- Ashley, Tasca, Enders and Herrera take home the wins in the Four-Wide Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge Winners
- Kalitta, Force and Anderson Maintain their p#ole1 Spots while Herrera takes over Pro Stock Motorcycle
- Donovan Williams Clinches Last 50K on Wiseco Saturday at the Spring Fling
- NO. 1 QUALIFIER JOHN FORCE EYES RECORD FOURTH CAREER WIN IN NHRA 4-WIDE EVENT IN CHARLOTTE
- ERICA ENDERS WINS #2FAST2TASTY CHALLENGE AT CHARLOTTE FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS
- JUSTIN ASHLEY AND SCAG TOYOTA TEAM WIN MISSION #2FAST2TASTY CHALLENGE AT ZMAX DRAGWAY
- KALITTA, J. FORCE, ANDERSON AND HERRERA PICK UP NO. 1 QUALIFIERS AT NHRA 4-WIDE NATIONALS IN CHARLOTTE
FRICKE MAKES THE MOVE TO ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Written by Todd Veney/Pro Sportsman Association
Phot by David Smith
Milwaukee, WI – To most drag racing fans, there are two kinds of cars: fuel cars…and all others.
Top Alcohol Dragster driver Jackie Fricke was a fan way before she ever became a driver, and to her, Top Alcohol
Dragsters are the kings of the sport. “I remember Steve Cantrell, Bruce Horner, Ken Winward, John Rose Jr., Jeff Rapp, Babette Zavor, everyone,” she says. “I could probably name everybody who ever drove an Alcohol Dragster in Division if I sat here and thought about it long enough. I’m a fan of the class first and foremost. To be driving one … it’s just a dream come true. I was always that kid at the fence who never, ever missed an alcohol session.”
Now she’s one of the drivers kids peering over the fence are waiting to see. Her family and friends just don’t quite understand why.
“My friends all have a different mentality,” Fricke says.” “They’re like, ‘Why would you want to work on a greasy car till 2 in the morning? What’s wrong with Super Comp? What’s wrong with trying to win a 10-grander?’ My father is a bracket racer through and through. He knows nothing else. He’d say, ‘What are you doing? Why would you even want to do this?’ ”
Even Fricke’s husband, Shawn, who won the first NHRA national event he ever entered with a perfect 10.90 in the 2007 Englishtown Super Street final, didn’t see the logic at first. And her mom never wanted her to race anything, much less a 270-mph car.
PMRA welcomes Aulward Graphics for 2012
Courtesy of PMRA
HAMILTON, ON – The Pro Modified Racing Association, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and the Pro Bike & Sled Series is pleased to welcome Aulward Graphics as the Preferred Printing Supplier to the three drag race series.
“We are pleased and welcome Aulward to our series,” said Bruce Mehlenbacher, Director of Operations of all three series. “This is a great addition to the continued growth of our race series.”
Mehlenbacher added that Aulward will be instrumental in providing the opportunity to promote and market the three racing series with its drivers, venues, and events.
“Our partnering with Aulward will allow us to work together in taking the promotion of the PMRA, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and the PBSS to the next level,” said Mehlenbacher. “We look forward to Aulward’s expertise and professionalism in the important aspect of our sport.”
Courtney Force, Troy Coughlin Jr., Jerry Caldwell, Matt Ward, Alan Reinhart on WFO Radio
Courtesy of WFO
HOLLYWOOD, FL – John Force Racing’s Courtney Force, U.S. Nationals winner Troy Coughlin Jr., Bristol Dragway GM Jerry Caldwell, and National Dragster Be a Member winner Matt Ward all join Joe Castello, along with the NHRA’s Alan
Reinhart, on WFO Radio NHRA Nitro. To listen now, go to http://www.wforadio.com/
Courtney Force,driver of the Traxxas Ford Mustang Funny Car, stops by WFO Radio to talk about her season so far, gaining experience against tough competition, her quest to win the Auto Club Road to the Future Award, and this weekend’s action at Heartland Park in Topeka, Kansas.
Reigning U.S. Nationals Super Comp winner, Troy Coughlin Jr. talks big money bracket racing at the K& N Spring Fling 20’s, his family’s collective experience in drag racing, and his ultimate goals for his young career.
Victoria Day Weekend Challenge at TMP’s Cayuga Dragway Continues Tradition
Courtesy of PMRA
CAYUGA, ON – It started with a small group of dedicated racers who believed in an idea, and this idea has grown and prospered.
With the organization of the Pro Modified Racing Association late in 2004, the first event was held at the Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park during the May holiday weekend in 2005. Carl Spiering of Jordan Station, Ontario, won the final round of that first race over Al Billes of Barrie, Ontario.
And since that night eight years ago, the Victoria Day Weekend Challenge at Cayuga has traditionally opened the PMRA season. For 2012 this tradition continues as the fast and popular Pro Modifieds take to the track May 18-20 for the first of seven PMRA race this season.
But the Pro Modifieds are only part of the show this year. Entering its fourth season is the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts. This series features Top Dragster cars and Top Sportsman cars which compete against each other, and the top eliminator in each meets up to determine an event winner. The Top Dragster of TJ Schippling of Shakespeare, Ontario won that first event in May of 2009 over the Top Sportsman entry of Jeff Gable of Stratford, Ontario.
WHO’S IN THIS ISSUE OF RPM MAGAZINE – JUNE 2012
Courtesy of RPM Magazine
Brandford, ON – WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING – Steve Ayesh’s 1972 Mach 1 is not what you think it is. In fact, we’ll bet that you have already formed an opinion in your mind, something like; “that’s a nice clean street machine”…read the
story and find out.
