had the largest cheering section on Saturday at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park when about 3,000 NAPA employees and their guests enjoyed the day at the track.

Spencer Massey’s Top Fuel team featured the eye- catching colors of Sandvik Coromant at Phoenix in the first of eight Mello Yello events in which the global leader in cutting tools and machining solutions will be featured on the car and uniforms. The next time will be the March 27-29 Four-Wide Nationals near Charlotte. The Infinite Hero team and driver Jack Beckman qualified 12th at Phoenix and stayed at the track the following Monday to test, and their 2015 R/T recorded a pair of 4.00-second runs and a stellar 3.957 seconds at 323.97 mph.

Tommy Johnson Jr. and the Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T team qualified No. 5 at Phoenix with a time of 4.003 seconds at 315.27 mph and advanced to the quarterfinals for the second straight race.

"Fast Jack" focused and ready to run.

Tony loves signing autographs for kids.

SPOTLIGHT ON DSR Gripologist Fletcher knows how to make the rubber meet the dragstrip

Dave Fletcher had a life changing experience around 1974 when he visited Santa Pod Raceway in Bedfordshire, England, about 100 miles from his home in London. That was when he inhaled his first a whiff of nitromethane exhaust. The Englishman began helping with some nitro and alcohol drag racing teams in England before venturing to the United States to attend some NHRA national events, which is when he met legendary crew chief Austin Coil who eventually hired him to work on the famed Chi-Town Hustler Funny Car. When Coil joined , Dave went along. After a few years with Force, Dave joined in time to be part of the “ King’s” historic 300-mph run in March 1992 at Gainesville, Fla. After a brief stint working with an IndyCar team in Indianapolis, Dave went to Qatar to work with friends Mike Guger and Rob Flynn on Pro Mod cars and later was employed by Top Fuel owners Bob Vandergriff Jr. and Steve Torrence before joining DSR as its traction specialist and parts inventory manager. Since joining DSR at the start of the 2013 season, Dave, who lives in Indianapolis with his wife, Joani, has been part of 46 winner’s circle celebrations. There is good reason for that. Making 10,000 horsepower is only part of a winning formula; if a 320-mph race car can’t transfer that power to the racetrack then win lights don’t come on. Dave’s traction expertise and understanding of how Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars work enable him to provide valuable information to crew chiefs. “Every run is something of a balancing act between overpowering the available traction and not having sufficient power output to put to the pavement in an optimum (aggressive) manner,” he said. Dave’s first job on race weekends is the day – or night – before Top Fuel and Funny Car teams can get on the track, usually upon the conclusion of NHRA Sportsman qualifying before nitro race days. He uses a device developed and built by DSR that is towed by a golf cart. The device – called the Track Profiler – has the wheelbase of a Top Fueler dragster with a center- mounted bicycle tire that relays track smoothness to an on-board computer. The data is downloaded and graph printouts are given to each of DSR’s seven teams. “These linear recordings offer immediate info on irregular things such as bumps in the track which may have an effect on clutch settings,” he said. On race days, he relies on the soles of his shoes and a Track Meter machine developed by Eddie Litke, the clutch specialist for the Bill Miller Engineering Top Fueler, and Larry Wolyniec. The patented device features a spring-loaded rubber pad within a billet aluminum case. Dave stands on its foot pegs before bending to use a built-in wrench that with clockwise turns of an internal apparatus indicates when the bond breaks to indicate grip of the racing surface.

ShoeRacing.com

DSR’s Lewis heads west for March Meet It would seem that Mike Lewis, Don Schumacher Racing’s senior vice president, spends enough time at a racetrack. He’ll be at all 24 Mello Yello events this year with DSR, and he frequently visits his family’s near Reading, Pa. Nonetheless, he is outside of Los Angeles this weekend for the legandary March Meet Drag Races that features nostalgia cars racing in a quartermile. Instead of his customary spot behind the starting line when one of DSR’s drivers are about to make a run, Mike will be where he loves and that’s sitting inside the “Nitro Nick” Nostalgia Funny Car for another run. The 1972 Vega owned by Cecil Matthews and Randy Lucchetti of Ukiah, Calif., and tuned by crew chief Anthony Dicero crew chief was formerly owned by ’s Nick and Nicky Boninfante and uses what once was the back-up chassis for the late Scott Kalitta. Mike, who won the Funny Car title in the 2012 California Reunion at Bakersfield, upset last season’s championship contender Kris Krabill with a run of 5.86 seconds at 242 mph in last fall’s Hot Rod Reunion. And that was the morning after Mike’s engine explosion did considerable damage to the car. He’ll race this weekend with a new and lighter body and improved engine components.

