message to the media - NHRA.com

NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES 

2013 NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES SEASON SCHEDULE 

44th annual AMALIE OIL NHRA GATORNATIONALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 14-17 

Gainesville, Fla. 

Fourth annual DOLLAR GENERAL NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS . . . . . . . . . .April 19-21 

fueled by Full Throttle 

Charlotte, N.C. (note: will not race four-wide) 

26th annual O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA SPRING NATIONALS . . . . . . . . . April 26-28 

Presented by Super Start Batteries 

Houston 

43rd annual TOYOTA NHRA SUMMERNATIONALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 30-June 2 

Englishtown, N.J. 

13th annual FORD NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS . . . . . . . . . . . . June 14-16 

Presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers 

Bristol, Tenn. 

Seventh annual SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA NATIONALS . . . . . . . . . . . July 4-7 

Norwalk, Ohio 

59th annual NHRA U.S. NATIONALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Aug. 28 – Sept. 2 

Indianapolis 

Sixth annual NHRA NATIONALS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sept. 13-15 

Charlotte, N.C. 

Second annual AAA INSURANCE NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS . . . . . . . . . . Sept. 27-29 

St. Louis 

13th annual NHRA NATIONALS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oct. 24-27 

Las Vegas 

2

MESSAGE TO THE MEDIA 

On behalf of NHRA and the Pro Mod Drag Racing Series we want to welcome you to the 2013 

NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series. 

For the fourth straight season NHRA presents the world’s quickest and fastest doorslammer cars 

in official NHRA world championship competition. The 2012 season saw the championship come 

down to the final round of the season with Troy Coughlin winning his first Pro Mod championship in 

dramatic fashion. 

The 2013 NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series consists of 10 races, all of which will be conducted 

in conjunction with NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events. 

Your continued interest and participation in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series is appreciated. 

If there is anything we can do to make your job easier, please do not hesitate to call us. 

The NHRA Communications team takes great pride in putting together this reference book and 

we hope that the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series media guide will be a valuable resource in 

your coverage. 

We look forward to developing strong working relationships with you during the 10-race NHRA Pro 

Mod Drag Racing Series. Our goal is to answer your questions and ensure that your coverage is as 

comprehensive as possible. 

Best Regards, 

Jerry Archambeault 

Vice President, Public Relations and Communications 

2035 Financial Way 

Glendora, CA 91741 

(626) 250-2279 

jarchambeault@nhra.com 

© 2013 NHRA. The 2013 NHRA Pro Mod Series Media Guide was written and edited by the NHRA Communications Department. Photography: 

NHRA Photographic Services. Page Design: NHRA Corporate Art Dept. The information in this publication is provided as a courtesy for the media 

and may only be used for editorial purposes. Any commercial use of the information, photographic images and artwork contained in this publication 

is prohibited without the prior written consent of NHRA. 

3


TABLE OF CONTENTS 

NHRA Staff. .............................................................5 

Media Services. ..........................................................7 

NHRA: World’s Largest Auto Racing Organization Making Noise in 2013 .................9 

NHRA Executive Biographies ................................................11 

Driver Biographies .......................................................21 

Event Tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 

Pro Mod Basics .........................................................46 

Drag Racing Made Simple. .................................................47 

Pro Mod Class Description .................................................47 

Pro Mod Points System. ...................................................48 

Disqualifications. ........................................................49 

Glossary. ..............................................................50 

NHRA Christmas Tree Starting Line System. .....................................54 

Timing & Scoring ........................................................55 

Elimination Bracket. ......................................................56 

Pro Mod Career Leaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 

Pro Mod Winners ........................................................59 

National Performance Records ..............................................61 

Pro Mod Series Results. ...................................................62 

Pro Mod Series Top 10 Points Standings History .................................64 

NHRA Photo Policy .......................................................66 

4

NHRA STAFF 

THE NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION 

2035 Financial Way Glendora, CA 91741-4602 

(626) 914-4761; fax, (626) 914-1491 (Communications) 

OFFICE HOURS .................................8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday 

8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Friday 

Founder ................................................Wally Parks (1913-2007) 

Chairman of the Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dallas Gardner 

Board of Directors. ..........................Dallas Gardner, Tom Compton, Peter Clifford, 

Graham Light, Ken Clapp, Michael C. Cohen 

President ........................................................Tom Compton 

Executive V.P. and General Manager ......................................Peter Clifford 

Sr. V.P., Racing Operations ............................................Graham Light 

Sr. V.P., Sales & Marketing ..............................................Gary Darcy 

V.P., National Event Marketing Services ................................. Glen Cromwell 

V.P., Technical Operations ...............................................Glen Gray 

V. P., Racing Administration ...........................................Josh Peterson 

V.P., Public Relations and Communications ...........................Jerry Archambeault 

V.P., Publications. .................................................Adriane Ridder 

V.P. and General Counsel. ..............................................Linda Louie 

Director of Media Relations. ......................................... Anthony Vestal 

Sr. Communications Manager .......................................... Scott Smith 

Media Relations Managers ........................Michelle McCullough, Monique Valadez 

Communications Assistant .........................................Jamie Stephens 

Director of Broadcasting & Video Communications. ............................ Jim Trace 

Sr. Director of Sales & New Business Development .........................John Siragusa 

Sr. Director, Marketing & Client Services ..................................Gary Raasch 

Sr. Manager, Corporate Marketing .......................................Mario Hirose 

Account Service Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jill McKenna 

Social Media Manager ................................................ Alex Baca 

Director of Advertising and Promotions .................................Kristen Wentzell 

Advertising & Promotions Manager ........................................Kenny Lee 

Marketing Graphic Design Supervisor ....................................Steve Ricker 

Marketing Senior Graphic and Web Designer ..............................Tommy Walker 

Marketing Graphic and Web Designer ...................................Neil Cannone 

Sr. Marketing Services Manager. .......................................Rick Quezada 

Marketing Services Manager ..........................................Dana Mariotti 

Marketing Services & Entertainment Manager ...............................Evan Jonat 

Marketing & Educational Services Manager .................................Brett Lyons 

Director of Field Marketing and Contingency Program. ...........................Eric Lotz 

Manager of Contingency Sponsor Services. ..............................Charlie Neilson 

5


Director of Engineering ..............................................Timothy White 

National Technical Director ...........................................Danny Gracia 

Technical Services Representatives ......................Patrick Cvengros, Bruce Bachelder 

Controller ........................................................ Curt Winiecki 

Director of Financial Planning & Analysis ................................Gina Van Vleck 

Director of Human Resources .......................................Marleen Gurrola 

Director of Information Technology. .....................................Jared Robison 

Director of Emergency Services ...........................................Bob Lang 

Director of Ticketing ................................................Brian Thomas 

Chief Starter. ........................................................Mark Lyle 

NHRA DIVISION DIRECTORS 

Northeast (1) ........................................................Bob Lang 

Southeast (2). ....................................................Rich Schaefer 

North Central (3) ...................................................Jay Hullinger 

South Central (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (936) 539-4474 

West Central (5) ...................................................... Rob Park 

Northwest (6) ................................................... Frank Nelson Jr. 

Pacific (7) ..........................................................Mike Rice 

NATIONAL DRAGSTER STAFF 

Editorial Director/Editor ..............................................Phil Burgess 

Managing Editor .....................................................Juan Torres 

Managing Editor - Special Projects .................................... Lorraine Vestal 

Sr. Editor .......................................................Kevin McKenna 

Associate Editors .........................John Jodauga, Candida Benson, Brad Littlefield 

Sr. Copy Editor .................................................. Melissa Pasillas 

Copy Editor. ..................................................Miesha Payne-Reid 

Photo Editor ....................................................... Teresa Long 

Assistant Photo Editor. .................................................Jerry Foss 

Sr. Staff Photographer. ..............................................Marc Gewertz 

Director of Advertising Sales ............................................Jeff Morton 

Production Manager ...................................................Matt Hurd 

Art Director. .........................................................Rey Oruga 

6

MEDIA SERVICES 

NHRA MEDIA SERVICES 

MEDIA CREDENTIALS 

All requests for NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series must be sent to NHRA Communications 

Department, 2035 Financial Way, Glendora, Calif., 91741. 

Requests from media members must be event-specific, typed on company letterhead, include 

an outline of proposed coverage, and must be signed by the editor/director. Requests must be 

received at least two weeks before the start of the event for domestic media and one month 

for international media. All first-time applicants must submit examples of prior coverage for 

consideration. Requests from freelance media or photo agencies will not be considered. 

If granted media credentials to cover an NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, future consideration 

for credentials will be based on proof of coverage of that event (tear sheets, audiotape, 

videotape, etc.). NHRA welcomes and appreciates coverage from members of the media. However, 

application for credentials does not guarantee approval. Members of the media are responsible 

for confirming credential approval before the event. 

TRACK MEDIA SERVICES 

The NHRA media relations staff will provide extensive on-site assistance to working media. 

Members of the media will find work areas at all tracks on the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series. 

Some tracks have more media work area than others. Those members of the media who are 

filing on deadline will have space priority at all tracks. At all events, members of the media may 

obtain entry lists, which contain competitors’ names, car numbers, race team sponsor affiliations 

and hometowns. NHRA media relations team members provide an event-specific press kit and 

updated statistical supplements. In addition, qualifying and eliminations summary reports and 

pit notes will be made available throughout the event. Following qualifying and eliminations, 

top drivers and newsmakers of the day will be available in a designated interview area. Inquire 

at the media center for details. While on assignment at an NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series 

event, members of the media are expected to act in a professional manner and should not seek 

autographs at any time. All special arrangements such as phone lines and computer needs should 

be directed to the respective tracks. 

PHOTO SERVICES 

Only accredited photographers on assignment for recognized news media will be permitted to 

photograph NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series events. All photography is restricted to news use 

only. Commercial photography is prohibited except with express written permission by NHRA. 

Freelance photographers without specific assignments will not be permitted. 

In order to facilitate trackside access, photographers should confirm NHRA photo policies a 

minimum of two weeks in advance of each event. 

Due to safety regulations, the following additional guidelines have been established for media 

granted access to the trackside photo area. 

• Shirts (fully-covered shoulders) must be worn. 

• Open-toed shoes are not permitted. 

• Photographers are not permitted over the track wall at any time during the event. 

All photographers who have been granted media/photo access to an NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing 

Series event must read and sign the NHRA photo policy, wear an assigned photo vest, and follow 

all instructions of NHRA personnel directing the race. 

7


NHRA ONLINE & NHRA MEDIA CENTER ONLINE 

NHRA information is available online at www.NHRA.com, the official Internet site of the NHRA. 

A direct link to the NHRA Media Center Web site is available at http://media.nhra.com 

One of the first auto racing sites on the Internet, NHRA.com offers information about the NHRA Pro 

Mod Drag Racing Series, including qualifying and eliminations results, news, event previews, point 

standings, statistics and driver biographies. 

Media are encouraged to utilize http://media.nhra.com to get the latest NHRA Pro Mod Drag 

Racing Series and NHRA corporate press releases. In addition, audio files from post-race 

interviews are available, as well as satellite coordinates for video news release feeds, media 

relations department and team PR contact information is available at the media-only site. Photos 

contained in the media-only site may be used in an editorial capacity only by deadline media, 

provided credit is given to NHRA. Please contact the NHRA Communications Dept. to request the 

User ID and Password for NHRA Media Center Online. 

BROADCAST, VIDEO, CABLE, OTHER 

All broadcast, cable, video and rights in all other mediums to NHRA events are the property of 

NHRA, the network or cable broadcaster. Any broadcast or rebroadcast or reproduction without 

express written permission from the NHRA or ESPN is strictly prohibited. Rights requested 

by sponsors, advertisers, or others for commercial use will be subject to license and may 

include a fee. No footage will be delivered without a signed license agreement. Contact NHRA 

Communications at (626) 914-4761 for more information. 

NHRA E-MAIL & FAX DISTRIBUTION LISTS 

The NHRA Communications department distributes press releases, media advisories, event 

summaries and other time-sensitive information via e-mail and fax. Contact the NHRA 

Communications Department at (626) 914-4761 to be added to these distribution lists. 

8

NHRA 

NHRA: WORLD’S LARGEST AUTO RACING 

ORGANIZATION MAKING NOISE IN 2013 

Nestled in the quiet community of Glendora, Calif., just minutes east of the hustle and bustle of 

downtown Los Angeles, is the world’s largest and loudest auto racing organization, the National 

Hot Rod Association (NHRA). Since it was founded by Wally Parks in 1951, NHRA has been 

dedicated to safety while providing millions of racing fans with the fastest and most spectacular 

form of entertainment on wheels. 

With 80,000 members and more than 40,000 licensed competitors, NHRA is a thriving leader 

in the world of motorsports. Parks, who died in 2007 at the age of 94, initially started NHRA as 

a means of getting hot rodders off the streets and on to legal drag strips. Since those early days, 

NHRA has evolved into the largest promoter of professional drag racing in the world. Today, with 

more than 200 dedicated employees, NHRA offers drag racing opportunities for hot rod enthusiasts 

of all levels, from youth ages 8 to 17 in the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League all the 

way up to the top of the professional ranks with the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. 

While the grassroots racing organization has come a long way in its more than 60 years of 

operation, some things will never change. It’s easy to see why fans are so committed to NHRA drag 

racing, because they continue to have the best access to the behind-the-scenes action of racing. 

NHRA’s open-pits policy allows fans to get an up-close-and-personal view of the way that teams 

rebuild engines in quick fashion. Drivers are often found in their pit areas, signing autographs and 

chatting with fans, who can get behind the wheel themselves in a variety of racing simulators in 

the Nitro Alley Fan Zone. Those are just a few reasons why NHRA fans continue to be some of the 

most loyal in any sport. 

There are 130 member tracks across North America that host NHRA competitions each week 

in NHRA’s seven geographic regions. In addition to the marquee Mello Yello Series, which 

crisscrosses the U.S., making 24 stops in 21 cities in 10 months, NHRA offers popular weekly 

grassroots programs at many of its member tracks. One of the most popular is the NHRA Drags: 

Street Legal Style presented by AAA, which offers anyone with a car, driver’s license, helmet, and 

auto insurance the opportunity to compete in grudge-match style drag racing. Serious weekend 

warriors can compete each weekend at their local track in the NHRA Summit Racing Series, which 

crowns national champions each season. The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series provides a 

developmental series for those who are interested in a career as a touring pro. And the NHRA Pro 

Mod Drag Racing Series features some of the nation’s wildest doorslammer race cars covering the 

drag strip at speeds approaching 250 mph. 

NHRA’s key business partners include The Coca-Cola Company, whose Mello Yello brand sponsors 

the top touring series and Lucas Oil Products, which sponsors the important developmental series. 

All of NHRA’s major series receive television coverage from NHRA’s exclusive multimedia partner, 

ESPN Inc. Other official sponsors of the sport include Coca-Cola, Ford, FRAM and Harley-Davidson, 

to name a few. 

In a 2010 ESPN Sports Poll, NHRA was ranked No. 1 overall in growth among avid sports fans in 

31 major sports leagues, and the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series had a 12-month high in 

“fan avidity” while interest in the Mello Yello Series was up 51 percent among “avid” sports fans. 

While Top Fuel dragsters routinely cover the race distance at more than 320 mph, NHRA is moving 

just as fast in popularity with auto racing fans. Second only to NASCAR in terms of attendance, 

fan appeal, television ratings and sponsorship commitment among the major motorsports 

organizations, NHRA is moving quickly into mainstream America. 

NHRA is all about diversity. With more than 20 categories of competition, including Top Fuel, 

Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle at the professional level, and a multicultural 

array of high-octane personalities it calls world champions, NHRA thrives on unique competitors 

accomplishing unique achievements. 

