Competition Plus: JOHN HALE LEAVING JIM DUNN RACING SEAT

Nitro Funny Car driver John Hale confirmed to CompetitionPlus.com that he will not be driving for Jim Dunn Racing in 2017.

Hale drove the Jim Dunn Racing Funny Car for 48 races in the 2016-17 seasons.

“It was my own decision,” said Hale when asked why he will not be with Jim Dunn Racing next year. “There some things around here (his home in Addison, Texas) I want to do. I got a new airplane and I’m building a new hanger for it at McKinney (Texas) National Airport and I’m just trying to stay on top of things here at home. Getting to race for a legendary team like Jim Dunn Racing was a lifetime dream. I felt like I had the best independent-run car out there.”

In two years with Dunn, Hale’s best performance was a runner-up effort at the Gatornationals in 2015 to Ron Capps. He had a total of nine round wins over the two seasons.

Hale’s main occupation is in the barbecue sauce business. He sells the “Best of Texas Barbecue Sauce.” The sauce was originally labeled “Terry’s Texas Style Barbecue Sauce” and then Hake took over the company a few years back and the barbecue sauce was named “John Hale Racing Texas Nitro Barbecue Sauce.” Hale said the name was changed to “Best of Texas Barbecue Sauce” as the company enters into the national retail market. To learn more about Hale’s barbecue sauce visit www.bestoftexasbbqsauce.com.

Although Hale is stepping away from Dunn’s full-time ride, he isn’t going to leave the sport of drag racing. Hale said he will continue to compete in his “One Bad Texan” Nostalgia Funny Car. His 2017 race schedule is already listed on his website – www.johnhaleracing.com. It is comprised of eight Nostalgia races beginning March 2-5 with the Good Vibrations March Meet at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif.

Written by Tracy Renck  Tue, 2016-12-13 18:00

NHRA: Moon dragster graphics on Dunn Funny Car at Finals

November 07, 2016 -- Jim Dunn Racing will sport a unique design on the team’s nitro Funny Car at this weekend’s Auto Club NHRA Finals, displaying graphics on the side of the Mooneyes Funny Car body are derived from the famous Mooneyes dragster of the 1960s.

The design features the Dragmaster chassis with a small block Chevy engine, Moon/Potvin front-mounted supercharger, and Hilborn injection.

The Mooneyes dragster originally raced at NHRA Nationals in Indianapolis in 1961, and won the A/Dragster class on a 9.52 elapsed time at 153.06 mph during the 1962 Winternationals in Pomona. The Mooneyes dragster was piloted by famed drivers such as Dante Duece and Gary Cagle. In 1963, while sponsored by Revell, the Mooneyes dragster was among several other race cars that toured in England and recorded a 9.99 elapsed time at 164 mph.

The original Mooneyes dragster is housed at the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Florida, while a replica will be on display for all fans to see at the Finals.

ARTICLE

Hale “over the moon” headed to Pomona in the 3 second club

ADDISON, TX (Nov. 3) – It’s always amazing to look back at the entire season and realize, with all the highs and lows that come with competition, there’s nothing like this sport. Entering Pomona in the 3 second club is a huge accomplishment for our team. We certainly have reason to celebrate as we wrap up the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. 

We were hoping to see a bit more of Lady Luck in Las Vegas but you know how fickle she can be! We did have some great runs, minimal damage in Q3, so overall it was a great weekend.

Friday, during Q1, we had a clean run and ever so briefly were seated in the second spot. Q2 wasn’t nearly as kind to us. Got pushed out of the groove and had to back off the throttle early.

We certainly have had a thing with our burst panel this season. Went up in smoke at the hit, backfired and knocked out the burst panel before even getting 100 feet out. Q4 was a redeeming round, thankfully! It was another smooth run and the car went right down the groove. With that pass we made it in to the show in the 15th spot. We had the 4.04 bump making it the quickest field ever in Funny Car history.

First round of eliminations Hagan got off the line first. The Circle K Funny Car made up for it a little at the 330 mark. However, Hagan pulled ahead to get the win light against our 4.38 at 201mph.

Speaking of Funny Car history, we’re going to be delivering a little nostalgia to Pomona for the final race of this season.

The weekend kicks off with FanFest at Lordsburg Taphouse and Grill on Thursday from 6:00-8:00PM. The City of LaVerne shuts down “D” Street in support of the event each year. There will be a variety of cars on display lining the area outside the taphouse. The autograph signing session will run from 7:00-7:45PM. If you’ve never been to this location, it’s a pretty laid-back tavern with sports on TV and a patio that offers pub food paired with tap beers and a full bar.