GREEN MACHINE – Derrick Townes and his stunning green Hemi powered Pro Mod Camaro. Derrick has been schooled by some of the top names in the sport and is now racing at the top level of doorslammer drag racing, Pro Modified!
FALLING OFF A HORSE – Falling Off A Horse… A Really Powerful One! Something we are taught right from our childhood is that if we fall off of a horse, the best thing to do is just get right back on! For Andy Beal these have been words to shape his life, and his love of a sport that almost killed him.
WELCOME TO MOPAR-ADISE! – Over his lifetime David Hawkins has covered all bases, but always went back to the Mopars.
PARTICIPATE, NOT SPECTATE – PART II – Nothin’ Like the Real Thing… The Derkzen Motorsports Drag Race Experience
Topeka the Next Test for Battle-hardened JEGS Team
Courtesy of Jegs
TOPEKA, KS – Five-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. and his JEGS.com/Mopar Dodge Avenger race team are hoping this weekend’s 24th annual Dollar General NHRA Summernationals at Heartland Park Topeka will kick off a 
successful summer that will ultimately earn them a berth in the 2012 playoffs.
“One of the primary goals when we started this race team was to run well enough in the regular season to get a spot in the Countdown to the Championship,” Coughlin said. “That remains our top priority. We have 10 races left before the cutoff, including Topeka, so every event is important.”
Coughlin has tasted success in Topeka in the past, winning the event outright in 2000, his first championship season in the Pro Stock category. He’ll be looking to duplicate that feat this time through, although just going a few rounds on Sunday would be a nice pick-me-up for his race team.
“We’ve been tested this year, for sure,” he said. “Probably much more than any of us expected. We’ve got a fairly young group, but it’s an experienced group.
“Right now, we’re five or six hundredths behind the top teams. We probably have three hundredths sitting right here in the pit that we just need to find through the set-up. The other three is going to have to come from some additional horsepower. We’re working very hard to improve in both areas.”
Voices Unlimited “Track Day” at Victoria Day Weekend Challenge May 18
Courtesy of PMRA
CAYUGA, ON – Team members of the Pro Modified Racing Association, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and the Pro Bike & Sled Series will be provided an opportunity to meet members of Voices Unlimited as they get an up-close look at
the cars and spend some time with the drivers this coming Friday as part of the drag racing opener at the Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park May 18-20.
This three-day event will begin Friday, May 18 as teams get set up at the track and perform some testing and tuning on the quarter mile. During Friday as the teams prepare for racing, members of Voices Unlimited will have a chance to meet with the teams, and all racers will be invited to take part in a Voices Unlimited-prepared barbeque supported by Cayuga Foodland from 11 am to 4 pm.
Drag Racing IS Entertainment: Perspective by Bill Bader Jr.
Courtesy of Pro Sportsman Association
Norwalk, OH – Bill Bader Jr., son of legendary race promoter and former IHRA President Bill Bader, runs Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, home to an NHRA national event, a regional/divisional race, and as many major
independent shows as any track in the country. Bader Jr. is as smooth as they come, all business, and a total pro – just like his dad.
“Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals” rolls off his tongue faster than most people could say “Norwalk,” his track workers aren’t track workers – they’re “team members” – and this weekend’s Division 3 Lucas Oil Series event isn’t a points meet; it’s the B’laster Cavalcade of Stars presented by Budweiser. The Pro Sportsman Association’s Todd Veney caught up with Bader Jr., 44, to get his thoughts on what it takes to make a racetrack work, why he switched from IHRA to NHRA, and how he drew a turn-away crowd for a divisional race.
Mike and Samantha Coughlin to continue title chase in Norwalk
Courtesy of Jegs
NORWALK, OH – Team JEGS drivers Mike and Samantha Coughlin find themselves in similar situations as they head to this weekend’s sixth annual B’Laster Cavalcade of Stars presented by Budweiser.
After a pair of late-round finishes at the recently completed season-opening North Central Division Lucas Oil Series event in Indianapolis, they are both solidly in contention for championships in their respective Top Sportsman and Super Comp divisions. Now, Mike and Samantha will resume the chase as the tour moves to the scenic Norwalk facility located just a couple of hours from the JEGS Mail Order headquarters in Delaware, Ohio.
“Norwalk is a great track and it seems to agree with fast cars like mine,” said Mike, whose JEGS.com Chevy Cobalt is routinely one of the quickest cars in the Top Sportsman class. “We haven’t made and changes to the car. The car was just about perfect the last time I drove it (in Indy) thanks to my dad, Jeg Sr., [crew chief] Greg Cody and Tony Collier, who helps me dial-it-in at the track.
Troy Coughlin Jr. wants a win at Spring Fling 20s
Courtesy of Jegs
BRISTOL, TN – For sportsman racers looking to make their mark in the world of high stakes E.T. bracket racing, there is no better event than the annual K&N Spring Fling 20s. Held each May at picturesque Bristol Dragway in the Smoky
Mountains of eastern Tennessee, the event is the brainchild of racers Peter Biondo and Kyle Seipel, who have made it one of the “must attend” races each season.
JEGS Mail Order will have a strong presence at the event as a presenting sponsor of Saturday and Sunday’s $20,000-to-win main event races as well as the live video feed that will bring the action to a worldwide internet audience throughout all four days of competition.
Past Mac Tools U.S. Nationals champion Troy Coughlin Jr. will be flying the familiar yellow-and-black JEGS colors as he brings his JEGS.com dragster to the event.
Coughlin plans to compete in all four main events, including Thursday’s $12,000-to-win race and the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday races that pay $20,000 to each winner. Coughlin is also one of the 32 racers who will compete for a new dragster in the Dragster Shootout race held Friday night. Last year, Coughlin won the event and was rewarded with an American Race Cars dragster chassis.
