On February 12, 2012 the NHRA Full Throttle series began its 61st season at the Fairplex in Pomona, CA, and their were many changes in the off season that greeted the fans around the world. New drivers, new teams and new cars were the order of the day at the Winternationals.
In Top Fuel, Morgan Lucas arrived with new crew chiefs Aaron Brooks and Rod Centorbi and new teammate Brandon Bernstein. Shawn Langdon and Khalid Al Balooshi took over driving duties at the 2 time defending top fuel champion Al Anabi Racing team. Del Worsham, who just the year before finally captured his 1st world title in top fuel became the crew chief for funny car Rookie Alexis DeJoria.
One of the biggest stories of the off season was the announcement that Courtney Force would make her debut in funny car in 2012 piloting a ford mustang out of her father John Force's stable alongside her team mates Mike Neff, Robert Hight, and her father 15x champion John Force. Courtney's 1st 2 events show her prowess behind the wheel as well as the strength of the team as the cars of her father and brother in law hight captured both events to start the season.
In Top Fuel, the heavy favorites continue to be the DSR stable of 7x champ Tony Schumacher, Antron Brown and Spencer Massey. Of the three at the winternationals, Massey looked the strongest. And in the semi finals, Massey blistered the 1000ft track in 3.74 seconds at over 328 mph; the quickest and fastest runs to 1000 feet in history. He would win the event over his team mate brown. However Antron would return to the winners circle a week later in winning at Firebird raceway in arizona.
In pro stock, 4 time NHRA champion Jeg Coughlin made his return to drag racing in the jegs.com dodge avenger a memorable one making it all the way to the finals of the winternationals to face the all conquering summit racing Pontiac GXP of Greg Anderson.In the finals Jeg in his dodge left first but the KB racing horsepower took over at 330ft as Anderson won. A very good debut for a returning champion who is a favorite among the fans.
So, the 2012 NHRA full throttle season is 2 events in and next weekend will continue with the Gatornationals; one of the favorite stops among the teams of the series. The Pro Stock Motorcycle class marks its season debut with this event. Lost of history has occurred at the Gatornationals and with what the fans have seen so far in just 2 events, The Gators just might bring us another unforgettable event.
Sit down, buckle up and hang on. The 2012 nhra full throttle season looks to be an exciting one
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