NHRA (ENGLISHTOWN) - SPORT COMPACT FALLNATIONALS PRE-RACE ADVANCE
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WHAT: Sixth Annual NHRA Sport Compact Fallnationals, the 10th of 11 events in the NHRA Xplōd Sport Compact Racing Series. Heads-up, no breakout competition leading to 2007 NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series world championships in five different championship classes (Pro RWD, Pro FWD, Modified, Hot Rod and Honda Tuning Magazine All Motor). Four heads-up sportsman (Sport RWD, UrbanRacer.com Sport FWD, BFGoodrich Tires Street Stock and Quick 16) classes leading to the 2007 East Region Sportsman Class championships, plus three ET brackets.
WHERE: 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. At the Exxon gas station 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.
WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 6-7, 2007.
SCHEDULE: SATURDAY, OCT. 6
GATES OPEN 10 a.m.
E.T. BRACKET TIME TRIALS from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
HEADS-UP QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 1, 3 and 6 p.m.
SUNDAY, OCT. 7
GATES OPEN 8 a.m.
NHRA XPLOD STYLEFEST begins at 10 a.m.
E.T. TIME TRIALS 8 a.m. (muffled) and 9 a.m. (unmuffled)
ELIMINATIONS (SF, SR, SS, Q16; only if 9 or more cars) scheduled for 11 a.m.
OPENING CEREMONIES begin at 12:30 p.m.
ELIMINATIONS 1 p.m.
TELEVISION: Race - Wednesday, Oct. 24, 5 p.m. (ET) ESPN2.
Stylefest – Wednesday, Oct. 24, 5:30 p.m. (ET), ESPN2.
**Check local listings, television schedule subject to change.
TICKETS: For ticket information call Old Bridge Township Raceway Park at (732) 446-7800.
Tickets will be available at the gate. Saturday: Adult $15, Child (6-12) $5, (under 6) free. Sunday: Adult $20, Child (6-12) $5, (under 6) free. Two-day ticket for Saturday/Sunday; Adult $30, Child (6-12) $10.
TRACK RECORDS: Pro RWD – 6.64 seconds and 210.28 mph by Brad Personett, Scion, May ‘07
Pro FWD - 7.27 seconds and 201.55 mph by Marty Ladwig, Chevrolet, May ‘07
Modified – Due to rule change performance records will be set at this event
Hot Rod – 7.90 seconds and 188.70 by Mike Crawford, Dodge, Oct. ’06
All Motor - 9.33 seconds and 145.96 mph by Jeremy Lookofsky, Honda, May ‘07
NATIONAL RECORDS: PRO RWD - 6.55 seconds and 213.13mph (June, ’07, Topeka, Kan.) by Gary White, Toyota Celica PRO FWD - 7.18 seconds (Sept., ‘07, Dallas) by Marty Ladwig, Chevy Cobalt; 202.64 mph (Aug. ‘07, Indianapolis) by Jason Hunt, Chevy Cobalt MODIFIED – Due to rule change time record to be reset; 192.36 mph (May ‘07, Englishtown, N.J.) by Paul Efantis, Toyota Solara HOT ROD - 7.90 seconds and 184.25 mph (Oct. ‘06, Englishtown, N.J.), by Stephanie Eggum, Honda Civic ALL MOTOR - 9.33 seconds (May ‘07, Englishtown, N.J.) and 146.31 mph (April, ‘07, Jupiter, Fla.) by Jeremy Lookofsky, Honda Civic
*** KARAGIANNIS AND ARMENDARIZ TO PLAY SPOILERS AT NHRA SPORT COMPACT FALLNATIONALS
ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. – Dee Karagiannis (Modified) and Leslie Armendariz (Honda Tuning All Motor) are two drivers that are still mathematically in the running for world championship, but each has another role of spoiler to play at the upcoming NHRA Sport Compact Fall Nationals.
The two will battle it out this weekend, Oct. 6-7, in their respective categories at the sixth annual NHRA Sport Compact Fallnationals at historic Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. For more information please visit nhrasportcompact.com.
Karagiannis made the switch to a Mazdaspeed 3 at the beginning of the season, and he has been holding his own in the Modified category with two runner-up finishes at Richmond, Va. and Atco, N.J.
“The car has been doing really well,” said Karagiannis. “We went testing this past weekend and it did well. If we can do as well at the race then we plan on sending a lot of people home.”
Although he is 222 points behind the leader, he knows that his chances of being the world champion are slim.
“I actually enjoy this role (spoiler),” said Karagiannis. “There is less pressure about not winning the championship and I can actually focus better and do better. We’re at the point where we are able to try things because we have nothing to lose.”
Karagiannis also understands what the other drivers in the category, such as points leader Paul Efantis, Ken Scheepers and Brent Rau, are doing.