Secret to DSR’s success revealed: It’s Nitro Nitro isn’t just the fuel that helps DSR’s engines produce 10,000 horsepower and contribute to its hot start to the 2015 Mello Yello season. It turns out DSR has been receiving mechanical assistance from the coolest dude in sports. And his name happens to be Nitro. But the colorful assistant to the assistant crew chief for Tommy Johnson Jr.’s Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car won’t be joining DSR permanently because he has a full-time job as the official mascot for the Indy Fuel (IndyFuelHockey.com) to win hockey games in the professional East Coast Hockey League. This Saturday night’s game is Racing Appreciation Night at Indiana Farmers Coliseum, which begins at 7:35 p.m., and DSR’s Make-A-Wish Funny Car will be on display for fans to enjoy. Hit the road at Sonoma to race Ron, Jack in karts Race fans can go head-to-head against DSR’s NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series stars Jack Beckman and Ron Capps on March 21 at ’s Simraceway Performance Karting Center track in the 13th annual NHRA Tour de Charity. The event benefits Speedway Children’s Charities, which is the charitable arm of the motorsports park in Sonoma, Calif. All proceeds will benefit Sonoma County youth groups. The event is limited to 40 participants; cost is $325 and includes a full day of karting with the drivers, autographs, lunch and the chance to compete in a 10-lap timed qualifying event for a grand prize. Participants must be at least 13 years old (18 and under with parental consent), between 5 feet and 6 feet, 10 inches tall and weigh no more than 290 pounds. There will be giveaways during the day, and the top-10 qualified fans will compete in a 10-lap timed race at the end of day. Tour de Charity is a rain or shine event. Go to RaceSonoma.com to register.

DSR’s Jack Beckman, left, and Antron Brown visit Western Technical College in El Paso, , on Feb. 25 to participate in a special day with students and faculty at the Official Technical College of Don Schumacher Racing.

westerntech.edu

DSR drivers 2015, career statistics; 2015 standings - thru Phoenix (2 of 24)

TOP FUEL TONY SCHUMACHER: U.S. Army – ’14 Top Fuel World Champ Pts Events Wins Rup Semi Qtr 1st rd Poles DNQ W/L 2015 3rd 2 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 4-1 CAREER 410 78 54 64 107 99 77 8 707-324 Best Time, Speed: 3.720 sec.(2015, Phoenix); 330.55 mph (2014, Las Vegas 2) ANTRON BROWN: Matco Tools/U.S. Army Pts Events Wins Rup Semi Qtr 1st rd Poles DNQ W/L 2015 2nd 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 5-2 CAREER 312 47 (31 TF/16 PSB) 41 64 84 73 37 3 522-262 Best Time, Speed: 3.701 sec.-NHRA record (2012, Reading, Pa.); 328.78 mph (2012, Reading) SPENCER MASSEY: Red Fuel Powered by Schumacher/Sandvik Coromant Pts Events Wins Rup Semi Qtr 1st rd Poles DNQ W/L 2015 5th 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 3-2 CAREER 121 17 14 28 29 31 7 2 193-102 Best Time, Speed: 3.728 sec. (2012, Englishtown, N.J.); 332.18 mph, (2015, Pomona; 2012, Charlotte 1)

FUNNY CAR MATT HAGAN: Mopar Express Lane/Rocky Boots Dodge Charger R/T – ’14 Funny Car World Champ Pts Events Wins Rup Semi Qtr 1st rd Poles DNQ W/L 2015 1st 2 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 8-0 CAREER 146 16 16 21 44 45 18 4 197-126 Best Time, Speed: 3.975 sec. (2015, Phoenix); 324.83 (2015, Phoenix) RON CAPPS: NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T Pts Events Wins Rup Semi Qtr 1st rd Poles DNQ W/L 2015 4th 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 3-2 CAREER 437 43 (42 FC/1 TF) 43 76 88 169 16 18 541-376 Best Time, Speed: 3.964 sec., (2012, Englishtown, N.J.); 320.89 mph (2012, Englishtown) TOMMY JOHNSON JR.: Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T Pts Events Wins Rup Semi Qtr 1st rd Poles DNQ W/L 2015 6th 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2-2 CAREER 348 10 (8 FC/2 TF) 15 45 82 152 10 47 257-294 Best Time, Speed: 3.999 sec. (2014, Joliet, Ill.); 322.73 mph (2014, Pomona 1) JACK BECKMAN: Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Pts Events Wins Rup Semi Qtr 1st rd Poles DNQ W/L 2015 15th 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0-1 CAREER 206 15 20 37 58 69 10 7 251-184 Best Time, Speed: 3.986 sec. (2012, Reading, Pa.); 320.30 mph (2012, Charlotte 1)

