Checker Schuck’s Kragen Nationals
Phoenix, Ariz
(Feb. 15-18)
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Checker Schuck’s Kragen Nationals Notebook
News and notes from the 17th annual Checker Schuck’s Kragen Nationals.
Most recent items at top.
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Special guests for Team CSK: The Checker Schuck's Kragen Funny Car team was joined today by a noteworthy guest and interested observer who was "head and shoulders" above the rest of the crew. Phoenix Suns Forward Rodney Rogers spent the day with the Checker-Schuck's-Kragen team and got up close to one of his new passions.
Del Worsham and Frank Pedregon met Rogers on Wednesday night after the Suns win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at America West Arena, and invited the star player to the races. Rogers was so thrilled by his day he now plans on hooking up with the team at additional races throughout the summer, when his travel and scheduling permit.
In the second session today, a bump spot of 4.99 was established by Tony Bartone, guaranteeing the first all 4-second field in Funny Car history.
After racing ends today both the red team and blue team will be the guests of rock star Alice Cooper at his restaurant in downtown Phoenix.
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Dixon keeping his head: With visions of his crash in Memphis last fall dancing through his head, Top Fuel pilot Larry Dixon has opted to wear the high-tech head and neck restraint system -- the HANS device -- which is sweeping through all forms of motorsports.
"The best way I can explain it is to take a look at the type of shoulder pads that New York Jets linebacker Brian Cox wears," said Dixon. "It is basically like a set of shoulder pads with an upright neck support in the back, with special tethers on the harness that keep your head solidly with you in the event of a crash. When there is any forward impact, the slack gets taken out of the tethers and stops your head from slapping around."
In addition to the HANS (head and neck restraint) device Dixon also has switched to a six-point harness, which allows for better leg restraint than the older five-point version.
"If the six-point harness is better, why not use it?" said Dixon. "I really like all the safety stuff. It lets me drive over my head and come out okay. That's why I use thicker gloves and have one more layer in my firesuit. All the safety devices I use let me focus on driving."
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K.J.'s momentum continues: Pro Stock driver Kurt Johnson has won seven of the last 12 national events on the circuit, including the season-opening Winternationals, making him the hottest drag racer in the world.
"It's been quite a run over the last six months," said Johnson, one of the early favorites for the title of this weekend's 17th annual Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals presented by Pennzoil. "Consistency always bit us in the past. We knew we had the horsepower, but the cars were good one run, and bad the next. Finally, we have had two chassis in a row that have been consistent every time I let out the clutch. As long as I hit some OK lights I can win some rounds.
"This season is going to be the toughest ever," said the 37-year-old Johnson. "Whoever works the hardest is going to be ahead when November rolls around."
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Krisher adds second car: Ron Krisher blasted onto the Pro Stock scene in 2000 with two victories in four final rounds, finishing the season fourth in the Winston standings.
In 2001, Krisher hopes to build on his momentum and has added a second car to his stable, which will be driven by his crew chief, Mike Edwards.
"Mike is going to have a car but will remain my crew chief," said Krisher. "We had a good year together and we want to continue what we've built within the program. We're going to be a two-car team. He's going to be bringing my bus with a trailer behind it with his car, and I'll carry the rest of the stuff in mine. So we're not going to all be in one pit, but both cars are together.
"It will definitely help us. It'll give us two looks at the racetrack versus one. We'll get a lot more information from running both cars, and running the new models, we'll need a lot of information. I never go into a season looking for a championship, but I do walk in with the optimism that we can do it. There's a big difference."
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Worsham ready for year-long war: Beginning in 2001, there were six Funny Car teams running two cars, making the category as competitive as ever. The reasoning behind the formation of two-car teams is simple: stop John Force. The 10-time NHRA Winston champion has won the last eight series titles in a row.
Del Worsham has been teamed with Frank Pedregon since the beginning of 2000 in identical Checker Schuck's Kragen Pontiac Firebirds. He realizes the competition that exists in the Funny Car category.
"It's going to be a huge war all year," said Worsham. "The biggest battle is going to be qualifying. After that, if you're good enough to get in the field you'll be good enough to win. We plan on being top half qualifiers all year, the rest of the class ought to get used to that. And I expect to win races. Both of these cars are good enough to win races and compete with anyone. I really don't think this is solely John Force's class anymore; there are just too many good cars. He's still got to be the favorite to win the championship, but he's going to have his hands full."