9


In 2012, Antron Brown won the Top Fuel world championship and in the process became the first 

African-American to win a major auto racing title in the United States. In 2008, NHRA was named 

the Diversity in Motorsports Award winner at the 12th annual Urban Wheel Awards, held during 

the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. NHRA claimed the award based on the 

success of Hispanic driver Tony Pedregon, who won his second Funny Car world championship 

title in 2007. In 2008, Tony’s brother Cruz won his second Funny Car crown. Also in 2007, Peggy 

Llewellyn became the first black female to win an NHRA event. She ultimately finished a careerhigh 

fourth in the Pro Stock Motorcycle category points standings. In 2006, J.R. Todd, an African- 

American and former NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League competitor, recorded his first 

three professional wins in the Mello Yello Series circuit to earn the Automobile Club of Southern 

California Road to the Future Award as the season’s top rookie. 

Information about the NHRA is available in various forms, including the award winning National 

DRAGSTER magazine and highly acclaimed NHRA.com. National DRAGSTER covers every race 

from the first sportsman run to the final Mello Yello Series blast in the winner’s circle. NHRA.com 

has won several awards for its innovative, interactive coverage of all forms of NHRA drag racing 

and provides daily results, feature stories and breaking news at the click of a mouse. The brand 

new Nationaldragster.net is a companion website available exclusively to members who subscribe 

to National DRAGSTER print version and provides live event news, regular columns, cool features 

and more. 

For the 13th season, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will provide television coverage of the NHRA Mello 

Yello Drag Racing Series and the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, with same-day tape or 

live coverage in most instances. Thousands of media outlets across the country, including the 

Associated Press and USA Today, provide regular coverage of NHRA racing. 

Keeping with Parks’ original philosophy, President Tom Compton guides the sport and assures that 

safety and technological improvements will remain a top priority in 2013. Progressive changes will 

help the NHRA continue to fulfill its leadership role in the motorsports world well into the future. 

The NHRA will protect and further the best interests of the sport, constantly lobbying for beneficial 

safety and insurance legislation for auto enthusiasts. Participation on and off the track has made 

the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series one of the most popular forms of racing, reaching 

thousands of fans, members and sponsors at 300 mph. 

10

BIOGRAPHY 

WALLY PARKS 

NHRA Founder, (1913-2007) 

The primary driving force behind the formation of the National Hot Rod 

Association, Wally Parks was the visionary whose early goals created 

what today is the world’s largest motorsports governing body. After 

nurturing NHRA for six decades, Parks died in September 2007 at the 

age of 94. 

Parks, who founded NHRA in 1951, never implied that he did it all 

himself. Reflecting on the tremendous growth and success of NHRA, 

he noted often how fortunate he was that so many dedicated people 

shared his outlook that almost anything is possible if you believe in 

it strongly enough. One of the most dedicated was unquestionably his wife, Barbara Parks, who 

succumbed to cancer in January 2006 after a long battle with the devastating illness. 

Without Parks’ vision and perseverance, much of what has happened today may not have been 

achieved. Born in Oklahoma, then living in Kansas until age 8, Parks’ automotive interests surfaced 

after his family moved to California. There, in his high school years, he became active in building 

stripped-down Model T Fords and Chevy fours for use on the street and in early speed trials 

conducted on dry lakebeds in the Mojave Desert, north of Los Angeles. 

In 1937, Parks took part in the formation of the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) – 

an organization focused on conducting land speed record events – serving as one of its officials 

until World War II began. In 1946, following military service in the South Pacific, Parks was elected 

president of the reorganized SCTA. In 1947, after 10 years of employment as a road test driver 

and process engineer for General Motors, Parks left GM to assume a new role as the SCTA’s 

general manager. It was his concept that produced America’s first Hot Rod Show, presented by the 

SCTA in 1948 at the Los Angeles Exposition Armory. 

In 1948, Parks helped co-publishers Bob Petersen and Bob Lindsay in the introduction of Hot Rod 

magazine, which became one of the world’s largest-circulation auto enthusiast publications, and 

later was named its first editor. In 1949 Parks organized the campaign that led to the opening of 

Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats for hot rod speed trials – a still thriving annual activity. 

In 1951, utilizing Hot Rod Magazine as a conduit to nationwide readership, Parks formed the 

National Hot Rod Association. In 1963, he resigned his position as editorial director for all of 

Petersen’s automotive magazines – Hot Rod, Motor Trend, Car Craft, Sports Car Graphic and Motor 

Life – to assume full-time administrative duties as president of NHRA. 

An early recipient of Car Craft magazine’s prestigious Ollie Award for his many contributions 

to motorsports, Parks was named “Man of the Decade, 1962-1972” by Popular Hot Rodding 

magazine and was recognized as Man of the Year in 1973 by the Specialty Equipment Market 

Association (SEMA). The American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association (AARWBA) 

honored Parks in 1988 and again in 1994 for his pioneering efforts in motorsports. Parks received 

his highest honors in 1992 and 1993. He was drag racing’s first inductee into the International 

Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1992 at Talladega, Ala., and in 1993, he was inducted into the 

Motorsports Hall of Fame at Novi, Mich. 

In 1994, the tributes to Parks’ legacy continued to pile up. A large bronze statue of Parks was 

presented at NHRA’s Gainesville Raceway, which was eventually moved to its current location in front 

of the NHRA Motorsports Museum at the Fairplex in Pomona, Calif. Later in 1994, Parks and wife 

Barbara were co-inductees into the Don Garlits International Drag Racing Hall of Fame at Ocala, 

Fla., for their pioneering efforts that spearheaded NHRA’s success. Parks also was the first recipient 

of the Don Prudhomme Award, a trophy presented by NHRA to an individual who has made a 

profound impact on the growth and positive image of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. 

11


At the 2001 NHRA Awards Ceremony, Parks was presented the prestigious Blaine Johnson Award 

for his dedication, perseverance and nurturing commitment to the sport over the years. 

In 2002, Parks again was recognized for his many contributions to the sport of drag racing. He was 

presented with the inaugural Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award at the fourth annual 

Hot Rod & Performance Trade Show in Indianapolis. Petersen, a renowned automotive publisher 

and creator of multiple automotive magazines, presented Parks with the all-bronze sculpture which 

was created to honor the entrepreneurs who have contributed to the history, growth and well-being 

of the hot rod industry. 

In late 2003, Parks received another honor of distinction when he was named the Dean Batchelor 

Lifetime Achievement Award winner by the Motor Press Guild in Los Angeles. 

During his final days, Parks was active on NHRA’s board of directors and dedicated much of his 

time to his personal involvement with the cultivation and expansion of the Wally Parks NHRA 

Motorsports Museum at Fairplex in Pomona. Although much of the museum’s historical focus is 

on the evolution of NHRA and drag racing, it also features many other forms of motorsports that 

relate closely to the formative years of NHRA, including dry lakes, Bonneville, oval track racing 

and allied performance industries. 

Those are elements that appealed most to Wally Parks, a guy who had been there, done that and 

enjoyed and appreciated it for decades. 

DALLAS GARDNER 

NHRA Chairman of the Board 

Although he was exposed to drag racing briefly as executive vice 

president of Ontario (Calif.) Motor Speedway (OMS), Dallas Gardner’s 

experience in a variety of other professional sports has served him well 

since joining NHRA in 1973. With his extensive corporate and sports 

administration background, he has helped mold NHRA into one of the 

most recognizable and respected organizations in the industry. 

Upon graduation from California Polytechnical College, where he 

earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting and business 

administration, Gardner worked for three years for Arthur Young & Co., a national accounting firm. 

After a year on special assignment as a management consultant for Arthur Young, Gardner left 

the company to begin his long and distinguished career in sports administration. Gardner joined 

California Sports Inc. as controller of the sports operation that included the Los Angeles Lakers 

basketball team, the Los Angeles Kings hockey team, ice shows, concerts and other special events. 

That company later built the Forum in Inglewood, Calif. 

Following a two-year stint as controller, Gardner served as director of ticket operations with 

responsibility for all Forum ticketing. 

In 1969, he joined the OMS management team as controller and director of ticket operations. 

Later, as executive vice president, he was involved with event promotions, advertising, facility 

operations and ticketing. 

Gardner joined NHRA as treasurer in 1973. He began serving as vice president and general 

manager in 1978, and on Jan. 1, 1984, he was promoted to NHRA president. Gardner spent 

15 years as president before accepting his current position as chairman of the board beginning 

Jan. 1, 2000. At the 1999 NHRA Awards Ceremony at the Cerritos Center for Performing Arts, 

Gardner was honored in a video tribute by NHRA’s founder Wally Parks and was then presented the 

prestigious Don Prudhomme Award for his effective tenure as the leader of the sanctioning body 

over the last two decades. Gardner also was presented a special award of recognition for his many 

years of dedicated service from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco’s Sports Marketing Enterprises. 

12

BIOGRAPHY 

Gardner also served as vice president of the Automobile Competition Committee for the United 

States (ACCUS), an arm of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, the world governing 

body for motorsports. He also served as a member of the executive committee of the National 

Motorsports Council and as a director of the American Coalition for Entertainment & Sports 

Sponsorship. Gardner was named in 1996 as one of the 10 most influential people in worldwide 

motorsports by RACER magazine. 

Gardner and his wife, Sandy, reside in Newport Beach, Calif. 

KEN CLAPP 

NHRA Board of Directors 

Ken Clapp became a member of the NHRA Board of Directors in 

December 2010. 

Clapp brings to the NHRA board a distinguished background in 

motorsports that includes a number of executive positions in the 

industry’s highest levels. In the late 1960s and ’70s, Clapp served as 

the vice president of marketing and public relations for Sears Point 

Raceway (now Sonoma Raceway), and in the 1980s and ’90s he 

moved to NASCAR where he served as the sanctioning body’s vice 

president of western operations and, at the time of his retirement in 1999, vice president of 

marketing and development. He continues to serve as a senior consultant for NASCAR. 

Clapp’s full-time tenure at NASCAR may be best remembered for the role he played in brining 

NASCAR’s marquee Sprint Cup Series to the Northern California road course in 1989. 

Clapp’s relationship with drag racing dates back to 1969 when he helped to promote a Funny Car 

event at Sears Point Raceway. 

MICHAEL C. COHEN 

NHRA Board of Directors 

Michael C. Cohen became a member of the NHRA Board of Directors 

in December 2010. 

Cohen is a partner in the international law firm of Morrison & Foerster 

LLP and heads the firm’s LA Office Corporate Finance Practice Group. 

Cohen has been practicing law for more than 39 years and specializes 

in corporate, real estate and other business transactions with a focus 

on mergers and acquisitions. 

His professional experience includes auto racing and other professional 

sports, cable television, print media, branded apparel and professional service companies. He was 

named Best Lawyer in America in the field of Corporate Law in 2009 and 2010. 

13


TOM COMPTON 

NHRA President 

In his 14th year as only the third president since the organization was 

founded in 1951, Tom Compton has led NHRA’s growth that, under his 

direction, has increased considerably since taking over Jan. 1, 2000. 

Compton’s leadership plan for NHRA began on the first day of this 

tenure, from which point he set forth to engineer a dramatic change 

in the way NHRA conducts its business. Under his guidance, NHRA 

has established itself as one of the major motorsports organizations 

in the United States, and he spurred three significant and memorable 

partnerships that have provided NHRA with stability and credibility within the industry. 

He was instrumental in securing a new series sponsor, The Coca-Cola Company, representing only 

the second series sponsor in NHRA’s 60-plus-year history. The Coca-Cola Company, first via its 

POWERade brand, then Full Throttle and new for 2013 the Mello Yello brand have become one 

of the most prolific series sponsors in motorsports. The unique partnership involves not only The 

Coca-Cola Company and its brands, but also its bottler and distributor in the United States and 

Canada, Coca-Cola Refreshments. 

Compton also was the driving force behind the effort to secure a long-term relationship with ESPN, 

which began providing exclusive coverage of NHRA in 2001 and will continue through 2016 on 

the current contract. The agreement features hundreds of hours of coverage on the world’s largest 

sports programming network. 

He also played a key role in procuring Lucas Oil Products as series sponsor of the most prolific 

series in all of motorsports, the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Once a little-known oil 

additive company based in Southern California, Lucas Oil Products has grown in conjunction with 

NHRA to become one of the world’s leading oil products companies. 

Compton, 55, joined NHRA in 1993 as vice president-chief financial officer and brought with him 

a wealth of knowledge in business administration and finance. He was promoted to senior vice 

president in 1996 and a year later promoted to executive vice president and general manager. 

During the three years in that position, Compton was responsible for NHRA’s race operations 

group, publications, NHRA-owned and-operated race tracks, facilities development, national event 

business, human resources, and all administrative and fiscal functions. 

Compton serves on NHRA’s Board of Directors and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the 

Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in Detroit. He also is the NHRA’s appointed director and 

serves as the treasurer for the Automobile Competition Committee of the United States (ACCUS), 

which is the National Sporting Authority (ASN) of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile 

(FIA) for the United States. 

He has received numerous awards and accolades for his work while at NHRA. Compton received 

his bachelor’s degree in economics from University of California, Los Angeles and holds a master’s 

of business administration from the University of Southern California. 

Compton and his wife, Kathy, have two daughters. 

14

BIOGRAPHY 

PETER CLIFFORD 

NHRA Executive Vice President, General Manager 

As executive vice president and general manager, Peter Clifford is 

responsible for all NHRA-owned race track facilities. In addition, 

he oversees Publications, Information Technology, National Event 

Business, Ticketing, Customer Service and Human Resources. A 

member of the NHRA Board of Directors, Clifford serves as NHRA’s 

chief financial officer and is responsible for all fiscal functions 

including management of the Accounting and Finance Departments. 

During his tenure with NHRA, Clifford has been the driving force behind 

the automation of all systems within the company, including those in the Information Technology 

Department, Accounting and Competition. He also has streamlined the business relationship 

between NHRA and its national event facilities. 

Clifford played a major role in the development and execution of NHRA’s strategic plan, as well 

as the organization’s current growth initiatives. Before being promoted to executive vice president 

and general manager, Clifford held the title of senior vice president and chief financial officer. He 

joined NHRA in March 1997. 

Prior to joining NHRA, Clifford worked in finance and business planning with Hewlett-Packard, TNT 

Express Worldwide, and Emcon. 

Clifford received his bachelor’s degree in economics from University of California, Los Angeles and 

holds a master’s of business administration in finance from the University of Southern California. 

Clifford and his wife, Judy, have two children, Lauren and Brian. 

GRAHAM LIGHT 

NHRA Senior Vice President, Racing Operations 

Graham Light, who became a member of the NHRA Board of 

Directors in 2004, oversees competition and operations at all 24 NHRA 

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series races. In addition, he oversees NHRA 

Field Operations/Divisions, NHRA Technical Department supervises the 

NHRA Safety Safari presented by AAA and serves as chairman of the 

NHRA Competition Committee. 

The Edmonton, Alberta, Canada native got his start in drag racing in 

Competition Eliminator, in which he drove a C/Dragster and BB/Gas 

dragster. In 1971, he moved to Top Fuel and was a consistent qualifier and posted a runner-up 

finish at the 1977 NHRA Finals in Ontario, Calif. Driving the Bubble-Up Top Fuel dragster, he 

finished ninth in the 1978 NHRA points standings. 

From 1974 to 1982, Light owned and operated Edmonton International Speedway – a world-class 

multi-use facility consisting of a drag strip, a 2.5-mile road course, a 1.5-mile road course, a 

motocross track and a quarter-mile oval. 