Friday we will be delivering a treat to the fans of our sport. We will honor the nostalgia that exists as we celebrate the 50th year of Funny Cars in the NHRA. To be a part of events like this is truly a dream come true.

So thankful to all of our fans who have come out to the track and supported us through the season, as well as all of the fans who drove the FOX Sports viewing numbers to an unprecedented number. Reading posts on social media and having fans drop by to wish us well…that’s what keeps us going when the numbers are off, when I just have a bad run, or when we have a mechanical issue that keeps us from doing what we know we can do.

Really looking forward to wrapping up this season on a positive note with our inclusion in the three second club, a nostalgia treat in Pomona, and a forecast without rain!

Photo Credit: Charles Anderson

Photo Credit: Auto Imagery

Las Vegas Summary
Q1:  4.056/311.77 
Q2:  4.833/166.85
Q3:  20.880/160.90
Q4:  4.031/318.62
Qualified #15
E1:  4.38/201

For more information please visit John Hale Racing.

Hale ready to challenge Lady Luck in Vegas

LAS VEGAS (October 24) – In the city where the sky’s the limit, John Hale is ready to beat the odds at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Photo Credit: Jack Franklin

With just two races remaining in the 2016 season, the team feels confident they are heading in the right direction.

Since they set their career best E.T. in Seattle they have been experiencing some fluctuating issues that have been addressed. It was evident they had worked out the kinks with their performance in Dallas.

Competing in a fashion more fitting for their combined experience was exactly what the team needed to see.

“It was nice to leave the Dallas race seeing Jim happy with the way the fuel valve responded to his changes.”

Boosting their confidence with clean straight runs right down the groove, the team will continue to refine their improvements and hope they have the right combination to bring them the win light.

“We are looking forward to running 3’s again in Vegas in what will most likely be an all 3 second field.”

The team is ready to take on the challenges of Lady Luck. “Let’s roll the dice and see what happens.”

Next Race: 16th annual NHRA Toyota Nationals When: Oct. 27-30, 2016 Where: The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Nitro qualifying sessions are scheduled for 12:30PM and 4:30PM Friday, 12:30PM and 4:15PM Saturday, and eliminations at 11:00AM, 12:45PM, 2:15PM and 3:37PM Sunday.

TV: FS1, Oct. 28, qualifying, 6:00PM (ET), live; FS1, Oct. 30, qualifying, 10:00AM (ET); FS1, Oct. 30, finals 4:00PM (ET), live.

Photo Credit: Auto Imagery

For more information, please visit John Hale Racing.

Dallas Summary
Q1: 4.704/182.18
Q2: pass
Q3: 4.053/308.78
Q4: 4.032/291.38
Qualified #14
E1: 4.070/308.64 

Smooth pass ends home track advantage

DALLAS (October 18) – Racing at our home track, we were looking forward to saving on those shipping fees for Wally. It wasn’t meant to be our turn, not yet anyway. 

Q1 we had a cylinder go out on the right side at about 200 feet. The car pushed to the right and we got about 500 feet out and had to give up the run. By Q3 we were hitting our stride again and had a fantastic pass. This turned out to be our quickest pass of the weekend; clean, straight and right down the groove. Against Dave Richards in Q4, we had a great side-by-side and were nose to nose all the way through the run. Q3 and Q4 we improved enough to make the show for Sunday.

Round one of eliminations we were up against Tommy Johnson, Jr. We had yet another clean pass, right down the groove again, and ran a 4.070 at 308.64. Holeshot wins being what they are; TJ got the win light this time.

“People ask me what my favorite race track is. It's definitely the Texas Motorplex. That's where my dream began years ago. So any race that I'm driving there is a good race. This was a good one as well. We went into Q1 with a new fuel valve and progressed each run as we learned what it wanted from the car. Big Jim was happy with the results and when he's happy we are all happy. We think we have a good hotrod going into Vegas.”

We might not have attained that elusive Wally in Dallas, but we are confident we are headed in the right direction. The numbers show that we are having more consistent runs. Both our speed and ET are showing the improvement. Of course we still want to run in the 3’s consistently. Having these clean passes in Dallas has given us some solid data to carry forward to Vegas, and then to on Pomona.

Heading to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, October 28-30, we hope Lady Luck rides with us in the city where the sky’s the limit.

Photo Credit: Auto Imagery

Dallas Summary
Q1: 4.704/182.18
Q2: pass
Q3: 4.053/308.78
Q4: 4.032/291.38
Qualified #14
E1: 4.070/308.64 

For additional information, please visit John Hale Racing.

