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John Force Racing
Neff Pre-Race Package
Event: 12th annual O’Reilly Midwest NHRA Nationals, 7th of 24 events in the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.
Site: Gateway International Raceway, Madison, IL
Dates: May 1-4, 2008
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NEFF WANTS TO MOVE FORWARD PUT EXPLOSION IN PAST
Rookie Mike Neff has never lost a round the same way twice in his young career. The veteran tuner turned driver knows that expectations are high for his Old Spice Ford Mustance team but there is also an understandable expectation for mistakes and missteps.
Even knowing that there is a lot to learn the easy going but serious Neff wants badly to get into the winner’s circle.
“I don’t have very much experience but, you roll up to the lights on Sunday and everybody wants to win as bad as you do. You never want to be that weak link on the team,” said the former off-road racer. “You don’t want to let anybody down. I feel like me being new is not an excuse. I need to be able to do my job so we are competitive and able to win races.”
Neff and crew chief John Medlen are hoping some of his previous success as a crew chief for world champion Gary Scelzi (a win in 2004 and two No.1 qualifying efforts ’04 & ’05) will rub off on the Old Spice team.
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The Driver
Mike Neff, 41, driver of the Old Spice Ford Mustang, is entering his rookie season with a head start after jumping behind the wheel for the final two events of 2007 season. He has continued to develop as a driver having qualified for all eight of his professional starts. Neff takes over the driving duties for the late Eric Medlen, who succumbed to injuries sustained in a testing accident in March of last season. A racing veteran Neff grew up in Hemet, Calif., racing dirt bikes and off-road trucks.
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Mike Neff By the Numbers at Gateway International Raceway:
The Smell of Victory – Procter & Gamble, Inc., through its Old Spice brand, was introduced during the season opening CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals as the newest major sponsor of drag racing’s most successful Funny Car team. During the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, the Old Spice “buoy bottle” will adorn the sides of Neff’s 320 mile-an-hour Old Spice Ford Mustang.
4 - Crew Chief John Medlen is just four shy of winning 500 rounds in the NHRA POWERade series. He comes into the Southern Nationals with a 496-287 record in 17 NHRA seasons.
4.724 – In 2004 Gary Scelzi’s Mike Neff tuned 4.724 second qualifying run still stands as the track record, the longest-standing record in the POWERade Series.
7 - Mike is trying to become the seventh different driver to win an NHRA Funny Car event in a John Force Racing Ford Mustang. In doing so, he would join John Force, Tony Pedregon, Gary Densham, Robert Hight, Ashley Force and the late Eric Medlen.
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Track Records:
Funny Car – 4.724 seconds by Gary Scelzi, June ‘04; 331.77 mph by Mike Ashley, May ‘07
Top Fuel – 4.511 seconds by Darrell Russel, June ‘04; 330.55 mph by Doug Kalitta, June '06
Pro Stock – 6.657 seconds by Dave Connolly, May ‘07; 208.01 mph by Greg Anderson, May '07
Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.901 seconds by Matt Smith, May ’07; 192.99 mph by Angelle Sampey, May ‘07
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Current points:
NHRA POWERade Points (unofficial standings after six of twenty-four POWERade National events):
FUNNY CAR - 1. Ashley Force, Castrol GTX Ford Mustang, 438; 2. Tim Wilkerson, 379; 3. Cruz Pedregon, 351; 4. Robert Hight, Auto Club Ford Mustang, 323; 5. John Force, Castrol GTX High Mileage Ford Mustang, 321; 6. Tony Pedregon, 319; 7. Gary Densham, 315; 8. Jack Beckman, 311; 9. Ron Capps, 276; 10. Del Worsham, 253; Also 14. Mike Neff, Old Spice Ford Mustang, 202.
US Smokeless Showdown points (including Atlanta qualifying). Top eight in points following the Aug. 17 Toyo Tires Nationals at Reading, Pa., compete for a $100,000 top prize during the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals:
1. Tony Pedregon, Q Racing Chevrolet, 1505; 2. Jack Beckman, Valvoline Dodge, 1495; 3. Tim Wilkerson, Levi, Ray and Shoup Chevrolet, 1455; 4. Robert Hight, Automobile Club of Southern California Ford Mustang, 1430; 5. Ron Capps, NAPA Dodge, 1425; 6. Ashley Force, Castrol GTX Ford Mustang, 1360; 7. Gary Scelzi, Oakley Dodge, 1315; 8. Cruz Pedregon, Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet, 1300; 9. Gary Densham, Racebricks Chevrolet, 1285; 10. Del Worsham, CSK Chevrolet, 1200; 11. Jerry Toliver, Rockstar Dodge, 1165; 12. Mike Neff, Old Spice Ford Mustang, 1025; 13. John Force, Castrol GTX High Mileage Ford Mustang, 1000; 14. Tony Bartone, 870; 15. Scott Kalitta, DHL Toyota, 815.
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Race Schedule:
Friday – Pro Qualifying, 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Saturday – Pro Qualifying, 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Sunday - Opening Ceremonies, 10 a.m.
Eliminations, 11 a.m.
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Television: (All shows broadcast on ESPN2)
Sat., May 3, 10 p.m.-12 a.m. Qualifying Highlights
Sun., May 4, 11-11:30 a.m. NHRA Race Day
Sun., May 4, 7-10 p.m. Final Eliminations Coverage
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