Light joined NHRA in 1984 to handle business development in an area that now comprises 

NHRA Divisions 6 and 7. In 1986, Light took over as Division 7 director and was promoted to the 

position of competition director in 1987. Later that year, he was promoted to vice president for 

technical operations and in 1993 was elevated to his current position. 

He was inducted into the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame in Toronto in 1996. He also serves 

as president of the FIA Drag Racing Commission and is a director for the Automobile Competition 

Committee of the United States (ACCUS), the American branch of the FIA worldwide racing organization. 

Light and his wife, Faye, reside in Alta Loma, Calif. 

15


GARY DARCY 

NHRA Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing 

Gary Darcy joined NHRA in June 1998 as vice president of marketing, 

was promoted to senior vice president, marketing in December 2004, 

and in November 2005 assumed an expanded role as NHRA’s senior 

vice president, sales and marketing. 

In his current position, Darcy oversees all aspects of NHRA sales, 

marketing and licensing. He leads the NHRA sales and marketing 

group focused on marketing, promotion and ticket sales, sponsorship 

procurement, sponsor activation and sponsor relations. 

Darcy is a key member of the executive management and has served as a guest speaker and 

panelist on numerous national motorsports industry symposiums and conferences. 

Prior to joining NHRA, he served in various senior-level positions in sales, marketing and brand 

management with major consumer companies including Allergan Inc., M&M Mars Inc.’s pet-food 

division Kal Kan Inc. and Max Factor. 

Darcy graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a degree in finance and 

anthropology. He has a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Southern 

California with an emphasis in marketing. 

Darcy and his wife, Jennifer, have three sons. 

JERRY ARCHAMBEAULT 

NHRA Vice President, Public Relations and 

Communications 

Jerry Archambeault joined NHRA in December 1999 as vice president 

of public relations and communications. He is responsible for the 

direction and implementation of all public relations and communications 

programs for NHRA and oversees all national media relations and 

video/ broadcast departments. He also plays an important role in the 

partnership with ESPN and its broadcast of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag 

Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. 

Prior to joining NHRA, Archambeault worked as a managing director for the sports marketing group 

of the Los Angeles-based public relations firm Hill & Knowlton. 

Archambeault graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in journalism and public 

relations. 

Archambeault and his wife, Kim, have two sons and a daughter. 

16

BIOGRAPHY 

GLEN CROMWELL 

NHRA Vice President, National Event Marketing 

Glen Cromwell is responsible for a variety of functions at NHRA Mello 

Yello Drag Racing Series races, including developing the on-site 

marketing plan, supervising marketing services managers, managing 

hospitality services, and overseeing the Top Eliminator Club and Youth 

Education Services. 

In 2013, Cromwell joins the Board of Directors of the Wally Parks NHRA 

Motorsports Museum. 

Cromwell has also served as director of national event marketing for 

NHRA and Division 7 (Pacific) director in NHRA’s National Field Office. 

Prior to joining NHRA in 1997, Cromwell served in a variety of capacities with Lombard, Ill.-based 

PACE Motorsports, producer of AMA Supercross and Monster Truck events. 

During six years at PACE, Cromwell worked in motorsports marketing, sales and event operations. His 

duties included event advertising and promotion, publicity, sponsorships, media buying and ticketing. 

As NHRA Division 7 director, Cromwell was responsible for managing all NHRA Lucas Oil Drag 

Racing Series events conducted in the division, as well as performing a variety of other duties in 

the areas of competition, marketing and public relations. 

Cromwell graduated from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich., with a bachelor of science 

degree in business administration. 

Cromwell and his wife, Brenda, have a son and a daughter. 

GLEN GRAY 

NHRA Vice President, Technical Operations 

Glen Gray, who was hired in July of 2008, oversees the NHRA Technical 

Department. 

The Kokomo, Ind. native brought to NHRA an extensive engineering 

background related specifically to motorsports. 

Before arriving at NHRA, Gray spent 25 years at Delphi Corp., 

working in a number of engineering capacities, including serving as 

the motorsports engineering manager leading a team of software, 

mechanical and electrical engineers in the development of complex 

electronics products used in motorsports worldwide. 

In addition, he supported motorsports safety initiatives in several race series through the use of 

electronics and crash sled testing, and he played an instrumental role in the accident recorders 

mandated in all Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock classes. 

Gray graduated from Indiana State University with a bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering 

technology. 

Gray and his wife, Kimberly, have two daughters, Hannah and Addie, and a son, Zachary. 

17


LINDA LOUIE 

NHRA Vice President and General Counsel 

Linda Louie joined NHRA in 1999. Her job expanded to corporate 

counsel in 2000, and she was promoted to general counsel in 2002. 

In 2006, she was promoted to vice president and general counsel. 

In 2013, Louie also will become a member of the Board of Directors 

for the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. 

Louie received her B.A. in English from University of California, Los 

Angeles and her J.D. from the University of Southern California. She 

has been a lawyer for more than 20 years. Before going in-house with 

NHRA, she spent approximately 10 years as a business litigator in 

private law firms, including Arnold & Porter and Hughes Hubbard & Reed. 

Louie is married to Gregory Louie, with whom she has three wonderful children. She has served in 

a variety of volunteer positions. 

JOSH PETERSON 

NHRA Vice President, Racing Administration 

Josh Peterson was promoted in March of 2011 to NHRA’s vice 

president of racing administration, reporting directly to Senior Vice 

President of Racing Operations, Graham Light. 

Peterson joined NHRA as general manager of sport compact racing, 

later assuming the role of director of racing administration in the fall 

of 2007. In that position, he managed the National Field Office and 

Competition office, with his role expanding to include administration 

of the racer points system, event registration system, hard-card system 

and national event competitor credential system. 

He is also actively involved in racer disciplinary actions and servicing NHRA member tracks 

and has been the liaison with the Legal Department on racer/member track compliance and 

incident issues. At national events, Peterson manages VIP credentials and racer registration and is 

responsible for staffing major areas of the events. 

He serves as NHRA’s representative for ACCUS legislations and FIA grants. 

In addition, he is a member of the NHRA Competition Committee and NHRA’s sportsman racing 

programs. NHRA’s seven division directors report directly to Peterson and together they work on 

strategic planning, member track support and other aspects of divisional racing and operations. 

Peterson came to NHRA from the Pontiac-GMC division, where he was a product analyst and 

before that a program manager for GM’s front-wheel-drive drag racing program. 

Peterson received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Milwaukee School of 

Engineering and holds a master’s of business administration from the University of St. Francis. 

18

BIOGRAPHY 

ADRIANE RIDDER 

NHRA Vice President, Publications 

Adriane Ridder oversees the daily operation of all NHRA publications, 

including National DRAGSTER, the official magazine of NHRA. Ridder 

was hired in 1992 as business manager for publications, was named 

director of publications in 1997, and in 2002 was promoted to vice 

president. Before joining NHRA, she was a graphic designer for a 

Los Angeles-based advertising agency and a systems engineer for a 

computer consulting firm. 

Ridder holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a master’s of 

business administration with an emphasis in finance from California State University, San Bernardino. 

She has a daughter and twin sons. 

MARK LYLE 

NHRA Chief Starter 

Mark Lyle, long-time starter in NHRA’s Division 6 and a certified team 

member of the NHRA Safety Safari presented by AAA, takes over as 

NHRA’s official Chief Starter in 2012, one of the most storied positions 

in all of NHRA Drag Racing. There have only been two chief starters in 

the sport’s 60-plus year history, Buster Couch (1955-1996) and Rick 

Stewart (1996-2011). 

Lyle will command the best view in the facility, standing alongside 

every kind of drag racing vehicle, most notably the 7,000-horsepower 

Top Fuel and Funny Car machines featured in NHRA’s marquee Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. 

Lyle has worked in the automotive industry his entire professional career, all the while spending 

countless weeknights and weekends perfecting his craft on the starting line, or working as a safety 

team member in the sport he has loved since his youth. He started as the official starter at Pacific 

Raceways in 2000, and since then has been a certified team member of NHRA’s Division 6. He 

was named the official starter of the division in 2005. Lyle worked alongside recently retired NHRA 

Chief Starter Stewart at many national events during the last several years. 

Most recently, and before taking on the position as official starter, Lyle oversaw the dealership 

parts department at Kenworth Northwest, based in Seatac, Wash. 

19


NHRA COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT 

Jerry Archambeault 

Vice President, 

Public Relations and 

Communications 

(626) 250-2279 

jarchambeault@nhra.com 

Anthony Vestal 

Director of Media Relations 

(626) 250-2425 

avestal@nhra.com 

Scott R. Smith 

Senior Communications 

Manager 

(317) 387-7343 

ssmith@nhra.com 

Monique Valadez 

Media Relations Manager 

(626) 250-2436 

mvaladez@nhra.com 

Michelle McCullough 

Media Relations Manager 

(626) 250-2399 

mmccullough@nhra.com 

Jamie Stephens 

Communications Assistant 

(626) 250-2251 

jstephens@nhra.com 

20

DRIVER 

BIOGRAPHIES


MIKE CASTELLANA 

Residence: Muttontown, N.Y. 

Hometown: Westbury, N.Y. 

Date of birth: March 25, 1964 

2013 car: ’13 Al-Anabi Racing Camaro 

Crew chief: Shannon Jenkins 

Team owner: Sheikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Thani 

2012 wins/final rounds: 1/3 

Career wins/final rounds: 3/8 

Best points finish: 2nd (2012) 

Career-best elapsed time: 5.781 seconds (Englishtown 2011) 

Career-best speed: 246.39 mph (Gainesville 2012) 

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 

2012: Was in the finals in the first two races of 2012 and secured a runner-up finish in Gainesville 

and won the event in Charlotte; finished a career best second in the points; set a career best 

speed of 246.39 in Gainesville 

2011: Raced to wins at Houston and Norwalk; finished seventh in the point standings 

2010: Posted a runner-up finish at Englishtown and finished 16th in point standings 

PERSONAL INFORMATION 

Wife: Connie 

Children: Marianne, Maria, Mikaela, Mikey 

Hobbies: Watching his children play sports 

Other employment: Owner, Western Beef supermarket 

CAREER STATISTICS 

No. Pts. 1st No. 1 Round 

Year Races Fin. Won R/U Semi. Qtr. Rd. Qfy. DNQ W-L 

2012 10 2 1 2 2 4 1 3 0 18-9 

2011 5 7 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 16-3 

2010 7 16 0 1 0 3 1 1 2 6-5 

Total 22 3 5 3 7 2 4 2 40-17 

CAREER FINAL-ROUND RECORD 

2012 

Gainesville runner-up (Rickie Smith) 

Charlotte winner (Leah Pruett) 

Indianapolis runner-up (Brad Brand) 

2011 

Houston winner (Khalid alBalooshi) 

Atlanta runner-up (Ed Hoover) 

Norwalk winner (Danny Rowe) 

Indianapolis runner-up (Eric Dillard) 

2010 

Englishtown runner-up (Von Smith) 

CAREER NO. 1 QUALIFIER RECORD 

2012: Gainesville, Houston, Englishtown 

2010: Bristol 

22

DRIVER BIOGRAPHIES 

TROY COUGHLIN 

Residence: Delaware, Ohio 

Hometown: Delaware, Ohio 

Date of birth: June 30, 1964 

2013 car: JEGS.com Chevy Corvette 

Crew chief: Steve Petty 

Team owner: CBR, LLC 



Best points finish: 1st (2012) 

Career-best elapsed time: 5.827 seconds (Las Vegas 2 2012) 

Career-best speed: 257.97 mph (St. Louis 2012) 


2012: Raced to first NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series world championship in dramatic fashion 

by winning season ending event in Las Vegas; recorded his first career win at St. Louis; Was 

runner-up at Englishtown and Norwalk 

2011: Raced to a semifinal finish in Atlanta; Attended all 10 events 

2010: Only driver in series to qualify for all 10 events; Finished fourth in the point standings 


Wife: Julie 

Children: Troy Jr., Meghan, Paige, Kelly 

Notable: 2009 National Muscle Car Association champion (Pro Street); won the 2005 Pro Mod 

exhibition event in Englishtown; three event wins in NHRA Pro Stock 

Other employment: Vice President, JEGS Mail Order 




2012 10 1 2 2 1 2 3 1 0 18-8 

2011 10 12 0 0 1 2 4* 0 4 4-7 

2010 10 4 0 0 2 1 7 0 0 5-10 

Total 30 2 2 4 5 14 1 4 27-25 

*DNQ Las Vegas 2 2011 but got in as alternate. 


2012 

Englishtown runner-up (Danny Rowe) 

Norwalk runner-up (Don Walsh) 

St. Louis winner (Danny Rowe) 

Las Vegas winner (Don Walsh) 


2012: Norwalk 

23


PETER FARBER 

Residence: Baldwinville, Mass. 

Hometown: Baldwinville, Mass. 

Date of birth: June, 16, 1975 

2013 car: CRC Products Dodge Daytona 

Crew chief: Al Billes 

Team owner: PJ and Sons Towing 



Best points finish: 8th (2012) 

Career-best elapsed time: 5.920 (Englishtown 2012) 

Career-best speed: 246.35 mph (Englishtown 2012) 


2012: Raced to a semifinal round appearance and four quarter final round finishes 


Marital status: Debra 

Hobbies: Drag racing 

Notable: In NHRA Pro Mod exhibition racing claimed victories at St. Louis and Indianapolis in 

2009 

Other employment: PJ and Sons Towing 




2012 10 8 0 0 1 4 5 0 0 6-10 

2011 9 12 0 0 1 2 3 0 2 4-6 

2010 1 33 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0-0 

Total 20 0 0 2 6 8 0 3 10-16 

*Qualified 16 at Bristol 2011 but was a no-show. 

24


MIKE JANIS 

Residence: Lancaster, N.Y. 

Hometown: Lancaster, N.Y. 

Date of birth: April 23, 1956 

2013 car: K100 Fuel Treatment 2013 Camaro 

Crew chief: Mike Janis Jr. 

Team owner: Mike Janis 







2012: Posted semi-final appearance in Bristol 

2011: Raced to a final round appearance in Englishtown; finished sixth in the points standings 

2010: Earned a runner-up finish at Atlanta; Claimed No. 1 qualifying positions at Atlanta and 

Indianapolis 


Wife: Michelle 

Children: Mike Jr., Sean 

Hobbies: Family activities 

Notable: Posted four No. 1 qualifying performances during NHRA Pro Mod exhibition competition; 

Other employment: Owner, Jan-Cen Racing Engines 




2012 7 12 0 0 1 3 2 0 1 5-6 

2011 9 6 0 1 1 2 5* 0 1 7-9 

2010 10 13 0 1 1 1 3 2 4 6-6 

Total 26 0 2 3 6 10 2 6 18-21 

*2011 DNQ at Gainesville but got in as an alternate. 


2011 

Englishtown runner-up (Danny Rowe) 

2010 

Atlanta runner-up (Michael Gullqvist) 


2010: Atlanta, Indianapolis 

25


MIKE KNOWLES 

Residence: Grand Junction, Colo. 

Hometown: Grand Junction, Colo. 