Deep in the heart of Texas a Wally awaits

DALLAS (October 12) – Sunny skies predicted, with an average daily temperature of 87, welcome the 31st annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals to the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas.  We’re going to shake off those dark clouds of Reading and draw on that “One Bad Texan” mindset at John Hale’s home track. You know you don’t mess with Texas!

If you follow John Hale on social media, you know the importance music plays in his life. He starts each day by posting a song that inspires and motivates his day. Drawing on his love of music, and quoting the words of Steven Van Zant (guitar and mandolin with Bruce Springsteen’s E-Street Band), “Band members have a special bond. A great band is more than just some people working together. It's like a highly specialized army unit, or a winning sports team. A unique combination of elements that becomes stronger together than apart.” Sums up our Jim Dunn Racing team! We know we have the right combination to win; it’s just a matter of the stars aligning, and debugging the quirks, to turn on those win lights. No better time to do this than under the stars of Texas.

As for Reading, dismal is the word that comes to mind. Soggy and cold, we were only able to squeeze in one round of qualifying before the skies opened up, again, and again. The NHRA Safety Safari did an amazing job of attempting to dry the track (many times) in the hope we could get in more qualifying rounds. We did end up in the 10th position going in to round one of eliminations. How we got there wasn’t pretty; we made it was all that mattered at that point. An 8.614 at 75.88 is not the kind of run you get excited over but getting in on Sunday, any way we could, trumped the disappointment over that one qualifying run.

Unfortunately, Sunday did not go much better for us and closely resembled our qualifying run. We were up against Mike Smith for the first time in eliminations. Both of our cars shook the rear tires coming off the starting line. He managed to get his car hooked up again and finished the run. Just couldn’t get our car back up to speed and we coasted to the finish. Disappointed with the performance at Reading would be an understatement. After the elation of our team breaking in to the 3’s, and following those runs by additional 3’s, our hopes were high that a Wally was forthcoming. It just wasn’t meant to be, at least not in Reading.

Meanwhile, deep in the heart of Texas, John Hale prepares for this competition at his home track. Knowing that stars do align in Texas, the dream of bringing home a Wally seems to be closer than ever. For a team with a tight budget, saving on shipping fees for that Wally is an added bonus!

The City of Ennis and Texas Motorplex have partnered for a PreStage Fan Fest in Downtown Ennis on Wednesday, October 14, between 5:00-9:00 p.m. We will be there signing autographs at the Brookshire’s Autograph Session and hope you will be able to come out and enjoy roaming through pro and sportsman cars, food trucks, music and more.

Dallas is one of three remaining races in the 2016 NHRA season. After Dallas, our next race moves to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Nitro qualifying sessions are scheduled for 5:00 and 8:00pm, Friday, and 1:30 and 4:30pm, Saturday. Eliminations start at 12:00am, Sunday. Fox SPORTS - Finals October 16, 2:00pm-5:00pm (FS1) LIVE and October 16, 7:00pm-10:00pm (FS2) REPLAY. Qualifying October 14, 7:30pm-8:30pm (FS1) LIVE - October 15, 6:00am-7:00am (FS1) REPLAY, October 16, 1:00am-2:00am (FS1), October 16, 1:00pm-2:00pm (FS1) REPLAY. All times ET. Schedule subject to change; check local listings.

Photo Credit: Auto Imagery

RECAP from READING
Q1:  8.614ET 75.88mph
Qualified # 10
E1:   8.538ET 74.48mph

Bring on the Reading Monopoly Magic

READING (September 28) – Reading Railroad is the first of the four railroads on the Monopoly board. With just four races remaining in the countdown to the championship, John Hale is hoping to make this stop on the NHRA board their opportunity to take home the team's first Wally this season.

Welcoming Dodge as the title rights sponsor of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event at Maple Grove Raceway, we hope to keep the Jim Dunn Racing/Oberto Funny Car moving up the scoreboard to a qualifying position on race day.

Recapping last weekend in St. Louis, with the heat soaring on Friday, qualifying didn’t go as well as the team would have liked. Saturday’s third round of qualifying was a little quicker than Friday’s and by Q4 we were sitting on the bump spot at 4.156. Matching our Q3 ET to the thousands, we managed to run ten miles an hour faster in Q4. Good enough to get us in the show for Sunday.

On Sunday, we faced Robert Hight in round one of eliminations. Coming in to this round, we were one and one against Hight in prior matchups. Track temperature was sitting at 111 degrees when we staged. The car smoked the tires early and we slowed with E1 ending as one of our roughest rounds at this event.

While no one wants to be out in E1, it did give us an opportunity to spend time with the amazing fans in St. Louis. We’ve recently started incorporating some of the photos our fans submit to social media into our event gallery. It was great to have the time with them, though of course we would have also enjoyed sharing time together in the Winner’s Circle. We’ll get there! Moving our ET in to the 3 second club was one goal we have met this season and we will continue to chip away at the gremlins.

The Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway should be yet another chance for us to run in the 3’s. With temperatures in the low 70’s both days of qualifying, and mid-70’s on race day, there should be plenty of great qualifying runs. When all is said and done, we’d like to own this railroad stop, and the next three, in true spoiler fashion.

Reading kicks off with the Mopar Mega Block Party at First Energy Stadium on Thursday evening from 4:00-10:00p.m. We will be out there and signing autographs from 6:30-7:30p.m. We will also have a chance to sign autographs for our fans attending this event during the Mello Yello Autograph Session on Saturday at 9:30a.m.

After Reading, the next stop will be in our home state of Texas at the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals.

Nitro qualifying sessions are scheduled for 2:00 and 5:00p.m., Friday, and 12:00 and 3:30p.m., Saturday. Eliminations start at 12:00 p.m., Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will air qualifying action from 3:00 to 4:00p.m., Friday. FOX Sports 1 will carry eliminations LIVE on Sunday from 11:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. (All times listed in PT).

Photo Credit: Auto Imagery

Standings

Position 16 - 661 points (-1612)

Visit John Hale Racing for more information.

Support our sponsors: Circle K, Oberto, Dodge.

Hale and Jim Dunn Racing ready to turn it up at the Zoo

BRAINERD (August 16) – Encouraged by their record breaking runs in Seattle, Jim Dunn Racing and John Hale are ready to head east toward the next stop on the NHRA schedule. Brainerd International Raceway is home to the 35th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals from August 18-21.

“Going into Brainerd knowing we can run well into the 3.90's with no engine damage gives Big Jim the confidence to turn it up a little bit more heading into Indy and I'm more motivated than ever to improve my skillset.”

After the final day of qualifying was cut short by rain, Hale was paired up with Courtney Force in the first round of eliminations last year at the 34th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd. Force came in with her best starting spot and had lane choice over Hale. It was the first time the two lined up against one another in eliminations.

This year, the Circle K Funny Car has several rounds of eliminations in the history book. Combined with the recent under 3 second runs, the team feels encouraged coming in to Brainerd.

Last July the raceway was severely damaged amidst a thunderstorm that brought extensive damage to the state of Minnesota. The facility had bleachers blown over on the track, roofs ripped off buildings and campers turned over in the campsite. Social media awareness delivered and volunteers were there the next morning to assist with cleanup. The 2015 NHRA race in Brainerd was not under any delay thanks to the efforts of volunteers and others involved in the rebuilding process.

Brainerd is the last race of the season prior to the historic U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.

Nitro qualifying sessions are scheduled for 3:30 and 6:00 p.m., Friday, and 1:30 and 4:00 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations start at 11:00 a.m., Sunday. (All times Central)

PHOTO CREDIT: Auto Imagery

Traxxas Nitro Shootout
The NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootout will take place at the Lucas Oil Raceway in conjunction with the U.S. Nationals.  There are eight spots each in the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories, with seven of those already secured in each by wins at prior regular season events. The eighth spot is filled via fan vote and a lottery-style drawing. Voting will begin on August 21 for the coveted final spot on the roster. The winner in both the Top Fuel and Funny Car category will be awarded $100,000. The top four finishers in each event receive an award, with the runners-up receiving $15,000 and the semifinal losers $7,500. Watch for announcements regarding voting that will be posted to our social media in the near future.

About Oberto
Quality and innovation have been hallmarks of the Oberto Brand since our humble beginnings in Seattle, Washington in 1918. We remain committed to providing you with the highest quality, best tasting meat snacks.

Recap Seattle Summary
Q1: 4.530/190.32 
Q2: 4.005/315.86 (broke prior ET record)  
Q3: 3.956/316.75 (new career best ET)
Q4: pass
Qualified #12
47th round of racing and seven round one wins to date.
E1: 3.994/290.94

Visit John Hale Racing for more information and support our sponsors Oberto and Dodge.

One bad gatecrasher: Funny Car's John Hale embraces spoiler role at Martin Dragway's Northern Nationals

MARTIN – The International Hot Rod Association's Nitro Nostalgia Funny Car class is filled with intrigue heading into this weekend's season finale at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park.

And it suddenly got more intense now that a wildcard has entered the mix. John Hale has crashed the gate, putting even more sizzle into the annual Northern Nationals.

John Hale's One Bad Texan 1969 Camaro Funny Car made a pass of over 254 mph Friday night at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin. (Photo courtesy of Eli Kaminski)

John Hale
(Photo courtesy of Eli Kaminski)

Hale's full-time job is racing Big Jim Dunn's Funny Car in the National Hot Rod Association, where he currently sits 13th overall in the season point standings.

