KALITTA, DEJORIA EARN FINAL ROUND BERTHS IN DENVER
Team Toyota has strong performance with six semi-finalists

MORRISON, Colo. (July 16, 2023) – Doug Kalitta earned his first final round appearance of the season with a strong weekend. The 49-time event winner started second and defeated Terry Totten, Josh Hart and Steve Torrence before coming up just short against Clay Millican. Steve Torrence and Shawn Langdon also earned multiple round wins for Team Toyota.

In Funny Car, all three Toyota GR Supras advanced to the semi-finals with Alexis DeJoria taking her ride to the final round before coming home in second to points leader Matt Hagan.

Toyota Post-Race Recap
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series
Bandimere Speedway
Race 10 of 21

TOYOTA TOP FUEL FINISHING POSITIONS

Name	Car	Final Result	Round-by-Round
Doug Kalitta	Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Finalist	W. 3.876 v. 4.043(T. Totten) W. 3.860 v. 3.878(J. Hart) W. 3.861 v. 3.885(S. Torrence) L. 4.454 v. 3.872(C. Millican)
Steve Torrence	Capco Contractors Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Semi-Finals	W. 3.817 v. 4.431(J. Ashley) W. 3.903 v. 3.943(A. Brown) L. 3.885 v. 3.861(D. Kalitta)
Shawn Langdon	SealMaster Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Semi-Finals	W. 3.891 v. 5.081(G. Carrillo) W. 4.041 v. 4.127(R. Passey) L. 4.009 v. 3.859(C. Millican)
Antron Brown	Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Second Round	W. 3.823 v. 4.006(B. Hull) L. 3.943 v. 3.903(S. Torrence
Justin Ashley	Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	First Round	L. 4.431 v. 3.817(S. Torrence)

TOYOTA FUNNY CAR FINISHING POSITIONS

Name	Car	Final Result	Round-by-Round
Alexis DeJoria	Bandero Tequila Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	Finalist	W. 4.089 v. 4.201(C. Green) W. 4.818 v. 5.887(C. Pedregon) W. 4.245 v. 4.383(J. Todd) L. 4.217 v. 4.135(M. Hagan
J.R. Todd	DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	Semi-Finals	W. 4.051 v. 4.462(T. Wilkerson) W. 4.066 v. 4.931(R. Hight) L. 4.383 v. 4.245(A. DeJoria)
Ron Capps	NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	Semi-Finals	W. 4.029 v. 4.174(T. Haddock) W. 4.037 v. 4.073(J. Force) L. 4.057 v. 4.107(Holeshot Loss – M. Hagan)

TOYOTA QUOTES

DOUG KALITTA, Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Kalitta Motorsports

Final Result: Finalist

How are you feeling after the final round?

“Yeah, that is kind of how we left it. We’ve got a lot of momentum going into Seattle, but getting to the final was a big deal for us. We were just a little short on getting the win, but really proud of my guys. It was a hell of an effort that they put in. We had a lot of support from our Toyota friends and Mac Tools. It was disappointing a little bit, because it was the last race in Denver and we were hoping to get the win, but it’s all good. We went to the final and were contending for the win. We will keep digging and making progress.”

ALEXIS DEJORIA, Bandero Tequila Toyota GR Supra Funny Car, DC Motorsports

Final Result: Finalist

How was your race?

“That was a hard loss right there. Going up against (Matt) Hagan, it was a rematch from two years ago. I really wanted that trophy for the guys and myself and our whole team. It is the last trophy here at Bandimere, so I guess it is quite fitting for the Dodge team to get it, but that’s not why we came here. We came here to win, and we were gunning all weekend. We had some wild rides, but that Toyota 200th win is still on the table, and we are also a part of the Mission Foods 2Fast2Tasty for the next race. This was our third final of the year, and there are many races left. It’s tough. You go up there and you try to do your best. I almost redlit – I almost double-stepped and redlit and caught myself – and just ended up having a bad light. We had a hurt piston early on, and then pan pressure got a little too high at the top end and it shut it off. Our incrementals were better than Hagan’s most of the run. That’s hard, but we will be grateful for all of the runs we got to run out here. All of the times we got to run out here and all of the races we had. Working with the Bandimeres, just has been really awesome. I’m going to miss this race track. I’m going to miss going up and hiking Red Rocks every morning before the races. I’m going to miss all of these fans out here. Hopefully, they do end up building another track, who knows if that is going to happen, but I’m really grateful for the time that we’ve had.”

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

About Toyota

Toyota directly employs more than 48,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 22 electrified options.

Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

ASHLEY ADDS ANOTHER CHALLENGE WIN IN COLORADO
Doug Kalitta, Antron Brown start inside the top-three for the final eliminations at Bandimere

MORRISON, Colo. (July 15, 2023) – Justin Ashley’s continued excellence in the Mission 2Fast2Tasty Challenge was showcased just outside of Denver as the points leader earned his fifth Challenge win, beating Austin Prock with a 3.883 sec. elapsed time. That time qualified Ashley in 11th, while Team Toyota was led by Doug Kalitta in second and Antron Brown in third.

In Funny Car, all three of the Toyota GR Supra Funny Car drivers closed with their best passes, led by Ron Capps with a 3.982 second pass. Capps starts eliminations from fifth, while former Funny Car champion and multi-time Denver winner, J.R. Todd, also starts inside the top half of the field.

Toyota Post-Qualifying Recap
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series
Bandimere Speedway
Race 10 of 21

TOYOTA TOP FUEL QUALIFYING POSITIONS

Name	Car	Qualifying Position	First Round Opponent
Brittany Force*	Monster Energy Top Fuel Dragster	1st (3.724)	R. Passey
Doug Kalitta	Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	2nd (3.779)	T. Totten
Antron Brown	Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	3rd (3.783)	B. Hull
Steve Torrence	Capco Contractors Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	6th (3.800)	J. Ashley
Shawn Langdon	SealMaster Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	9th (3.837)	G. Carrillo
Justin Ashley	Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	11th (3.883)	S. Torrence

(*non-Toyota driver)

TOYOTA FUNNY CAR QUALIFYING POSITIONS

Name	Car	Qualifying Position	First Round Opponent
Matt Hagan*	Dodge Direct Connection Dodge Charger FC	1st (3.895)	C. King
Ron Capps	NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	6th (3.982)	T. Haddock
J.R. Todd	DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	7th (3.998)	T. Wilkerson
Alexis DeJoria	Bandero Tequila Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	9th (4.021)	C. Green

(*non-Toyota driver)

TOYOTA QUOTES

JUSTIN ASHLEY, Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Maynard Ashley Racing

TF Qualifying Result: 11th

Winner – Top Fuel Mission Foods 2Fast2Tasty Challenge

Can you walk us through how you continue to have success with this challenge?

“It is incredible. You really try not to think about the championship this early out in the year, but how could you not, because these championship points are so critical, now that we are at 15, it’s really a dream come true. Now when they reset the points, everything pretty much starts from scratch – so that is why those 15 points are so critical. They are so important in the long run, so really ecstatic with all of these Mission Foods wins. We will just try to keep tagging them on and learning each and every time we go down the race track.”

Your crew chief didn’t act like this helped much for tomorrow. What did he mean by that?

Knowing Mike (Green) and all crew chiefs – they always want a little bit more. I’m sure he wanted to run a little bit better, especially in that last session, because the conditions were so good, but we’ve done it before from a number of different positions – as low as 14, as high as two or three, I think we’ve won races at. Sunday is a brand new day. I don’t think this run is going to have any correlation to tomorrow because the conditions are going to be so different. That race is going to be won or lost tomorrow based on who is able to go a-to-b most of the time, most likely. Mike Green and Tommy DeLago is always going to want more. They are just so good at what they do, so they are going to get it figured out.”

What is it like racing in this type of atmosphere?

“It’s incredible. We’ve raced in a lot of fun and exciting packed houses, Gainesville comes to mind, Phoenix comes to mind. There is something special about racing at Bandimere. When you go out there and you look at the crowd, the way the stands are built into the mountain – it’s really amazing and really motivating. I’m really sorry to see it go, but grateful to the Bandimere family for all they have done. Big opportunity to race tomorrow out here at the track that we all know, and the track we all love.”

DOUG KALITTA, Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Kalitta Motorsports

TF Qualifying Result: 2nd

Qualified in second, how do you feel going into race day?

“I feel good. It was nice to move up a little bit in that last session. It seems like our Mac Tools Toyota Dragster is running good. We’ve been going down the track all of the rounds. I’m looking forward to tomorrow. It is kind of bittersweet being the last one, so it would be nice to running towards the front at the end of the day.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 48,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 22 electrified options.

Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

CHEVROLET IN NHRA
DODGE POWER BROKERS NHRA MILE-HIGH NATIONALS
BANDIMERE SPEEDWAY
MORRISON, COLORADO
JULY 14-16, 2023

TEAM CHEVY LOOKS TO CLOSE SIX-DECADE ERA OF BANDIMERE SPEEDWAY AT MILE-HIGH NATIONALS

ROBERT HIGHT LOOKS TO REPEAT 2022 SUCCESS FOR A BACK-TO-BACK WIN AT BANDIMERE

DETROIT (JULY 13, 2023) – Kicking off NHRA’s three-week Western Swing at Bandimere Speedway, the Chevrolet Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock teams head west to near Denver, Colorado for this weekend’s 2023 Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals.

With the Bowtie brand capturing a Top Fuel No. 1 qualifier (Brittany Force), a Funny Car victory (Robert Hight), and both a win (Matt Hartford) and No. 1 qualifier (Aaron Stanfield) in Pro Stock, Team Chevy looks to repeat victory, potentially sweeping the final race at Bandimere Speedway in its current location.

