Saturday morning, during breakfast at our hotel in Gainesville, a friend said he looked on his computer at the Gatornationals results for the first day of qualifying and it was only a 12 cars qualified field for each pro class. He said he thought it was supposed to be 16 cars. I told him at the beginning of the 2008 season NHRA changed the format to a 12 car provisional qualified field prior to the final day of qualifying. I explained the situation but he said he didn't understand. I told him I would post the rule change on my/our new FR 2009 NHRA thread and hopefully that helped. And, asked him to forward his email address to my secretary so he was on my racing hub, which this was distributed. - fla
01.16.08: NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series Change in Qualifying Format
Given the significant impact weather and atmospheric conditions have had on qualifying for NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events in past seasons, NHRA announced today it has modified its race qualifying procedure. Beginning with the CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, Feb. 7-10, the top 12 elapsed times in each pro category will be provisionally recorded prior to the last day of qualifying. Those teams who were unable to earn a provisional spot in the top 12 will have an opportunity to make the 16-car starting order during the final day of qualifying. While the 12 provisional times are officially recorded prior to the last day of qualifying, those positions are not locked-in. All teams will have the opportunity to improve their positions during the final day of qualifying and can bump in or be bumped out of the field.
"There are no guarantees with this system," said Graham Light, senior vice president of racing operations, NHRA. "If you are one of the 12 quickest cars, you can still be bumped out on the final day of qualifying, or you can improve your position in the order. However, if weather conditions change and become less optimal and as a result the performances are not as good throughout the field, the four quickest cars from outside the provisional 12 on the final day of qualifying will complete the 16-car lineup."
The field of 16 for each of the four professional categories will be set at the conclusion of the final round of qualifying, using the traditional 16-car race bracket for eliminations. "We feel this new qualifying format will heighten the intensity for each and every qualifying session throughout the weekend," Light said. "We're certain it will make the racing on the track even more entertaining for fans."
All qualifying elapsed times will count in the Full Throttle Pit Crew Championship standings as well as towards national records(1). The Full Throttle Pit Crew Championship awards the top-performing pit crews in each of the four professional categories at each event as well as a year-end champion. Teams are rewarded based on performance and consistency during qualifying runs, with points deducted for quarter-mile passes that result in oil on the racetrack.
(1) National records were suspended in the two nitro classes after the Saturday, June 21, 2008 track death of Scott Kalitta during qualifying. - fla
Darrell Russell
1968 - 2004
2001 NHRA Rookie of the Year, 6 Top Fuel Event Wins, 17 Final-Round Appearances, 81 Events - 0 DNQ
2001: Only the third driver in NHRA history to win in his first professional start.
Three-time Division 4 Top Alcohol Dragster Champion | Three-time Division 4 Driver of the Year
Six-time Top Alcohol All-Star Representative
Tributes: Russell Family Official Site Photos Video (Direct WMPlayer Link)
NHRA Photos: Racers Edge | Chris Graves
03.23.09
Darrell Russell Tribute Party at Houston Raceway Park open to drivers, crew, and fans The top teams in drag racing will get together for a special party Friday night at Houston Raceway Park("HRP") to remember local Texas hero Darrell Russell and raise money for The Eric Medlen Project and Racers For Christ(Founded 1978 - fla). Fans are welcome to join in the fun and hang out with their favorite drivers in a casual atmosphere. "We've been working with the Russell family and Rob Geiger to put together a fun party where racers and fans can just hang out and enjoy each other's company," said Seth Angel, general manager of HRP. "The main idea is to remember Darrell and the others who have lost their lives doing what they love, like Eric Medlen, Scott Kalitta, and Blaine Johnson, just to name a few, and celebrate their lives."
At the conclusion of Friday's second round of professional qualifying at this weekend's 22nd annual O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals presented by Pennzoil, the party will begin with a massive fireworks display. As soon as the smoke clears, the rock-n-roll sounds of The Slags will fill the night and Houston-based Lupe Tortilla Mexican Restaurants will begin serving their famous sizzling fajitas and margaritas. Superstars like 13-time Funny Car champion John Force, six-time Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher, Funny Car points leader Ron Capps, four-time FIA European champion Urs Erbacher, Houston's own Erica Enders, Rookie of the Year candidate and back-to-back Super Comp world champion Shawn Langdon and his teammate Morgan Lucas, as well as U.S. Nationals winner Steve Johnson already have committed to the event along with their entire crews. Many more are expected to join in the fun as the evening approaches.
The party is free to attend. Food and beverages will be sold at a nominal cost with all proceeds going to The Eric Medlen Project, which funds research and safety initiatives for drag racers, and Racers For Christ.
Brothers Greg and Gary Angel, who own HRP, already have pledged $2,000 to the cause. Erbacher crewman Johnny Bang, who also owns Johnny Bang's Bang and Bump Shop in Tomball, Texas, has committed $500. "We encourage everyone to come over to the Corporate Hospitality area on the north end of the pit-side grandstands and join the party," Angel said. "The main objective is to have fun and remember our friends. If we can raise a good amount of money for charity at the same time then all the better. "The sportsman guys have been throwing a pit party during this race for the last few years and we're just expanding on their idea and inviting a few more people. We're using the same band they've used in the past that everyone really enjoyed and having Stan Holt and his group from Lupe Tortilla there will give people the option of eating and getting a cold drink if they so desire."
A photo booth where fans can get their picture taken with a life-sized cutout of Darrell Russell will be used to raise donations. Rob Geiger, author of Darrell Russell: Broad Smiles, Quarter-Miles(1), also will be on hand selling and signing copies of his book. - Credit: HRP
(1) The book Darrell Russell: Broad Smiles, Quarter-Miles can be purchased online at Jegs.com for $24.95. All proceeds are donated in Darrell’s name to the Drag Racing Association of Women (DRAW).
09.26.07: SpeedTV's Book Review.
Darrell was an outstanding fellow Houstonian, Texan, and drag racer who I still greatly miss. ~ fla
