2019 NHRA Silly Season Is Starting Early!

[partsmonsta]

3rd Vance & Hines Pro Stock Motorcycle is going to have a female aboard!
Well, for the first four races at a minimum Angelle Sampey is going to find out what the Harley can do...
​

www.competitionplus.com/drag-racing/news/breaking-news-sampey-to-ride-third-harley-for-vance-hines

Didnt see that one coming.
Matt Smith is cracking up.

 

[ocdart]

News on nhra.com a couple of days ago that Brian Husen and some former JFR crewmembers will be working on the Mike Salinas Top Fuel car in 2019.
No official news yet (that I've seen) on a replacement crew chief for Brittany, but this seems to clear the road for Grubby and the boys.

 

[Budnicks]

News on nhra.com a couple of days ago that Brian Husen and some former JFR crewmembers will be working on the Mike Salinas Top Fuel car in 2019.
No official news yet (that I've seen) on a replacement crew chief for Brittany, but this seems to clear the road for Grubby and the boys.

sounds logical

Salinas isn't a slouch either
especially for a smaller self funded team

 

[ocdart]

Well now, here's something interesting...Cruz Pedregon to run Dodge Charger bodies on his funny cars in 2019

www.competitionplus.com/drag-racing/news/cruz-pedregon-to-race-dodge-bodies-in-2019

I've never been a Pedregon (any of them) fan, but glad to see more Mopar bodies on the track.

​

 

[ocdart]

CompetitionPlus.com says a number of sources have indicated the NHRA let official national event starter Mike Gittings go earlier this week.
Gittings, who took over the role in May 2016 following the Mark Lyle's death, was only the fourth national event starter in the history of the sanctioning body, The role will reportedly be filled by starters who operate on a regional and divisional basis.
The big question remains, how will this move affect the consistency of the starting line procedures and most importantly the track preparation at national events.
Competition.com is awaiting an official statement from the NHRA before moving this into the news section.

 

[Budnicks]

CompetitionPlus.com says a number of sources have indicated the NHRA let official national event starter Mike Gittings go earlier this week.
Gittings, who took over the role in May 2016 following the Mark Lyle's death, was only the fourth national event starter in the history of the sanctioning body, The role will reportedly be filled by starters who operate on a regional and divisional basis.
The big question remains, how will this move affect the consistency of the starting line procedures and most importantly the track preparation at national events.
Competition.com is awaiting an official statement from the NHRA before moving this into the news section.

sounds like a logical move

I think the local guys can do a great job
be consistent, not that hard to bring people to the line & flip a switch
within 7 seconds of a double bulb

 

[ocdart]

Announcements this morning on both competitionplus.com, nhra.com and others that Courtney Force is walking away from driving immediately but will remain involved in the sport. No mention of how many Funny Cars JFR will be campaigning in 2019 or who the drivers will be.
Another announcement on competitionplus.com about a new multi-year sponsorship contract between Mopar and Don Schumacher Racing for both Top Fuel and Funny Car.
And another announcement on nhra.com says Blake Alexander will be in a Funny Car partnered with Tim Wilkerson.

 

[Budnicks]

@ocdart
I saw that too

says she will still be involved in racing,
in the office & behind the scenes
probably making babies & future drivers for JFR
like her sister Ashley did

also 2 new drivers for Bob Vadergriff
Shawn Reed & Josh Hart will be new drivers for T/F

 

[ocdart]

Announcement on competitionplus.com this morning that Brittany Force will be driving the Advance Auto Parts sponsored Top Fuel car for JFR. This announcement must have been waiting to follow Courtney's announcement from yesterday.
Still no mention of who Brittany's crew chief will be.

 

[ocdart]

Announcements this morning on both competitionplus.com, nhra.com and others that Courtney Force is walking away from driving immediately but will remain involved in the sport.

According to an article in todays Orange County Register newspaper: "According to sources, the decision to retire was made midway through the 2018 season. However, sponsor Advance Auto Parts and its ad agency opted to remain silent until Thursday."
I wonder if this explains what appeared to be a lack of sharpness and consistency in the second half of the 2018 season, especially during the Countdown?
The article goes on to say, "...many believe she and husband Graham Rahal wanted to spend more time together."

 

[ocdart]

Official announcement released from John Force Racing this morning on 2019 drivers and teams:
* Robert Hight in the AAA funny car with Jimmy Prock as crew chief
* John Force in the Peak Coolant funny car with Brian Corradi and Danny Hood as crew chiefs
* Brittany Force in the Advance Auto Parts top fuel car with David Grubnic as crew chief
* Austin Prock will continue his developmental program and will compete later this season in a 3rd funny car

 

[ocdart]

...and Kalitta Motorsports announced Global Electronics Technology is back as the sponsor of Shawn Langdon's funny car with the addition of Del Worsham as co-crew chief.

 

[Budnicks]

Official announcement released from John Force Racing this morning on 2019 drivers and teams:
* Robert Hight in the AAA funny car with Jimmy Prock as crew chief
* John Force in the Peak Coolant funny car with Brian Corradi and Danny Hood as crew chiefs
* Brittany Force in the Advance Auto Parts top fuel car with David Grubnic as crew chief
* Austin Prock will continue his developmental program and will compete later this season in a 3rd funny car

a 3rd F/C or possibly a 2nd T/F car,
Austin Prock (Jimmy Prock's son) will be licensed in both