Celebrating the 65th year of racing at Bandimere, opening in 1958, Robert Hight, driver of the Cornwell Tools/AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car for John Force Racing, reflected saying, “I’ve always loved the challenge of racing the Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway. I’m going to be sad to see it go but I’m looking forward to defending the win from last year and getting that last Wally at Bandimere.”

“I’m always excited to come race on the mountain,” said John Force, driver of the PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car for John Force Racing. “I’ve been coming to Bandimere Speedway a long time. I have a lot of history here. I’ve accomplished a lot. Grown with the Bandimere family. (…) Bandimere has given us a lot of really great racing, we’ll try to make that the case again this weekend. I hope this PEAK Chevy team can celebrate one last time in the winner’s circle.”

“This is a race track I’ve been going to since I was a baby, reflected Brittany Force, driver of the Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster for John Force Racing. “I remember coming here with my sisters watching my dad race. Now to be up here on the mountain running, there’s just nothing like this racetrack. We’re really upset to see it go away but this team wants to end on a good note.”

“It’s hard to believe that this is the last time we will be heading to Bandimere Speedway,” reflected Erica Enders, driver of the Johnson’s Horsepower Garage Chevrolet Camaro SS Pro Stock car. “Visiting Denver has been a staple on our summer schedule since the mid-90’s when we were racing Junior Dragsters. The tradition continued through my entire sportsman and professional career. The Mountain is just flat out special. The Bandimere family has not only done so much for the sport, but have been so great on a personal level, to my family and I. We wish them nothing but the best as they venture out on their next journey. In the meantime, I would love nothing more than to win Denver, for my first time in Pro Stock, as the NHRA rolls into the gates for the last time. This one would be so meaningful and my guys and I will do everything in our power to leave Bandimere, Queen of the Mountain.”

Discussing the importance of momentum heading into the Western Swing, Hight notes that “Doing well this weekend will set the tone for this Cornwell Tools team through the whole Western Swing. We want that win, it’s the only way to set us up for a potential sweep. This weekend can get us set up for a strong finish through the end of the regular season.”

The 2023 Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals from Bandimere Speedway outside Denver, Colorado airs first with qualifying Friday, July 14, at 7 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Saturday qualifying airs Sunday, July 16 at 10:30 a.m. ET, with Sunday’s Finals following on FOX at 4 p.m. ET. Coverage streaming live throughout the weekend can be found through NHRA.tv, available via AppleTV, Android TV, and Roku devices.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:

Austin Prock, driver of the Rocky Mountain Twist / Montana Brands Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster for John Force Racing:

“I’m excited for the Western Swing and hitting the road with my Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist team. I feel like we have a really strong package right now to where we can have a beneficial points performance the next three races. I’m hungry as ever for another Wally, I would love to get the win in Denver up on the mountain for the last NHRA race at Bandimere Speedway.”

Brittany Force, driver of the Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster for John Force Racing:

“This Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac team heads to Denver next to begin our NHRA Western Swing which is my favorite part of the year. Unfortunately, Bandimere Speedway is closing, so it’s definitely bittersweet. This is a race track I’ve been going to since I was a baby. I remember coming here with my sisters watching my dad race. Now to be up here on the mountain running, there’s just nothing like this racetrack. We’re really upset to see it go away but this team wants to end on a good note. We’ve made some good memories there, but we’ve never won the thing, so we’d like to turn it around and win this weekend.”

John Force, driver of the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car for John Force Racing:

“I’m always excited to come race on the mountain. I’ve been coming to Bandimere Speedway a long time. I have a lot of history here. I’ve accomplished a lot. Grown with the Bandimere family. It’s going to be an emotional weekend, saying goodbye to this place. I know they’ll build another track, someplace here in Colorado. I’m trying to stay positive about the situation. Bandimere has given us a lot of really great racing, we’ll try to make that the case again this weekend. I hope this PEAK Chevy team can celebrate one last time in the winner’s circle.”

Robert Hight, driver of the Cornwell Tools/AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car for John Force Racing:

“I’ve always loved the challenge of racing the Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway. I’m going to be sad to see it go but I’m looking forward to defending the win from last year and getting that last Wally at Bandimere. I know the Bandimere Family isn’t done with drag racing and they’ll find a new spot to build on their legacy. Doing well this weekend will set the tone for this Cornwell Tools team through the whole Western Swing. We want that win, it’s the only way to set us up for a potential sweep. This weekend can get us set up for a strong finish through the end of the regular season. The Countdown to the Championship is coming up quick and now is the time to start gaining momentum.”

Camrie Caruso, driver of the Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro Pro Stock for KB Titan Racing:

“I am excited to get back to Bandimere Speedway. Last year the whole season was a whirlwind. Every track was a new experience and I loved every minute of it. I learned a ton and this season I feel a lot more confident. I am looking forward to really getting after it at the Mile-High Nationals. Last year was a lot for me but I was learning so much on the driving and the team operations sides. I love being part of KB Titan Racing because we have a great organization and I have awesome teammates.”

“My Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro has been running really week in qualifying and I think we can make some good runs in Denver. I feel really comfortable in the car and the key is just getting everything to line up on race day like we were able to do in Arizona. This is the last Denver race and Pro Stock isn’t competing at Seattle and Sonoma so I want to leave Denver with some positive momentum going into the back part of the regular season.”

TEAM CHEVY BY THE NUMBERS:

1,432: Round wins for John Force (1st all-time)

604: Round wins for Robert Hight; 13th all-time. Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), sits 12th, with 619.

374: Number of wins in Pro Stock since 1970; 254 won in the Chevrolet Camaro body

165: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for John Force (1st all-time)

157: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins since 1967

79: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Robert Hight (6th all-time)

77: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins with the Camaro body

45: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Brittany Force

27: Number of NHRA championships Chevrolet holds as a manufacturer since entering the first in 1966. No other manufacturer has won it more than Chevrolet.

24: Wins by John Force in a Chevrolet-bodied Funny Car

18: Number of Pro Stock championships

20: Chevrolet career Top Fuel wins in NHRA

16: Number of Chevrolet career wins by Brittany Force

7: Number of Funny Car driver championships

2: Number of Top Fuel driver championships

UPCOMING NHRA MILESTONES:

950: Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) is second all-time with 920 elimination round wins. He could reach 950 round wins with a decent run in the 18-race schedule.

604: Robert Hight achieved 604 Funny Car elimination wins in Chicago to rank 13th on the all-time NHRA list; Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car) sits 12th with 619.

444: By qualifying for his next race, Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) will extend his NHRA record to 444 consecutive race day appearances. His first appearance came in 2002 at Pomona 2, and he holds the longest career qualifying streak in NHRA.

138: Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) ranks third on the NHRA all-time list with 121 No. 1 qualifiers. He will tie Warren Johnson (Pro Stock, 138) for second to John Force (165) on the list.

268: By qualifying for his next race, Robert Hight will extend his NHRA record to 268 consecutive race day appearances. His first appearance came in 2010 at Pomona 2, and he currently sits seventh in career qualifying streaks in NHRA (Doug Kalitta is sixth at 275).

65: Robert Hight moved into the top 10 on the all-time NHRA victory list with his win in Pomona 1 with 63. Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock, retired) is next ninth on list with 65.

46: Erica Enders has 44 career Pro Stock victories (all with Chevrolet, first win coming at Chicago, 2012 and last win at Las Vegas 2, 2022). Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) is the all-time NHRA female leader with 46.

18: Brittany Force (16 Top Fuel career wins) will move past Shirley Muldowney (18 wins) into third on the NHRA all-time victory list for females. Erica Enders (Pro Stock, 44) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle, 46) are ahead.

6: Erica Enders (Pro Stock) could tie Warren Johnson (6 Pro Stock championships) for second on the class list. The same holds for Greg Anderson. Bob Glidden is the leader with 10.

3: Brittany Force (Top Fuel, 2 championships) would tie Shirley Muldowney (Top Fuel) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) for second on the NHRA all-time championship list by females with another title in 2023. Erica Enders (Pro Stock, 5) is the leader.

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 100 countries and selling more than 4.0 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

CHEVROLET IN NHRA
2023 SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA NATIONALS
SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT MOTORSPORTS PARK
NORWALK, OHIO
TEAM CHEVY RACE REPORT
JUNE 25, 2023

MATT HARTFORD WINS CHEVROLET’S 374TH NHRA PRO STOCK VICTORY SINCE 1970; THE 255TH PRO STOCK WIN IN THE CAMARO

• Racing from the No. 1 qualifier spot, Matt Hartford earned his sixth NHRA Pro Stock victory, his second of the 2023 season.
• For the fifth time this season in nine events, Dallas Glenn appeared in NHRA’s Pro Stock final round. This was Hartford’s second final round appearance of the year.
• With his win today, this marks Hartford’s sixth straight year capturing a win in NHRA Pro Stock competition.
• Both Austin Prock and Brittany Force represented Chevrolet in the Top Fuel semifinals at Norwalk.
• Chevrolet doubled up in Norwalk this weekend by capturing victories in both NHRA Pro Stock and FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown.
• Qualifying from Norwalk saw interruptions due to weather in Pro Stock, and after only getting two qualifying sessions in, Matt Hartford went No. 1 in his Chevrolet Camaro SS and earning Chevrolet’s seventh of the 2023 NHRA season.

NORWALK, Ohio (June 25, 2023) – Matt Hartford, driver of the Total Seal/CIP1 Chevrolet Camaro SS Pro Stock car, earned his sixth career NHRA Pro Stock victory while capturing Team Chevy’s 374th Pro Stock victory since 1970. In his second final round appearance of the year, Hartford faced off against Dallas Glenn, driver of the RAD Torque Chevrolet Camaro SS Pro Stock car for KB Titan Racing, who has four final round appearances in nine events and three wins so far this year.

