[nextpage title=”Monday”]
Mountain Motor Pro Stock Teams Excited About NHRA Prospects
The Mountain Motor Pro Stock contingent is full of optimism following their two-day exhibition i front of a packed house at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis.
Eight big-inch Pro Stock competitors, including John Montecalvo, Trevor Eman, Dwayne Rice, John Konigshofer, Dillon Voss, John DeFlorian, Brad Waddle, and Elijah Morton, participated in the class’ first-ever appearance at an NHRA Mello Yello Series national event, as part of what the NHRA has publicly disclosed as an exploratory initiative for potential integration into the traditional 500 cubic-inch Pro Stock program. The eight racers put down a series of 6.3- and 6.4-second laps at upwards of 220 mph on Saturday and Sunday at the sport’s most prestigious drag race, and the group says the response from the fans has been overwhelmingly positive.
The meeting was a general discussion about our concerns and some of their concerns. We would like to do this, they would like to do this, and I believe the 500-inch guys would like to do it, it’s just a matter of figuring out how. – John Montecalvo
On Sunday morning, the teams met with NHRA officials, who they say presented a number of potential scenarios to successfully integrate them into the Pro Stock category, and while a final decision and the technical details surrounding it are still forthcoming, the drivers, team owners, and their crews all walked away from the meeting hopeful for what 2019 has in store. While they say this development came about relatively quickly, a number of teams indicated to Dragzine that they have already begun seeking additional sponsorship that would allow them to compete with the NHRA next season.
John Montecalvo, one of the veteran members of the Mountain Motor fraternity and a former International Hot Rod Association Pro Stock champion, believes the NHRA and its Pro Stock teams are open to negotiating and developing a constructive plan to combine the two engine combinations and create a viable eliminator with greater options for all involved.
“The meeting was a general discussion about our concerns and some of their concerns. We would like to do this, they would like to do this, and I believe the 500-inch guys would like to do it, it’s just a matter of figuring out how. I don’t know their direction — I think everyone needs to sit back after this, as it came together rather quickly, and evaluate how the weekend went and take it from there. This isn’t something that is going to happen overnight, but I would say it has a good possibility of happening,” he explains.
Montecalvo continues, “We were very well received here by the fans, and well received by everyone from the NHRA. We were their guests, they opened the door for us and invited us in, and we’re very happy with how things went this weekend. It’s been a very open situation between us and them, and I expect that we’ll hear something from them in the next week or so and have more dialogue. Everybody would like to see it happen.”
Ohio native Dwayne Rice spent a number of years competing with the NHRA in Competition Eliminator, and the move would, in a sense, bring his career full circle. Following his NHRA tenure, Rice competed in the IHRA Pro Stock category during the 2000s and returned in 2014 to race with the ADRL and later the PDRA. Rice, quick to credit the PDRA for the professional program they’ve provided the class with, concedes that competing in the NHRA’s Mello Yello Drag Racing Series remains the grandest and most coveted stage for drag racers, and one he he’s very much excited about the possibility of competing in.
While a host of t’s remain to be crossed and i’s to be dotted, this morning’s meeting left Rice highly optimistic.
“They’re [NHRA] going to try gathering a bunch of data and run us with with the 500-inch cars next year,” he says matter-of-factly of his takeaway from today’s discussions. “They said they’re looking at 2019, they’re not looking at 2020. They haven’t said that it’s a done deal, but they presented a lot of information. They said the 500-inch teams, that it was their idea, and that they’re very welcoming of us.”
Rice says they have been provided with Sunoco race fuel — the spec racing fuel brand in Pro Stock — to dyno their engines with to help the NHRA in its ongoing data-gathering efforts.
“They’re talking about putting rpm limits on us, easing up the rpm limits on them. Maybe letting them have the scoops or whatever carburetor or fuel injection they want. They said everything is open and they’re welcoming of any suggestions and data, and if it does come together, it’s going to be like Pro Modified was, where the combinations are closely monitored and changes are made on a per-race basis until they get the parity fine-tuned.”