But with the NHRA off this weekend, Hale has headed up to Martin Dragway, and he has brought his 1969 Nitro Nostalgia One Bad Texan Funny Car with him.

What Hale wants to do most this weekend is play the role of spoiler. His main goal is to help California's Jason Rupert win his third consecutive championship when the IHRA wraps up its 2016 season. Rupert is the driver to beat, but he has a trio of racers on his bumper.

"My buddy Jason Rupert is in the (points) lead, but not by much," said Hale, a 51-year old native of Addison, Tex. "I hope I can block or shake that up somehow for him. I have done it before with him and helped him win a championship. Hopefully, we can have that same outcome this weekend and celebrate with him."

Rain played havoc on Friday's opening round at Martin, washing out the Sportsman action while limiting the professionals to one qualifying session. Racing will continue and conclude Saturday, with champions to be crowned in IHRA's Pro Stock and Nitro Motorcycle divisions in addition to Funny Car. The Pro Modified class title has already been decided.

Hale made a pass of 254.67 mph in 5.82 seconds in his lone run Friday after the IHRA and Martin safety crews worked throughout the late afternoon to dry the quarter-mile. Hale clocked in fifth overall in the field, which Rupert topped with a mark of 5.578 at 259.22 mph. Rupert has a potential elapsed time world record if he can back it up Saturday during the second round of qualifying.

"This is my weekend off from professional racing, but I still take it very seriously," Hale said. "It's a weekend off, but I want to do good here. This is the final weekend for IHRA.

"For me there is less pressure. You don't have to worry about the huge sponsor money to run these cars week in and week out. This pretty much comes out of our own pocket, so there isn't as much pressure."

Hale said he is running his Nostalgia Funny Car up to five times this season. He added that not only do the cars look cool, but they are a blast to drive.

"I like them because they still represent the Funny Cars back in the late 70s, before aerodynamics came into play and the bodies became rounded and they had huge spoilers on the back," Hale said. "You can look at them and see still a Mustang or a Camaro or a Cuda, and I think that's what the fans like, too.

"They are noisy, they have flames and they haul ass. Who doesn't like that? These cars demand respect. They are a handful to drive. With these cars, you have to shift about half-track. Any Funny Car is a handful to drive, but the bigger cars are more of a challenge, but these definitely demand respect."

The professionals are scheduled to participate in a second round of qualifying Saturday at 2 p.m., with eliminations scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Sportsman qualifying is slated to begin at approximately 9 a.m.

"I have fond memories of Martin," Hale said. "I have won here and run some pretty good numbers. I love the track and this area of the country. It's a beautiful facility."

By Steve Kaminski | Skaminsk@mlive.com
on August 12, 2016 at 10:22 PM, updated August 12, 2016 at 11:09 PM


NOTES

Billy Harper qualified third in Pro Modified, enabling him to clinch the season championship.

Tracy Kile topped the field in Nitro Motorcycle with a pass of 6.412 seconds at 219.08 mph. Trevor Eman is fast qualifier in Pro Stock, going 219.19 mph at 6.383 seconds.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

HALE CLOSES WESTERN SWING WITH CAREER BEST ET

SEATTLE (August 7) – John Hale and Jim Dunn Racing found themselves once again resetting the team’s career best ET in the second and third rounds of qualifying, and again on Sunday in eliminations.

During Friday's Q2 the Jim Dunn racing team was looking to improve and put down their first 3 second run. They were so close to the elusive number 3, but ended up running a 4.005 @315.86. While that may have seemed a bit disappointing for the team, as that run ET did not start with a "3", it was a new career best over the 4.011 from Sonoma.

Determined to join the three second club, Hale took to the track in Q3 and delivered with an ET lower than anticipated. Hale ran his first three second pass with 3.956 seconds at 316.75mph.

“I knew it was better than the 4.005 on Friday as I crossed the finish line. I waited for Jon to come over the radio immediately as he has the last couple of races and still nothing. I hear 3.95, 316 good job John! I was stunned. Later I would find out the reason for the delay on the radio was due to the starting line celebration.”

Sunday E1, after a morning rain delay, the team lined up against Matt Hagan. It was a three for three on the record breakers this weekend as they ran yet another sub four with a 3.994.

“Our goal was to leave Seattle with a 3 second run under our belts. With Indy coming up we know that an all 3-second field is coming and we want to be running 3's consistently. Leaving Seattle with a 3.95 and a 3.99 puts us exactly where we wanted to be.”