“I have no idea what it was in the finals, but I’ll take it. Dallas (Glenn) is as mean as anybody gets out here,” reflects Hartford on the win. “You have no idea how much this means, because everybody kept saying you’ll win again this year, and we came out strong and then we fell off. Guess what? We can.”

“This is the nicest track on the circuit,” continued Hartford. “99 percent of Pro Stock took the left lane today, and we took the right every single time. We raced our own program, not what others were doing. Keep your head down, focus on what’s inside your car, your pits, your trailer, don’t let the noise bother you.”

“Well, the final round is like any other one. You’ve got to prepare knowing with the racetrack, and the bars and all that stuff like that,” noted Hartford’s crew chief Eddie Guarnacci. “We missed a lot of opportunities. Had really good cars so far, the engines have been really good. Matt’s (Hartford) been driving and tuning well, so it feels like we’ve finally got into a position we should be.”

With qualifying interrupted by weather in Pro Stock qualifying on Friday, Hartford and the rest of the Chevrolet contenders in Pro Stock only had two sessions to try and capture the No. 1 qualifier at Norwalk. Hartford, with his best lap of 6.593 ET at 205.91 MPH captured his third No. 1 of his Pro Stock career and this season.

In Top Fuel, Team Chevy raced to the Semifinal round, with Austin Prock, driver of the Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster, and Brittany Force, driver of the Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster, both being eliminated by their opponents. They look to Denver and the Western Swing next to regain momentum to the final round.

With an early Round 1 end to John Force, driver of the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, his teammate Robert Hight, driver of the AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, faced off against Matt Hagan in Round 2 and was eliminated by .02 seconds in a close race to the finish line.

In his Chevrolet COPO Camaro, Stephen Bell raced to his first FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown victory of the 2023 season after qualifying No. 18, defeating Lee Hartman.

NHRA next heads to Denver to kick off the Western Swing, with Bandimere Speedway hosting the 2023 Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals July 14-16, 2023. Broadcast of Sunday’s eliminations will air live at 4 p.m. ET on FOX Sunday, July 16, 2023.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

Brittany Force, driver of the Monster Energy Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster for John Force Racing:

“I feel really good about this weekend overall. This Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac team has been working really hard, and our progress is definitely starting to show. We moved up in qualifying to the No. 3 spot this weekend and we had a tough lineup all day. We made it to the semifinals which is huge for this team. We did drop to fourth in the points standings but we’re still in a really good fighting position with a handful of races left before we get into the Countdown to the Championship.”

Austin Prock, driver of the Montana Brands/Rocky Mountain Twist Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster for John Force Racing:

“I’m proud of my Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist team this weekend. We made another semifinal which keeps us in the points hunt. We made some really nice passes in conditions we don’t have much data in so we were all happy with that. I’m looking forward to the Western Swing. I hope these two weeks off fly by.”

Robert Hight, driver of the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car for John Force Racing:

“Frustrating for this AAA team. That first round, usually if the red light is close, it’s not that bad but it’s hard to just sit there. I feel bad for the AAA team, we could have used that data getting down the track for the second round. I feel bad I couldn’t keep it together and stay in that run. We just didn’t have enough in that race against Hagan. There are a lot of tough cars out here, and they’re one of them. This AAA Chevy, we’ll be good. I’m confident in my team and looking forward to the Western Swing.”

John Force, driver of the BlueDEF Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car for John Force Racing:

On rolling in deep to the staging beams against JR Todd and changing thoughts on the start line…

“I never change my thoughts. I just try to do what my race car will do, and I didn’t mean to chuck it in that far. I did, but he always leaves on me, so I try to make some of it up and I didn’t get it done. He got it done. Congratulations to him. I want to think the whole Bader family and what they do. They give the fans a great show, and NHRA coming in here.”

Matt Hartford, driver of the Total Seal/CIP1 Chevrolet Camaro SS Pro Stock car – Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals Winner’s Press Conference:

ON CHOOSING NOT TO TEST THIS YEAR IN THE OFFSEASON…

“Had we went testing, we may not have had to wait until Q4 in Gainesville to qualify. Look, you need to test. If we would’ve went and tested, we could’ve come out in a little bit better of a position, but we were able to make some big swings, big moves quickly. We’ve had a great car all year long. Terry Haas has built such great tuning, and that thing, it ain’t the newest one out here, I promise you, but it’s one of the best.”

YOU TALK ABOUT HAVING A GREAT CAR ALL YEAR LONG. NOW THAT YOU’VE BROKEN THROUGH, TALK ABOUT YOUR CONFIDENCE MOVING FORWARD…

“Coming into here, we were already looking to Denver, because Denver we ran decent last year. We were thinking of getting through Norwalk, getting to Denver, two qualifying runs here. I’ll tell you what, after Q1, I said we have a car that can run here, so then we had Q2, man look at the four guys we beat today. I am… Dallas Glenn, I mean, he has had my number every time I’ve raced him this year. I’m glad to put a double-0 on him.”

GETTING THROUGH FERNANDO CUADRA, DERIC KRAMER, AND DALLAS GLENN, TALK ABOUT HOW MEANINGFUL IT IS TO GET THROUGH TO A WIN…

“It goes back to having nothing to do with me. It goes back to all the people in the trailer, and all the sponsors that support us, and the engine program and the chassis builder. We have just such a great group of people around us. They’ve always said to surround yourself with people that work harder than you, smarter than you, or more motivated than you, and you can be successful. That’s what I’ve tried to do, to put myself in a position where everybody around me can do so much that I can’t do. I think it’s started showing, just let everybody focus on their job and at the end of the day let the box score be where it may. It’s a team effort, and we’ve had a great car all year long, and to be honest with you, the races we haven’t won is driver error. We’ve given it up to Dallas now… The final in Pomona. We had him covered, and I just couldn’t learn how to drive. We gave that race up, which has still been a thorn in my side and thinking about it before I pre-staged today. It’s so rewarding to be sitting up here.”

WHEN YOU QUALIFIED NO. 1 IN VEGAS FOR THE FIRST TIME, DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU UNLOCKED SOMETHING MENTALLY FOR YOU?

“I will say that over the winter, my brother had a pretty milestone birthday, and for his birthday gift, after Gainesville, we sent him to Frank Hawley’s school to get his Super Gas license. Adam had never been down a racetrack in his life in anything, not even a moped. For the two days that he was there, immediately, Frank grabbed me from moment one to sit through his class. Unbelievable what you learn when you sit there and listen to a man like him. How to clear your head, the arrows. I came out of Gainesville going “there are so many things I know I don’t know, but this proves you don’t know.” I think that really helped me as a driver this year. I wasn’t in the class, I was just listening. So I think that that mentally really helped me. I think about it week in and week out with the stuff that I learned there.”

WHAT IS THE GAME PLAN HEADING INTO THESE HOT SUMMER MONTHS AND THE WESTERN SWING IN THESE REALLY TOUGH EVENTS HEADING INTO THE COUNTDOWN…

“We kind of have a liking to Denver. I’m hoping that our streak can continue. In the last eight elimination rounds we’ve had there, we’ve been in all eight of them. So one runner-up, and one win. I’m really hoping that all the parts that we put away, saying don’t touch those until we get to Denver next year, I’m hoping that’s all still there. Denver is such a fun place to go. To us, going up on a mountain, we’re looking forward to it. It’s always a challenge, and I love it up there. It comes down to momentum.”

WITH THE NEW CAR THIS YEAR, AND NOW WINNING AT NORWALK, DOES THIS ADD TO THE CONFIDENCE LEVEL OF THIS TEAM?

“It really does. It builds confidence. Driver confidence, anytime you go up there and struggle as a driver, obviously you start thinking. It goes back to when I was sitting there listening to Frank (at Frank Hawley School), you don’t clear your mind, a negative creates a double-negative. Before you know it, you’re so messed up that a one-hundred light is the best you’re going to get. You have to go up there with a clear mind every time. Today, it gives me a lot of confidence to get in the car. I’m ready to go for another run. It’s surreal to know we’ve won another race.”

Round 1 Recap:

Top Fuel:

No. 5 Austin Prock defeated No. 12 Tony Schumacher after Schumacher smoked the tires; Prock ran a 3.740 ET at 319.45 MPH.
No. 3 Brittany Force defeated No. 14 Shawn Langdon with her run of 3.711 ET at 332.18 MPH to Langdon/s 3.910 ET at 255.85 MPH.
Funny Car:

No. 6 Robert Hight defeated No. 11 Mike McIntire Jr. after McIntire Jr. double-stepped and red-lit with Hight also double-stepping but making a winning pass of 8.139 at 85.21 MPH.
No. 10 John Force fell to No. 6 JR Todd after a close race seeing J. Force running 4.001 ET at 322.42 MPH to Todd’s 3.972 ET at 326.16 MPH.
Pro Stock:

No. 1 Matt Hartford defeated No. 16 Fernando Cuadra with his run of 6.615 ET at 206.45 MPH to Cuadra’s 8.257 ET at 120.17 MPH.
No. 8 Deric Kramer defeated No. 9 Camrie Caruso after Caruso red lit on the starting line.
No. 4 Aaron Stanfield defeated No. 13 Chris McGaha with his run of 6.628 ET at 206.23 MPH to McGaha’s 11.226 ET at 79.87 MPH, shaking the tires on his run.
No. 5 Greg Anderson defeated No. 12 Kyle Koretsky with his run of 6.619 ET at 206.67 MPH to Koretsky’s 6.642 at 206.57 MPH.
No. 2 Erica Enders defeated No. 15 Eric Latino on her run of 6.641 ET at 207.08 MPH to Latino’s 10.028 ET at 91.03 MPH and facing issues on his run.
No. 7 Dallas Glenn defeated No. 10 Bo Butner, III with his run of 6.610 ET at 206.61 MPH to Butner’s 6.648 ET at 204.66, a reaction time difference of .002.
No. 3 Troy Coughlin, Jr. defeated No. 14 Mason McGaha with his run of 6.607 ET at 207.95 MPH to McGaha’s 10.719 ET at 85.77 MPH, shaking the tires early on his run.
No. 11 Jerry Tucker defeated No. Christian Cuadra with his run of 6.553 at 203.83 MPH to Cuadra’s 6.631 ET at 204.85 MPH.

