Reigning NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel world champ Antron Brown will test his driving skills behind the wheel of a Camry stock car at Virginia’s Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Va., Tuesday, May 28, as part of a partnership between Rev Racing and Toyota.
“We are excited that NHRA champion and world-class competitor Antron Brown has chosen Rev Racing as his entryway into stock car racing. He is a great ambassador for the motorsports world, and his commitment to diversity is something that makes this partnership really work,” said Max Siegel, CEO of Rev Racing.
Brown, the first African-American to win a professional auto racing championship in the United States, will be testing at the Virginia short track (.416-mile oval) alongside NASCAR Drive for Diversity drivers Bryan Ortiz, Daniel Suarez, Mackena Bell, and Ryan Gifford. Gifford and Suarez have won races this season in the NKNPS East and NASCAR Toyota Series, respectively. Last year, Ortiz finished fifth in the NKNPS East standings in his rookie season, and Bell is third in the Sunoco Rookie of the Year battle.
“I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to have this opportunity,” said Brown. “I’ve known the leadership at Rev Racing for a long time. Their operation is top-notch, and I can’t think of a better platform or program with which to test my oval racing skills.
“I have a passion for NHRA Drag Racing and love driving the Matco Tools dragster at Don Schumacher Racing,” added Brown. “But I’m very competitive at anything I do, and I always love a new challenge. I’m excited to have this opportunity to turn left.”
Both Rev Racing and DSR captured championships racing Toyotas last season -- Rev Racing won the NKNPS East championship and DSR the NHRA Top Fuel championship -- and continue to have a strong partnership with Toyota.
"Antron Brown has been a great partner for Toyota through Don Schumacher Racing, and we're delighted to support his opportunity to achieve success with Rev Racing. Toyota is proud of our relationship with both organizations," said Keith Dahl, Toyota’s national manager of motorsports and engagement marketing. "Toyota has been a supporter of diversity in the workplace, within its organization and specifically with the Rev Racing program for many years. Not only are DSR and Rev Racing committed to winning championships, but they are also committed to pioneering diversity efforts in motorsports."
Dave Connolly will get a big boost in his bid for the national Stock championship after inking a major sponsorship deal with Berger Chevrolet and its online parts division, GMPartsNow.com.
Connolly, a decorated driver and crew chief with 27 national event victories and numerous divisional wins, will be driving and tuning the '12 COPO Camaro that he recently raced to a semifinal finish in Charlotte. The car will continue to sport its Grumpy's Toy tribute paint scheme, a salute to Connolly's mentor, Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins, that will take up new residence on the rear fenders, and the doors will be adorned with GMPartsNow.com.
"We've had a great relationship with Berger Chevrolet since 2004, and this is an extension of that," said team owner Victor Cagnazzi. "We're anxious to let the millions of NHRA fans out there know about GMPartsNow.com. I recently visited the facility, and they have more than 60,000 square feet of warehouse space and 6 million dollars in inventory specifically dedicated to GM parts. They stock the full gamut of GM parts, from mechanical and powertrain to collision, performance, and outlet parts."
Danny and Ashley Force Hood have welcomed their second child, Noah William, to the John Force Racing team. Noah was born today (May 21) at 4:28 a.m. and crossed the scales at 7 pounds, 8 ounces, with a 21-inch wheelbase.
Mother and son are doing just fine, and brother Jacob happily welcomed his new sibling into the fold.
NHRA Funny Car driver Alexis DeJoria participated in a photo shoot for Inked Magazine, an edgy monthly publication written for individuals who innovate and inspire popular culture and emerging trends.
The shoot took place in the Tequila Patrón pit at Atlanta Dragway. DeJoria, who was in town for the originally scheduled Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals, braved the rain to pose for pictures with her nitromethane-burning Tequila Patrón Toyota Camry. DeJoria is slated to be featured in the publication’s highly anticipated Automotive issue, on newsstands in August.
“As a longtime tattoo enthusiast, I’m so honored to be included in the Automotive issue of Inked Magazine. I’ve been reading this magazine for quite a long time, and I admire the fact that they spotlight people from all walks of life -- anything from musicians to sports figures to television personalities,” said DeJoria, who boasts 19 tattoos and counting. “It’s cool to be able to introduce readers who may not be familiar with NHRA to our sport.”
“Alexis’ driving caught the eye of our racing insiders during her first foray into nitro Funny Car last year,” said Inked Editor-In-Chief Rocky Rakovic. “It wasn’t until she changed out of her firesuit to reveal her cool ink that we realized she isn’t just racing for Patrón but the tattooed culture on a whole. The feature will introduce the fascinating skill involved in NHRA to the non-informed who think the sport is just about who can put their foot down quicker as well as tell the story of Alexis’ amazing ride and, of course, highlight her beautiful body art. NHRA fans will see a side of Alexis that they never have before.”
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