2007 NHRA NATIONAL EVENT SCHEDULE
Listen to Trackside Interviews with Champions, Drivers and Crew Chiefs
Robert Hight
Hillary Will
Bob Vandergriff
Dave Connolly
Ed Iskenderian
Cory McClenathan
Robert Hight
Jim Yates
Tony Bartone
Hillary Will
Whit Bazemore
Byron Hines
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| Monday, January 22, 2007 |
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Saldana Wraps Up Australia Trip Readies for WoO Volusia Opener
Team Mopar's "Brownsburg Bullet," Joey Saldana, closed out more than a month of action in Australia and New Zealand with a solid showing in the finale of the Outlaws Down Under IV event, working his way from a starting spot of 27th to end the night in 14th place. In action on foreign soil, Saldana exhibited the winning ways he and the No. 9 Kasey Kahne Racing team displayed in 2006, which saw the team rack up seven World of Outlaws Sprint Series wins and finish third in the point standings. During overseas duty to kick off 2007, Saldana and the No. 9 team scored two wins and five Top-five finishes. Saldana will return home to the United States to prepare for the World of Outlaws Sprint Series season opener at Volusia Speedway Park in Florida, scheduled for February 9. For more info on the World of Outlaws Sprint Series, log on to theworldofoutlaws.com. |
 Joey Saldana fought hard and advanced from 27th to finish 14th in the Outlaws Down Under IV event on Saturday. The "Brownsburg Bullet" scored two wins and five Top-five finishes during overseas action. He kicks off the 2007 World of Outlaws Sprint Series season on February 9 at Volusia Speedway Park in Florida. |
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 The new puzzle-themed paint scheme for Gary Scelzi's Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger R/T is shown above, during installation. Scelzi will debut the paint scheme in competition at the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif., scheduled for February 8-11.  After an astounding 2006 rookie season that saw him score a win and set national records in limited action, Don Schumacher Racing recently announced that Jack Beckman has been signed to DSR through 2009. "Fast Jack" will pilot the new Mail Terminal Services Dodge Charger R/T Funny car in 2007, shown in the illustration above. |
Team Mopar Funny Car Teams Reveal New Paint Schemes The 2007 NHRA POWERade Funny Car season will have a new look for Team Mopar hotshoes Gary Scelzi and Jack Beckman, as the Don Schumacher Racing drivers will debut brand-spanking-new designs on their Hemi-powered Dodge Charger R/Ts in the season-opening NHRA Winternationals, set for February 8-11 in Pomona, Calif. Scelzi, the 2005 NHRA Funny Car champ, and only the second NHRA driver to have won crowns in both Top Fuel and Funny Car, will carry a unique puzzle-themed paint scheme on his Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger R/T. The paint for the new look was supplied by Valspar's House of Kolor, with the design courtesy of Oakley's Mad Scientist, Jim Jannard. Beckman, who stunned the drag racing world with fastest and quickest Funny Car national-record passes at the season finale in Pomona (with marks of 4.662 seconds and 333.66 mph) in his rookie year, was recently signed by DSR through the 2009 season. Beckman's new look will reflect a new sponsor for the team, as "Fast Jack," who won his first Funny Car race in only his fourth career start last year, will pilot the Mail Terminal Services Dodge Charger R/T in '07. The third member of the Team Mopar and DSR Funny Car threat, Ron Capps, is also making headlines. Beginning today, MotornTV.com will host a poll to determine the most popular NHRA driver, with Capps, driver of the Brut Revolution Dodge Charger R/T and a five-time 2006 event winner, among the nine NHRA nominees. The winner of the NHRA poll will advance into a final poll with the victors from the other classifications (Dirt Track, Open Wheel & NASCAR) to determine the Driver of the Year. Voting for Driver of the Year will start on Monday, February 5. For more information on the NHRA, log on to nhra.com. To read an in-depth Q&A with Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger R/T driver Gary Scelzi, log on to shoeracing.com. |