Round 2 Recap:

Top Fuel:

Prock defeated Mercier with his run of 3.763 ET at 318.84 MPH to Mercier’s 3.846 ET at 302.21 MPH.
B. Force defeated Hart with her run of 3.729 ET at 333.58 MPH, setting top speed of the event with her Round 2 run, to Hart’s 3.774 ET at 328.54 MPH.
Funny Car:

Hight fell to Hagan after his 3.931 ET at 322.81 MPH wasn’t enough for Hagan’s 3.912 ET at 329.18 MPH.

Pro Stock:

Stanfield defeated Anderson with his run of 6.638 ET at 206.04 MPH to Anderson’s 6.709 ET at 205.85 MPH.
Glenn defeated Enders with his run of 6.632 ET at 206.39 MPH to Enders’ 7.046 ET at 157.41 MPH.
Hartford defeated Kramer with his run of 6.601 ET at 206.89 to Kramer’s 6.647 ET at 205.04 MPH.
Coughlin, Jr. defeated Tucker with his run of 6.619 ET at 207.30 MPH to Tucker’s 6.661 ET at 204.11 MPH.

Semifinals Recap:

Top Fuel:

Prock fell to Pruett after hazing the tires, with Pruett running 3.771 ET at 331.12 MPH to Prock’s 4.194 ET at 297.75 MPH.
B. Force fell to Ashley with her run of 3.713 ET at 333.16 MPH to Ashley’s 3.711 ET at 331.94 MPH.

Pro Stock:

Hartford defeated Stanfield with his run of 6.624 ET at 206.57 MPH to Stanfield’s 6.666 ET at 206.80 MPH.
Glenn defeated Coughlin, Jr. after Coughlin, Jr. hazes the tires, Glenn running a 6.635 ET lap at 206.45 MPH.

Finals:

Pro Stock:

Hartford defeated Glenn with his run of 6.624 ET at 207.02 MPH to Glenn hazing his tires early in the run.
Team Chevy high-resolution racing photos are available for editorial use.

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 100 countries and selling more than 4.0 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

ASHLEY EXTENDS POINTS LEAD WITH RUNNER-UP FINISH IN NORWALK
J.R. Todd scores his second semi-final finish in the last three events in Funny Car

NORWALK, Ohio (June 25, 2023) – Justin Ashley continued his recent strong performance with a runner-up finish at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park on Sunday afternoon. Ashley defeated Clay Millican, Team Toyota’s Steve Torrence, and Brittany Force, before coming up short against Leah Pruett in the final. With the final round appearance, Ashley extends his points lead to 97 over Torrence.

In Funny Car, former champion J.R. Todd earned his second semi-final appearance in the last three races. Todd defeated the top-two winningest drivers in NHRA Funny Car history – John Force and Ron Capps – in the first two rounds before coming up just short against points leader Matt Hagan. All three Toyota GR Supra drivers – Todd, Ron Capps and Alexis DeJoria – earned at least one round win on Sunday.

Toyota Post-Race Recap
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series
Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park
Race 9 of 21

TOYOTA TOP FUEL FINISHING POSITIONS

Name	Car	Final Result	Round-by-Round
Justin Ashley	Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Finalist	W. 3.715 v. 6.782(C. Millican) W. 3.721 v. 3.703(Holeshot – .039 v. 081 – S. Torrence) W. 3.711 v. 3.713(B. Force) L. 4.497 v. 3.761(L. Pruett)
Steve Torrence	Capco Contractors Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Second Round	W. 3.735 v. 4.237(D. Foley) L. 3.703 v. 3.721(Holeshot .081 v. .039 – J. Ashley)
Antron Brown	Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	First Round	L. 5.182 v. 3.760(M. Salinas)
Doug Kalitta	Applied Innovation Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	First Round	L. 7.702 v. 3.892(D. Mercier)
Shawn Langdon	Bounty Hunter Kalitta Air Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	First Round	L. 3.910 v. 3.711(B. Force)

TOYOTA FUNNY CAR FINISHING POSITIONS

Name	Car	Final Result	Round-by-Round
J.R. Todd	DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	Semi-Finals	W. 3.972 v. 4.001(J. Force) W. 3.950 v. 3.912(Holeshot .036 v. .092 – R. Capps) L. 3.954 v. 3.959(Holeshot – .067 v. .057 – M. Hagan)
Ron Capps	NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	Second Round	W. 3.930 v. 4.119(A. Laughlin) L. 3.912 v. 3.950(Holeshot .092 v. .036 – J. Todd)
Alexis DeJoria	Bandero Tequila Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	Second Round	W. 3.923 v. 12.466(P. Lee) L. Foul v. 4.412(Red Light – B. Alexander)

TOYOTA QUOTES

JUSTIN ASHLEY, Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Maynard Ashley Racing

Final Result: Finalist

Can you talk about the final round?

“This was a great weekend at the racetrack for our Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster powered by Okuma. Our entire team did a fantastic job, and I could not be prouder. This was a team effort from the start to the finish. To be able to turn on so many win lights in a row is something that is so difficult to do in a sport that has so much competition. Today and the rest of the season we will have our guardian angel Cathi Maynard riding with us.”

J.R. TODD, DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car, Kalitta Motorsports

Final Result: Semi-Finals

How was your race?

“It was a good day, but I’m bummed to lose on a hole shot. When you lose on a hole shot, that’s on the driver. I feel like I should have been better than I was that round. We ran 3.95 (3.954 seconds at 324.20 mph), but we were trying to run better than that. I feel like we missed a good opportunity to win, and those opportunities don’t come around that often. It would have been pretty cool to win that 200th race for Toyota, but at the end of the day, it was a good effort. The car is definitely getting more consistent going down the track, and when you get down the track you learn. We just need to pick things up on my end, and we’ll be ok. Two semifinals in the last three races means we’re getting better going down the track and not beating ourselves. You have to go down the track to give yourself a fighting chance, and that’s pretty much all I can ask for as a driver. We have a great group of guys on this DHL Toyota team, and I know all their hard work will pay off – hopefully soon.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 48,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 22 electrified options.

Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

CHEVROLET IN NHRA
SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA NATIONALS
SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT MOTORSPORTS PARK
NORWALK, OHIO
JUNE 23-25, 2023

CHEVROLET LOOKS TO EXTEND NHRA MOMENTUM AND CONTINUE SUCCESS AT NORWALK

DETROIT (JUNE 22, 2023) – The ninth round of the 2023 NHRA Camping World Series season sees Team Chevy back in action near the northern coast of Ohio, with the drivers and teams in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown taking on Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk.

In multiple categories, Chevrolet has seen success on-track with John Force Racing (Funny Car) and Elite Motorsports (Pro Stock). Entering as defending winners in last year’s Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, Robert Hight, driver of the AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car for John Force Racing, looks to this weekend to go back-to-back in northern Ohio.

“Racing in Norwalk is always a highlight. There’s a lot of history there, the Bader family has created a tradition of putting on great events for fans,” Hight said. “It should be a good weekend. We’ll have AAA out and we’re right in Cornwell Tools’ backyard. It would be great to get AAA their first win of the season and share the winner’s circle with them.”

Brittany Force, driver of the Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster, enters this weekend defending her No. 1 qualifier from 2022, and is seeking her first win of the 2023 season.

“Norwalk is next for our Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac team. With four qualifying runs, we have a better shot at getting qualified in the top three and figuring the track out with a little less pressure. You change your game plan with fewer qualifying runs and debate pushing for the top spot. With fewer runs it’s riskier so it’s nice to have an extra run this weekend,” Force said. “This team is staying positive, we are narrowing in on this car and its performance. In the past at Summit Motorsports Park we’ve qualified well and last year we were No. 1, set the track record and had a semifinal exit. Our history gives us some good data to pull from and get set up for the weekend. We are still on the hunt for the first win of the season and looking forward to getting back to Norwalk.”

Erica Enders, driver of the Johnson’s Horsepower Garage Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro SS Pro Stock car, carries into the Summit Motorsports NHRA Nationals event weekend momentum after racing to her 44th career Pro Stock win in Bristol, all with Chevrolet. Approaching a major milestone, Enders only needs two more victories to tie Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle, 46) as the female leader in victories in NHRA Pro classes.

“It’s no secret we needed that change of momentum with our first win of the season in Bristol two weeks ago,” said Enders. “Momentum is huge in these summer months of NHRA drag racing and my guys and I are ready to ride it out and continue to capitalize. Heading to Norwalk is exciting. The track is incredible, fans are second to none and we’ve traditionally done well there with quite a few ice cream scoop trophies through the years. I’d love to add one more to my shelf!”

Rounding out representation for Chevrolet at Norwalk, the FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown is also back in action this weekend for their fifth round of the 2023 season. On a roll this year, Lenny Lottig looks to earn a third victory this season in his Chevrolet COPO Camaro after racing to the Winner’s Circle at Charlotte (Four-Wide) and Chicago. Aaron Stanfield enters Norwalk looking to go back-to-back for Chevrolet after capturing the Factory Stock Wally trophy most recently in Bristol.