Date of birth: July 7, 1971 

2013 car: ’68 Camaro 

Crew chief: Mike Knowles 

Team owner: Mike Knowles 




Career-best elapsed time: 5.888 seconds (Charlotte 2 2012) 



2012: Raced to runner-up finish at Charlotte 2; Set career best for elapsed time at Charlotte 2; 

2011: Raced to the second round of eliminations in Norwalk; Posted a career-best speed in 

Englishtown 

2010: Attended all 10 events during inaugural season; Qualified a season-high fifth at Gainesville 

and Houston 


Wife: Kim 

Children: Zachary, Bryson 

Hobbies: Houseboating 

Other employment: Owner, Knowles Enterprises and Knowles Transportation 




2012 8 11 0 1 0 3 3 0 1 6-7 

2011 9 19 0 0 0 1 5 0 4 1-6 

2010 10 18 0 0 0 0 6 0 4 0-6 

Total 27 0 1 0 4 14 0 9 7-19 


2012 

Charlotte 2 runner-up (Leah Pruett) 

26


KENNY LANG 

Residence: Grande Pointe, Manitoba, Canada 

Hometown: Grande Pointe, Manitoba, Canada 

Date of birth: Aug. 30, 1968 


Crew chief: Al Billes 

Team owner: Kenny Lang 




Career-best elapsed time: 5.860 seconds (Gainesville 2010) 



2012: Raced to a runner-up finish at Houston; finished in the top ten in points 

2011: Finished fourth in the point standings; posted a semifinal round finish at season-opening 

Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals 

2010: Finished sixth in the point standings; won season-opening Tire Kingdom NHRA 

Gatornationals 


Marital status: Brenda 

Children: Alexis 

Hobbies: Car restoration, hockey 

Other employment: Owner, auto body shop 




2012 10 10 0 1 1 1 4 0 3 6-7 

2011 10 4 0 0 1 2 7 0 0 4-10 

2010 10 6 1 0 1 3 3 0 2 9-7 

Total 30 1 1 3 6 14 0 5 19-24 


2012 

Houston runner-up (Danny Rowe) 

2010 

Gainesville winner (Michael Gullqvist) 

27


DONNIE MARTIN 

Residence: Lake Forest, Calif. 

Hometown: St. Louis 

Date of birth: April 23, 1969 

2013 car: Sterling Bridge ’67 Camaro 

Crew chief: Jimmy Rector 

Team owner: Danny Rowe 




Career-best elapsed time: 5.838 (Charlotte 2, 2011) 

Career-best speed: 248.98 mph (Charlotte 2, 2011) 


2012: Finished a career best seventh in the points; qualified in all ten events 

2011: Posted five second-round appearances in first season of competition 


Marital status: Kimberly 

Children: Cameron , Shelby 

Hobbies: Golf, fitness 

Other employment: Co-owner, Going Green at RG 




2012 10 7 0 0 1 3 6 0 0 5-10 

2011 8 11 0 0 0 5 3 0 0 5-8 

Total 18 0 0 1 8 9 0 0 10-18 

28


STEVE MATUSEK 

Residence: Olathe, Kan. 

Date of birth: Sept. 10, 1961 

2013 car: ’13 Aeromotive Mustang 

Crew chief: Chuck Samuel 

Team owner: Steve Matusek 




Career-best elapsed time: 5.967 (Las Vegas 2, 2012) 



2012: Posted career-best time and speed; Raced to semis at Houston 


Marital status: Lori 

Children: Amanda, Jessica, Kristen 

Hobbies: Collect and restore old cars, crew chief for daughters drag cars, woodworking, working 

out, football, basketball 

Other employment: Aeromotive founder and president 




2012 10 9 0 0 1 2 5 0 2 4-8 

2011 6 27 0 0 0 0 1* 0 6 0-1 

Total 16 0 0 1 2 5 0 8 4-9 

*DNQ Bristol 2011 but got in as alternate. 

29


JAY PAYNE 

Residence: Claremont, Calif. 

Hometown: Claremont, Calif. 


2013 car: 2012 Camaro 

Crew chief: Brad Anderson 

Team owner: Brad Anderson 




Career-best elapsed time: 5.809 seconds (Gainesville 2010) 

Career-best speed: 253.42 mph (Atlanta 2011) 


2012: Raced to semi-final round appearance in Bristol 

2011: Posted semifinal round finishes in Indianapolis and Charlotte; Finished ninth in the point 

standings 

2010: Finished seventh in the point standings; Drove to a runner-up finish in Bristol; Posted 

quickest times of the event at Gainesville, Houston and Bristol 


Wife: Shelly 

Children: Madison, Toby 

Notable: Has more than 30 NHRA national event wins in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol 

Funny Car 

Other employment: Owner, trucking business 




2012 7 13 0 0 1 0 5 0 1 2-6 

2011 10 9 0 0 2 2 3 0 3 6-7 

2010 10 7 0 1 1 2 4 1 2 7-8 

Total 27 0 1 4 4 12 1 6 15-21 


2010 

Bristol runner-up (Von Smith) 


2010: Houston 

30


BRAD PERSONETT 

Residence: Orlando 

Hometown: Elkhart, Ind. 

Date of birth: March 3, 1977 


Crew chief: Brad Personett 

Team owner: Brad Personett 



Best points finish: 3rd (2010) 




2011: Raced to a semi-final round appearance at Las Vegas 2; set a career best for elapsed time 

and speed 

2010: Raced to wins at prestigious Mac Tools U.S. Nationals and NHRA Las Vegas Nationals; 

finished third in the battle for the world championship 


Married: Kristyn 

Notable: Three-time champion in NHRA Sport Compact Series (2005, 2006, 2007) 




2012 did not compete 

2011 9 15 0 0 1 3 2 0 3 5-6 

2010 9 3 2 1 0 1 4 1 1 12-6 

Total 18 2 1 1 4 6 1 4 17-12 


2010 

Norwalk runner-up (Pat Musi) 

Indianapolis winner (Joe Baker) 

Las Vegas 2 winner (Melanie Troxel) 


2010: Charlotte 

31


DANNY ROWE 

Residence: Laguna Hills, Calif. 

Hometown: Laguna Hills, Calif. 


2013 car: Sterling Bridge ’67 Camaro 

Crew chief: Jimmy Rector 

Team owner: Danny Rowe 



Best points finish: 2nd (2010, 2011) 

Career-best elapsed time: 5.823 seconds (Charlotte 2011) 



2012: Won two consecutive events at Houston and Englishtown; was No. 1 qualifier at Charlotte; 

fished fifth in the points 

2011: Raced to the win at Englishtown; finished runner-up in the world championship hunt for the 

second consecutive season 

2010: Finished runner-up to Von Smith for the world championship 


Wife: Val 

Children: Caitie, Chelsea, Cassidy 

Hobbies: Golf, travel 

Notable: 2000 West Coast Pro Mod Association champion; former WCPMA rookie of the year; 

2006 IHRA runner-up 

Other employment: Owner, import and trading company 




2012 9 5 2 1 2 2 2 1 0 17-7 

2011 10 2 1 4 2 1 0 1 2 21-7 

2010 10 2 1 0 1 4 3 1 1 10-8 

Total 29 4 5 5 7 5 3 3 48-22 


2012 

Houston winner (Kenny Lang) 

Englishtown winner (Troy Coughlin) 

2011 

Gainesville runner-up (Khalid alBalooshi) 

Englishtown winner (Mike Janis) 

Bristol runner-up (Melanie Troxel) 

Norwalk runner-up (Mike Castellana) 

Las Vegas 2 runner-up (Leah Pruett) 

2010 

Houston winner (Melanie Troxel) 


2012: Charlotte 

2011: Norwalk 

2010: St. Louis 

32


RICKIE SMITH 

Residence: King, N.C. 

Hometown: King, N.C. 

Date of birth: Dec. 25, 1953 

2013 car: IDG ’13 Camaro 

Crew chief: Rickie Smith 

Team owner: Rickie Smith 







2012: Raced to season opening win in Gainesville for his first NHRA Pro Mod Series victory; also 

raced to win at Bristol; finished a career best fourth in points 

2011: Raced to the final round in Las Vegas and finished fifth in the point standings 

2010: Anchored the quickest Pro Mod field in NHRA history at Englishtown with a 5.980 second 

time; Competed in nine events; Qualified a season-high fourth at Bristol; Advanced to the semis at 

Norwalk 


Wife: Nancy 

Children: Matthew, Amanda, Melissa 

Hobbies: Golf 

Notable: NHRA national event winner in Pro Stock; Earned two victories during NHRA Pro Mod 

exhibition competition, including winning the U.S. Nationals in 2003; Son is 2009 NHRA Mello 

Yello Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Matt Smith 




2012 10 4 2 0 1 4 3 1 0 14-8 

2011 9 5 0 1 2 2 2 0 1 9-7 

2010 9 15 0 0 1 1 5 0 2 3-7 

Total 28 2 1 4 7 10 1 3 26-22 


2012 

Gainesville winner (Mike Castellana) 

Bristol winner (Donald Walsh) 

2011 

Las Vegas runner-up (Khalid alBalooshi) 


2012: Bristol 

33


VON SMITH 

Residence: Oak Ridge, Tenn. 

Hometown: Oak Ridge, Tenn. 

Date of birth: May 10, 1963 


Crew chief: Howard Moon 

Team owner: Al-Anabi Super Charger 



Best points finish: 1st (2010) 

Career-best elapsed time: 5.879 seconds (Houston 2010) 



2010: Won inaugural NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series world 

championship; Earned victories at St. Louis, Englishtown and Bristol 


Marital status: Single 

Hobbies: Boating, motocross racing 

Notable: Won the 2002 NHRA Div. 2 championship in Top Alcohol Funny Car; Earned five NHRA 

national event victories in Top Alcohol Funny Car competition; In motocross competition, won the 

2006 AMA Vintage 250cc championship 

Other employment: Owner, powder coating business 




2012 did not compete 

2011 2 26 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0-2 

2010 10 1 3 0 2 2 2 0 1 18-6 

Total 12 3 0 2 2 4 0 1 18-8 


2010 

St. Louis winner (Dennis Radford) 

Englishtown winner (Mike Castellana) 

Bristol winner (Jay Payne) 

34


DOUG WINTERS 

Residence: Kernersville, N. C. 

Hometown: Kernersville, N. C. 


2013 car: ’57 Chevrolet 

Crew chief: Allen Winters 

Team owner: Winters Racing 




Career-best elapsed time: 6.434 seconds (Charlotte 2 2012) 

Career-best speed: 217.25 mph (Bristol 2012) 


2012: Raced to a career best time and speed 


Married: Erin 

Children: Clay 

Other employment: Electrical engineer 




2012 2 28 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0-2 

Total 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0-2 

35


TRACKS

EVENT TRACKS 

BRISTOL DRAGWAY 

NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series: Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals 

presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers 

Track physical address: 151 Speedway Blvd., Bristol, TN 37620 

Track shipping address: P.O. Box 3966, Bristol, TN 37620 

Main phone number: (423) 989-6933 

Ticket office number: (423) 989-6900 

PR department phone number: (423) 989-6991 

PR fax: (423) 764-0002 

Web site: bristoldragway.com 

Track contacts: 

Lori Worley, director of public and media relations, lori@bristolmotorspeedway.com 

Kevin Triplett, V.P. public affairs, ktriplett@bristolmotorspeedway.com 

Track opened: 1965 

Track surface: concrete/asphalt 

Concrete launchpad: 700 feet 

Track direction: southwest to northeast 

Elevation: 1,475 feet above sea level 

Radio frequency: 100.3 FM 

DIRECTIONS 

The most direct route to Thunder Valley from Interstate 81 north is on Hwy. 11E. Virginia Exit 3 and 

Hwy. 11E will take you directly to Thunder Valley. From Interstate 81 south, take Tennessee Exit 69 

and turn south on Hwy. 394. Hwy. 394 will take you to the Bristol Dragway entrance. Turn on Hwy. 

11E north to access the north entrance and south entrance to Bristol Motor Speedway. 

TRACK HISTORY 

Bristol Dragway opened in 1965 under NHRA sanction. NHRA left Bristol in 1967. In 1996, Bruton 

Smith bought Bristol Dragway and closed the facility after the 1997 season to begin work on the 

current $18 million facility. The facility reopened for the 1999 season and hosted the inaugural 

NHRA All-Star event that year and again in 2000. In 2001, Bristol Dragway hosted the Thunder 

Valley Nationals, the first NHRA national event held at Bristol Dragway since 1967. 

After hosting its annual NHRA event during the early spring months of April and May for several 

years, the 2010 edition of the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals moved to Father’s Day weekend. The 

new date proved very popular with race fans and prompted NHRA officials to keep the race on the 

same mid-June date. While many dragstrips have come and gone, Bristol Dragway has stood the 

test of time. With its unique surroundings and colorful history, it is one of the ultimate destinations 

in the world of drag racing. 

TRACK RECORDS 

5.888 seconds by Rickie Smith, June ’12 

252.80 mph by Brad Personett, June ’11 

37


AUTO-PLUS RACEWAY AT GAINESVILLE 

NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series: Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals 

Track physical address: 11211 N CR 225, Gainesville, FL 32609 

Track shipping address: 11211 N CR 225, Gainesville, FL 32609 


Ticket office number: (800) 884-NHRA 


PR fax: (352) 371-4212 

Web site: gainesvilleraceway.com 


Rick Shafer, track manager, rschafer@nhra.com 

Nate Cross, sales & marketing manager, ncross@nhra.com 




Track direction: west to east 

Elevation: 167-feet above sea level 


DIRECTIONS 

The track is located on County Road 225, eight miles north of Gainesville Regional airport. If traveling 

south on Interstate 75, use exit 399 and turn left on U.S. Highway 441. In 12 miles, turn left on CR 

121, and in three miles, take right fork onto CR 231. In three mile, turn right onto 156th Avenue (CR 

340). After 3.8 miles, turn right at stop onto CR 225 and continue 2.7 miles to the track. 

If traveling north on Interstate 75, use exit 382, Williston Road (CR 331). Turn left (east) onto 

Waldo Road (State Route 24) and go north. Turn left on NE 53rd Avenue, then immediately right 

onto CR 225 and continue 3.5 miles to the racetrack. 

Alternate route from I-75 north: Use exit 390, 39th Avenue (CR 222). Head east, then left on 

Waldo Road (SR 24), heading north. Turn left on NE 53rd Avenue, then immediately right on CR 

225 and continue 3.5 miles to the track. 

TRACK HISTORY 

Gainesville Raceway opened in 1969 and held its first Gatornationals event in 1970. Long 

considered one of the fastest tracks on the NHRA circuit, it was from this legendary launch point 

that drivers clocked the first 260-, 270- and 300-mph Top Fuel runs. It also was from this starting 

line, during the 2000 Mac Tools NHRA Gatornationals, that eight of 10 national records were set 

in the professional classes. Following the 2003 season, Gainesville Raceway underwent some 

significant renovations. The concrete launchpad at the starting line of the ultra-quick drag strip 

was extended to the 675-foot mark and the remainder of the racing surface, the shutdown area, 

and the professional pit area, were repaved. A new television compound was constructed for the 

ESPN crew on the north side of the drag strip, which frees up space in the pit area. The restroom 

facilities were upgraded in the timing tower, and new carpet and windows were installed in several 

of the corporate suites. The storm drainage system in the parking lots was upgraded and several of 

the access roads to the sportsman pit areas were improved. 

In 2007, the old tower was demolished and a new, state-of-the-art control tower was built in its 

place. The new VIP tower holds race-control operations, track offices, and a spacious media center. 

TRACK RECORDS 

5.809 seconds by Jay Payne, March ’10 

256.26 mph by Troy Coughlin, ‘12 

38

GATEWAY MOTORSPORTS PARK 

NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series: AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals 

Track physical address: 700 Raceway Blvd., Madison, IL 62060 

Track shipping address: P.O. Box 200, Madison, IL 62060-0200 


Ticket office number: (855) RACE TIK 


PR fax: (618) 215-8890 

Web site: gatewaymotorsportspark.com 


Allison Dziadus, marketing, allison.dziadus@gatewaymotorsportspark.com 




Track direction: south to north 

Elevation: 455 feet above sea level 


EVENT TRACKS 

DIRECTIONS 

Gateway Int’l Raceway is located five minutes from downtown St. Louis at the intersection of 

Interstates 55/70 and Ill. Route 203 (Exit 4). 

