Pritchett drivers Papa John's dragster to fourth title while DSR teammate Johnson advances to 4th final in five races
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DSR'S Pritchett wins fourth Mello Yello title of year with Papa John's Pizza; Johnson, Chandlers' Make-A-Wish Dodge go to fourth final in five races BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 20, 2016) - The Papa John's Pizza Top Fuel team and driver Leah Pritchett with crew chief Todd Okuhara and assistant Joe Barlam started the 2017 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season strong and are headed to finish it the same way after winning their fourth title of the year on Sunday at Brainerd International Raceway. The win came two days after they reset their world elapsed time record with a run of 3.640 seconds to earn their sixth No. 1 qualifying position through 17 Mello Yello events with the Papa John's dragster Powered by Pennzoil. Pritchett, who won the first two events of the season and last at Houston in April, moved within 60 points of Top Fuel leader and Don Schumacher Racing teammate Antron Brown, who she beat in the final round after Brown advanced to his fifth consecutive final. She is within 29 points of second place racer Steve Torrence. "In order to be a champion someday you've got beat the champion," she said. "We're on our way, but we have a lot of work to continue doing. Antron is by far the measuring stick right now, and he always has been for me." Her four wins in a season ties legendary Shirley Muldowney for most nitro event titles in a season by a woman. And seven races remain including the six-race Countdown to the Championship that begins after Indy. "That's something to be incredibly proud of," Pritchett said. "She was an incredible racer, she was as tough as nails. It's awesome to tie her." Pritchett shares another piece of history. Alexis DeJoria won the Funny Car title marking the first time women swept nitro titles at the same event. "It's absolutely incredible," Pritchett added. "Alexis and I go back a long ways. I felt this is our race to win, this is our time to double-up. One of her crew members is the brother of one of my crew members, so it's a double-up inside the family." In Funny Car, DSR's Tommy Johnson Jr. and the Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T Dodge Charger R/T funded by Doug and Terry Chandler, advanced to his fourth final round in the last five races with crew chief John Collins and assistant Rip Reynolds. Johnson lost in the final round to Kalitta Motorsports' DeJoria, who joined with Pritchett to become the first pair of women to sweep nitro titles at the same Mello Yello race. "It's another runner-up, which is frustrating, but at the same time it's a really good thing," said Johnson, who moved up one spot to fourth in the standings. "We made a move in the points today, got ourselves in the top four and one of these days, if we continue to run like this it's going to become a win. In Top Fuel, eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher only posted one round win but it was the 800th to become the first Top Fuel driver to reach that milestone and third in pro categories joining John Force (Funny Car) and Warren Johnson (Pro Stock). Also, reigning Funny Car world champion Ron Capps made his 500th career NHRA start this weekend in central Minnesota becoming just the sixth NHRA racer to reach the milestone. The following are Sunday's final results from Brainerd: TOP FUEL Event winner: Leah Pritchett (Don Schumacher Racing) No. 1 qualifier: Leah Pritchett (Don Schumacher Racing) 3.640 sec.-world record, 330.63 mph LEAH PRITCHETT, Papa John's Pizza Fuel dragster - 3x winner, five finals in 2017 Crew chief: Todd Okuhara; Assistant: Joe Barlam SUNDAY CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS First round: PRITCHETT (3.709 sec., 325.30 mph) def. Rob Passey (4.321, 247.75) Second round: PRITCHETT (3.715, 330.63) def. Scott Palmer (3.906, 257.48) Semifinals: PRITCHETT (3.666, 330.88) def. Clay Millican 3.792, 263.00) Final: PRITCHETT (3.682, 328.06) def. Antron Brown (4.001, 246.35) QUALIFYING RESULTS Qualified: No. 1 FRIDAY: 3.677 sec., 331.53 mph-career best, (first session); 3.640 sec.