NHRA MEDIA ADVISORY REMINDER: AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS PRESS LUNCHEON
* * M E D I A A D V I S O R Y * * MEDIA INVITED TO COMPETE AGAINST NHRA$B!G(JS QUICKEST WOMEN IN POWERade FUNNY CAR SIMULATORS WHAT: NHRA MEDIA LUNCHEON: Members of the media are invited to COMPETE AGAINST EACH OTHER and the MOST CELEBRATED WOMEN in drag racing -- drivers from the NHRA POWERade Series and Lucas Oil Series -- who will compete in the 41st annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals. The race is the final of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, at historic Pomona Raceway, Nov. 3-6. There will be one-on-one interview opportunities and multiple video and photo opportunities available at the media luncheon. The POWERade Simulators - developed for the POWERade Fan Nationals -- mimic the shakes, sounds and full sensory experience the pros feel every time they take on the quarter-mile. Thousands of fans across the country have tested their racing skills and nerves in the ultra-realistic simulators in an attempt to qualify for the Fan Nationals, a fully competitive and interactive NHRA Drag Racing Series designed for the fans. Test your own skill and find out what it takes to be a professional driver from some of the most popular NHRA drivers. WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2005, noon WHERE: Pacific Palms Conference Resort 1 Industry Hills Parkway Industry, Calif. 91744 WHO: Several of NHRA$B!G(Js most celebrated women will be available to talk about their racing experiences and will also be available to race against each other and the media in the POWERade Simulators: $B!|(J ERICA ENDERS: The subject of the popular Disney Channel movie that chronicled her Jr. Drag Racing career, $B!H(JRight on Track,$B!I(J Enders became the first woman to advance to a final round in Pro Stock earlier this month in Chicago. The Houston driver pilots the Slammers Ultimate Milk Chevy Cobalt. $B!|(J ASHLEY FORCE: This second-generation driver shared the winner$B!G(Js circle at Pomona Raceway last November with her 13-time Funny Car champion father, John Force. It was the first time in NHRA history that a father-daughter duo raced to victory at the same event. Her three national event wins also include the $B!G(J04 U.S. Nationals, the world$B!G(Js most prestigious drag race. A graduate of Cal State Fullerton, Ashley is sponsored by Castrol and Mattel Hot Wheels brand and last year had a Barbie Doll created in her likeness. She is expected to start her pro career in 2007 in Funny Car. $B!|(J ANGELLE SAMPEY: The rider of the U.S. Army Suzuki is the winningest female in NHRA history with 37 career victories. She became the first woman to win a Pro Stock Motorcycle championship in 2000 (J-(J then won the championship title again in 2001 and 2002. She is a two-time winner at Pomona Raceway. $B!|(J MELANIE TROXEL: She became the NHRA$B!G(Js quickest and fastest woman when she stopped the quarter-mile clocks at 4.458 seconds at 328.86 mph in Dallas. She and her husband, Funny Car pilot Tommy Johnson Jr., compete for family bragging rights. She drives the Skull Gear/Torco Race Fuels dragster for Don Schumacher Racing. $B!|(J HILLARY WILL: This California native will make her first appearance in the professional ranks next season, as the driver for a team owned by Ken Black and fielded by Connie Kalitta. Will, a standout Top Alcohol Dragster driver with one national event victory this season, will be the 16th woman to compete in Top Fuel in NHRA history. CONTACT: Please RSVP to the NHRA Communications Dept., (626) 914-4761. Lachelle Seymour: (626) 250-2230 or (626) 253-6337 and Anthony Vestal: (626) 250-2425 or (626) 695-6649 -30- *** Media information only, not intended for publication ***