Teams look to build early-season momentum in Phoenix

Antron Brown won in Phoenix last year

The stars of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will be focused on building early-season momentum as they make their annual trek from the season-opening event in Pomona in Southern California to the Valley of the Sun’s famed Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park for the 31st annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals, Feb. 20-22, the second of 24 races on the 2015 circuit.

Many thousands of fans are expected to attend the race during the weekend, and they have proven to have a serious addiction to the thrilling side-by-side 300-mph drag racing action that is produced at the multifaceted, 450-acre multipurpose motorsports facility just minutes east of downtown Phoenix. A new track surface last season led to some of the most exciting racing in NHRA history at the desert venue.

The best in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock will try to tame Wild Hose Pass Motorsports Park in 2015. Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Alexis DeJoria (Funny Car), and Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) were last year’s winners of the event that will again be televised nationally on ESPN2.

One year ago, Brown raced his Matco Tools dragster to his first of six wins in the season, the most in the Top Fuel category. In the final round, Brown outpaced 2013 rookie of the year Brittany Force, who was appearing in her first Top Fuel final. This season, Brown, the 2012 Top Fuel world champion, will be looking for his fourth win in Arizona.

Force’s runner-up finish was her first of four final-round appearances, and she is poised to earn a breakthrough victory in 2015 and continue the pace set by NHRA female drivers in a record-breaking 2014 season.

Reigning Top Fuel world champion Tony Schumacher has four wins at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, and he will be a major contender for a fifth at the controls of his U.S. Army dragster. Three-time winner Larry Dixon, 2001 winner Doug Kalitta, Spencer Massey, rookie of the year Richie Crampton, and second-place points finisher J.R. Todd figure to be in the running for a successful weekend at the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals.

Shawn Langdon brings the points lead to Phoenix after racing to victory at the season opener in Pomona at the controls of his Knuckle Sandwich/AJPE dragster.

In Funny Car, DeJoria claimed her first career victory at this event last February, becoming the fourth female driver to win a Funny Car event. She claimed two more victories during the season – in Las Vegas and Indianapolis – and finished the season a career-high seventh in points. DeJoria is back at the controls of the 10,000-horsepower Patron XO Cafe Toyota Camry and is looking to repeat at the site of her first triumph.

John Force is the winningest driver at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park with eight victories, but the NHRA icon hasn’t won there since 2005. Force, a 16-time world champion, hopes to distance himself from his rivals as he drives toward a 17th series championship title. Other major Funny Car competitors in Phoenix include reigning world champion and current series points leader Matt Hagan, who won in Pomona to kick off the season, three-time Phoenix winners Jack Beckman and Ron Capps, two-time winner Del Worsham, and Funny Car’s winningest woman, Courtney Force.

Allen Johnson made sure that his 2014 season got off to a quick start when he defeated V. Gaines to claim the Pro Stock win. Johnson, the 2012 world champion, earned four wins last season, finishing sixth in points. Phoenix has been the site of two of Johnson’s 24 victories, and he will be a favorite for a third win this year at the controls of his Magneti Marelli Dodge Dart.

Reigning Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders-Stevens won in Phoenix in 2013 and will be looking to open her championship defense in style with another win at the track. Jason Line, a two-time world champ and the 2012 Phoenix winner, is among the top challengers in Pro Stock and will bring the series lead to the desert after racing to the season-opening victory over rookie Drew Skillman in a thrilling Pomona final. Four-time world champ Greg Anderson, Gray Motorsports teammates Shane Gray and Jonathan Gray, and last season’s event runner-up, Gaines, will also challenge for the Phoenix win.

As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds and enjoy cherished face time with and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.

Fans also will want to visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food, and fun for the entire family.

The event will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday, Feb. 20, with sessions at 1:30 and 4 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, Feb. 21, at 1:30 and 4 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 22.