The Extreme Pro Stock competitors have, as a means of limiting costs for the sake of the health and viability of the class, collectively agreed over the last several years to curb engine development costs — a gentleman’s agreement, if you will — but their potential participation in the NHRA could well change all of that. That fact — the required costs to meet the NHRA’s regulations and that to be competitive — ranks among the group’s primary concerns.
“That’s the unknown. We don’t know what kind of restrictions will be put on us. We’ve always done our best to contain costs within the class, and that’s why we’ve lasted so long,” says Montecalvo. “But what will happen [regarding development costs] remains to be seen … it’s the NHRA’s game, and it’s up to what they want to do. We’re open to whatever their suggestions are, and once they come up with a plan, I’m sure there will be a lot of conversation before things are finalized. If we feel their plan is reasonable, we’ll take it from there.”
“I’m the only wedge engine here, and it’s the fastest in the country, so I can’t say we aren’t going to throw a bunch of money at it. I have my blood, sweat and tears in this thing… every dime I have. It’s real … it has a real GM part number on it,” says Rice of his unique 840 cubic-inch Chevrolet wedge powerplant and the costs to make it competitive.
They said everything is open and they’re welcoming of any suggestions and data, and if it does come together, it’s going to be like Pro Modified was, where the combinations are closely monitored and changes are made on a per-race basis until they get the parity fine-tuned. – Dwayne Rice
Montecalvo, Rice, and the DeFlorian camp shared in no uncertain terms that, regardless of the outcome of this weekend’s exhibition, they intend to continue supporting the PDRA, which has provided their brand of Pro Stock racing a professionally-run venue in which to compete over the last several years.
“We definitely want to support the PDRA,” Montecalvo says. “We aren’t looking to desert them, but we’re definitely looking to do some races over here, too. I can’t do 24 races, but I could do quite a few.”
There are currently an estimated 28 Mountain Motor Pro Stock teams in existence (but not all are active) and Montecalvo says, if anything, the move to NHRA would promote greater participation among the big-inch racers.
“Some have been sitting home because they do want to run quarter-mile, and others just aren’t ready to come out, but the biggest thing I see is that it’s going to bring out more competitors. To me, if I was running Top Sportsman, I have the car…I go to Kaase, to Sonny’s, to Ron Miller, to Mike Allen — all four engine builders — buy a motor and be able to go Pro Stock racing. I think it’s going to bring in a lot of new competitors,” Montecalvo shares.
Race says with a considerable influx of sponsorship he’d be open to contesting a full 24-race schedule, but otherwise would target the East coast events.
“It will be interesting to see what they come up with. Pro Stock over here has been suffering we’ve been suffering, so if they add the Mountain Motors cars it might create a great situation for all of us,” Rice says.
Monday’s Final Eliminations Results courtesy NHRA/National Dragster
J.R. Todd, an Indianapolis native, powered his DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car to victory for the second time in a row Monday at the 64th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, the world’s biggest drag race, at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.
Terry McMillen (Top Fuel), Tanner Gray (Pro Stock), and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also victorious at the 18th event of 24 on the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.
Todd raced to a 4.062-second pass at 311.70 mph to defeat Matt Hagan’s pass of 4.141 at 300.60 in his Mopar Express Lane Dodge Hellcat SRT in the final round. He was the No. 1 qualifier for the event and was successful in securing his second consecutive victory at the prestigious Indianapolis race. He is the first Funny Car driver to win back-to-back Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals since Mike Neff in 2011 and 2012.
“This is by far a dream come true,” Todd stated. “You don’t know if you’re ever going to win Indy let alone go back-to-back. For whatever reason this year just felt different. It felt like we had a car that could come in here and win. Last year the confidence wasn’t there like it is this year.”
With the win Todd moves to fifth in points heading into the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship.
Hagan’s final round appearance was the second of his career at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals. He defeated Jonnie Lindberg, points leader Courtney Force and Shawn Langdon before entering his sixth final round of the season.
McMillen powered past Doug Kalitta with a 4.037 pass at 300.66 in his AMALIE Motor Oil Xtermigator dragster to better Kalitta’s 4.067 at 303.57 in his Mac Tools dragster. It is McMillen’s first career win at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals and second of his career.