TRACK HISTORY 

On this site in 1967, Wayne Meinert opened the original St. Louis Int’l Raceway, an eighth-mile strip. 

Chris Pook and the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach bought the facility in 1995 and began a 

renovation of the facility that continued through 2010. After a one year absence, NHRA Full Throttle 

Drag Racing will return to Gateway Motorsports Park for the 2012 season. 

TRACK RECORDS 

5.816 seconds by Don Walsh, Sept. ’12 

257.97 mph by Troy Coughlin, Sept. ’12 

39


THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS 

MOTOR SPEEDWAY 

NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series: NHRA Las Vegas Nationals 

Track physical address: 7000 Las Vegas Blvd. North, Las Vegas, NV 89115 

Shipping address: 7000 Las Vegas Blvd. North, Las Vegas, NV 89115 




PR fax: (702) 644-7774 

Web site: lvms.com\strip\ 


Jeff Motley, vice president of media relations, (702) 632-8266, jmotley@lvms.com 

John Bisci, public relations manager, (702) 632-8231, jbisci@lvms.com 





Elevation: 2,100 feet above sea level 


DIRECTIONS 

From Las Vegas: I-15 north to Speedway Boulevard exit. 

TRACK HISTORY 

Located on 1,600 acres, Las Vegas Motor Speedway opened in 1996. The multi-facility 

motorsports complex includes a 1.5-mile superspeedway, half-mile dirt oval, 3/8-mile paved 

oval, quarter-mile drag strip, road courses and various go-kart and motocross tracks. Speedway 

Motorsports, Inc., purchased the facility in 1998. 

The state-of-the-art drag strip was completed in the spring of 2000, featuring the first-of-its-kind 

corporate suites located on the back of the spectator grandstands. A foot tunnel underneath the 

drag strip allows spectators easy access between the west and east grandstands. 

TRACK RECORDS 

5.824 seconds by Don Walsh, Oct. ’12 

256.70 mph by Personett, Oct. ’11 

40

EVENT TRACKS 

OLD BRIDGE TOWNSHIP 

RACEWAY PARK 

NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing: Toyota NHRA Summernationals 

Track physical address: 230 Pension Road, Englishtown, NJ 07726 

Track shipping address: 230 Pension Road, Englishtown, NJ 07726 




PR fax: (732) 446-1373 

Web site: RacewayPark.com 


Michael Napp, president, mdnapprp@aol.com 

Alex Napp, vice president, alexnapprp@aol.com 

Kim Beyer, marketing and hospitality director, kbeyerrp@aol.com 

David Napp, public relations director, dnapprp@aol.com 




Track direction: northeast to southwest 



DIRECTIONS 

From the north: New Jersey Turnpike south to Exit 9, follow the signs to Route 18 south. Go six 

miles to the Englishtown exit. Take Route 527 south five miles. Make a left onto Pension Road 

(Raceway Park billboard on left). Go 1/4-mile, track entrance on the left. 

From the south: New Jersey Turnpike north to Exit 8 to Route 33 east. Go eight miles to the 

Englishtown Exit. Take Route 527 north. Go through Englishtown. Make a right onto Gordons Corner 

Road. Go 1/4-mile, make a left onto Pension Road. Go two miles, track entrance is on the right. 

TRACK HISTORY 

Old Bridge Township Raceway Park opened in July 1965 and has since become the Northeast’s premier drag 

racing facility. Conceived by Vincent Napp Sr., his brother Louis, along with Vincent’s sons Richard and Vincent, 

Jr., the former 308-acre farm was converted into a drag strip in just over a year’s time. A great success from 

the start, “Englishtown,” as race fans worldwide know it, was selected to be an official stop on NHRA’s national 

event tour in 1968, when it held the NHRA Springnationals. The NHRA national event tour returned to Raceway 

Park in 1971 with the NHRA Summernationals. Now known as the K&N Filters SuperNationals, the event 

returned to the month of June in 2004. 

The famed Englishtown strip is not only one of NHRA’s most historic quarter-miles, but also one of the busiest. 

Raceway Park hosts a variety of events including car shows, swap meets, family-oriented thrill shows, as 

well as the area’s largest import, domestic, motorcycle, and nostalgia racing events. Constant reinvestment, 

renovations and expansion of the property have kept Raceway Park in the forefront of drag racing and the 

entire motorsports community. In 1975, a one-mile motocross track was added to the grounds. In 1996, an 

eighth-mile drag strip was built to host the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League, a program created at Raceway Park. 

In 2000, Raceway Park added a motocross practice facility and, in 2002, a karting oval and road course were 

opened. A 1.35-mile asphalt road course is currently under construction. In its 40th year of operation, the 

facility is still owned and operated by the Napp family and has become an icon in the world of drag racing. 

TRACK RECORDS 

5.772 seconds by Melanie Troxel, June ’11 

258.71 mph by Troxel, June ’11 

41


42 

LUCAS OIL RACEWAY AT INDIANAPOLIS 

NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series: NHRA U.S. Nationals 

Track physical address: 10267 East U.S. Highway 136, Indianapolis, IN 46234 

Track shipping address: 10267 East U.S. Highway 136, Indianapolis, IN 46234 


Ticket office number: (800) 884-NHRA 


PR fax: (317) 291-4220 

Web site: lucasoilraceway.com 

Track contact: 

Scott Smith, senior communications manager, ssmith@nhra.com 







DIRECTIONS 

From I-465, exit Crawfordsville Road (U.S. Hwy 136). Head west for approximately four miles 

through the town of Clermont. The main entrance to the facility is on the left, one-half mile past 

Raceway Road. 

From I-74, use exit 68 (Ronald Regan Parkway) and turn south. When you arrive at U.S. Hwy 136, 

turn left and the track will be on the right. 

TRACK HISTORY 

n 1958, led by Tom Binford, Frank Dickie, Rodger Ward and Howard Fieber, 15 Indianapolis-area 

businessmen and racing professionals invested $5,000 each to fund the development of what would 

become Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. The group purchased a 267-acre farm about seven miles from the 

Indianapolis Motor Speedway and developed a multipurpose auto racing facility. 

The original intention in creating Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis was to design a 15-turn, 2.5-mile road 

course. Nearly as an afterthought, and as an insurance measure against economic problems, the investment 

group decided to incorporate a quarter-mile drag strip into the long straightaway of the 2.5-mile road course 

design. Constructed with assistance from the NHRA, the drag strip was the first of the three courses to be 

completed, with the facility’s first event held on the strip in the fall of 1960. 

During the 1960 U.S. Nationals in Detroit, a handshake agreement between Binford and NHRA founder Wally 

Parks promised that the event would move to Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis in 1961. The historic three-year 

pact was signed and sealed under a tree in Detroit Dragway’s pits, and Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis 

eventually became the home of NHRA’s biggest annual event. 

The NHRA purchased the entire facility in 1979. The first major improvement came in 1983 with the 

construction and dedication of Parks Tower, the four-story drag strip tower. In 1998, new grandstands, suites 

and a tower complex on the front straightaway were completed at the oval track at a cost of nearly $2.5 

million, which included the repaving of the entire oval surface as part of a three-phase facility improvement 

project. In 2001, NHRA and Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis constructed a new drag strip racing surface, 

replacing the strip with a 660-foot concrete pad and laying new asphalt on the remainder of the track and 

shutdown area. Prior to the 2003 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, eight new luxury suites were added along the top 

of the west-side grandstands of the drag strip, giving fans a unique perspective of the action on the famed 

quarter-mile track. In 2005, new soft-barrier walls were added to the oval. In 2011, the track announced a 

track entitlement with Lucas Oil Products. The track – which had long been known as Indianapolis Raceway 

Park – is now known as Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. 

TRACK RECORDS 

5.830 seconds by Eric Dillard, Sept. ’11 

256.21 mph by Troy Coughlin, Sept. ‘12

EVENT TRACKS 

ROYAL PURPLE RACEWAY 

NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series: O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals 

presented by Super Start Batteries 

Track physical address: 2525 South FM 565, Baytown, TX 77523 

Track shipping address: P.O. Box 1345, Baytown, TX 77522 


Ticket Center number: (281) 383-2666 


PR fax: (281) 383-3777 

Web site: royalpurpleraceway.com 

Track contact: 

Seth Angel, vice president & general manager, seth@royalpurpleraceway.com 







DIRECTIONS 

From Houston: Take Interstate 10 east toward Beaumont. Take the State Hwy. 99 (Grand Parkway) 

exit, which is exit 799. Take a right on State Hwy. 99 and go to the first exit (2 miles) which is FM 

565. Take a right on FM 565 and Royal Purple Raceway will be on your right. Note: State Hwy. 99 

is a toll roadway. 

From Galveston: Take Hwy. 146 north. Once you have crossed the Fred Hartman suspension 

bridge, go straight until the third stoplight which is FM 565. Take a right on 565 and Royal Purple 

Raceway will be on the left side of the road about three miles. 

From Beaumont: Take Interstate 10 west towards Houston. Take the State Hwy. 99 (Grand 

Parkway) exit, which is exit 799. Take left on State Hwy. 99 and go two miles and exit FM 565. 

Royal Purple Raceway will be on the right side. 

TRACK HISTORY 

Sitting on 500 acres, Royal Purple Raceway opened in 1988 and is known as a site of recordsetting 

performances due to its close proximity to the Trinity Bay, which feeds the facility cool air. 

The facility includes paved pit spaces and stadium style grandstands on both sides of the track. 

Today the race track has permanent grandstand seating capacity for over 30,000 fans, which 

includes a 1,500 capacity permanent Top Eliminator Club grandstand that is positioned at an 

angle for optimal track viewing. In 2005 new fiber-optic scoreboards were installed along with 

additional paved spectator parking lot space. Additional improvements to the facility include 

resurfacing the entire asphalt shutdown of the dragstrip in 2007 and extending and resurfacing 

the entire professional pit area in 2008. Royal Purple Raceway recently added a permanent 

12,000 seat Tower Club directly west to the three story Tower Suite complex which serves as 

the Top Eliminator Club for the annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals. This track was 

formerly known as Houston Raceway Park. 

TRACK RECORDS 

5.813 seconds by Jay Payne, April ’10 

253.47 mph by Burgess, April ’11 

43

44 


SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT 

MOTORSPORTS PARK 

NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series: Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals 

Track physical address: 1300 State Route 18, Norwalk, OH 44857 

Track shipping address: 1300 State Route 18, Norwalk, OH 44857 




PR fax: (419) 663-0502 

Web site: SummitMotorsportsPark.com 


Bill Bader Jr., president 

Jon Hedges, media relations, (330) 474-1650, jhedges@summitmotorsportspark.com 




Track direction: north to south 



DIRECTIONS 

Summit Motorsports Park is located halfway between Cleveland and Toledo; just an hour and a 

half north of Columbus. The Ohio Turnpike is less than 10 minutes away. 

From Cleveland & Westside Suburbs: Take Rt 480 west to Route 10 (Norwalk exit). Follow Rt 10 

west until it becomes Rt 20. Take Rt 20 to Route 601. Turn left on 601 and proceed until you see 

the gate entrance on the right. 

From the North, East, & West: Take the Ohio Turnpike East (Cleveland) to Exit 118 (Rt 250). Head 

south on Rt 250 into Norwalk. Turn left on Republic St. You will follow Republic St. and the red 

directional signs until you come upon Summit Motorsports Park on your left. 

From the South: Follow Rt 250 North. When you reach the exchange for State Route 18, a green 

directional sign will instruct you to turn right. Exit immediately using Route 18 and make a right 

turn. Summit Motorsports Park will be ahead on your left. 

TRACK HISTORY 

Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park opened with little fanfare in April of 1963. Drag Racing as a sport 

was in its infancy. Don Garlits had just recently been named “Big Daddy” at the US Nationals in Indianapolis 

down the road, and John Force was thirteen years old. 

Summit Motorsports Park opened under the leadership of new owner Bill Bader, Sr. on April 28, 1974. After a 

rocky start in which Bader reconsidered his investment, he committed himself to the project beginning with a 

mission statement which was predicated on providing a customer service driven, customer friendly facility that 

made good sense and focused on value. 

The facility has grown into one of the preeminent drag racing facilities in the country. In 2006 NHRA and the 

Bader family announced that a national event would be coming to Norwalk, followed by one of drag racing’s 

most successful inaugural races in 2007. It was both the culmination of the senior Bader’s vision and the 

beginning of a new era for the facility. 

In 2007, current president Bill Bader Jr. completed a $7 million facility expansion project that included paving 

the pits, new luxury sky box suites and a new state-of-the-art media center. 

TRACK RECORDS 

5.863 seconds by Danny Rowe, June ’11 

253.85 mph by Don Walsh, July ‘12

EVENT TRACKS 

ZMAX DRAGWAY 

NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing: Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals and 

O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals 

Track physical address: 6750 Bruton Smith Blvd., Concord, NC 28027 

Event shipping address: 6750 Bruton Smith Blvd., Concord, NC 28027 

Non-event shipping address: 5555 Concord Parkway South, Concord, NC 28027 


Ticket office number: (800) 455-FANS (3267) 


PR fax: (704) 455-2547 

Web site: zmaxdragway.com 


Scott Cooper, vice president of communications, scooper@charlottemotorspeedway.com 

Jonathan Coleman, communications manager, jcoleman@charlottemotorspeedway.com 


Track surface: Concrete 

Elevation: 630 feet 


DIRECTIONS 

zMAX Dragway is located on Bruton Smith Blvd., off I-85 at exit 49 in the Concord, N.C. area. 

TRACK HISTORY 

Built in 2008, zMAX Dragway is the world’s only four-lane, all-concrete drag strip and annually 

hosts two NHRA national events including the one-of-a-kind Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide 

Nationals in April, and the opening round of the NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship, the 

NHRA Nationals in September. 

The latest state-of-the-art drag strip in the Speedway Motorsports family, zMAX Dragway is built on 

the grounds of Charlotte Motor Speedway, and sits directly adjacent to this 4/10-mile clay oval 

known as The Dirt Track at Charlotte. zMAX Dragway boasts many fan amenities including 40 luxury 

suites, a 34,000 square foot starting-line tower with roof access and two pedestrian tunnels built 

to enhance fan mobility. 

TRACK RECORDS 

5.815 seconds by Melanie Troxel, Sept. ’11 

256.55 mph by Troxel, Sept. ’11 

45


BASICS

BASICS 

DRAG RACING MADE SIMPLE 

The sport of drag racing is an acceleration contest between two cars racing from a standing start 

over a straight course. The NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx competes 

to a race distance of 1,320 feet. 

An NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx race is made up of a series of 

individual two-car races called eliminations, with competing machines divided into four categories. 

Class eligibility is governed by criteria that limit engine size, type of fuel, vehicle weight, allowable 

modifications and aerodynamics. 

The main object is to get to the finish line first, which may not necessarily be the quickest time or 

fastest speed. Sound confusing It really isn’t. 

A set of lights, commonly called a Christmas Tree, is used at the starting line. There is a 

0.4-second difference between the flash of all the amber lights and the flash of the green light in 

the pro start system. Any time a driver leaves the line before the green, the red light illuminates to 

signal a foul. The offending driver is disqualified. 

Sometimes a driver can win despite a slower elapsed time and speed than their opponent. That’s 

because the winning driver had a quicker reaction time to the green light at the starting line, and 

that advantage was greater than their opponent’s performance advantage on the track. Remember, 

the elapsed-time clock in each lane doesn’t start until the car moves past the starting line. 