-world record, 330.63 mph, (second session) SATURDAY: 4.670, 155.65, (third session); 3.783, 322.19, (fourth session) BRAINERD BY THE NUMBERS A year ago at Brainerd: Qualified No. 8, lost in first round to Clay Millican Career at Brainerd: Wins 1 (2017), Runner-ups 0, Poles 1 (2017) ANTRON BROWN, Matco Tools/U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster - 3x world champion, points leader Crew chiefs: Brian Corradi, Mark Oswald; Assistant: Brad Mason SUNDAY CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS First round: BROWN (3.695 sec., 331.77 mph) def. Shawn Langdon (3.734, 318.62 Second round: BROWN (3.681, 332.43) def. Brittany Force (3.675, 332.75) Semifinals: BROWN 3.706, 331.61) def. Steve Torrence (3.726, 323.19) Final: Leah Pritchett (3.682, 328.06) def. BROWN QUALIFYING RESULTS Qualified: No. 7 FRIDAY: 10.926 sec., 62.50 mph, (first session); 3.723, 321.73, (second session) SATURDAY: 3.749, 325.06, (third session); 14.245, 45.40, (fourth session) BRAINERD BY THE NUMBERS A year ago at Brainerd: Qualified No. 1, lost in championship round to Brittany Force Career at Brainerd: Wins 5 (2000, 2001, 2003, 2006-PSM; 2011-TF), Runner-ups 2 (2012, 2016-TF), Poles 4 (2001, 2004-PSM; 2014, 2016-TF) TONY SCHUMACHER, U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster Crew chief: Mike Green; Assistant: Phil Shuler SUNDAY CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS First round: SCHUMACHER (3.711 sec., 324.67) def. Troy Coughlin (16.216, 32.28) Second round: Clay Millican (3.658, 330.47) def. SCHUMACHER (3.718, 327.66) QUALIFYING RESULTS Qualified: No. 4 FRIDAY: 3.754 sec., 325.53 mph, (first session); 3.695, 329.42, (second session) SATURDAY: 5.247, 132.87, (third session); 3.779, 325.22, (fourth session) BRAINERD BY THE NUMBERS A year ago at Brainerd: Qualified No. 4, lost in semifinals to DSR teammate Antron Brown Career at Brainerd: Wins 3 (2000, 2004, 2008), Runner-ups 3 (2003, 2006, 2011), Poles 6 (2000, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012) FUNNY CARS Event winner: Alexis DeJoria (Kalitta Racing) No. 1 qualifier: Robert Hight (John Force Racing), 3.793 sec.-world record, 338.50 mph TOMMY JOHNSON JR., Doug & Terry Chandler's Make-A-Wish 2017 Dodge Charger R/T Crew chief: John Collins; Assistant: Rip Reynolds SUNDAY CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS First round: JOHNSON (3.922 sec., 328.66 mph) def. Jonnie Lindberg (7.147, 206.26) Second round: JOHNSON (3.932, 326.48) def. Courtney Force (8.099, 84.74) Semifinals: JOHNSON (6.875, 128.60) def. Robert Hight (9.806, 78.40) Final: Alexis DeJoria (3.906, 330.96) def. JOHNSON (3.933, 324.44) QUALIFYING RESULTS Qualified: No. 5 FRIDAY: 3.907 sec., 328.22 mph, (first session); 3.880, 329.58, (second session) SATURDAY: 3.897, 330.96, (third session); 3.907, 326.95, (fourth session) BRAINERD BY THE NUMBERS A year ago at Brainerd: Qualified No. 3, lost in second round to Courtney Force Career at Brainerd: Wins 1 (2006), Runner-ups 3 (1993, 1995-TF; 2015-FC), Poles 0 JACK BECKMAN, Doug & Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/T Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh SUNDAY CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS First round: BECKMAN (4.290 sec., 207.56 mph) def. Brian Stewart (4.083, 247.25-DQ/redlight) Second round: John Force (3.896, 335.48) def. BECKMAN (9.505, 72.67) QUALIFYING RESULTS Qualified: No. 6 FRIDAY: 6.535 sec., 129.18 mph, (first session); 3.886, 333.25, (second session) SATURDAY: 3.931, 326.87, (third session); 3.914, 329.83, (fourth session) BRAINERD BY THE NUMBERS A year ago at Brainerd: Qualified No. 4, lost in second round to DSR teammate Ron Capps Career at Brainerd: Wins 0, Runner-ups 2 (2008, 2010), Poles 3 (2012, 2013, 2012) RON CAPPS, NAPA AUTO PARTS 2017 Dodge Charger R/T - 6x winner in '17, points leader Crew chief: Rahn Tobler; Assistant: Eric Lane SUNDAY CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS First round: CAPPS (3.894 sec., 330.96 mph) def. J.R. Todd (3.973, 323.35) Second round: Robert Hight (3.828, 336.23) def. CAPPS (3.938, 304.80) QUALIFYING RESULTS Qualified: No. 8 FRIDAY: 3.928 sec., 325.14 mph, (first session); 4.237, 217.00, (second session) SATURDAY: 10.974, 75.82, (third session); 3.930, 325.61, (fourth session) BRAINERD BY THE NUMBERS A year ago at Brainerd: Qualified No. 5, lost in semifinals to DSR teammate Matt Hagan, won in championship round over Del Worsham in completion of rain-delayed event from Seattle. Career at Brainerd: Wins 5 (1998, 2001, 2012, 2013, 2014), Runner-ups 3 (1997, 2009, 2011), Poles 0 MATT HAGAN, 80th Anniversary Mopar/Express Lane 2017 Dodge Charger R/T Crew chief: Dickie Venables; Assistant: Michael Knudsen SUNDAY CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS First round: Cruz Pedregon (5.714 sec., 128.92 mph) def. HAGAN (broke after burnout) QUALIFYING