NHRA Newsmakers: Force press conference tomorrow

NHRA Newsmakers
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NEWS NUGGETS

*	ASHLEY FORCE TO ANNOUNCE DECISION: A press conference has been
scheduled tomorrow at John Force's Yorba Linda, Calif. headquarters,
where his daughter Ashley is expected to announce her intentions for the
2007 season. Speculation surrounding the 24-year-old's move from Top
Alcohol dragster to Funny Car has been buzzing since she earned her
license last season - and longtime followers of her father's, as well as
her own budding fan base, eagerly await her answer. Media are invited to
participate in a teleconference with Ashley at 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT).
Contact NHRA Public Relations Manager Michael Padian at (626) 250-2217
for the telephone number and passcode.

*	SCHUMACHER RECEIVES JERRY TITUS AWARD: Tony Schumacher received
his first Jerry Titus Memorial Trophy Saturday at the American Auto
Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association (AARWBA) awards ceremony at
the Hyatt Regency in downtown Indianapolis. The Jerry Titus Memorial
Trophy, named for the late journalist and racer, is given annually to
honor the driver who earns the most total votes in balloting for auto
racing's official All-American Team as selected by the membership of
AARWBA. Notable drivers who have won the award include: Don Prudhomme
(1976); Shirley Muldowney (1982); John Force (1996, '99, 2000 and '02);
Mario Andretti (1977, '78, and '84); Dale Earnhardt (1987) and Jeff
Gordon (1995, '98, and '01). Schumacher was named first team for the
fourth time in his career after earning his fourth NHRA POWERade world
championship title. "This award is clearly the result of the hard work
and determination that my U.S. Army team put in throughout the season,"
Schumacher said. "Without their never-say-die attitude, I would not be
in the position I am today. This is as much their award as it is mine."
John Force was named first team for the 14th time of his career, while
Doug Kalitta, Jason Line and Frank Manzo were voted second team.

*	REPORTER/SOLDIER RECEIVES SPECIAL HOLIDAY GIFT: Ask Brainerd
(Minn.) Dispatch sports writer and photographer Clint Wood a trivia
question about the history of the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals and he'll
likely know the answer - or how to track it down. Wood is a fixture in
the media room at Brainerd International Raceway, but the newspaper beat
isn't his only responsibility. Wood, a sergeant assigned to the Public
Affairs Team of the Minnesota Army National Guard's 1st Brigade Combat
Team, 34th Infantry Division, is stationed in Iraq. This holiday season,
representatives from NHRA and teams sent boxes of hero cards, hats,
stickers, copies of National Dragster and other quarter-mile themed
gifts to Wood and his fellow soldiers. "It was such a morale boost,"
Wood told NHRA.com "I remember this one soldier holding an autograph
card signed by Kenny and Brandon Bernstein and he just couldn't believe
his eyes. He was impressed. It was awesome. The response was great.
Everyone was very appreciative." To see photos of Wood and soldiers
receiving NHRA gear, check out NHRA.com <http://www.nhra.com/> 

*	 CHEVY IMPALA SS FUNNY CAR TO DEBUT AT POMONA: Chevrolet will
introduce the 2007 Impala SS to the Funny Car category beginning at the
CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona
in February, after a year of refining the sporty sedan - which includes
the latest version of the small-block V-8. "Chevrolet has firmly
established itself as one of drag racing's most successful automotive
brands," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. "The Chevy red Bowtie
competes to win, and like its production counterpart, the new Impala SS
Funny Car has been designed and engineered to carry forward that
performance heritage." 

*	WHAT IS THE COUNTDOWN?: It is NHRA's new and improved system for
determining its four POWERade Series world champions and it officially
gets underway a month from now at the season-opening CARQUEST Auto Parts
NHRA Winternationals (Feb. 8-11 at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona), the
first of 17 regular-season events in the 23-event schedule. The top
eight drivers from each class after the 17-event regular season will
advance to the playoffs and remain in contention for the 2007 POWERade
Series world championship. Media will be kept abreast of the Countdown
throughout the inaugural season via a Countdown-specific post-event
wrap-up, identifying the most significant moves up and down in the
POWERade Series standings, who's in and who's out, and what to look for
as we move through the regular season, playoffs and championship rounds.
Look for these updates via email and on the Media Web site, which will
be re-launched in February with a page dedicated to educating media
about the Countdown and answering any and all questions related to the
Countdown.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
*	NITRO BLAST OFF, LAS VEGAS, THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR
SPEEDWAY, JAN. 19-21: The elite teams of the NHRA POWERade Series will
get their first whiff of the competition for 2007 at this first of three
optional showcase pre-season test session. Media are invited. Please
contact NHRA Media Relations at (626) 914-4761 for more information.
*	NATIONAL TIME TRIALS, PHOENIX, FIREBIRD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY,
JAN. 26-28: Pre-season action moves from Nevada to Arizona as the
professional teams continue to tweak off-season changes at this second
of three optional test sessions. Open to media. Please contact NHRA
Media Relations at (626) 914-4761 for more information.
*	LAST CHANCE TEST SESSION AND PONTIAC PRO STOCK SHOWDOWN, LAS
VEGAS, THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY, FEB. 2-4: This aptly named
test session is the final of three optional events that allow
professional drivers the chance to test their rides before the 2007 NHRA
POWERade Series Countdown to the Championship gets underway. The 200 mph
NHRA Pro Stock cars also will race for bragging rights in the annual
Pontiac Pro Stock Showdown. Open to media. Please contact NHRA Media
Relations at (626) 914-4761 for more information.
*	CARQUEST AUTO PARTS NHRA WINTERNATIONALS, POMONA, CALIF., AUTO
CLUB RACEWAY AT POMONA, FEB. 8-11: Get a front seat as Tony Schumacher
(Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Andrew
Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) begin the march to defend their POWERade
Series world championship titles.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
*	3: Days until the first NHRA POWERade Series test session
officially begins, at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

DRIVERS TELL ALL
*	MORGAN LUCAS ON COLTS' TRIP TO AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: The NFL's
Indianapolis Colts may have plenty of fans, but one in particular, Top
Fuel driver Morgan Lucas, has his eyes fixed on the team's spectacular
season. A longtime fan, Lucas, son of Lucas Oil company owners Forrest
and Charlotte Lucas, will see his last name on the new stadium of the
team in 2008. In the meantime, Lucas will be watching when the Colts
take on the New England Patriots on Sunday. "I've watched every game,"
Lucas said. "They've got a great coaching staff, and the players are all
awesome. They have probably one of the most premier quarterbacks of all
time calling the shots on the field." Lucas looks forward to the grand
opening of the stadium, which will include a motorsports museum complete
with a Super Comp and Funny Car on display. The stadium may also host
the Super Bowl in the future, Lucas said.

For more information, contact NHRA Media Relations at (626) 914-4761 or
visit the NHRA MEDIA CENTER online at http://media.nhra.com.