“We’re all friends,” said Karagiannis. “When you get all these people together we push each other. There is a competitive edge against each other. The Modified class reminds me of how import racing got started. You have four and six cylinder cars, and rotary cars racing against each other.”
Karagiannis also remembers last year’s race in Englishtown where he failed to qualify. It ultimately cost him the championship.
“We are going to have maybe 18-20 cars this weekend,” he said. “I lost the championship last year by not qualifying at Englishtown. I don’t want that to happen this year. I have a lot of close friends and family coming to the event. I will make an extra effort to try my best and make sure I qualify.”
Armendariz, in her Horizon Motorsports Scion tC, is a little closer to the points lead (-168), but she also understands that this has been a difficult year of racing. She has had two No. 1 qualifier awards (Jupiter, Fla. and Indianapolis) and one runner-up finish (Las Vegas). At the time her run of 9.45 seconds at Moroso was a national record.
“This season’s not what we imagined,” said Armendariz. “We’ve had one of the quickest cars all year long, but it’s been frustrating. There have been transmission issues. Also, running a two car team has been a new experience.”
She is also realistic about what she wants to accomplish for the rest of the season.
“I want to finish the season strong,” she said. “I would like to finish second in points. This would be a good showing for my sponsors like AEM, Royal Purple, ERL and Scion.”
Those battling Armendariz in Englishtown will be points leader Norris Prayoonto and teammate Saul Salceda, time and speed record-holder Jeremy Lookofsky, Scott Kelly and Julie Stepan.
While the quickest side-by-side sport compact racing in the world is happening on the track, fans will have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities in the pits and entertainment area. The NHRA Xplōd Stylefest will include the NHRA Tuner Car Show, which offers the best sport compact show cars, the Modified Magazine NHRA Bikini Xhibition, and extreme sports exhibitions.
NHRA is the premier sanctioning body for sport compact drag racing. It is presenting the 11-race NHRA Xplōd Sport Compact Racing Series at nine tracks across the country from March through October.
The series is highlighted by its five championship classes (Pro RWD, Pro FWD, Modified, Hot Rod and Honda Tuning Magazine All Motor). In addition, and at all eight of the stand-alone NHRA Xplōd Sport Compact Racing Series events, the NHRA Xplōd Stylefest showcases a compliment of the lifestyle and entertainment elements synonymous with today’s sport compact scene. More information is available at nhrasportcompact.com.
Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. It presents 23 national events through its POWERade Drag Racing Series. NHRA has 80,000 members and 140 member tracks. NHRA-sanctioned sportsman and bracket racing series’ provide competition opportunities for drivers of all levels. NHRA develops the stars of tomorrow by offering the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA Xplōd Sport Compact Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series and the NHRA Street Legal Drags presented by AAA. NHRA also offers the O’Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League for youth ages 8 to 17.
***
NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series 2007 Point Standings
PRO RWD (Victories in parentheses)
1. Brad Personett, Scion (6) 942
2. Gary White, Toyota (1) 681
3. Manuel Cruz, Mercury 496
4. Boris Rojas, Mazda (2) 330
5. Carl Stevens Jr., Nissan 98
5. Carlos Torres, Nissan 75
PRO FWD
1. Jason Hunt, Chevrolet (3) 753
2. Marty Ladwig, Chevrolet (2) 732
3. Gary Gardella, Chevrolet (3) 729
4. Ed Bergenholtz, Mazda 586
5. Christian Rado, Scion 458
6. Bryan Jimenez, Chevrolet 426
MODIFIED
1. Paul Efantis, Toyota 562
2. Ken Scheepers, Mazda (3) 554
3. Brent Rau, Mitsubishi (3) 550
4. Demetrios Karagiannis, Mazda 340
5. Luis Corujo, Toyota 164
6. Eddie Colon, Toyota 163
7. Steve Topletz, Toyota 162
9. Thomas Shambaugh, Chevrolet 108
8. Carlos Perez, Mazda 94
10. Alex Dieguez, Toyota 53
HOT ROD
1. Stephanie Eggum, Honda (4) 666
2. Kenny Tran, Scion (2) 623
3. James Farrer, Chevrolet 229
4. Chuck Seitsinger, Honda 228
5. Mike Crawford, Dodge 75
6. Tony Garcia, Honda 75
7. Jason Ames, Honda 54
8. Steven Tan, Honda 53
9. Eric Del Rosario, Honda 52
HONDA TUNING MAGAZINE ALL MOTOR
1. Norris Prayoonto, Honda (3) 621
2. Jeremy Lookofsky, Honda (2) 604
3. Leslie Armendariz, Scion 453
4. Saul Salceda, Honda 450
5. Scott Kelley, Toyota (1) 389
6. Julie Stepan, Chevrolet 375
7. Doug Parks, Mazda 259
8. Richie Gibson Jr., Honda 107
9. Angel Valentin, Mazda 53
10. Jesus Padilla, Mazda 52