RESULTS Qualified: No. 2 FRIDAY: 3.831 sec., 333.33 mph, (first session); 3.807, 336.57, (second session) SATURDAY: 3.932, 327.03, (third session); 3.928, 330.23, (fourth session) BRAINERD BY THE NUMBERS A year ago at Brainerd: Qualified No. 1, lost in championship round to Del Worsham Career at Brainerd: Wins 0, Runner-ups 2 (2013, 2016), Poles 2 (2011, 2011) 2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES TOP FUEL STANDINGS (Official after Brainerd; 17 of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS) 1. ANTRON BROWN (4) 1,513 ---- 2. Steve Torrence (6) 1,482 -31 3. LEAH PRITCHETT (4) 1,453 -60 4. TONY SCHUMACHER (1) 1,121 -392 5. Brittany Force (1) 1,052 -461 6. Doug Kalitta 1,038 -475 7. Clay Millican (1) 1,014 -499 8. Terry McMillen 722 -791 9. Scott Palmer 679 -834 10. Troy Coughlin Jr. 576 -937 2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNY CAR STANDINGS (Official after Brainerd; 17 of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS) 1. RON CAPPS (6) 1,383 ---- 2. Robert Hight (2) 1,247 -116 3. MATT HAGAN (3) 1,214 -149 4. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1) 1,180 -183 5. JACK BECKMAN (2) 1,160 -203 6. Courtney Force 1,012 -351 7. John Force (1) 954 -409 8. Tim Wilkerson 792 -571 9. J.R. Todd (1) 788 -575 10. Alexis DeJoria (1) 664 - 699 12th annual DSR Open House for Riley Kids presented by Pennzoil set for 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Friday Sept. 1 to during U.S. Nationals Don Schumacher Racing will host its most special day of the year on Sept. 1 (Friday) when it opens its doors to the public to support Riley Hospital for Children with its 12th annual Open House presented by Pennzoil from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. as the nitro kickoff for the NHRA U.S. Nationals. The DSR Open House presented by Pennzoil attracted more than 4,000 fans last year to DSR's 145,000-square-foot facility and raised a record $65,000 that pushed DSR's total contributions to over $500,000 for the Riley Hospital for Children. Open House activities include: * A meet and greet with DSR's seven winning drivers (Tony Schumacher, Antron Brown, Leah Pritchett, Ron Capps, Matt Hagan, Jack Beckman and Tommy Johnson Jr.) along with hall-of-fame owner Don Schumacher; * Expansive silent auction courtesy of DSR with racing memorabilia, products and services donated by friends and sponsors; * Behind-the-scenes access to the DSR drag racing facility including tours of its fabrication and machine shops; *One of the largest indoor car shows in Indiana featuring 200 of the Midwest's best custom and muscle cars, and motorcycles; * Cacklefest featuring nostalgia dragsters that will delight fans with the sounds of vintage nitro horsepower; * Papa John's Pizza will be selling pizza with all proceeds going to Riley Kids; Food trucks also will be on site with a portion of sales going to Riley; A new feature this year will be a performance by the Gordon Pipers bagpipe and drum marching band that features Scottish/Celtic culture and music. The Gordon Pipers have been one of the most popular elements of Indy 500 pre-race festivities and perform at Indianapolis Colts games and other major Indy events. About Don Schumacher Racing Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields seven professional NHRA teams. In Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, the Matco Tools dragster driven by three-time world champion Antron Brown and the Papa John's Pizza Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett; and in Funny Car, 2016 world champion Ron Capps in the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T; 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the 80th anniversary Mopar/ Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T, and 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr., both of which are funded by Doug and Terry Chandler. DSR has won 314 NHRA national event titles and 16 world championships. Follow Don Schumacher Racing at ShoeRacing.com, on Twitter at @shoeracing and Facebook.com/shoeracing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeff Wolf (wolfj@shoeracing.com), 702.524.1368 Leah Vaughn (vaughnl@shoeracing.com), 618.516.1988 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Forward This Email to a Friend http://ui.constantcontact.com/sa/fwtf.jsp?llr=5uv7snbab&m=1101041391262&ea=$submit@theautochannel.com$&a=1128657568685 This email was sent to submit@theautochannel.com by wolfj@shoeracing.com. 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