The 2023 Summit Motorsports Equipment NHRA Nationals action from Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio airs first with qualifying Friday, June 23, at 5:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Saturday qualifying airs Saturday, June 24 at 7 p.m. ET on FS1. Sunday’s Finals will air on FOX Sunday, June 25 starting at 4 p.m. ET. Coverage streaming live throughout the weekend can be found through NHRA.tv, available via AppleTV, Android TV, and Roku devices.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:

Austin Prock, driver of the Rocky Mountain Twist / Montana Brands Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster for John Force Racing:

“I’m looking forward to heading back to Norwalk. We had a pretty good race car there last year and hopefully, we can have that right at the first qualifying session to start off a strong weekend. We have a new front half on the Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist dragster that the guys worked on after Bristol. We’re looking forward to debuting the fresh pipe this weekend.”

John Force, driver of the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car for John Force Racing:

“I’m looking forward to going back to Norwalk. Summit Motorsports Park is an amazing facility. The Bader family knows how to do it right. I’ve been coming here for a lot of years. I know the family well, Bill Bader Sr., he built something great and now his family has continued the tradition and grown the vision, it is spectacular really. Every weekend I race, I want to win. It’s why I do it, why I’m still out here. So, I’m hoping this PEAK team puts on a good show for these Ohio fans.”

Camrie Caruso, driver of the Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro Pro Stock for KB Titan Racing:

“I set a lot of goals for our team and last year we accomplished some of them, but I knew this year I wanted to start winning races and chase that Pro Stock championship. We picked up the win in Arizona and then another No. 1 qualifier at the Winternationals. This Tequila Comisario team is moving in the right direction. I felt we had a Camaro that could have won Bristol, but we had a bad second round that really wasn’t our fault. I am not going to make any excuses, but we have a good race car, and I can’t wait to get to Norwalk.”

Aaron Stanfield, driver of the Stanfield Racing Engines Chevrolet COPO Camaro in FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown:

“Getting that win in Bristol was big. We have been working really hard to get back into the winner’s circle. Now we have the bounty and some momentum going into Norwalk. We want to keep the points lead and maybe stretch it out a little bit. The competition will be tough with over 20 racecars on the property. Everyone is going to have to be at the top of their game.”

TEAM CHEVY BY THE NUMBERS

1,432: Round wins for John Force (1st all-time)

603: Round wins for Robert Hight; 13th all-time. Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), sits 12th, with 619.

373: Number of wins in Pro Stock since 1970; 254 won in the Chevrolet Camaro body

165: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for John Force (1st all-time)

157: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins since 1967

79: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Robert Hight (6th all-time)

77: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins with the Camaro body

45: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Brittany Force

27: Number of NHRA championships Chevrolet holds as a manufacturer since entering the first in 1966. No other manufacturer has won it more than Chevrolet.

24: Wins by John Force in a Chevrolet-bodied Funny Car

18: Number of Pro Stock championships

20: Chevrolet career Top Fuel wins in NHRA

16: Number of Chevrolet career wins by Brittany Force

7: Number of Funny Car driver championships

2: Number of Top Fuel driver championships

UPCOMING NHRA MILESTONES

950: Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) is second all-time with 919 elimination round wins. He could reach 950 round wins with a decent run in the 18-race schedule.

603: Robert Hight achieved 603 Funny Car elimination wins in Chicago to rank 13th on the all-time NHRA list; Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car) sits 12th with 619.

442: By qualifying for his next race, Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) will extend his NHRA record to 442 consecutive race day appearances. His first appearance came in 2002 at Pomona 2, and he holds the longest career qualifying streak in NHRA.

138: Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) ranks third on the NHRA all-time list with 121 No. 1 qualifiers. He will tie Warren Johnson (Pro Stock, 138) for second to John Force (165) on the list.

267: By qualifying for his next race, Robert Hight will extend his NHRA record to 266 consecutive race day appearances. His first appearance came in 2010 at Pomona 2, and he currently sits seventh in career qualifying streaks in NHRA (Doug Kalitta is sixth at 275).

65: Robert Hight moved into the top 10 on the all-time NHRA victory list with his win in Pomona 1 with 63. Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock, retired) is next ninth on list with 65.

46: Erica Enders has 44 career Pro Stock victories (all with Chevrolet, first win coming at Chicago, 2012 and last win at Las Vegas 2, 2022). Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) is the all-time NHRA female leader with 46.

18: Brittany Force (16 Top Fuel career wins) will move past Shirley Muldowney (18 wins) into third on the NHRA all-time victory list for females. Erica Enders (Pro Stock, 44) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle, 46) are ahead.

6: Erica Enders (Pro Stock) could tie Warren Johnson (6 Pro Stock championships) for second on the class list. The same holds for Greg Anderson. Bob Glidden is the leader with 10.

3: Brittany Force (Top Fuel, 2 championships) would tie Shirley Muldowney (Top Fuel) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) for second on the NHRA all-time championship list by females with another title in 2023. Erica Enders (Pro Stock, 5) is the leader.

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 100 countries and selling more than 4.0 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

After scoring three race wins over the weekend at Bristol Dragway, Toyota Gazoo Racing North America (TGRNA) sits at 199 event wins in their NHRA tenure. To assist you in any potential stories as we prepare to hit this milestone, we wanted to provide you stats, along with driver quotes, which we collected in our preseason content shoot in January, on what it would mean to them to be the one to achieve this milestone for Toyota.

Total wins – 199

First Toyota win – February 29, 2004 – Jerry Toliver – K&N Filters Winternationals at Pomona Raceway

Top Fuel wins (150) – Antron Brown (56), Larry Dixon (19), Shawn Langdon (15), Morgan Lucas (12), Doug Kalitta (11), Richie Crampton (10) Del Worsham (8), Justin Ashley (7), Khalid alBalooshi (4), Rod Fuller (3), Steve Torrence (2), Brandon Bernstein (1), Tony Schumacher (1), J.R. Todd (1)

Funny Car wins (49) – Cruz Pedregon (13), J.R. Todd (10), Del Worsham (9), Alexis DeJoria (6), Ron Capps (5), Jeff Arend (3), Shawn Langdon (2), Jerry Toliver (1)

Toyota Top Fuel & Funny Car winners – Shawn Langdon (15 Top Fuel, 2 Funny Car), Del Worsham (8 Top Fuel, 9 Funny Car), J.R. Todd (1 Top Fuel, 10 Funny Car)

Toyota Champions – Cruz Pedregon (FC, 2008), Larry Dixon (TF, 2010), Del Worsham (TF, 2011 and FC, 2015), Antron Brown (TF, 2012, 2015, 2016), Shawn Langdon (TF, 2013), J.R. Todd (FC, 2018), Ron Capps (FC, 2022)

TOYOTA QUOTES

JUSTIN ASHLEY, Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Maynard Ashley Racing

“It would mean the world to me to win the 200th race for Toyota with in the NHRA. Every race is prestigious. Every race has history, but to be able to do that for Toyota, such a prestigious organization, would really mean the world to me and our entire team.”

ANTRON BROWN, Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, AB Motorsports

“It would be huge if we could definitely get into the books with that 200th win for Toyota. Just for the history with how long they have been out here, and for how many years we’ve been racing with Toyota, since 2008. There is a lot of history there and I think it would be monumental to go down in the record books, being the 200th winner for Team Toyota. Toyota Racing, throughout our history, I know that we’ve had a lot of accolades and we won a lot of races together. You’re talking about over 50 wins with Toyota in Top Fuel. If we would win the 200th, I think you would put that on the mantle and put it up there amongst one of those things that you definitely can’t take away. To share that moment with all of Toyota Racing would be huge, especially for me and AB Motorsports.”

RON CAPPS, NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra Funny Car, Ron Capps Motorsports

“We had a lot of firsts last year. 2022 was just unbelievable. Getting the first win for the Supra at the Bristol race was crazy. There is such history, and when you look back at what Toyota’s done just in motorsports, and in drag racing. To watch J.R. (Todd) and Alexis (DeJoria) and what they’ve done, and to be a part of that family now. To be able to give Toyota a hallmark win like that would be epic.”

ALEXIS DEJORIA, Bandero Premium Tequila Toyota GR Supra Funny Car, DC Motorsports

“To be the 200th winner for Toyota, would be incredible, honestly. I would love to be able to do that for Toyota and our team. We are itching to get our next win, so to be able to do both would be incredible.”

DOUG KALITTA, Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Kalitta Motorsports

“It would be awesome for sure. I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of Team Toyota. It would be a cool place to put my name.”

SHAWN LANGDON, Kalitta Air Bounty Hunter Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Kalitta Motorsports

“It would mean a lot to be able to bring that home for Toyota. I’ve been a partner with Toyota for 13 years now. They’ve been there every step of the way. So having that great relationship with them, to bring something meaningful like that to them, would be a good feeling.”

STEVE TORRENCE, Capco Contractors Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Torrence Racing

“That would be icing on the cake on an already momentous relationship with Toyota. It’s just a credential that no one else will ever have. If you are the 200th, that’s a big mark. It would be really special if we could pull it off.”

J.R. TODD, DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car, Kalitta Motorsports

“To be that guy, that would mean a lot. Being a part of the Toyota family – that’s exactly what it is – it’s a family. To be able to contribute just a little bit on our end at Kalitta Motorsports, that would be a pretty cool milestone.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 48,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 22 electrified options.

Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

CHEVROLET IN NHRA
2023 NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS
BRISTOL DRAGWAY
BRISTOL, TENNESSEE
TEAM CHEVY RACE REPORT
JUNE 11, 2023

ERICA ENDERS TAKES CHEVROLET TO THE THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS WINNER’S CIRCLE AT BRISTOL DRAGWAY

• Racing to her 44th career NHRA Pro Stock victory, Enders gives Chevrolet their 373rd win in the class and 254th in the Chevrolet Camaro SS Pro Stock car.
• Enders now inches closer to becoming the all-time female leader in NHRA victories, earning her 44th behind Angelle Sampey in Pro Stock Motorcycle with 46.
• Enders finished where she started race day, qualifying No. 1 for the Thunder Valley Nationals with her run of 6.627 ET at 206.95 MPH to earn her 30th NHRA career No. 1 qualifier.
• Enders 30th No. 1 qualifier sees her third on the female leaders in No. 1 qualifying positions in pro classes behind Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle with 59) and Brittany Force (Top Fuel with 45).
• Setting low ET of the event as of Q4 with his run of 3.938 ET at 321.35 MPH, Robert Hight qualified No. 1 in Funny Car, his 79th of his career, for the Thunder Valley Nationals.

BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 11, 2023) – Concluding a crazy weekend at Bristol Dragway in this weekend’s NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, Erica Enders and her Johnson’s Horsepower Garage SCAG Chevrolet Camaro SS Pro Stock crew and team at Elite Motorsports raced their way to her first win of the 2023 NHRA season, and her 44th of her NHRA career, all with Chevrolet.

Inching closer to becoming the female leader in NHRA victories behind Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle, 46 wins), Enders noted this win will hopefully be the spark needed to turn her 2023 season around.

“More than most people will understand,” Enders noted when asked about how liberating the win in Thunder Valley feels after so much success. “I talked about it in the press room Friday when we were No. 1 qualifier, but I don’t think anything will replace that blinking light up on the guardrail wall about this time on Sunday. This is for my guys. I have two new guys on my team, Conner and Declan. Conner won with JR Todd, but Declan is new to drag racing. So these are for my boys. They don’t quit, they don’t give up, and they don’t get down. That’s the biggest, most challenging part of this is to hear all of the negative scuttlebutt, the people saying my career is over. And this goes to show it isn’t. I’m just so proud. This is awesome.”

“I tell you what, it’s been a tough start to the season, noted Elite Motorsports’ Richard Freeman. “We’re not done yet. We struggled at the first of the year, My guys, they don’t quit and they keep going. KB (Titan Racing), those guys are tough. We’re glad.”

Competing in two events this weekend, including Saturday’s conclusion of last weekend’s NHRA New England Nationals that were postponed for weather to this weekend’s event at Bristol Dragway, the Chevrolet Nitro teams at John Force Racing look to shift their sights to Norwalk for redemption. Racing to the semifinals, Austin Prock, driver of the Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster, raced his way to a semifinal appearance before falling to Justin Ashley. Also making a semifinal round appearance, Robert Hight, driver of the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, ultimately had to settle for an early end after smoking the tires versus Alexis DeJoria. Kicking off his Thunder Valley Nationals weekend, Hight showed strength by capturing the Thunder Valley Nationals No. 1 qualifier and setting low ET of the event with his run, then resetting the low ET of the event with his race day lap of 3.913 seconds.

In his 2023 Chevrolet COPO Camaro, Aaron Stanfield raced to his first Wally trophy of the 2023 FlexJet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown season, defeating Del Holbrook in the finals. Lenny Lottig, in his Chevrolet COPO Camaro, was No. 1 qualifier at Bristol Dragway.

Up next for the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series is the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. Broadcast of Sunday’s eliminations will air live at 4 p.m. ET on FOX Sunday, June 25, 2023.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:

Brittany Force, driver of the Monster Energy Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster for John Force Racing:

“It was a rough weekend in Bristol for the Thunder Valley Nationals, but we still leave here on a positive note. This Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac team qualified number two. We did get beat early but we feel like we learned a lot on this car and tune-up this weekend to set us up for going into Norwalk, Ohio in two weeks. We are leaving tied at third in points, which is a great position to be in and I’m excited to get back to Ohio.”

Austin Prock, driver of the Montana Brands/Rocky Mountain Twist Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster for John Force Racing:

“Not the finish we wanted but a heck of a rebound from earlier in the weekend. Just got a little too aggressive in the semifinals. We will continue to progress with this Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist hot rod. I’m proud of what we’ve done as a team so far and it’s early in the season. On the bright side, we get a shot back at Justin Ashley in Norwalk for the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge.”

Robert Hight, driver of the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car for John Force Racing:

“Obviously not the way we wanted to end the weekend for this Cornwell Tools Chevy. Busy weekend, we had our hands full. We haven’t had a lot of consistency this year and that’s what we’re working on. Was hoping we would have it today,” Hight said. “Once we get that consistency we’ll be back to our usual form. We just have to stay focused. I believe in this team and Jimmy Prock and they believe in me and we’ll get the job done.”

John Force, driver of the BlueDEF Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car for John Force Racing:

“I’m having fun, going a couple of rounds. Obviously don’t love that we didn’t make it further for the Thunder Valley Nationals, but it’s been a busy weekend. It’s been exciting. We’ll be good. We’re doing okay. We’ll head to Norwalk and see if we can get it done in this BlueDEF Chevy.”

Erica Enders, driver of the Johnson’s Horsepower Garage SCAG Chevrolet Camaro SS Pro Stock car – Thunder Valley Nationals Winner’s Press Conference:

FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON, 44TH OF YOUR CAREER AND THIRD AT BRISTOL, YOU STARTED THE WEEKEND IN THE MEDIA CENTER TALKING OF FRUSTRATIONS OF THE EARLY PART OF THE SEASON. TO SEE THIS WIN COMING THROUGH, QUALIFYING NO. 1, HOW GRATIFYING IS IT?

“It’s super gratifying and I don’t know if people truly understand what it means. Yes, we’ve won a lot of races but to have finished the year we had last year in the fashion that we did, and then to start the year as horribly as we did, you know, it was a real gut check. It’s just one of those things you have to battle through. My team owner always reminds us that winning races doesn’t define us. That we’re winners off the race track too. Even though we go through these valleys, you just have to put your head down and go to work. I said it in my Top End interview, but I want to reiterate here is how hard my guys work, not just on my JHG Chevy Camaro, but all nine of our cars that we have. We have almost 60 people on the road full time, and that is a little bit of controlled chaos. I wouldn’t take anything for any of the guys we have. They are truly amazing. They are talent, and the two guys working on my car this weekend, Conner has won with JR Todd before, but Declan is new to drag racing. So, it’s his first win and our first win as the new Team Red. I could not be more proud of them and their hard work. They didn’t ever get discouraged or give up, so that’s what it’s all about. It’s just trying to remain as positive as possible, and just go to work and shut the naysayers up.”

TO GO TO THE FINAL ROUND, AND THEN WITH THE REACTION TIME THAT YOU HAD AND TO WIN ON A HOLESHOT, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOU AS A DRIVER?

“We won on a holeshot? Even better. It means a lot to me. We’ve struggled as a racecar, but I’ve struggled mentally as a driver as well, so it definitely takes a toll on you and you question a lot of things. You lose your confidence and maybe a little bit of your swagger. I talked to my dad right before that final round, and he was like remember who you are. Just put your head down and do it. You’re a five-time champ. So the encouragement from him, the encouragement from my sister who is the ultimate hype girl ever in the history of the world, it’s refreshing to know that so many people believe in me, and I just have to believe in myself. Honestly, I was 21 I think on the tree second round. I had a competition bye when Greg (Anderson) broke in the semis, so I kind of threw that reaction time out. But I sped my pedal up a bit and I thought I could be 12 to 16 on the tree and we were right in there at 15. I finally did my job, and I was able to park our JHG Chevy Camaro in the Winner’s Circle.”

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST LESSON YOU’VE LEARNED DURING THIS DRY SPELL SINCE YOUR LAST ONE?

“The last one was excruciating. This one has just been slightly painful. Knowing what we had every weekend, if there were 16 cars on the property, we weren’t going to qualify. So that was how sucky our 2016 year was. But we were a new program, it was the year that all of the rules changed for Pro Stock, going from carburetors to electronic fuel injection, the rev limiter. And then we switched manufacturers on top of that. It took a toll on our team, and it was a two-year deal. They opted out, we opted out and we went back to our Chevy powerplant and went to work. It took us a couple of years to recover. We really struggled. I only won one race in 2017, but we rallied. So the lesson is you don’t give up. It’s horsepower and win lights are really great deodorant for underlying issues, and it just shows that what would tear most teams apart, makes us stronger. I started in 2014 with Elite Motorsports, and there were eight on our team including myself, and now there are 60. I think it speaks volumes for our leadership, for the kind of work ethic the guys have, and the never give up attitude. It’s easy when things aren’t great to just get down and get negative and want to quit.”

YOU HAD SAID THIS YEAR EARLIER WHEN YOU WERE HAVING THOSE CHALLENGES YOU’VE WON CHAMPIONSHIPS FROM NINTH. WE’RE PAST HALFWAY IN THE REGULAR SEASON OF PRO STOCK, AND YOU KNOW A CHAMPIONSHIP CAN COME DOWN TO JUST A COUPLE OF POINTS. SO A RUSH TO THE FRONT WOULD BE A VERY WELL ADVISED. WHAT DO YOU SEE AHEAD GOING AHEAD TO NORWALK?

“It’s definitely crucial now that we’re closing in on Indy. It’s hard to believe that we’re already in the month of June, let alone getting close to the Countdown. We’ve got to go to work. I think we entered Bristol in either 14th or 15th which is the lowest ever since I drove a Ford. So it’s been challenging. But all you have to do is be there when it counts and that’s something that my guys are tremendous at. When our backs are against a wall, they perform and I perform. We get things done. I’m not worried. I said it on Friday when we qualified for the pole that it doesn’t matter until the countdown. We’re solid. We’ll be just fine. I wouldn’t want to go to battle without the guys I have behind me.”