PRO MODIFIED CLASS DESCRIPTION 

With an eclectic mix of vehicles that range from ’41 Willys coupes to ’63 Corvettes and late-model 

Ford Mustangs and Dodge Vipers, few classes offer as much diversity and excitement as Pro 

Mod. There are multiple engine choices to help teams churn out an estimated 2,000 horsepower. 

Competitors can use any of three approved combinations, including high-revving superchargers, 

loud-popping turbochargers or the easy purging of nitrous-oxide injection to post performances in 

the high five-second zone at speeds of more than 250 mph. Pro Mod cars are wildly popular with 

fans and have a reputation for powering to impressive burnouts and offering spectators views of 

some crazy wild rides down the quarter-mile during qualifying and elimination runs. After several 

years as an exhibition at NHRA events, Pro Mods now have their own series, the NHRA Pro Mod 

Drag Racing Series, which will be featured at 10 NHRA national events in 2013. 

47



EARNING POINTS 

The NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series consists of races run from March through October. 

Contestants compete for NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series world championships on 

the basis of total points earned during the 10-race Series. Points at individual races 

are awarded as follows: 

Winner 100 

Runner-Up 80 

3rd round loser 60 

2nd round loser 40 

1st round loser 20 

Additional points are awarded at National Events as follows: 

10 points to all drivers (in addition to round points) - one qualifying run required. 

20 points for establishing an official elapsed-time Record. 

Qualifying positions earn points as follows: 

1st 8 

2nd 7 

3rd 6 

4th 5 

5th & 6th 4 

7th & 8th 3 

9th thru 12th 2 

13th thru 16th 1 

48

BASICS 


DISQUALIFICATIONS 

There is nothing like a full-bore, wire-to-wire drag race, with one racer just nipping the other 

in the speed traps. However, some races are decided by a rule infraction that leads to the 

disqualification of one of the vehicles. These rules are designed to make competition even, but 

sometimes they can be confusing. Here is a quick look at each rule: 

RED-LIGHT: A red-light is the most common infraction. Also called a foul start, it is simply caused 

by a driver leaving the starting line before the green light comes on. Some of the slight jumps 

made by a race vehicle can be detected only by the electronic starting-line system, but other redlight 

starts are plainly visible to the naked eye. Also, the red-light will come on if the vehicle is not 

staged properly or if it lifts the front wheel(s) up too soon and moves forward. 

CROSSING EXTREMITIES: While on a pass, a driver cannot allow his or her vehicle to cross either 

the centerline or outer lines. If the driver crosses a line during qualifying, his or her time will not 

count. If he or she does this during eliminations, the vehicle is disqualified. This is to keep drivers 

from staying in the power too long when the vehicle has assumed a dangerous posture on the 

track, or “gotten out of shape.” The only time this rule is waived is for a single-run final. 

NOT STAGING: Once a vehicle leaves the staging lanes, it must be prepared to make a pass. 

Failure to stage upon the starter’s instructions will be grounds for disqualification. Also, once a 

vehicle is staged and leaves the line — forward or backward — for any reason, it is not allowed to 

restage. Such infractions during qualifying usually lead to the disqualification of the driver’s time. 

SCALES: After any run, a vehicle may be called to the scales to check its weight. If the vehicle is 

too light or fails to report to the scales, its opponent is declared the winner. 

MECHANICAL: Vehicles are subject to many engine and chassis regulations, and some are 

subject to teardown after final eliminations. Any irregularities lead to disqualification of the vehicle 

involved and the reinstatement of the runner-up. 

BURNOUTS: The burnout, or tire-heating procedure that takes place on the starting line, is very 

much a part of drag racing; it’s very exciting and colorful. However, when and where burnouts 

are performed is subject to regulation. Only Top Fuelers, Funny Cars, Pro Stockers, Pro Stock 

Motorcycles, and alcohol cars can cross the starting line under power before a run, and they can 

only do that once. Any burnout done in the pits will lead to disqualification. Any vehicle doing a 

burnout must be able to back up by itself. 

All infractions are subject to ruling by the event director. In the rare case of side-by-side 

infractions, the first or worst rule is used. In other words, if one competitor red-lights and then the 

other crosses the centerline, the second infraction would be deemed worse and that racer would 

be disqualified. The red-lighting vehicle would be reinstated. 

49


GLOSSARY 

Aftermarket: Generally, the replacement parts and high-performance products market. The design 

and selling of custom parts for automobiles. 

Ballast: A controlled amount of weight, functionally positioned, used to help cars meet class 

weight requirements. 

Blueprinting: The meticulous matching to factory specifications all parts and/or components. 

Hand-fitting parts to the absolute design callout or manufacturer’s specifications. 

Breakout: In handicap racing, when the contestant has run quicker than his dial-in, the driver’s 

most consistent qualifying time. 

Burn down: When both cars intentionally hesitate before moving into the “Stage” position at the 

Christmas Tree, therefore delaying the start of the race. Drivers seek to gain a mental advantage 

over their opponent through this process by seeking to interrupt the other driver’s normal routine. 

Burnout: Spinning of rear wheels at high RPM in water to heat and clean tire rubber prior to a run, 

resulting in increased traction. 

Burned piston: A condition where a cylinder runs lean (too much air in the air-to-fuel mixture) 

causing sufficient heat to burn a hole through the piston. 

Burst panel: A section of the front of a Funny Car body designed to relieve pressure and minimize 

the effects of a supercharger explosion. 

Catch can: A container used to catch liquid overflow, preventing spillage on the race track. Also 

known as catch tank. 

Chassis: The frame of the race car. 

Christmas Tree: An electronic starting device incorporating calibrated LED lights displaying a 

visual countdown for each driver, activated by a designated official. 

Chromoly: Also Chrome Moly. Short for Chromium Molybdenum steel. A very strong type of steel 

tubing used to build the frames for many dragsters. 

Chute: Short for parachute or dragchute. Used to assist high-speed braking. 

Cid: Cubic inch displacement. 

Clutch can: Bell housing, the bell-shaped housing used to encase clutch and flywheel. 

Clutch dust: Carbon dust created by the wearing of the surface of the clutch disks as they slide 

together during the clutch lockup process. 

Clutch lockup: The progression of clutch disk engagement controlled by an air timer management system. 

Competition area: The staging lanes and race track surface. 

Competition license: Drivers in NHRA sanctioned events must have an NHRA competition license. 

To obtain a license, Drivers in pro categories must be at least 18 years old or turn 18 during their 

first season. Drivers from the four professional categories must also pass a physical examination 

and complete six licensing runs. 

Corrected altitude: Result of factoring barometric pressure, humidity, temperature and grains of 

water per pound of air. Information is used for race car tuning purposes. 

Deep staged: A driver is deep staged when, after staging, he or she rolls a few inches farther, 

which causes the pre-stage light to go out. In that position, the driver is closer to the finish line but 

dangerously close to a foul start. 

Diaper: A blanket made from ballistic and absorbent material (often Kevlar) that surrounds the oil 

pan and serves as a containment device during engine explosions. 

50

GLOSSARY 

Disc: In brakes, the rotor, the part which revolves, and against which brake linings are pressed to 

provide braking. 

Displacement: In an engine, the total volume of air/fuel mixture an engine is theoretically capable 

of drawing into all cylinders during one operating cycle. 

Downforce: Vertical aerodynamic pressure which aids a race car in achieving traction. 

Driver’s suit: Generally, protective clothing made of fire-resistant material. 

Dropped cylinder: A cylinder becomes too rich (too much fuel in the air-to-fuel mixture), which 

prevents the spark plug(s) from firing. 

Dynomometer: A stationary device that measures an engine’s torque to determine horsepower. 

E.T.: Elapsed time. The total time it takes to go from starting line to finish line. 

Eliminations: When cars are raced two at a time, resulting in one winner and one loser. Winner 

continues to race in tournament-style competition. 

Fire bottle: Slang term for fire extinguisher. Mounted in various positions on the different 

categories of race cars, these bottles contain fire retardant and are activated by the driver when 

fire is present. 

Flash shield: A device to encompass the air inlet of a carburetor’s sides, top and rear. Protects 

driver in case of engine backfire. 

Foul start: When a car leaves starting line before green-light starting signal. 

Fuel check: A tech station used to inspect fuels to ensure content is within limits allowed for that 

particular class. Analysis of fuel. 

Fuel injection: A system replacing conventional carburetion which delivers fuel under pressure 

into combustion chamber or air flow prior to entering chamber. 

Gilmer belt: Toothed or splined drive belt used with matching pulley, generally a non-slip drive belt. 

Halon: Special freon fire extinguisher. Generally a 3-to-5 percent concentration will extinguish fire. 

HANS device: Safety device positioned on a driver’s shoulders that connects to the back of his or 

her helmet to limit movement of the head and neck during a crash. 

Headers: Fine-tuned exhaust system routing exhaust from engine. Replaces conventional exhaust 

manifolds. 

Hemi: Generally an engine with a combustion chamber resembling a hemisphere or round ball cut 

in half. 

Holeshot: Starting line advantage achieved by the quicker-reacting driver. 

Horsepower: Numeric value given to the amount of power produced by an engine. 

Hotchkiss-type driveline: An open or exposed drive shaft assembly. The type of rear suspension in 

which the springs absorb the rear-end torque. 

Hydraulic lock (hydrolock): A cylinder fills with too much fuel, prohibiting compression by the 

cylinder, causing a mechanical malfunction. 

Inline: Cylinders in a single row, valve stems in a single row. 

Interval timers: Part of a secondary timing system that records elapsed times, primarily for the 

racers’ benefit, at 60, 330, 660, and 1,000 feet. 

Lexan: Trade name of General Electric used for a durable thermalresistant plastic material used 

where transparent material is required (i.e., face plates, goggles, windows, etc.). 

Line-loc: Locks the front brakes to allow the car to do a burnout, as well as remain still on the 

starting line prior to the launch of a run. 

51


Magnaflux: The process of using a special electro-magnet and magnetic powder to detect cracks 

in iron that may be invisible to the naked eye. 

Minimum weight: The lowest allowed weight for the vehicle in a particular class. 

Nitromethane: Produced specifically as a fuel for drag racing. It is the result of a chemical 

reaction between nitric acid and propane. 

Nomex: Trade name of DuPont, a fire-resistant fabric used in the manufacture of protective clothing. 

OEM: Original equipment manufacturer 

O.H.C.: Overhead cam. 

On board data recorder: Electronic recording device that provides specific performance data 

following a run. The data recorder cannot be used to control race car functions during a run. 

Otto cycle: The four operations of intake, compression, power and exhaust (4-cycle engine). 

Named for inventor Dr. Nikolaus Otto. 

Pedaling: When a driver lifts off the throttle, then gets back on it again, in an attempt to regain 

traction with the rear tires. 

Pilot chute: A spring-loaded device which pulls the braking chute from its pack. 

Port: The opening in an engine where the valve operates and through which the air-fuel mixture or 

exhaust passes. 

Pre-staged: When a driver is approximately seven inches behind the starting line and the small 

yellow light atop his or her side of the Christmas Tree is illuminated. 

Protest: A complaint filed against a competitor, investigated by officials. 

Pro Tree: Used in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle, Top Alcohol Dragster, Top 

Alcohol Funny Car, Super Comp, and Super Gas, which feature heads-up competition. All three 

amber lights on the Christmas Tree flash simultaneously, followed four-tenths of a second later by 

the green starting light. A perfect reaction time on a Pro Tree is .000. 

R.P.M.: Revolutions per minute. 

Reaction time: The time it takes a driver to react to the green starting light on the Christmas Tree, 

measured in thousandths of a second. The reaction-time counter begins when the last amber light 

flashes on the tree and stops when the vehicle clears the staged beam. 

Roll cage: Reinforced steel or Chromoly compartment that encloses the driver in the car. 

Rollout: The measurement of one complete revolution of a tire, measured in inches. Rollout equals 

3.14 times diameter. 

Seating the clutch: The process of loading the clutch pack to allow the clutch discs and floaters 

to properly align with each other before a run. 

Scales: Used to weigh cars to assure that they meet class weight requirements. Top Fuel dragsters 

and Funny Cars are weighed after each qualifying pass. 

Shift light: In Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, a light is activated on the dash when it is 

necessary for the driver to shift gears. 

Shoulder harness: An upper-torso restraint device. 

Shut down area: The portion of the track after the finish line that drivers use to slow their 

machines following a run. 

Sixty-foot time: The time it takes a vehicle to cover the first 60 feet of the race track. It is the most 

accurate measure of the launch from the starting line, which in most cases determines how quick 

the rest of the run will be. 

52

GLOSSARY 

Slider clutch: A multi-disc clutch designed to slip until a predetermined RPM. Decreases shock 

load to drive wheels. 

Snell: Snell Memorial Foundation. A foundation generally known for its helmet specifications. 

Speed trap: The final 66 feet of the track before the finish line, where top speed is recorded. 

Spoiler: Aerodynamic device attached directly to the vehicle body (usually to the rear deck lid) 

such that airflow passes only over the top of the device. Used to create downforce, aiding in 

traction and stability. 

Spool: A one-piece ring gear carrier providing equal rotational drive to both rear axles. 

Staged: A driver is staged when the front wheels of the car are on the starting line and the small 

yellow light below the pre-staged light on his or her side of the Christmas Tree is illuminated. Once 

a driver is staged, the calibrated countdown of the amber lights leading to the green starting light 

may begin at any time. 

Staging lanes: Area of race facility which leads to the racing surface, where cars are lined up 

and/or paired before making a run. 

Stick: Generally a manual transmission requiring a clutch and manual gear changes. 

Stock: As originally produced by original equipment manufacturer. 

Street equipment: Equipment generally required by law or needed for legal street operation: 

license plates, windshield wipers, horns, lights, etc. 

Subframe: Used in construction of unibody vehicles when a full front-to-rear frame is not used. 

Supercharger: Crank-driven air/fuel compressor (blower). Raises atmospheric pressure in engine 

resulting in added horsepower. 

Teardown: Physical inspection by NHRA staff to ensure that cars meet class specifications. 

Teardowns are done on a random basis during eliminations; usually after a run. 

Terminal speed: Maximum or top speed at finish line. 

Throttle stop: A device that limits RPM’s during a burnout or a run. 

Throttle travel: The distance between the pedal being at idle to being at full throttle. The shorter 

the throttle travel the quicker a car can get to full speed. 

Traction bars: A device to control rear-end torque and stabilize suspension. Transmits torque to 

frame, increasing traction. 

Transmission blanket: A flexible wrap intended to contain parts in case of transmission 

disintegration. 

Turbocharger: Exhaust-driven intake air compressor (turbo). (See Supercharger) 

Wedge: An engine with a combustion chamber resembling a wedge in shape. Need not have 

intake and exhaust valve stems parallel. 

Weight transfer: In drag racing, weight transfer is critical to traction. Vehicles are set up to provide 

a desired weight transfer to rear wheels. When the vehicle accelerates, the front wheels lift and 

weight shifts to the rear wheels, making the tires less likely to spin. 

Wheelie bars: Used to prevent excessive front-wheel lift. 

Wind tunnel: Stationary device used to study a race car’s aerodynamics. 

Wing: An aerodynamic device mounted such that air flow passes over and under the device. Used 

to create downforce, aiding in traction and stability. Also known as an airfoil. 

Sources: NHRA Rulebook, NHRA Technical Department 

53


NHRA NATIONAL EVENT ‘CHRISTMAS TREE’ 

STARTING LINE SYSTEM 

pre-stage indicator lights 

stage indicator lights 

three amber starting system 

green light 

red light 

PRE-STAGE INDICATOR LIGHTS: Warns racers that they are approaching the starting line 

and the “staged” position. 

