MORRISON — Tony Schumacher is the winningest top fuel racer in NHRA history and a seven-time world champion. Jenna Haddock is a top fuel newbie who debuted this past weekend at Bandimere Speedway.
On Sunday, the two lined up to race each other in the first round. It should have been an easy win for Schumacher, the No. 1 qualifier.
When Schumacher took off, he smoked his tires, which caused him to loose traction on the track. This was the opportunity that Haddock needed, and she beat him to the finish.
She said she was ecstatic about her win that let her advance to the second round. Haddock ended up losing to Brittany Force.
But the day was about Haddock gaining exposure and experience.
“I did get the results I wanted,” Haddock said. “I made good, clean passes, I got experience in my car and I didn’t look stupid. Being a rookie and being new to this, you respect all the people out here and try to make sure you don’t hold them out or do something wrong. So I think we did well whether we won or lost.”
Haddock is married to funny car racer Terry Haddock.
PHOTOS: Mopar Mile High NHRA Nationals 2014 at Bandimere Speedway
After she qualified for the second round, she had to turn around help her husband in his race. She usually works on her husband’s car as an engineer.
Now, Haddock will compete in two more races this season: in Seattle and Pomona, Calif. She said she limited her schedule because when a driver competes in five races, he or she is considered a rookie. Haddock hopes she can get a full-time sponsor before she pursues her rookie season.
Pro stock. Two Coloradans failed to advance beyond the first round in the pro stock class. The past two years, Lakewood’s V Gaines advanced to the final round.
On Sunday, he red-lighted his car, which means he left the start line early and was automatically disqualified.
Deric Kramer, from Sterling, was beat by Jeg Coughlin Jr. This was Kramer’s third year racing at the Mile-High Nationals.
Altitude woes. The Colorado altitude got the best of pro stock motorcycle racer Steve Johnson.
During the first round Sunday, he was set to race Adam Arana. When Arana took off, he red-lighted. But Johnson never left the start line.
He said the air-fuel ratio inside his engine was too rich, so it shut off his engine. So even though Johnson never raced, he still won and advanced to the second round.
Johnson fixed the problem before his next run by idling his bike at a higher RPM. In the second round, Johnson lost to eventual race winner Andrew Hines.
Littleton’s Mike Berry red-lighted his motorcycle in the first round against Michael Ray.
Extended sponsorship. Mopar announced it extended its sponsorship of the Mile-High Nationals for three more years. Mopar began sponsoring the race in 1989 and is the longest-running NHRA event sponsor.
