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