Sunday, August 7, 2016

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.
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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

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