Racing conditions were near perfect for the conclusion of the Western Swing at the 29th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals. The team was joined by supporters from Oberto Beef Jerky, their primary sponsor, as they celebrated the first anniversary of their partnership with thousands of NHRA fans in the Pacific Northwest.

Thursday evening a heartfelt tribute to Mark Lyle took place at the track. Mark was the NHRA official starter who lost his life in March of this year.

“Mark’s home track, and where he began his career with the NHRA, was the perfect place for our race family to say final goodbyes to a respected friend. There will never come a time his laughter and presence will not be missed.”

Photo Credit: Auto Imagery

 

Credit NHRA: Bouquets of flowers and a racetrack lined with candles set the stage for a memorial track walk.

###
 
About Oberto
Quality and innovation have been hallmarks of the Oberto Brand since our humble beginnings in Seattle, Washington in 1918. We remain committed to providing you with the highest quality, best tasting meat snacks.

Traxxas Nitro Shootout
The NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootout will take place at the Lucas Oil Raceway in conjunction with the U.S. Nationals.  There are eight spots each in the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories, with seven of those already secured in each by wins at prior regular season events. The eighth spot is filled via fan vote and a lottery-style drawing. Voting will begin on August 21 for the coveted final spot on the roster. The winner in both the Top Fuel and Funny Car category will be awarded $100,000. The top four finishers in each event receive an award, with the runners-up receiving $15,000 and the semifinal losers $7,500. Watch for announcements regarding voting that will be posted to our social media in the near future.

Seattle Summary
Q1: 4.530/190.32 
Q2: 4.005/315.86 (broke prior ET record)  
Q3: 3.956/316.75 (new career best ET)
Q4: pass
Qualified #12
47th round of racing and seven round one wins to date.
E1: 3.994/290.94

Visit John Hale Racing for more information and support our sponsors Oberto and Dodge.

Jim Dunn Racing and Oberto Celebrate First Anniversary

SEATTLE (August 3) – Oberto Beef Jerky and Jim Dunn Racing celebrate their first anniversary at the NHRA Northwest Nationals this coming weekend in Seattle. 

First aligning with Jim Dunn Racing in August 2015, Oberto Beef Jerky became the primary sponsor of the Funny Car for the 2016 NHRA Mello Yellow Drag Racing Series. Since that first race in Seattle one year ago, the Oberto Funny Car has been making appearances nationwide stopping in numerous key markets to promote Oberto Beef Jerky.

With the announcement of the new FOX Sports programming, the Oberto Beef Jerky name has been visible at the track and shown on television to millions of fans during the past year. As anticipated, the NHRA has experienced a surge in viewership and event attendance since the FOX Sports deal.

Encouraged by the ET record set in Sonoma last weekend, Hale and the team are looking forward to joining the three second club.

Headquartered just minutes from Pacific Raceway, Oberto partners will be present to join in the festivities with Hale and Jim Dunn Racing.

Nitro qualifying sessions are scheduled for 3:00 and 6 p.m., Friday, and 1:30 and 4:30 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations start at 11:00 a.m., Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will air qualifying action from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., Friday, and 11 p.m. to 12 a.m., Saturday. FOX will carry eliminations LIVE from 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in PT).

About Oberto
Quality and innovation have been hallmarks of the Oberto Brand since our humble beginnings in Seattle, Washington in 1918. We remain committed to providing you with the highest quality, best tasting meat snacks.

John Hale Racing - Standings
Position #13 (Points: 488 PB: -726)

Visit John Hale Racing for more information.

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PROTECT THE HARVEST NHRA NORTHWEST NATIONALS presented by Lucas Oil
FACT SHEET

WHAT: 29th annual PROTECT THE HARVEST NHRA NORTHWEST NATIONALS presented by Lucas Oil, the 16th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in three categories - Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock - earn points leading to 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships. The NHRA Lucas Oil Series also will be featured at this event. 

WHERE: Pacific Raceways, Kent, Wash. The track is located 10 miles east of Interstate 5 on Highway 18. From I-5, use Exit 142A (Auburn exit) and travel east 10 miles on Highway 18, following the signs to the track. From other points, use Highway 18 and exit S.E. 304th St. or S.E. 312th St.

COURSE: Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 280 feet above sea level; Track direction is east to west.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, Aug. 5-7

Hale stomps prior career best in wine country

SONOMA (July 31) --  Grapes were not the only thing getting stomped in the beautiful wine county around Sonoma last weekend. John Hale Racing and the Jim Dunn Racing Circle K Funny Car trampled their prior career best during the second round of qualifying.

Looking like he was headed to his first three second pass, the engine got unhappy and banged the blower.