2015 NHRA MELLO YELLO CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (DSR drivers in CAPS) TOP FUEL FUNNY CAR DRIVER (WINS) POINTS BEHIND DRIVER (WINS) POINTS BEHIND 1. Shawn Langdon (1) 200 --- 1. MATT HAGAN (2) 231 --- 2. ANTRON BROWN 167 -33 2. 173 -58 3. TONY SCHUMACHER (1) 165 -35 3. Robert Hight 145 -86 4. Doug Kalitta 155 -45 4. RON CAPPS 129 -102 5. SPENCER MASSEY 130 -70 5. 123 -108 6. Richie Crampton 115 -85 6. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. 118 -113 7. Larry Dixon 106 -94 7. Alexis DeJoria 110 -121 8. J.R. Todd 88 -112 8. Cruz Pedregon 93 -138 8. Steve Torrence 88 -112 9. John Hale 82 -149 10. Brittany Force 85 -115 9. Chad Head 82 -149 15. JACK BECKMAN 38 -193

NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Jan. 15-18 PBIR, Jupiter, Fla. – testing REGULAR SEASON 2014 WINNERS 2015 WINNERS 1. Feb. 6-8 Pomona, Calif. TF alBalooshi FC J. Force TF Langdon FC MATT #241 2. Feb. 20-22 Phoenix TF ANTRON FC DeJoria TF TONY #243 FC MATT #242 3. March 13-15 Gainesville, Fla. TF Kalitta FC Hight TF FC 4. March 27-29 Charlotte, N.C. TF ANTRON FC Hight TF FC 5. April 10-12 Las Vegas TF TONY FC DeJoria TF FC 6. April 24-26 Houston TF ANTRON FC Hight TF FC 7. May 15-17 Atlanta (PSM) TF SPENCER FC Hight TF FC 8. May 22-24 Topeka, Kan. TF SPENCER FC C. Force TF FC 9. June 5-7 Englishtown TF Crampton FC C. Pedregon TF FC 10. June 12-14 Epping, N.H. TF TONY FC RON TF FC 11. June 19-21 Bristol, Tenn. TF Langdon FC TOMMY TF FC 12. July 3-5 Norwalk, Ohio TF ANTRON FC J. Force TF FC 13. July 10-12 Chicago TF ANTRON FC MATT TF FC 14. July 24-26 Denver TF Todd FC Hight TF FC 15. July 31-Aug. 2 Sonoma, Calif. TF alBalooshi FC C. Force TF FC 16. Aug. 7-9 Seattle TF Kalitta FC J. Force TF FC 17. Aug. 21-23 Brainerd, Minn. TF Lucas FC RON (Indy) TF FC 18. Sep. 3-7 Indianapolis TF Crampton FC DeJoria TF FC Shootouts TF TONY TF FC COUNTDOWN 2014 WINNERS 2015 WINNERS 19. Sept. 18-20 Charlotte, N.C. TF TONY (Dallas) FC MATT (Dallas) TF FC 20. Sept.25-27 St. Louis TF ANTRON FC C. Force TF FC 21. Oct. 2-4 Reading, Pa. TF TONY FC MATT TF FC 22. Oct. 16-18 Dallas TF TONY FC C. Force TF FC 23, Oct. 30-Nov. 1 Las Vegas TF SPENCER FC Worsham TF FC 24. Nov. 13-15 Pomona, Calif. TF Lucas FC MATT TF FC DSR TOTALS: TF = 14 FC = 7 TF= 1 FC= 2

DSR 2014 SEASON TOTALS 2 - World championships (Tony’s 8th in Top Fuel, Matt’s 2nd in Funny Car) 14 - Top Fuel event titles (Antron 6, Tony 5, Spencer 3) 7 - Funny Car event titles (Matt 4, Ron 2, Tommy 1, Jack 0)

DSR ALL-TIME TOTALS 13 - World championships (Tony 8, Matt 2, Antron 1, Jack Beckman 1, 1) 243 - NHRA Mello Yello event titles (Top Fuel 124, Funny Car 98, 3, Pro Stock Motorcycle 18) Don Schumacher Racing ShoeRacing.com - (317) 858-0356 Jeff Wolf Leah Vaughn [email protected] [email protected] (702) 524-1368, cell (618) 516-1988, cell

ABOUT DON SCHUMACHER RACING Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered near Indianapolis in Brownsburg, Ind., fields seven professional NHRA teams in the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. In Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by eight-time and reigning world champion Tony Schumacher, the 2012 NHRA Top Fuel world champion Matco Tools/U.S. Army dragster driven by Antron Brown and the Red Fuel by Schumacher/Sandvik Coromant dragster driven by Spencer Massey; and in Funny Car, two-time and reigning world champion Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane/Rocky Boots 2015 Dodge Charger R/T, 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge, the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge of Ron Capps and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr. DSR has won 243 NHRA national event titles and 13 world championships. Follow Don Schumacher Racing at ShoeRacing.com, on Twitter at @shoeracing and Facebook.com/shoeracing