STAGE INDICATOR LIGHTS: Signal racers that they are on the starting line and ready for a 

run. These lights are turned on when the front wheels of the race vehicle interrupt the beam 

from a light source to the photo cells that also triggers the timing equipment when the 

vehicle leaves the light beams 

THREE-AMBER STARTING SYSTEM: NHRA implemented the use of LED amber lights on the 

Christmas Tree starting system prior to the 2003 season. LED lights were utilized in place of 

incandescent lights because the vibration from the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes caused 

the incandescent bulbs to burn out. 

GREEN LIGHT: This is the one that makes it happen. Once the green light is flashed, the 

driver in that lane is free to make a run. Any time a green light is shown in a driver’s lane it 

indicates that a fair start was accomplished. 

RED LIGHT: When a car leaves the starting line before the green light comes on, or, in 

some cases, is staged too deep into the staging beams, the red light will flash in that lane. 

It indicates that the driver in that lane has been disqualified. During competition only one 

red light will illuminate for the purpose of indicating the elimination of the first offender in 

the case of both driver’s leaving before the green light or staging too deep into the staging 

beams. 

PRO TREE: Used in NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series. All three amber/LED lights flash 

simultaneously before the green lights come on. The system runs with a four-tenths 

difference between the amber and green lights. A perfect reaction time is .000. 

54

BASICS 

DRAG STRIP TIMING 

AND SCORING SYSTEM CONFIGURATION 

1. PRE-STAGED BEAM: 

An infrared beam sender/receiver connection (per 

lane) triggers pre-staged lights and signals drivers 

that they are close to “staging” when this beam is 

broken by vehicle’s front wheel. 

2. STAGED BEAM/STARTING LINE: 

This infrared beam sender/receiver connection 

controls the starting and timing of each race. This 

beam triggers an independent “lane timer” for 

elapsed time and will trigger the red foul light if a 

false start occurs. A race cannot be started until 

both competitors are fully “staged.” The staged beam 

is located seven inches past the pre-staged beam. 

3. INTERVAL TIMERS: 

Time and speed are recorded at five intervals along 

the track. There are clocking devices at the 60-, 

330-, 660-, 1,000-foot, and 1/4-mile locations. 

1 

Burnout Area 

Starting Line 2 

3 

3 

4. SPEED TRAPS AND 

ELAPSED-TIME CLOCK BEAMS: 

The first infrared beam sender/receiver trigger marks 

the beginning of the speed trap and is located 66 

feet before the finish line. It is used to start the 

individual lane top speed clocks. A second beam, 

which is located at the finish line and serves as the 

end of the speed trap, shuts off both the individual 

lane elapsed-time and top speed clocks, and 

triggers the win-light indicator in the deserving lane. 

The length of the actual racing surface at an NHRA Pro 

Mod Drag Racing Series event is one-quarter mile, or 

1,320 feet. Top Fuel and Funny Car compete to 1,000 

feet. The average width of each lane is 30 feet. 

3 

4 Finish Line 

3 

Shutdown Area 

55


NHRA ELIMINATION BRACKET 

For eliminations, NHRA features a traditional tournament-style bracket with the No. 1 qualifier 

matching up against the No. 16 qualifier, the No. 2 qualifier with the No. 15 qualifier and so 

on, during the opening round of eliminations. The higher qualified cars (Nos. 1-8) are allowed 

to choose which lane they want to run in during the first round of eliminations. For the following 

rounds of eliminations, lane choice is given to the car that records the quicker elapsed time in the 

previous round. The higher qualified drivers also are given the choice of which pair they would like 

to be placed in the run order of the opening round of eliminations. Normally, the first pair of cars 

to race in each category in the first round of eliminations are the No. 8 and No. 9 qualified cars. 

56

STATISTICS 

PRO MOD CAREER LEADERS - (2010-2012) 

MOST EVENT WINS 

Danny Rowe 4 

Von Smith 3 

Mike Castellana 3 

Leah Pruett 3 

Khalid alBalooshi 2 

Troy Coughlin 2 

Brad Personett 2 

Rickie Smith 2 

Melanie Troxel 2 

Brad Brand 1 

Kenny Lang 1 

Michael Gillqvist 1 

Pat Musi 1 

Don Walsh 1 

MOST FINALS 

Danny Rowe 9 




Leah Pruett 4 



Von Smith 3 

Don Walsh 3 

Michael Gullqvist 2 

Mike Janis 2 

Kenny Lang 2 


Joe Baker 1 

Brad Brand 1 

Eric Dillard 1 

Mike Knowles 1 

Pat Musi 1 

Jay Payne 1 

Scott Ray 1 

Dennis Radford 1 


MOST ROUND WINS 

Danny Rowe 70 




Kenny Lang 43 

Mike Janis 39 


Jay Payne 36 

Leah Pruett 35 

Raymond Commisso 30 

Khalid Balooshi 29 

Ed Hoover 29 


Roger Burgess 28 

Donald Martin 27 

Scott Ray 27 

Pete Farber 26 

Mike Knowles 26 

Von Smith 26 

Don Walsh 25 

Dennis Radford 22 

Rick Stivers 16 

Joe Baker 15 

Steve Matusek 13 

Chip King 11 

Burton Auxier 10 


Brad Brand 9 

Pat Musi 8 

Tony Pontieri 7 

Rickie Jones 6 

Kevin McCurdy 5 

Todd Tutterow 5 

James Eric Dillard 4 

Adam Flamholc 4 

Clint Satterfield 4 

Tim Tindle 4 

Ike Maier 3 

Raymond J Matos 3 

Dave Pierce 3 

Dave Roemer 3 

Chuck Cheeseman 2 

Shannon Jenkins 2 

Harold Martin 2 

Robert Patrick Jr. 2 

Doug Winters 2 

Tommy Gray 1 

Clint Hairston 1 

Joe Lepone Jr 1 

MOST NO. 1 QUALIFIERS 


Don Walsh 4 

Danny Rowe 3 





57


58 

Mike Janis 2 



Jay Payne 1 


MOST LOW E.T. 

Don Walsh 5 



Jay Payne 3 


Danny Rowe 3 


Ray Commisso 2 

Mike Janis 2 


MOST EVENT WINS 

Joshua Hernandez 16 

Mike Ashley 8 


Jay Payne 7 


Danny Rowe 4 

Al Billes 3 

Fred Hahn 3 

MOST FINALS 


Mike Ashley 14 

Jay Payne 12 

Danny Rowe 9 


Troy Critchley 7 

Mitch Stott 7 



MOST ROUND-WINS 


Jay Payne 82 

Mike Ashley 64 

Danny Rowe 43 


Thomas Patterson 38 



Tony Pontieri 29 

MOST TOP SPEED 



Don Walsh 4 



Brad Brand 1 



Leah Pruett 1 

LOWEST BUMP (16 CARS) 

5.980 seconds (Englishtown 2010) 

PRO MOD CAREER LEADERS 

(EXHIBITION SERIES 2001-2009) 


Rick Stivers 27 

Zach Barklage 24 

MOST NO. 1 QUALIFIERS 


Fred Hahn 8 


Jay Payne 5 

Mike Ashley 4 


Mike Janis 4 

Tim McAmis 4 

MOST LOW E.T. 



Fred Hahn 7 

Jay Payne 7 

Mike Ashley 5 

MOST TOP SPEED 

Jay Payne 9 





Quain Stott 6 

LOWEST BUMP (16 CARS) 

6.033 (Richmond 2008)

STATISTICS 

PRO MOD RESULTS 

Site Winner Runner-up No. 1 qualifier 

2012 

Gainesville Rickie Smith Mike Castellana Mike Castellana 

Charlotte 1 Mike Castellana Leah Pruett Danny Rowe 

Houston Danny Rowe Kenny Lang Mike Castellana 

Englishtown Danny Rowe Troy Coughlin Mike Castellana 

Bristol Rickie Smith Don Walsh Rickie Smith 

Norwalk Don Walsh Troy Coughlin Troy Coughlin 

Indianapolis Brad Brand Mike Castellana Don Walsh 

Charlotte 2 Leah Pruett Mike Knowles Don Walsh 

St. Louis Troy Coughlin Danny Rowe Don Walsh 

Las Vegas Troy Coughlin Don Walsh Don Walsh 

2011 

Gainesville Khalid alBalooshi Danny Rowe Khalid alBalooshi 

Las Vegas 1 Khalid alBalooshi Rickie Smith Roger Burgess 

Houston Mike Castellana Khalid alBalooshi Roger Burgess 

Atlanta Ed Hoover Mike Castellana Khalid alBalooshi 

Englishtown Danny Rowe Mike Janis Melanie Troxel 

Bristol Melanie Troxel Danny Rowe Brad Personett 

Norwalk Mike Castellana Danny Rowe Danny Rowe 

Indianapolis Eric Dillard Mike Castellana Melanie Troxel 

Charlotte Leah Pruett Melanie Troxel Melanie Troxel 

Las Vegas 2 Leah Pruett Danny Rowe Brad Personett 

2010 

Gainesville Kenny Lang Michael Gullvquist Roger Burgess 

Houston Danny Rowe Melanie Troxel Jay Payne 

St. Louis Von Smith Dennis Radford Danny Rowe 

Atlanta Michael Gullqvist Mike Janis Mike Janis 

Englishtown Von Smith Mike Castellana Raymond Commisso 

Bristol Von Smith Jay Payne Mike Castellana 

Norwalk Pat Musi Brad Personett Raymond Commisso 

Indianapolis Brad Personett Joe Baker Mike Janis 

Charlotte Melanie Troxel Scott Ray Brad Personett 

Las Vegas Brad Personett Melanie Troxel Melanie Troxel 

2009 (EXHIBITION SEASON) 

Gainesville Mike Castellana Burton Auxier Roger Burgess 

Houston Danny Rowe Rick Stivers Raymond Commisso 

St. Louis Roger Burgess Burton Auxier Jay Payne 

Bristol Burton Auxier Raymond Commisso Mike Castellana 

Topeka Tim Tindle Jay Payne Joe Baker 

Englishtown Raymond Commisso Danny Rowe Raymond Commisso 

Indianapolis Roger Burgess Danny Rowe Danny Rowe 

Charlotte Rick Stivers Melanie Troxel Brad Personett 

Richmond Jay Payne Rick Stivers Rick Stivers 

Las Vegas Jay Payne Brad Personett Brad Personett 

59




Gainesville Joe Baker Raymond Commisso Mike Ashley 

Houston Joe Baker Tony Pontieri Joshua Hernandez 

Atlanta Eddie Ware Roger Burgess Raymond Commisso 

St. Louis Joshua Hernandez Tony Pontieri Joshua Hernandez 

Bristol Steve Engel Mike Ashley Joshua Hernandez 

Englishtown Joshua Hernandez Mike Castellana Raymond Commisso 

Indianapolis Mike Castellana Joshua Hernandez Joshua Hernandez 

Dallas Joshua Hernandez Tony Pontieri Joshua Hernandez 

Richmond Jay Payne Scott Ray Joshua Hernandez 

Las Vegas Joshua Hernandez Mike Knowles Raymond Commisso 


Gainesville Joshua Hernandez Troy Critchley Troy Critchley 

Houston Joshua Hernandez Scott Cannon Jr. Raymond Commisso 

Atlanta Joshua Hernandez Doug Palmer Joshua Hernandez 

St. Louis Joshua Hernandez Tony Pontieri Troy Critchley 

Englishtown Tim Tindle Jay Payne Joshua Hernandez 

Bristol Joshua Hernandez Raymond Commisso Mike Janis 

Indianapolis Harold Laird Joshua Hernandez Mike Janis 

Dallas Joshua Hernandez Harold Laird Jay Payne 

Richmond Rick Stivers Raymond Commisso Joshua Hernandez 

Las Vegas Tony Pontieri Steve Engel Tim Tindle 


Gainesville Jay Payne Glen Kerunsky Rick Distefano 

Houston Joshua Hernandez Danny Rowe Troy Critchley 

Bristol Jay Payne Joey Martin Jay Payne 

Englishtown Joey Martin Brandon Pesz Shelly Payne 

St. Louis Mike Ashley Joey Martin Shelly Payne 

Memphis Joey Martin Shelly Payne Joey Martin 

Indianapolis Joshua Hernandez Raymond Commisso Raymond Commisso 

Dallas Shelly Payne Troy Critchley Joey Martin 

Richmond (cancelled) 

Las Vegas Troy Critchley Jay Payne Joshua Hernandez 


Gainesville Jay Payne Mike Ashley Ed Hoover 

Houston Joshua Hernandez Ed Hoover Al Billes 

Las Vegas Mike Ashley Jay Payne Glen Kerunsky 

Belle Rose Mike Ashley Frankie Taylor Thomas Patterson 

Bristol Mike Ashley Zach Barklage Ed Hoover 

Chicago Mike Ashley Joey Martin Joshua Hernandez 

Englishtown Troy Coughlin Zach Barklage Al Billes 

St. Louis Glen Kerunsky Zach Barklage Jay Payne 

Belle Rose Joshua Hernandez Troy Critchley Joshua Hernandez 

Columbus Mike Ashley Joshua Hernandez Mike Ashley 

Valdosta Joshua Hernandez Mike Ashley Troy Critchley 

Indianapolis Jay Payne Joshua Hernandez Joshua Hernandez 

Dallas Thomas Patterson Steve Engel Jay Payne 

Las Vegas Joshua Hernandez Jay Payne Joshua Hernandez 

60



Gainesville Al Billes Ed Hoover Mike Janis 

Houston Mike Ashley Zach Barklage Mike Ashley 

Bristol Al Billes Mitch Stott Fred Hahn 

Chicago Mike Castellana Fred Hahn Fred Hahn 

Englishtown Al Billes Danny Rowe Von Smith 

St. Louis Danny Rowe Von Smith Mike Janis 

Memphis Mike Castellana Mike Ashley Al Billes 

Indianapolis Jim Halsey Harold Martin Harold Martin 

Dallas Danny Rowe Tommy Gray Fred Hahn 

Las Vegas Shannon Jenkins Scott Cannon Jr. Mike Castellana 


Gainesville Tim McAmis Mitch Stott Fred Hahn 

Houston Mitch Stott Quain Stott Fred Hahn 

Bristol Fred Hahn Mitch Stott Fred Hahn 

Englishtown Mitch Stott Mike Ashley Tim McAmis 

Chicago Fred Hahn Troy Critchley Fred Hahn 

St. Louis Mike Castellana Thomas Patterson Tim McAmis 

Indianapolis Rickie Smith Von Smith Tim McAmis 

Memphis Shannon Jenkins Von Smith Tim McAmis 

Dallas Von Smith Rickie Smith Rickie Smith 

Las Vegas Von Smith Thomas Patterson Von Smith 


Gainesville Shannon Jenkins Mitch Stott Mike Ashley 

Houston Shannon Jenkins Chip King Chip King 

Bristol Thomas Patterson Rickie Smith Thomas Patterson 

Atlanta Steve Vick Thomas Patterson Tommy Mauney 

Englishtown Fred Hahn Troy Critchley Bob Rieger 

St. Louis Shannon Jenkins Ed Hoover Mitch Stott 

Indianapolis Shannon Jenkins Troy Critchley Quain Stott 

Memphis Shannon Jenkins Mike Ashley Shannon Jenkins 

Dallas Mike Ashley Bill Kuhlmann Mitch Stott 

Las Vegas Shannon Jenkins Mitch Stott Shannon Jenkins 


Gainesville Rickie Smith Kirk Kuhns Alan Pittman 

Bristol Quain Stott Kirk Kuhns Alan Pittman 

Atlanta Ed Hoover Rickie Smith Ed Hoover 

St. Louis Danny Rowe Ed Hoover Danny Rowe 

Indianapolis Ronnie Hood Danny Rowe Fred Hahn 

NHRA PRO MOD SERIES 

NATIONAL PERFORMANCE RECORDS 

E.T. – 5.772 seconds, Melanie Troxel, June. ’11, Englishtown 

MPH – 258.71 mph, Troxel, June ’11, Englishtown 

STATISTICS 

*10-point bonus offered for setting national E.T. record; no bonus for setting national speed 

record; Drivers must record a back-up run within 1% during course of the same event to 

certify all national record runs. 