In a spectacular blow, the burst panel went flying. "We were on a great pass. Then after the finish line my foot bounced off the throttle pedal causing the backfire and consequently sending the burst panel in the air.”

While entertaining fans attending and viewing the 29th annual Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals with the explosion, Hale ran his career best ET of 4.011 and retained the #11 position going in to the third round of qualifying.

The team may have been ousted in the first round of eliminations on Sunday, but they depart Sonoma encouraged by solid passes and a new team record as they continue on to the last race of the Western Swing at Pacific Raceway near Seattle next weekend.

Sonoma Summary - Q1: 4.043/313.44 - Q2: 4.011/317.87 (Career best) - Q3: 4.041/316.82 - Q4: no run
Qualified #13 - E1: 4.456/199.35

The Jim Dunn Racing Circle K Funny Car appearing at the NHRA Toyota Sonoma Nationals (Photo Credit: NHRA)

Q2 as the blower went “bang” and the burst panel flew into the air.

Follow John Hale Racing on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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COMPETITION PLUS: HALE CAPS EVENTFUL DENVER RACE ON HIGH NOTE

(July 27) -- When John Hale arrived at Bandimere Speedway, he was going to run the Circle K-sponsored Funny Car for Jim Dunn Racing. Hale’s plans changed when the body was damaged during Saturday’s Q3 session.

“I love that Circle K on the car, I don’t love it when that body gets banged up,” said Hale, who is in his second season driving for Jim Dunn Racing. “There’s nothing more than we would like to do out here than do well for Circle K, but we’ve had some bad luck with that car.”

The first time Hale campaigned the Circle K body at the Southern Nationals (May 13-15) in Atlanta, the car’s engine exploded and the body 100 feet in the air. Hale was unhurt, but the body was destroyed.

At Bandimere, Hale skipped Q4 and then arrived for his first-round match-up with Alexia DeJoria with a body sporting the Oberto Beef Jerky paint scheme.

“We were trying to figure what we were going to do with that body,” Hale said about why his team didn’t run in Q4. “We got the OK from Circle K to run the Oberto body and that’s we ran here (Sunday at Bandimere), but we will have the Circle K on it back for Sonoma (July 29-31). Those things are so temperamental, and if everything is not right, things like that can happen. (Saturday, July 23 in Q3) we burned a piston in that car and the shutdown system shut the ignition and fuel off and I was a little late coming off the pedal. There was some heat on top of the blower and it just lit the leftover fuel on top of the motor there and it blew the burst panels out and the burst panels are really what ultimately broke that nose off the car. The blower did not come off, but the force from the burst panels is what broke that (body). We looked at it and the break was so clean you could shove it back together and someone can fix it. We will get an estimate on getting it fixed, but if it over a certain cost we will just sell it.”

Hale said Jim Dunn Racing team has a body that’s going to be wrapped with Circle K design Monday.

“It will be picked up Tuesday and I will be at Sonoma with the Circle K car,” Hale said.

After a tough first couple of days at Bandimere Speedway, Hale did have reason to smile Sunday as he upset DeJoria in the first round.

Both DeJoria and Hale’s Funny Cars had their motors quit at the same time and Hale coasted past DeJoria to the finish line.

Hale clocked a 4.303-second run at 240.64 mph. DeJoria came in at 4.324 seconds at 232.71 mph.

It was Hale’s first round win in 2016 eliminations as he came to the starting line with an 0-13 record before defeating DeJoria. Hale has competed in 41 career NHRA national events in nitro Funny Car. His best race performance was a runner-up effort at the Gatornationals in 2015 to Ron Capps.

Hale couldn’t extend his streak to two in a round as he lost to Robert Hight in round two at the Mile-High Nationals. Hale clocked a 4.161-second lap to Hight’s winning 3.997-second run.

Written by Tracy Renck  Wed, 2016-07-27 08:00
FULL ARTICLE LINK

ASHER'S DENVER INSIDER - SATURDAY EDITION

July 24 -- We were wrong, okay? Mistakes were made, and punishments will be handed out. There were a bunch of cars hiding in the pits, and there are 16 cars in each of the fuel fields, so there will be no bye runs on Sunday. However, there weren’t any Pro Stock cars hiding, so their field is short one entry.

Phew! Now that that’s behind us we can move forward – into another really terrific day of racing at Bandimere Speedway. We have talked endlessly about the fans at this facility, and they just have to be mentioned again. They not only turned out in huge numbers, just like yesterday, but when it rained again today they hung in there until it stopped, and then cheered their way through another night session that was nothing short of terrific. Maybe we’re jaded, but at most facilities 10 minutes of rain usually results in more than 50 percent of the fans bailing out for the day. That just doesn’t happen up here. No more than 10 percent of the people bailed because of the rain, and that speaks volumes for the Denver area fans and for the Bandimere family, a group that understands what customer service really means. It’s a shame, but you can count the tracks like this one on one hand, when in truth, every national event facility should be as fan-friendly as this one is.

