Results tagged “Don Schumacher Racing” from Haddock in the Paddock

The NHRA fined Don Schumacher Racing $100,000 for having nitromethane in its pits during the drag races at The Strip in Las Vegas on April 13.
Schumacher responded to the fine, releasing a statement saying he will appeal the fine. He also said he takes full responsibility for any violation that might have occurred.
Here is the release:

This past week has been very trying for me, my family, my sponsors and my seven Don Schumacher Racing NHRA drag-racing teams. Since I began to build my operation to include a number of teams in 2001, I have strived to live up to my personal standards, those of the sponsors who so wholeheartedly support my efforts, the outstanding group of drivers and crew chiefs I have been fortunate to have join my racing family, and the incredibly talented medley of team employees.

It is my opinion and belief that the merits of the process begun by the NHRA to fine DSR an unprecedented $100,000 for an alleged infraction of our team possessing nitromethane in its pit area during a national event should not be argued in the media. I believe that a series of errors occurred at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas, which led the NHRA to impose the fine.

I would like to extend my apologies to all the DSR sponsors and everyone involved in this situation on behalf of DSR for what appears to me to be a misunderstanding. I regret any focus that may have been put on any of our supporters unnecessarily.

I would never do anything that could be construed as going against the NHRA rules. I believe I have acted properly, with integrity, and this is a matter that is being dealt with between Don Schumacher Racing and the NHRA. I have processed an appeal to the NHRA which will be heard this week pursuant to NHRA's dispute resolution procedures.

Of utmost importance to me is that I explain to the media, fans and our longtime supporters that only I, as team owner, am involved in this situation. None of the seven DSR teams, their sponsors, crew chiefs, drivers or team employees should be singled out as having any responsibility in this situation.

Fans of the NHRA and Don Schumacher Racing will be able to have access to some of their favorite drivers with two new features on the team's web site.
In the "Ask us Anything" area, fans can submit questions for the Don Schumacher Racing drivers: Tony Schumacher, Gary Scelzi, Ron Capps, Jack Beckman, Cory McClenathan, Jerry Toliver and Chip Ellis. Crew chiefs, Ed "Ace" McCulloch, Todd Okuhara, Steve Tartaglia and Mike Green, will also be accepting and answering submitted questions.
"This is pretty darned cool for the fans to be able to submit questions that will be answered on the web site by what I believe is one of the most incredible group of drivers and crew chiefs assembled on one team," Capps said. "Once again Don Schumacher has raised the bar and given the fans a wonderful way to stay up with our sport."
The other new section is called "In the News" and will feature articles written about the drivers.
"Week-in and week-out there are dozens of stories written about DSR drivers, but there is not a centralized location to find them. We believe 'In the News' will accomplish this," offers Mike Lewis, Senior Vice President of Don Schumacher Racing.
Each new feature can be accessed at the shoeracing.com homepage, or directly at shoeracing.com/inthenews and shoeracing.com/askusanything .

New rules, new sponsor and a new season weren't going to slow Jack Beckman down. Rain, on the other hand, did.
Beckman, along with a number of NHRA drivers, were at Firebird Raceway near Phoenix to test in preparation for the NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series season opener at Pomona Feb. 7-10.
Beckman, a driver from North Hills, was 12th fastest in the rain-shortened test session over the weekend. He made only three passes Saturday and Sunday's sessions were cancelled.

"We've got an all-new crew, new paint scheme, and we're running the chassis we ran the midpart of last season, so basically everything is changed," said Beckman, an NHRA Funny Car driver for Don Schumacher Racing.
Ron Capps, another NHRA Funny Car driver for Don Schumacher Racing, was the fastest during the test at Firebird. Testing continues Monday and will end Wednesday, weather permitting.
"The reason we're staying in Phoenix for six days is just for the purpose of getting everything working well together," Beckman said. "NHRA has upped the nitromethane percentage, they upped the minimum weight, so, fortunately, we're not the only ones who have to adjust. Every team has to contend with the rules changes."
Capps was the only driver to post a lap in the 4.7-second range and have a lap over 320 mph. His best lap was 322.34 mph.
"Our DSR teammate Ron Capps definitely laid down the run of the day (Saturday) in Funny Car, so we know there's hope," Beckman said. "But right now we're dealing with a really finicky race track that hasn't given up many good E.T.s. In addition to that, the teams are chasing these new combos around."
Beckman's best lap was a lackluster 9.316 seconds and 76.26 mph.
"It's frustrating, though, not to unload the car, set low E.T. and then kind of just sit back with your arms crossed," Beckman said. "But everybody is having trouble getting down the race track. It's clearly not that we're off on the tune-up, it's just that all these new variables need to be attended to before we can get down the race track. And I think this track is going to be totally different when we come here next month for the national event.
"Once the rain clears, we've got Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to get after it. And not only will the car be getting faster, but all the guys on the team once they've worked together for a while will be getting faster. We're not where we need to be, but we've got the time to get there."
Here's a look at the times and speeds from Firebird:

1. 28 Ron Capps, Carlsbad CA, '07 Charger 4.785 322.34 322.34
2. 388 Jim Head, Columbus OH, '07 Solara 4.841 313.95 313.95
3. 347 Tim Wilkerson, Springfield IL, '07 Impala 4.969 249.67 249.67
4. 750 Del Worsham, Chino Hills CA, '07 Impala 5.216 216.62 216.62
5. 33 Tommy Johnson Jr., Avon IN, '08 Charger R/T 5.228 216.31 216.31
6. 1 Tony Pedregon, Brownsburg IN, '07 Impala 5.329 204.35 204.35
7. 319 Scott Kalitta, Ypsilanti MI, '07 Solara 5.432 195.11 195.11
8. ROCKS Jerry Toliver, Temecula CA, '08 Charger R/T 5.512 163.65 163.65
9. 3 Gary Scelzi, Fresno CA, '07 Charger 7.584 114.07 114.07
10. 999 Melanie Troxel, Indianapolis IN, '08 Charger 8.646 84.44 84.44
11. TASCA Bob Tasca III, Cranston RI, Mustang 8.976 93.01 93.01
12. 5 Jack Beckman, North Hills CA, '07 Charger 9.316 76.26 76.26
13. 782 Gary Densham, Bellflower CA, '07 Impala 9.521 97.12 97.12
14. 71 Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg IN, '07 Impala 11.016 80.81 80.81
15. 999 Melanie Troxel, Indianapolis IN, '08 Charger 11.580 73.08 76.21

In a time when sponsorship dollars are hard to come by, Jack Beckman's NHRA Funny Car team landed a big one.
Valvoline will back Beckman's Dodge Charger R/T for Don Schumacher Racing in 2008. Mail Terminal Services, the primary sponsor on Beckman's car last year, will remain with the team as an associate sponsor.
"I tell you what I think is so cool," said Beckman, who finished fifth in the 2007 Funny Car class after winning two national events, "is that I'm able to race for companies I personally and overwhelmingly support. With MTS what we've been able to do for the troops with the Mail from Home program is outstanding and we still get thanks and emails from them."
The Mail Terminal Service program allows fans and competitors to send cards to U.S. troops stationed overseas. Last year, more than 90,000 postcards were distributed to war-zone troops through the Mail Terminal Service program.
In addition to being the primary sponsor on Beckman's car, Valvoline will be an associate sponsor on all the Schumacher teams in NHRA. Mail Terminal Services will have a similar deal with the Don Schumacher Racing teams.
"And I've been a Valvoline guy since my dad used Valvoline products when I was a kid," said Beckman, a driver from North Hills. "I have used Valvoline in my Sportsman car. In fact, when I go out and bracket race now, I'm still a Valvoline guy. So, to be able to promote something that I've been a longtime customer of and believe strongly in is awesome."
Beckman has been with Don Schumacher Racing for a little more than a year. This will be his second full season in the NHRA Funny Car division.
"I think I'm more excited now that I've got one full year under my belt," Beckman said. "I've been to every race track with the exception of the 24th race, which will be new for everybody. And I feel like out of the gate this year everybody will know that the Valvoline/MTS car is contending for the championship."
The NHRA released a 24-race schedule with an open date on Sept. 11-14, after the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. The season opens Feb. 7 with the Carquest Auto Part Winternationals in Pomona.
"We are proud to expand our relationship with Valvoline this season to include a primary sponsorship of the Dodge Charger that Jack will race," team owner Schumacher said. "All the DSR crew chiefs regard Valvoline products very highly and we use them in every one of our vehicles.
"Having Mail Terminal Services return as a major associate sponsor is also exciting for everyone at DSR. We expect an even more successful season for Jack than he had last year. We predict the Mail from Home program originated by Rodger and Karen Comstock will reach more fans and racers wishing to support our troops overseas as MTS and DSR continue to develop the program."