Marla Weidenaar is More than a Female Crew Member at Kalitta Motorsports

Photo - AlexisDejoria.com

Photo – AlexisDejoria.com

Marla Weidenaar is a piston and rod specialist for Kalitta Motorsports driver Alexis Dejoria. Although she’s been with her current team for two years, she’s been working in NHRA‘s drag racing for the last four years. Her hometown is New Lenox, Illinois, so being at Chicagoland this past weekend was a bit of a homecoming for this interesting female crew member.

Learn more about Marla Weidenaar via the following questions and answers found on her profile at alexisdejoria.com Continue reading

Teacher Turns Student in Castrol EDGE Top Fuel Dragster

Brittany Force, NHRA Fuel Dragster  Photo - brittanyforce.com

Brittany Force, NHRA Fuel Dragster
Photo – brittanyforce.com

After earning their undergraduate degrees, some aspiring schoolteachers spend several years traveling in Europe, Asia and elsewhere pursuing graduate studies.

Of course, few do so at speeds exceeding 330 miles per hour, which is what sets Brittany Force apart from her peers.

A graduate of Cal State-Fullerton who also studied at New York’s Hunter College, Brittany earned her teaching credentials before deciding to pursue a master’s degree in a less traditional field of endeavor: automotive high performance.

That decision this year has landed the second youngest of John Force’s four daughters in the cockpit of the 8,000 horsepower Castrol EDGE Top Fuel dragster for what promises to be an historic 2013 NHRA Mello Yello drag racing season. Continue reading

Courtney Force Eager to Equal Sister’s Win at Atlanta

Courtney Force looks forward to memorable Atlanta track for sister Force-Hood

Courtney Force Photo - Sal Sigala Jr.

Courtney Force
Photo – Sal Sigala Jr.

As NHRA rolls into the last event of a three-race swing, Courtney Force and her Traxxas Ford Mustang team look to step up at the 33rd annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway, May 3-5.

The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing teams raced in Concord, N.C. before traveling to Baytown, Texas and finally circling back around to Commerce, Ga. Continue reading

Adam Arana Continues Family Racing Tradition

Adam Arana Photo - Courtesy Adam Arana PR

Adam Arana
Photo – Courtesy Adam Arana PR

Adam Arana is ready for the comparisons to his older brother — 2011 NHRA Road to the Future Award winner Hector Arana Jr. — and he’s ready for the comparisons to his father — 2009 Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Hector Arana Sr. — but mostly, the 21-year-old is ready to get on his Lucas Oil Buell and go fast.

“I’m excited and anxious all at the same time,” Adam said of his rookie season. “I know there’s a lot of pressure because Hector (Jr.) did so well his rookie year. He won three races, won rookie of the year, and finished second in the points. I feel like he already set the standard, and I hope to do as well.”

Adam has been preparing to race professionally for several years, and Lucas Oil co-founders Forrest and Charlotte Lucas are backing a third entry for Arana Racing this season. He will join his dad and older brother on Lucas Oil-sponsored Buells, hoping to follow in both of their footsteps.

“My goal is to get rookie of the year,” Adam said. “The way you accomplish that goal is by doing well and being successful throughout the year. You have to go rounds, stay consistent, and cut good reaction times all season. 

“Everyone wants to do the best they can, but everyone has goals, too. Ultimately, I’d like to win a race, the championship, and rookie of the year, but I think the competition will be better than it was last year so it’s not going to be easy.”

Fortunately for Adam, he’ll have two solid resources while he races for the first time. His brother was in the same position two years ago, racing as a rookie, and that experience can only help Adam. Continue reading

Courtney Force Wins Season Opening Mello Yello NHRA Winternationals in Dominating Fashion

Coutney Force with her trophy on Feb 17, 2013 Photo - Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

Courtney Force with her trophy on Feb 17, 2013 Photo – Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

After grabbing her third No. 1 qualifier of her career, Courtney Force wrapped up the weekend today with her second career win and first at the season-opening 53nd annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway. She defeated Ron Capps in the final round of eliminations and ran the quickest pass of the weekend a 4.025 second run. Continue reading