Round 1 Recap:

Top Fuel:

No. 2 Brittany Force fell to No. 15 Brown with his run of 3.767 ET, 328.78 MPH to Force’s 3.749 ET at 327.51 MPH.
No. 8 Austin Prock defeated No. 9 Ferre with his run of 3.777 ET at 327.66 MPH.
Funny Car:

No. 1 Robert Hight defeated No. 16 Alex Laughlin with his run of 3.962 ET, 324.36 MPH.
No. 10 John Force defeated No. 7 JR Todd with his run of 3.999 ET at 326.95 MPH.
Pro Stock:

No. 8 Kyle Koretsky defeated No. 9 Shane Tucker with his run of 6.652 ET at 205.29 MPH.
No. 7 Deric Kramer defeated No. 10 Troy Coughlin with his run of 6.656 ET at 204.35 MPH, to Coughlin’s 6.690 ET at 205.13 MPH.
No. 6 Camrie Caruso defeated No. 11 Bo Butner III with her run of 6.653 ET at 205.38 MPH, to Butner’s 8.531 ET at 98.53 MPH.
No. 5 Dallas Glenn defeated No. 12 Matt Hartford with his run of 6.665 ET at 205.19 MPH, to Hartford’s 6.694 ET at 203.68 MPH.
No. 4 Greg Anderson defeated No. 13 Jerry Tucker with his run of 6.652 ET at 204.39 MPH to Tucker’s red light.
No. 2 Aaron Stanfield defeated No. 15 Fernando Cuadra, Jr. with his run of 6.646 ET at 206.10 MPH.
No. 1 Erica Enders defeated No. 16 Mason McGaha with her run of 6.659 ET at 206.04 MPH, to McGaha’s 6.723 ET at 203.235 MPH.

Round 2 Recap:

Top Fuel:

A. Prock defeated Massey with his run of 3.732 ET at 328.94 MPH.
Funny Car:

J. Force fell to Capps during his Round 2 run, facing issues on track early during his run.
Hight defeated Hagan with his run 3.913 ET at 324.20 MPH and resetting low ET of the event during the run.
Pro Stock:

Enders defeated Koretsky with her run of 6.667 ET at 205.26 MPH, to Koretsky’s at 6.671 ET at 203.95 MPH.
Anderson defeated Glenn with his run of 6.856 ET at 175.71 MPH, to Glenn’s 6.926 ET at 156.08 MPH.
Kramer defeated Stanfield with his run of 6.678 ET at 204.23 MPH while Stanfield’s car shut off on the start line.
Caruso fell to C. Cuadra after a chaotic run that showed veteran prowess in the rookie driver, deploying her parachutes early to prevent further issue during the run.

Semifinals Recap:

Top Fuel:

A. Prock fell to Ashley after smoking the tires early on the semifinal run.
Funny Car:

Hight falls to DeJoria on the semifinal run after smoking the tires early in the run.

Pro Stock:

Kramer defeated C. Cuadra on his run of 6.680 ET at 204.39 MPH to Cuadra’s smoking of the tires early in the run.
Enders defeated Anderson on her solo run of 6.722 ET at 204.51 MPH after Anderson was shut off on the starting line.

Finals:

Pro Stock:

Enders defeated Kramer with her run of 6.680 ET at 204.08 MPH to Kramer’s 6.727 ET at 197.05 MPH.

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 100 countries and selling more than 4.0 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

HISTORIC WEEKEND FOR ASHLEY AT BRISTOL
Ron Capps helps deliver second consecutive Toyota sweep of Bristol Dragway

BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 11, 2023) – Justin Ashley earned a historic double-up as he scored the win in the rain-delayed New England Nationals on Saturday, along with the Mission Foods Challenge victory, before following that with another win on Sunday in Bristol. With the success this weekend, Ashley took over the points lead.

It was also a big day for Antron Brown as he scored his 800th career round win, before coming up just short to Ashley in the final. Brown is the sixth driver in NHRA history to earn 800 round wins.

In Funny Car, Ron Capps celebrated the anniversary of his first Toyota win by taking the Toyota GR Supra Funny Car back to the winner’s circle for the seventh time in his career at Bristol Dragway. Capps defeated fellow Toyota driver Alexis DeJoria in the final round, as Toyota swept the final round spots in NHRA competition.

With Ashley and Capps’ victories, Toyota stands at 199 NHRA victories heading into the next race at Norwalk.

Toyota Post-Race Recap
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series
Bristol Dragway
Race 8 of 21

TOYOTA TOP FUEL FINISHING POSITIONS

Name	Car	Final Result	Round-by-Round
Justin Ashley	Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Winner	W. 3.763 v. 3.871(D. Foley) W. 3.756 v. 3.780(J. Hart) W. 3.728 v. 7.154(A. Prock) W. 3.718 v. 6.148(A. Brown)
Antron Brown	Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Finalist	W. 3.767 v. 3.749(Holeshot Win – B. Force) W. 3.765 v. 5.699(T. Schumacher) W. 3.730 v. 3.973(D. Kalitta) L. 6.148 v. 3.718(J. Ashley)
Doug Kalitta	Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Semi-Finals	W. 3.724 v. 3.992(C. Millican) W. 3.733 v. 3.745(S. Torrence) L. 3.973 v. 3.730(A. Brown)
Steve Torrence	Capco Contractors Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Second Round	W. 3.691 v. 3.779(S. Langdon) L. 3.745 v. 3.733(D. Kalitta)
Shawn Langdon	Bounty Hunter Kalitta Air Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	First Round	L. 3.779 v. 3.691(S. Torrence)

TOYOTA FUNNY CAR FINISHING POSITIONS

Name	Car	Final Result	Round-by-Round
Ron Capps	NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	Winner	W. 3.964 v. 4.223(D. Richards) W. 3.946 v. 6.143(J. Force) W. 3.918 v. 4.003(C. Green) W. 3.998 v. 3.999(A. DeJoria)
Alexis DeJoria	Bandero Tequila Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	Finalist	W. 3.983 v. No Run(C. Pedregon) W. 4.154 v. 4.236(B. Bode) W. 3.979 v. 7.840(R. Hight) L. 3.999 v. 3.998(R. Capps
J.R. Todd	DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	First Round	L. 4.131 v. 3.999(J. Force)

TOYOTA QUOTES

JUSTIN ASHLEY, Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Maynard Ashley Racing

Final Result: Winner

How do you feel about winning everything this weekend?

“I’m on cloud nine. It is just an amazing feeling. It’s so hard to win a race. It is so difficult, so to be able to come into one weekend, in the course of three days, and win two events and one Mission Foods Challenge, is really something special. It’s hard to turn on win lights in this sport, so I just have so much gratitude for my entire team and the work they did to turn this car around round after round, and making sure it went down the race track. We had a lot of friends and family here – this is not too far from when the Maynards are, so they had a lot of their friends out as well. It’s a big win for the entire team.”

What does it mean to defend the Bristol title?

“After the fact, I certainly think about it. During the race, that doesn’t cross my mind and if it does, I do everything I can to get rid of that thought, because it is just a matter of focusing on that moment and taking it one round at a time, because it is not easy to win. I think that approach gives us as a team the opportunity to win.”

The last driver to win two races in one weekend was Tony Schumacher with your now crew chief, Mike Green. Can you talk about what your crew chiefs mean to this team?

“Mike (Green), Tommy (DeLago) and Dustin (Davis) are just fantastic. They are excellent at what they do both on and off the race track. You are only as good as the team that you have. They have done a great job themselves, but they have also assembled an amazing team that surrounds the race car. Honestly, it is fascinating to be able to watch them round after round maintain that consistency. Nothing stops this team. We can lose in the first round, we could win the race, we could fall short somewhere in between, but the mentality is the same. We always expect to win, and the reason for that is because it starts on top. It starts with guys like Dustin, Mike and Tommy.”

Your win was 199 for Toyota. What does it mean to close in on that milestone and the support Toyota provides you?

“It’s very, very deep – the talent pool that we have. I am so grateful that we have Toyota Gazoo Racing North America and Slugger (Labbe) and Paul (Flynn) and all of the people from that team that not only provide us with the data and information that we need, but treat us like family. When you are part of Toyota Racing, you are part of the Toyota family and we all have each other and we all work together. Going into that final round, against our Toyota teammate, and knowing, no matter what happened in front of us it was going to be a Toyota double-up and we are inching closer to a 200th win for Toyota is really amazing. It speaks volumes on Toyota – to be able to put all of the time, energy, effort and commitment that have into the sport of NHRA drag racing – really is beyond measure.”

Was there one race today that stuck out today?

“It was every round today. I think at this point you always need to dig deep, especially with the way the competition is. Anytime we go up against Antron (Brown) is usually a fantastic race, and it is a really small margin of victory. I don’t really believe in the approach of getting up for anyone in particular, but you have to be extremely focused because he is not going to let you get away with anything. Antron is a fantastic driver, and more importantly, he’s a fantastic person, so I think racing a guy like Antron brings out the best in myself and my team.”

RON CAPPS, NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra Funny Car, Ron Capps Motorsports

Final Result: Winner

What does it mean to you to pick up your seventh win at Bristol?

“We are celebrating an anniversary of sorts. We got to announce our Toyota partnership in Charlotte at the 4-Wide, and then we gave the new GR Supra its first win here. So for Ron Capps Motorsports – to be able to do that last year – was one of the most epic moments of my life. I was pretty stoked when we pulled up and all four nitro cars were Toyota teams. Jwan (Smith), Paul (Flynn) and Slugger (Labbe), and all of the people that are here every weekend – people don’t understand that they send one of their trucks – it’s like what goes to NASCAR races as well – and they send it to NHRA races for the support of our teams. It is unbelievable behind the scenes that you don’t hear about. So very happy for Toyota. Guido (Dean Antonelli, crew chief), T-Buck (Tom Buckingham, assistant crew chief) got moved up when (John) Medlen retired last year. We promoted within with our company going into our second year. Allison (McCormick) our PR, and Kass (Pawuk), social media – same team, just kept at it. We’ve been close. Three final rounds. Should have been a win already, but this is probably the most demanding race track there is to drive a Funny Car. I think that anybody will tell you that, that drives one. I probably cost us a couple of qualifying runs. I just couldn’t hang on the car and keep it in the middle. Thankfully, I got my act together on Sunday, and Guido was able to lay it down. It is such a relief to see that Wally again. I honestly tell people, you never know if you are going to see one again. That is how tough it is.”

