RINGERS GLOVES RACING RECAP

BROWNSBURG, Indiana – The first POWERade Drag Racing Series event of the year is in the books for 2008. Just as quickly as the race came upon us, it ended too. It was definitely an exciting and even frightening weekend for some Ringers’ supporting racers.

To start off the weekend, Morgan Lucas Racing driver J.R. Todd smacked the retaining wall on Thursday and junked a pretty close to new Hadman rail. The good news was Todd was unhurt and competed the rest of the weekend.

In his first professional Top Fuel race, David Powers Motorsports driver Antron Brown collected his first low qualifier award in his Matco Tools dragster during pre-race ceremonies on Sunday. Brown advanced to the quarterfinal round before smoking the tires and losing to Cory McClenathan.

A very scary and fiery moment for reigning Funny Car champion Tony Pedregon occurred in the first round of eliminations on Sunday. Pedregon dropped a cylinder shortly after a red-light start and exploded into flames. Pedregon came to a stop at the end of the track and the NHRA Safety Safari quickly tended to him. He was taken to a nearby hospital as a precaution but returned to the track later with very minor burns to root on his brother, Cruz.

His brother Cruz advanced to his 56th career Funny Car final round and took on John Force Racing driver Robert Hight. Cruz had a faster speed than Hight, but lost on a hole shot to him, 4.861/284.39 mph to 4.879/322.50 mph.

At the Pomona finale in November 2007, KB Racing driver Greg Anderson, a Ringers’ supporting team, had a surprising loss in the first round to Justin Humphreys in the Pro Stock class. On Sunday, Anderson returned to his winning ways at Pomona defeating reigning Pro Stock champion and Ringers’ supporting team racer Jeg Coughlin Jr.

After leaving the line at the same time, Anderson pulled out in front of Coughlin and went onto claim his 52nd career win with a 6.616/209.23 mph run.

Eleven-time Lucas Oil Top Alcohol Funny Car champion and Ringers’ supporter Frank Manzo picked up his third Pomona Winternationals Wally in the Winner’s Circle on Sunday with a win over Brian Hough. The final round was actually an exact rematch of the final from 2005.

The POWERade drag racers will have Valentine’s Day weekend off before returning to action at the Checker Schuck’s Kragen NHRA Nationals at Firebird International Raceway, February 22-24, in Chandler, Ariz.

In preparation for the Daytona 500 this weekend at the Daytona International Speedway, the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series held their annual Budweiser Shootout on Saturday night under the lights.

After drawing the pole position for the Shootout, Penske Racing driver Kurt Busch was involved in a wreck with Tony Stewart in practice for the event. His teammate Ryan Newman was also involved in a wreck during practice laps.

Unfortunately the mishaps in practice were not behind the Penske Racing duo. During the closing laps of the Shootout, Busch spun bringing out the caution and Newman was involved in a separate incident behind him. Newman and Busch finished 17th and 18th, respectively, in the race.

On Sunday, all three Penske Racing drivers, including the newest in the No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge Sam Hornish Jr., participated in qualifying for the Daytona 500. Where they qualified in the field will line them up for one of two Gatorade Duels to be held on Thursday. However, all Penske Racing drivers will be competing in the first Gatorade Duel. Newman will start ninth, Busch, 13th and Hornish 20th.

One week ago today, Sam and his wife Crystal welcomed their first child into their family. Addison Faith was born at 6:24 a.m. on February 4 at 7 lbs. 2 ounces, measuring 18 inches long. Ringers Gloves sends congratulations to the new mother and father and baby Addison!

Ringers Gloves, the Official Gloves of NHRA and title sponsor for the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle, is a full-line manufacturer of high-end, task specific gloves, SFI 3.3/1, 3.3/10, 3.3/20 racing gloves, UnderX protective undergarments, UnderX Performance gear, crew shoes, as well as a full line of accessories for every need. Isn’t it time you bring in the Ringers? Check us out at www.ringersgloves.com.

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