It is really late as we’re writing this, and there comes that time of day (or night) when the words just won’t keep coming, and this is one of them, so we’re going to let the pictures tell today’s story.

John Hale banged the blower in Big Jim Dunn’s car, tearing the Dodge Charger body in half.

Story and photos by Jon Asher    Sun, 2016-07-24 18:18

FULL ARTICLE

JIM DUNN RACING RETURNS WITH CIRCLE K FUNNY CAR IN DENVER

TEXAS (July 14) -- During the debut of the Circle K Funny Car at the Atlanta NHRA national event in May, the car’s engine exploded and sent the Mopar body 100 feet into the air.  Jim Dunn Racing driver, John Hale, experienced no injuries and coasted down the track being slowed by parachutes.

Since then a new Funny Car body has been prepared with the same bright red graphics and the highly recognizable Circle K logo for the upcoming NHRA Mopar Mile High Nationals in Denver.

Drag Racing Hall of Fame team owner Jim Dunn and driver, John Hale will be hosting an autograph session and appearance with the Circle K Funny Car on Thursday, July 21 from 4:00-6:00pm at the Circle K convenience store located at 411 W. Florida Ave. Denver, CO 80223.  The Circle K Funny Car is part of a season long promotion with Jim Dunn Racing and Oberto Beef Jerky.  Circle K convenience stores surrounding race markets will feature Oberto Beef Jerky products and host driver autograph sessions with the Circle K Mopar Funny car on display at selected stores during race weeks.

Original Article: Competition Plus

NHRA: Circle K Funny Car back on track for Denver

GLENDORA (July 13) -- Two months after its explosive debut in Atlanta, Jim Dunn Racing’s Circle K Funny Car will be back on the track at the upcoming Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals in Denver, July 22-24.

During its debut at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals in May, the car’s engine exploded and sent the Mopar body 100 feet into the air. Driver John Hale was unhurt and coasted down the track being slowed by parachutes. Since then a new Funny Car body has been prepared with the same bright red graphics and the highly recognizable Circle K logo for the upcoming event at Bandimere Speedway outside of Denver.

Drag Racing Hall of Fame team owner Dunn and driver Hale will host an autograph session and appearance with the Circle K Funny Car Thursday, July 21, from 4-6 p.m. at the Circle K convenience store at 411 W. Florida Ave. Denver, CO 80223. The Circle K Funny Car is part of a season-long promotion with Jim Dunn Racing and Oberto Beef Jerky. Circle K convenience stores surrounding race markets will feature Oberto Beef Jerky products and host driver autograph sessions with the Circle K Mopar Funny car on display at selected stores during race weeks.

The Circle K Funny Car will begin qualifying at the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals Friday, July 22, with additional qualifying sessions on June 23, and racing eliminations Sunday, June 24.

FULL ARTICLE

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John Hale Racing Hubert's Lemonade Funny Car Wins Best Appearing Award at Norwalk and Gets Ready for Chicago Race!

CHICAGO (July 7) -- Funny Car team owner Big Jim Dunn always enjoys collecting another NHRA “Wally”. The latest one in his trophy case is from the recent NHRA national event in Norwalk, OH where Jim Dunn Racing unveiled the Hubert’s Lemonade Funny Car.

The bright yellow and white Funny Car with the smiling lemon logo on the side was appreciated by fans, fellow competitors, and NHRA staff alike who rewarded the team for their efforts with the Best Appearing Award. The Hubert’s Lemonade livery will be on the Funny Car again at the upcoming NHRA national event at Route 66 Raceway near Chicago, with an extra perk for the fans attending the race…lemonade sampling in the Midway.

Race fans in the Chicago area can get their first up close look at the Best Appearing Hubert’s Lemonade Funny Car on Thursday, July 7, at the Menards located in Morris, IL. The Funny Car will be on display with drag racing Hall of Famer, Jim Dunn, signing autographs from 4:00-6:00pm at 500 Menard Drive, Morris, IL 60450. Radio station WCSJ/WJDK will be on-site with a live remote and Hubert’s Lemonade will have beverage sampling and product for sale in the store.

The Funny Car team will then make its way over to Route 66 Raceway in preparation for a full weekend of qualifying and racing, July 8-10. Hubert’s Lemonade will have a product sampling booth at the track all weekend so fans can try the product then purchase it at any Menards store in the greater Chicago metro area and throughout 14-states in the Midwest. #route66raceway.

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Hubert's Lemonade