“You know, it’s so surreal because it’s one of the most prestigious races out there,” McMillen said. “To have your name that you won Indy is one of the highest accomplishments you can have. I’ve always known that this year was going to be a good year, but I couldn’t have scripted that it was going to be this good.”
McMillen picked up wins against Scott Palmer, points leader Steve Torrence and Blake Alexander before taking home the Wally. He’s secured the No. 7 spots heading into the Countdown to the Championship. Kalitta took out Leah Pritchett, three-time world champion Antron Brown and Billy Torrence en route to his third final round appearance at Indianapolis.
In Pro Stock, Tanner Gray ran a 6.641 pass at 208.42 in his Gray Motorsports / Valvoline Chevrolet Camaro to defeat Jeg Coughlin Jr.’s 6.639 at 206.80 in his JEGS.com/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro on a holeshot for his first Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals victory, fifth win of the season and tenth of his career. He secured the No. 1 seed leading into the Countdown to the Championship during the semifinals when veteran Greg Anderson lost in the quarterfinals.
“I guess the main thing is that I want to strive to be the best driver that I can be,” Gray stated. “I continue to work and don’t really settle for what I am right now. I think every drivers dream is to win Indy at least once and it’s pretty cool for me to be able to do that.”
On the way to victory, Gray defeated John Gaydosh Jr., Jason Line, and Drew Skillman prior to entering the finals. Coughlin, a five-time world champion and three-time Chevrolet Performance U.S. National winner, raced Alex Laughlin, Greg Anderson and reigning world champion Bo Butner before reaching the finals.
Tonglet rode to the Pro Stock Motorcycle win with his 6.864 pass at 197.10 on his Nitro Fish Racing Suzuki to defeat four-time world champion Eddie Krawiec and his Mello Yello Vance & Hines Harley Davidson’s 6.884 pass at 197.02. This is Tonglet’s second career victory at Lucas Oil Raceway, his third win on the season and 19th of his career.
“I try not to think about anything,” Tonglet said. “We just go up there and try our best and whatever happens, happens. I don’t lose sleep over this since this is still a hobby for us. We just come out here to have fun.”
Tonglet took down Ryan Oehler, Chip Ellis and Steve Johnson before seeing Krawiec who beat Jerry Savoie, teammate Andrew Hines and Hector Arana Jr., in the finals.
Stevie ‘Fast’’ Jackson raced to his first career Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals victory during the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series portion of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals on Monday. This weekend’s Pro Mod racing, presented by Al-Anabi Performance, is the eighth of 12 events this season.
Jackson ran a 6.167-second pass at 168.51 mph to the trailing run of Jose Gonzalez at 6.682 at 189.26. This is the third career win for Smith and first of the season.
“I want to thank all the people that have stood by us this season,” said Jackson. “After two DNQ’s, all my sponsors and especially Bahrain 1 have had my back this whole time so to come out and win the U.S. Nationals is really special. I really couldn’t do this without my team. I know I’m the driver and drivers always get all the credit but I really got to give it to my guys. This is because of them.”
Jackson defeated Sidnei Frigo, Bob Rahaim, and Mike Castellana to advance to the finals. He is fifth in points.
[nextpage title=”Sunday”]
[nextpage title=”Saturday”]
While he was challenged — Clay Millican came the closest with his eye-opening 3.76 in the late afternoon warmth today — Mike Salinas continues to pace the Top Fuel field through three qualifying sessions at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. Salinas 3.75-second shot on Friday evening set him up for what would be his first career No. 1 qualifying spot if it hols through tomorrow’s two remaining sessions. Noted Salinas: “We broke the track down into four increments. We are trying to see how much horsepower we can put down at each portion of the track. This way we can be ready for Monday.”
J.R. Todd, likewise, remains the leader in the club in Funny Car with his 3.91 from Friday evening. Today’s conditions yielded a handful of three-second runs, including a 3.95 by Courtney Force, but none could match Todd’s efforts behind the wheel of his DHL Toyota. If he can hang on, it will mark Todd’s first pole position of the season.