61


62 

NHRA PRO MOD SERIES 

SEASON RESULTS (2010-2012) 

2012 


Winner: Rickie Smith, 5.913, 240.29 

Runner Up: Mike Castellana, 6.435, 189.79 

No. 1 Qualifier: Castellana, 5.862, 242.80 

Low E.T.: Castellana 5.810 

Top Speed: Troy Coughlin 256.26 

NHRA Four-Wide Nationals 

Winner: Mike Castellana, 6250,180.45 

Runner Up: Leah Pruett, No Show 

No. 1 Qualifier: Danny Rowe, 5.874, 247.97 

Low E.T.: Rowe 5.874 

Top Speed: Pruett 251.81 

O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals 

Winner: Danny Rowe, 5.969, 244.43 

Runner Up: Kenny Lang, 6.043, 238.51 

No. 1 Qualifier: Mike Castellana 5.899, 

243.11 


Top Speed: Brad Brand 251.02 

Toyota NHRA Supernationals 


Runner Up: Troy Coughlin, 5.964, 229.51 

No. 1 Qualifier: Mike Castellana, 5.856, 

245.72 


Top Speed: Coughlin 254.33 

Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals 

Winner: Rickie Smith, 6.055, 241.24 

Runner Up: Don Walsh, 7.393, 171.99 

No. 1 Qualifier: Smith, 5.900, 240.85 

Low E.T.: Smith 5.888 

Top Speed: Don Walsh 251.58 

Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals 

Winner: Don Walsh, 5.893, 251.95 

Runner Up: Troy Coughlin, 11.771, 92.65 

No. 1 Qualifier: Coughlin, 5.949, 250.64 

Low E.T.: Walsh 5.887 

Top Speed: Walsh 253.85 

Mac Tools U.S. Nationals 

Winner: Brad Brand, 5.914, 251.63 


No. 1 Qualifier: Walsh, 5.854, 245.05 


Top Speed: Troy Coughlin 256.21 


Winner: Leah Pruett, 5.936, 246.44 

Runner Up: Mike Knowles, 9.088, 102.78 

No. 1 Qualifier: Don Walsh, 5.868, 254.52 



AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals 

Winner: Troy Coughlin, 5.873, 257.58 

Runner Up: Danny Rowe, 6.732, 179.42 

No. 1 Qualifier: Don Walsh, 5.816, 255.43 


Top Speed: Coughlin 257.97 

Big O Tires NHRA Nationals 

Winner: Troy Coughlin, 5.830, 253.52 


No. 1 Qualifier: Walsh, 5.824, 250.78 



2011 


Winner: Khalid alBalooshi, 5.912, 240.51 


No. 1 Qualifier: Khalid alBalooshi, 5.846, 

243.24 

Low E.T.: Roger Burgess, 5.843 

Top Speed: Brad Personett, 255.19 

SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals 

Winner: Khalid alBalooshi, 5.983, 237.13 

Runner Up: Rickie Smith, 6.012, 237.71 

No. 1 Qualifier: Roger Burgess, 5.956, 249.81 


Top Speed: Roger Burgess, 251.91 


Winner: Mike Castellana, 5.920, 243.15 

Runner Up: Khalid alBalooshi, 5.952, 243.28 



Top Speed: Roger Burgess, 253.47 

Summit Racing Equipment NHRA 

Southern Nationals 

Winner: Ed Hoover, 5.958, 240.51 


No. 1 Qualifier: Khalid alBalooshi, 5.882, 

243.37 


Top Speed: Roger Burgess, 251.77

STATISTICS 

NHRA SuperNationals 


Runner Up: Mike Janis, 5.981, 244.78 

No. 1 Qualifier: Melanie Troxel, 5.772, 258.71 

Low E.T.: Melanie Troxel, 5.772 

Top Speed: Melanie Troxel, 258.71 

Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals 

Winner: Melanie Troxel, 5.928, 250.83 


No. 1 Qualifier: Brad Personett, 5.961, 252.80 




Winner: Eric Dillard, 5.830, 253.99 



Low E.T.: Eric Dillard, 5.830 

Top Speed: Eric Dillard, 253.99 



Runner Up: Melanie Troxel, 5.915, 247.57 



Top Speed: Leah Pruett, 254.62 

Big O Tires NHRA Nationals 




Low E.T.: Brad Personett, 5.848 


2010 


Winner: Kenny Lang, 5.908, 243.68 

Runner Up: Michael Gullqvist, 10.977, 109.15 


Low E.T.: Jay Payne, 5.809 

Top Speed: Michael Gullqvist, 248.84 




No. 1 Qualifier: Jay Payne, 5.813, 246.21 


Top Speed: Raymond Commisso, 251.30 

AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals 

Winner: Von Smith, 5.933, 243.81 

Runner Up: Dennis Radford, 6.088, 233.44 

No. 1 Qualifier: Danny Rowe, 5.945, 244.69 

Low E.T.: Danny Rowe, 5.925 


Summit Racing Equipment NHRA 

Southern Nationals 

Winner: Michael Gullqvist, 6.006, 244.03 

Runner Up: Mike Janis, 6.081, 237.00 

No. 1 Qualifier: Mike Janis, 5.919, 243.55 

Low E.T.: Mike Janis, 5.919 


NHRA SuperNationals 



No. 1 Qualifier: Raymond Commisso, 5.815, 

250.64 

Low E.T.: Raymond Commisso, 5.815 


NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals 


Runner Up: Jay Payne, 6.039, 240.38 

No. 1 Qualifier: Mike Castellana, 5.993, 

239.10 



Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals 

Winner: Pat Musi, 5.981, 239.44 

Runner Up: Brad Personett, 5.996, 251.02 

No. 1 Qualifier: Raymond Commisso, 5.910, 

248.20 

Low E.T.: Raymond Commisso, 5.910 



Winner: Brad Personett, 6.001, 221.42 

Runner Up: Joe Baker, no time, no speed 

No. 1 Qualifier: Mike Janis, 5.887, 244.16 

Low E.T.: Mike Janis, 5.887 



Winner: Melanie Troxel, 5.938, 245.94 

Runner Up: Scott Ray, no time, no speed 




NHRA Las Vegas Nationals 

Winner: Brad Personett, 5.859, 254.57 





63


PRO MOD SERIES TOP 10 

POINTS STANDINGS HISTORY 

2012 

(victories in parentheses) 

1. Troy Coughlin, Delaware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 675 

Ohio, Jeg’s Chevy Corvette (2) 

2. Mike Castellana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 672 

Muttontown, N.Y., Al-Anabi Chevy Camaro (1) 

3. Don Walsh,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 641 

Wixom, Mich., Walsh Precision Turbo Ford Mustang (1) 

4. Rickie Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 629 

King, N.C., IDG Chevy Camaro (2) 

5. Danny Rowe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 626 

Laguna Hills, Calif., Sterling Bridge Chevy Camaro (2) 

6. Leah Pruett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 602 

Lawrenceville, Ga., ProCare RX Ford Mustang (1) 

7. Donald Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 513 

Lake Forest, Calif., Sterling Bridge Chevy Camaro 

8. Pete Farber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 496 

Baldwinville, Mass., T.J. & Sons Auto Repair Dodge Daytona 

9. Steve Matusek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 406 

Olathe, Kan., Aeromotive/Ford/Roush Yates Ford Mustang 

10. Kenny Lang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397 

Grande Pointe, Manit., Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro 

2011 


1. Khalid alBalooshi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 662 

Doha, QATAR, Speedtech ‘68 Chevy Camaro (2) 

2. Danny Rowe, Laguna Hills, Calif. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 631 

Sterline Bridge ‘68 Chevy Camaro (1) 

3. Melanie Troxel, Duluth, Ga. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 513 

RoadRage.com ‘53 Chevy Corvette (1) 

4. Kenny Lang, Grande Pointe, Manit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 483 

Summit Racing Equipment ‘69 Chevy Camaro 

5. Rickie Smith, King, N.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 472 

IDG ‘11 Chevy Camaro 

6. Mike Janis, Lancaster, N.Y. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 441 

Eaton ‘11 Ford Mustang 

7. Mike Castellana, Muttontown, N.Y. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 432 

Al-Anabi ‘69 Chevy Camaro (2) 

64

STATISTICS 

8. Ed Hoover, Gilbert, S.C.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 414 

Trussell ‘68 Chevy Camaro (1) 

9. Jay Payne, Ontario, Calif. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411 

FireIce ‘68 Chevy Camaro 

10. Dennis Radford, Baker City, Ore.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 405 

Radford Trucking ‘70 Plymouth Duster 

2010 


1. Von Smith, Oak Ridge, Tenn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 643 

Barwa / Al-Anabi Racing ’68 Camaro (3) 

2. Danny Rowe, Laguna Hills, Calif. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 540 

Sterling Bridge ’68 Camaro (1) 

3. Brad Personett, Elkhart, Ind. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 522 

Personett Performance ’68 Camaro (2) 

4. Troy Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 492 

JEGS.com ’68 Camaro 

5. Melanie Troxel, Avon, Ind. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 476 

In-N-Out Burger ’68 Camaro 

6. Kenny Lang, Manitoba, Canada. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 475 

Kenny Lang Racing ’53 Corvette (1) 

7. Jay Payne, Ontario, Calif. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 473 

FireIce ’68 Camaro 

8. Ed Hoover, Gilbert, S.C.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 465 

Trussell Construction ’68 Camaro 

9. Raymond Commisso, Toronto, Ontario. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 437 

Pro Care RX ’68 Camaro 

10. Rick Stivers, Lexington, Ky. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 428 

Trane Dodge Stratus 

65


66 

NHRA PHOTO POLICY 

1. ACCESS 

1.1. Agreement. Each photographer/videographer must sign the NHRA Photo Policy to be granted 

access to shoot any NHRA event. By signing below, you are accepting and agreeing to the terms 

of the NHRA Photo Policy and accepting the grant of a limited license by NHRA to enter NHRA 

premises and shoot NHRA events. Use and reuse of all images shot is governed by this NHRA 

Photo Policy and by the NHRA Rulebook, unless you have a separate written agreement with 

NHRA regarding your event photography, in which case, in the event of any conflict, the terms of 

that separate agreement shall prevail. Nothing herein constitutes a license to use marks of third 

parties, or authorizes you to use the name, image, or likeness of any recognizable person, whether 

a participant in the race or a spectator. 

1.2. Responsibility. to Comply with Current Photo Policy. In order to facilitate trackside access, 

photographers are required to confirm whether there have been any changes to NHRA photo 

policy in advance of each event he/she attends. Photographer agrees to comply in all regards with 

NHRA Photo Policy including any modifications made by NHRA thereto, which modifications will be 

available from the NHRA Communications Department prior to and during all events. 

1.3. Credentials. A “Restricted Photo Area pass” is necessary to enter the Restricted Photographers 

Area. It must be worn and easily visible at all times and is not transferable. An NHRA Release and 

Waiver of Liability must be signed to receive a Restricted Photo Area Pass. NHRA reserves the right 

to approve or deny all credential requests, and revoke credentials, prior to or during any event. A 

fee may be charged by NHRA. 

1.4. Restricted Photo Area. The Restricted Photo Area is located behind the retaining wall on each 

side of the track, extending from the starting line to 225 feet down track, marked on the wall and/ 

or by an orange cone. Photographers are not permitted beyond this point at any time. Compliance 

with Section 1.7 is required at all times. Top end access available only by permission from NHRA 

Communications Dept. Absolutely no video filming access is allowed unless permission is granted 

from NHRA Communications or NHRA Broadcasting. 

1.4.1 Flash photography prohibited in starting line photo area. 

1.5. Times When Access Allowed. Photographers who have been issued a Friday qualifying photo 

credential (“F-photo”) are permitted in the Restricted Photo Area through Friday. Those who receive 

a qualifying photo credential (“Q-photo”) are permitted in the Restricted Photo Area through the 

completion of professional qualifying sessions only (no photo access for eliminations). 

1.6. Violation/Revocation. Violation of any part of this policy will result in immediate revocation of 

privileges, and possible legal action, in the sole discretion of NHRA. 

1.7. Permissible Areas. 

1.7.1. PHOTOGRAPHERS MUST STAY BEHIND THE RETAINING WALL AT ALL TIMES. Photographers 

are not permitted over the track wall at any time during the event. Do not lean against or over 

the retaining wall at any time. Cameras and equipment cannot be mounted on or placed 

against the retaining wall. 

1.7.2. Photographers are not permitted in the “starter’s box” or on the racing surface (track, 

burnout area, starting line) at ANY time. 

1.7.3. When crossing from one side of the track to the other, walk cautiously behind the 

burnout area. 

1.7.4. Within the boundaries of the starting line photo area, a designated kneel-down zone will 

be in effect from the moment the cars initiate the staging process until the cars launch to begin 

the race. The kneel-down zone perimeter includes the area directly beside each staged car, from 

the staging beams back through the entire length of the cars. Photographers positioned in this 

part of the starting line photo area must kneel-down to take photos from that area as the cars 

stage and launch.

2. CONDUCT 

2.1. Compliance with the Direction of NHRA Staff; Non-Interference with Event. Photographer shall 

not interfere or impede any spectators, other media personnel, the conduct of the race or any part 

of the event, the video taping of the race or any part of the event, and shall follow all instructions 

of NHRA personnel directing the race. 

2.2. Precautions/Danger. Performance in drag racing is measured in seconds. Be safe. Do not 

take your eyes off the racing vehicles. 

2.3. Vest. An “NHRA Photographers Vest” must be worn at all times while in the Photo Area. Please 

return the vest to NHRA Communications staff upon completion of your assignment. (A $100 FEE 

WILL BE ASSESSED TO HOLDERS OF UNRETURNED PHOTO VESTS.) 

2.4. Attire. For access to the trackside photo area, shirts with fully-covered shoulders must be 

worn, and shoes with closed heels and toes must be worn (no open toed shoes, sandals, clogs, 

slides, etc.). 

2.5. Ladders. Only ladders with two or fewer steps are permitted. Do not place a ladder against 

the retaining wall. 

2.6. Courtesy. The Restricted Photo Area is a working area. Please be courteous to your colleagues 

and spectators and leave the area when you are not working. 

3. ACCREDITATION; USE OF IMAGES 

PHOTO POLICY 

3.1. Legitimate Media Assignment Required. Only accredited photographers on assignment for 

an NHRA-recognized news media outlet or other NHRA-accepted media outlets will be permitted 

to photograph NHRA events. NHRA does not generally recognize photo agencies or freelancers as 

media. NHRA has the sole discretion to determine who is or is not NHRA-recognized. 

3.2. Contemporaneous News Use Required. All photography use is restricted to reasonably 

contemporaneous newsworthy usage only, and reuse is prohibited except with the express written 

permission of NHRA. 

3.3. No Freelancing. Freelance photographers are not permitted without specific assignment from 

an NHRA-recognized media outlet, and as expressly permitted by NHRA. A credential is required. 

3.4. No Commercial Use. All use and reuse of all images obtained at all NHRA events for 

commercial purposes is prohibited except in accordance with a written license from NHRA. 

To inquire about licensing of event photos for commercial purposes, please contact the NHRA 

Communications Department at (626) 914-4761. 

67

message to the media - NHRA.com

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