Can you talk about closing in on that milestone for Toyota and the relationship you have with them?

“You have to have the respect. J.R. Todd helped design that body, Alexis (DeJoria) helped design that body and I came in late. We came in with success – it’s tough. That creates a lot of weird vibes. I was very careful. I apologized a few times to them last year. I was careful about what I said. You have to be careful. I was invited into that family. I wanted to get into that family bad over the years – Antron Brown being such a close friend. I just knew that if I could get in as a part of that family, I knew what it meant. It is showing right now. It would be great to get them that win. I would honestly cheer for Alexis or J.R. or somebody getting that Funny Car win as well. It would be cool. It is a great thing. I forgot that there were two wins. That is looming on the horizon. Paul Doleshal, Slugger (Labbe) – you can’t believe the efforts that go in. People just don’t see it. Jwan (Smith), Paul (Flynn) – their track people are here before anybody during the day. When we are all hanging out having coffee and having breakfast and they are here at night, when they are people trying to kick them off of the track. They are tracking and showing us bumps and everything about the track. You just don’t get that – it is such a cool thing to have. I’m so grateful to be a part of the Toyota family.”

Can you talk about being back as the points leader?

“(Matt) Hagan has had us scrambling on it, him and Tony Stewart (owner). That is huge. It’s a long year. It’s great and it’s great for NAPA on Monday morning to look at competition Plus or any of our race sites – we send them the links – and see that we’re the points leaders. That’s great, but that doesn’t matter until Sunday at Pomona. I can finally say that. We finally won one from behind – we won it on Sunday. We are just trying to get wins and just get our consistency down, but this is huge. Great win.”

ANTRON BROWN, Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, AB Motorsports

Final Result: Finalist

Can you talk about the race this weekend?

“We definitely bounced back. One thing I can tell you about our team is we always stay persistent. This track was handing us our butt. We got too aggressive on Friday night – the first run coming out – our car was on at .78 run and it didn’t make it because we were too aggressive. We want to qualify well. We like to qualify in those top three spots. We want number one. We are going to go with that same attitude going into Norwalk. We are just going to scale it back. The coolest part is the way we rebounded – we came back out. Brian (Corradi, crew chief), Mark (Oswald, co-crew chief) and the boys went to the stuff that we know and the car went out the first round and we ran a .76. We were trying to run between a .74 and a .76 and it did it. It got us the round win and we just started picking away at each round to make it better. Semis, when we ran that .73 flat against Doug (Kalitta) – it really set us up for that final, where we thought we could go out there and go .71. That was what we were shooting for. Justin (Ashley) did it. We were already a hundredth quicker at the 60 foot mark and with the calculations that means you could have run about 15 thousandths quicker. If we would have run 15 thousandths quicker, we would have run a 3.715. That is what we were shooting for. We got a little greedy. It was going to hold it. The car was trying to get ghost. With that being said, when you make it to a final, it is a great weekend. Great weekend for a rebound in points. That moves us up a few spots or whatever it did. We just have to keep doing it. Our main focus is the Western Swing. Hit the swing hard and come back and make a strong push all of the way to Indy and see if we can move up some points spots and get ready for the Countdown for the Championship.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 48,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 22 electrified options.

Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

CHEVROLET IN NHRA
2023 NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS FINALS, 2023 NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS QUALIFYING RECAP
BRISTOL DRAGWAY
BRISTOL, TENNESSEE

TEAM CHEVY RACE REPORT
JUNE 10, 2023

JOHN FORCE LEADS TEAM CHEVY IN EPPING FINALS AT BRISTOL WITH 265TH FINAL ROUND APPEARANCE

• John Force takes BlueDef Camaro SS to Final Round in Epping Finals at Bristol
• Robert Hight claimed the No. 1 Qualifier for the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, his 2nd of the season and 79th of his career
• Brittany Force posted No. 2 Qualifier in Top Fuel for the Thunder Valley Nationals

BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 10, 2023) – In a first-ever combined NHRA race weekend to finish the weather-interrupted New England Nationals from New England Dragway in Epping, New Hampshire while simultaneously running the qualifying rounds for the Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, Bristol, Tennessee, John Force led the way for Team Chevy in final eliminations for Epping.

After defeating Tim Wilkerson in Elimination Round One, with a 4.063 seconds , 324.36 mph to Wilkerson’s 4.004, 318.99, Force went on to face Alex Laughlin in Round Two. The 16-time champion downed Laughlin with a 4.090. 318.54 to move to the semi-finals.

JR Todd on deck for the Force, the winningest driver in NHRA history. With a little baby holeshot, Force topped Todd with a 4.105, 319.07 to a 4.098, 319.90 to send Force to his 265th final round appearance and his first of the young 2023 NHRA season.

Lining up alongside Bob Tasca III, Force staged his Blue Def Camaro SS Funny Car deep and posted a .045 reaction time to Tasca’s .065 and the race was on with Tasca pulling ahead to post a 4.032, 322.96 for the win to Force’s 4.085. 320.51.

For making it into the semifinals of the New England Nationals Force automatically competed in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge and finished runner-up to earn two championship points to be added at the conclusion of the regular season and $3,000.

“It would have been nice to have won the Epping, N.H. NHRA New England Nationals race and the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, but I didn’t get the job done,” Force said. “We had a good race BlueDEF race car which keeps Chevrolet, PEAK, and all our sponsors happy. Cornwell was out at the track with a lot of their customers this weekend too. We’ll get back in the game tomorrow morning. It’s a new day and a new race tomorrow morning.”

Robert Hight behind the wheel of his AAA of New England Camaro SS scored a Round One win over Alexis DeJoria 3.938, 321.35 to 3.999, 322.88. Round Two provided drama with both cars hazing the tires and then Bob Tasca III ultimately blowing an engine near the top-end of the track. Tasca took the W with a 4.418, 267.69 to Hight’s 4.441, 202.00.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve crossed the finish line like that. It happens, you’re out here racing for a round win and it’s greasy. We put four cylinders out on one side so it turned on me in a hurry. Usually, you can catch it pretty quick but that one got me,” Hight said. “Anyways, sorry to the fans, to AAA and Cornwell and Chevy, we could have gotten another round win there.”

Defending Top Fuel Champions Brittany Force, Monster Energy Chevrolet Top Fuel car bested Josh Hart 3.747, 334.48 to 4.201, 202.85 in Round One of Final Eliminations. Round Two was a pedal-fest between B. Force and Justin Ashley, eventual winner of the New England Nationals, with Brit going down with a 4.322, 274.05 to Ashley’s 4.097, 255.92.

“Epping, the New England Nationals was a little bit of a struggle for this Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac team,” Force said. “We got beat in the second round, but we still had a couple of good laps under our belt that set us up for qualifying for Bristol and hopefully a long race day.”

In Top Fuel Round One Elimination, Austin Prock piloting the Montana Brand Chevrolet Top Fuel car put down a stellar run of 3.787, 326.08. However, he lined up next to Steve Torrence who laid down a 3.753, 329.10 to end Prock’s Epping make-up early.

“It was a tough first-round loss last night for this Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist team. There was a lot on the line that round and we came up short,” Prock said. “It’s frustrating but we will bounce back.”

THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS QUALIFYING:

When track conditions were optimal, Robert Hight drove the Cornwall Tools Camaro SS Funny Car to the No. 1 Qualifier for Sunday’s finals with a pass of 3.938, 321.35 on Friday night under the lights. The run held on Saturday with much warmer air and track temperatures.

John Force ended the four qualifying sessions in 10th spot for Sunday’s Finals at the track they call Thunder Valley in his BlueDef Camaro SS Funny Car with a pass of 4.063, 324.36.

Brittany Force piloted the Monster Energy Chevrolet Top Fuel car to the No. 2 qualifier spot, also maximizing the cooler Friday night conditions with a pass of 3.747, 334.48.

Austin Prock will stage in 8th tomorrow in the cockpit of his Montana Brand Chevrolet Top Fuel car after putting down a run of 3.787, 326.08.

Erica Enders broke through to capture her first No. 1 qualifier of the 2023 NHRA Pro Stock Season. Piloting her familiar red Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage/Melling Performance Elite Motorsports Camaro SS a run of 6.627, 205.88.

It is the reigning world champion’s 30th No. 1 of her career.

And closing out a very busy day on-track, Aaron Stanfield claimed his first Mission #2Fast2Tasty win piloting his Janac Brothers Chevrolet Camaro, going 6.637, 206.32 to claim the additional prize money and valuable championship points. His win came over fellow Team Chevy driver and three time Pro Stock winner this season, Dallas Glenn.

THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS RACE DAY INFORMATION

Due to the threat of inclement weather late in the day, the NHRA has moved the start time to 10:00 AM ET.

Round 2, Semifinals, and Finals of the New England Nationals makeup event will air Saturday at 10:30 p.m. ET on FS1. A recap of Saturday’s Thunder Valley Nationals qualifying airs Sunday, June 11 at 12:30 p.m. ET. The Thunder Valley Nationals Finals will wrap up the stacked weekend, airing on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET on FS1. Coverage streaming live throughout the weekend can be found through NHRA.tv, available via AppleTV, Android TV and Roku devices.

About Chevrolet

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