“For me, I thought we were going to go in and work on our race day set,” Todd said. “But then the conditions got really good there at Q3 and I started worrying that the No. 1 wasn’t going to hold up. We now know for tomorrow and Monday what to do and what not to do though.”
Continuing the theme of the nitro categories, Tanner Gray held on to the top spot in Pro Stock on the heels of his 6.60 on Friday night, and if he can hang on, it would mark his first No. 1 this season, as well. John Gaydosh holds down the provisional bump spot at 6.718.
“Today I think is more for what we will use on Monday,” Gray said “I think tomorrow we will try some stuff. I’ll move my linkage around and see if I can get better on the tree for when I go up against someone in a ‘must win’ situation. All in all, I’m pretty happy with the car and I feel pretty good about it.”
Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Eddie Krawiec held on to the pole with his 6.82 recorded on Friday night. Teammate Chip Ellis made the best run of the day Saturday at a 6.831 to jump up to the two spot.
“Tomorrow mornings run could be pretty good,” Krawiec said. “Everyone stepped up that second session and it wasn’t just because the air got better. We’ve been picking away at the tune up on my bike because we need to understand what it likes and where its window is heading into Monday.”
[nextpage title=”Friday”]
The U.S. Nationals has, throughout its 64-year history, been known for delivering the unexpected, and while independent racer Mike Salinas charging to a provisional No. 1 Top Fuel is by no means a surprise, it does add to the Indy lore. Salinas, racing under the lights against superteams with plenty of firepower in home-run-derby sessions such as this one, outlasted every one of them with his 3.756, 321.04 mph blast in the first of five qualifying sessions to be contested this weekend. Only Antron Brown, Scott Palmer, and Leah Pritchett joined him in the 3.70s. With weather conditions expected to be much warmer during the remaining qualifiers, Salinas could very well hold onto the top spot for raceday.
“This is my first U.S. Nationals and I’m like a little kid in a candy store,” Salinas said. “When I was a kid we only dreamt of this stuff so I’m just lucky enough to come out here and do this. We have a plan and its actually coming together which is scary.”
Reigning U.S. Nationals Funny Car champion and Indiana native J.R. Todd got his defense off to a good start, posting the quickest run of the opening session of Funny Car this evening at 3.910. Bob Tasca III trailed in second at 3.928, and Matt Hagan sits third at 3.943.
“Listening to (crew chiefs) Todd (Smith) and John Oberhofer before that run back in the pits they weren’t planning on running that good,” Todd stated. “That run is a testament to those guys, the yella fellas, they’re a great group of guys. Three-second runs had been hard for us to come by till Brainerd where we were able to get it tuned up in the semi-finals for one.”
Tanner Gray paced the Pro Stock field with a stellar 6.603, 208.68 mph lap, nearly two-hundredths quicker than second-place Greg Anderson at 6.621. Nineteen cars took a time in the opening session, with the bump spot already at 6.735.
“As a driver, you try to take this race like any other race,” Gray said. “I think when you put more pressure on yourself you’re more prone to mistakes. Winning this event would be really cool for me since my dad (Shane Gray) won this event back in 2014.”
Eddie Krawiec, debuting a Mello Yello-themed Harley-Davidson this evening in front of a packed house, motored to the top spot in Pro Stock Motorcycle with a 6.825-second, 197.02 mph lap. Newly-named team rider Chip Ellis and teammate Andrew Hines sandwiched in Matt Smith in the top four, with runs of 6.850, 6.856, and 6.866, respectively.
“I think that was an awesome run for it just getting off the trailer,” Krawiec stated. “I made a nice clean pass. It didn’t rattle, shake and it was overall just a very clean run and I’m happy with it.”
Defending event winner Sidnei Frigo paced the 280car Pro Mod field on Friday night with a 5.823-second blast from his twin-turbocharged Camaro. Just four cars in the qualified field are outside the five-secone zone in what should be a near-record field once all is said and done Sunday evening.
You might also like
Force, Hagan, Glenn, And Herrera Win In Las Vegas
The Dodge NHRA Nevada Nationals kept things interesting for the NHRA points chase. Here's who brought home the wins in Las Vegas.
