DSR J&J Continue Pro Stock Partnership in 2007

By Judy Stropus

Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Racing announced recently that the two teams will continue their Pro Stock partnership into the 2007 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Richie Stevens Jr. will again pilot the Team Mopar/Valspar Dodge Stratus R/T as teammate to Allen Johnson's Mopar/Johnson & Johnson Racing Dodge Stratus R/T.

The two groups partnered up at the end of 2006, to great success. Stevens Jr.'s performance improved markedly, as he won two of the five events entered under the new DSR/J&J banner. Johnson also finished strong, taking sixth in the final NHRA Pro Stock standings, with one win and two Top Qualifier awards.

"I am thrilled to be able to continue this association with Allen Johnson and J&J Racing with Richie," said Schumacher. "J&J clearly knows how to build, prepare and set up a Pro Stock Mopar Dodge. The team's ability to put together a winning combination last year, both for Allen and Richie, was demonstrated race after race."

Mark Ingersoll will handle crew chief duties for both teams, with crew-chief assistants assigned to both teams. J&J's engine operations are headed up by Roy Johnson, with Ingersoll handling decision-making on clutch and chassis. Two additional crew members on each team will handle maintenance and turn-around.

The 2007 NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Series kicks off on February 8-11 at Pomona, Calif., with the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals. For more info on the NHRA, log on to nhra.com.

"Our '06 season really improved after we made the move over to Roy and Allen Johnson for engines and performance, with the immediate success [wins] in Dallas and Las Vegas. I can't be thankful enough to Roy and Allen and Mopar, for sticking with me through everything, and I'm very happy to go into '07 with them."

— Richie Stevens Jr. (above left), on his late season success after his Don Schumacher Racing team joined forces with J & J Racing.

"The beginning [of this association] in '06 was great. Richie went out and won two of the five events entered. The sharing of info from two-car teams in this incredibly competitive Pro Stock class is crucial. Look for more gains in '07."

— Allen Johnson (above right), on the advantage both DSR and J&J Racing will see as a result of teaming up for the 2007 NHRA Pro Stock Season.

"I am looking forward to being back in 2007 and winning races with the Hoffmans. Hopefully the combination of Dave [Steele] and I can win another championship for the Hoffman Team."

— Jerry Coons Jr., on teaming with Dave Steele in 2007 USAC National Sprint Car competition for Hoffman Auto Racing.

Coons Jr. to Compete
on Dirt, Dave Steele on
Pavement for Hoffman Racing

Hoffman Auto Racing (HAR), the winningest team in the history of USAC National Sprint Car Racing, with eight USAC National Sprint Car championships, announced recently that USAC veteran and defending USAC National Midget champion Jerry Coons Jr. will return to drive the famous No. 69 car on dirt, with USAC pavement superstar Dave Steele driving the pavement Mopar-powered sprinter.

Coons Jr., won two USAC National races for HAR in 2006, as well as the $30,000 Ultimate Challenge at Oskaloosa, Iowa. The Team Mopar driver claimed the 2006 USAC National Midget Car championship driving for Wilke-PAK, and he finished sixth in the USAC National Sprint car championship, despite competing only in dirt races. Steele, a native of Florida who has claimed two USAC Silver Crown championships, rejoins the Team Mopar fold. He claimed four USAC National Midget Car wins with Mopar power in 2003, and won the sprint car portion of the 2005 Mopar Sprint & Midget Classic with Mopar power, among his many accomplishments, while carrying the Mopar banner.

"We have had much success with Jerry in 2005 and 2006," said Richard Hoffman, president of Hoffman Auto Racing. "We want to welcome Dave (Steele) to the Hoffman Racing Family. The combination of Jerry and Dave will make HAR a team to be reckoned with in 2007."

Coons Jr., and Steele will take to the track for the USAC National Sprint Car opener, scheduled for March 31 at Eldora Speedway in Ohio. For more info on USAC Racing, log on to usacracing.com.

Kasey Kahne Racing's Saldana Takes Top-Five
in Down Under Battle

Team Mopar and Kasey Kahne Racing World of Outlaws Sprint car driver Joey Saldana continued his oversees adventures, as the "Brownsburg Bullet" scored a fourth-place finish in the Valvoline Australian Grand Prix, held at Parramatta City Raceway in Sydney, Australia. The Top-five finish follows Saldana's recent win at the International Sprint Car Classic in New Zealand.

After starting in the middle of a field that included fellow World of Outlaws drivers Steve Kinser and Donny Schatz, Saldana worked his way forward to claim a Top-five spot. World of Outlaws drivers from the U.S. claimed three of the top four spots in the event.

Saldana will see more Down Under action this Saturday and on New Year's Day, at the Parramatta City Raceway venue. He'll be going head-to-head against his team owner, Kasey Kahne. The NASCAR Nextel Cup star will also man a winged-sprint car, powered by a brand-new Mopar engine. Earlier this month, Mopar and Kahne announced that Kasey Kahne Racing was selected as the brand's factory race team in the World of Outlaws Sprint Series, as well as the USAC National Midget and Sprint Series, for the 2007 racing season.

Saldana and the No. 9 Kasey Kahne Racing team will make their 2007 debut in the World of Outlaws Sprint Series season opener at Florida's Volusia Speedway Park, scheduled for February 9-11. For more information on the World of Outlaws Sprint Series, log on to theworldofoutlaws.com.

Joey Saldana finished fourth in the Valvoline Australian Grand Prix, held at Parramatta City Raceway in Sydney, Australia, on December 26. Saldana will be joined by team owner Kasey Kahne in winged sprint competition at Parramatta on December 30 and January 1.