Texas Pro Stock racer and championship contender McGaha
dialed in to go after second consecutive win
ODESSA, Texas (October 12, 2015) – The most recent Pro Stock winner on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour is headed home to Texas with an agenda. Chris McGaha, driver of the Harlow Sammons Racing Chevrolet Camaro, went back-to-back with wins earlier this summer in Sonoma and Seattle, and at this weekend's 30th annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, he'll be aiming to do it again – but with a lot more on the line.
The "Silver Bullet" and its driver were together set on kill two weeks ago at Maple Grove Raceway in a successful combination that ultimately won the race and stunned the competition. McGaha earned the third Pro Stock Wally of his career in an impressive display despite the departure of his former crew chief the very week of the event and a new tuner at the helm, Pro Stock veteran Tommy Utt.
"We did have some drama before Maple Grove, but we were able to go out there and win the race – and that was exactly what we wanted to do," said McGaha, who is No. 3 in the Pro Stock points and approximately five rounds (104 marks) out of the lead.
"I've always said we have a strong team, and even though we lost someone with a lot of talent, we were able to bring in someone with experience," McGaha continued. "It says a lot that Tommy was able to walk in, open a book two days before he ever made a run with us at a national event, and adapt to our program. We were able to bring someone on board who could help us continue to be a strong team and carry on."
Utt, who also crew chiefs for part time racer Joey Grose, will have a busy schedule between the two drivers at the event – but McGaha, who is a capable crew chief in his own right, stands behind the statement that Utt will continue to be a great complement to a team that includes McGaha's father, Lester McGaha; Mike Stryker; and Steve Hinojos.
"I feel like we're in a pretty good position," said McGaha, who was No. 2 qualifier at Maple Grove Raceway and proved he had the driving ability to go with the powerful racecar by winning the final two rounds of eliminations by virtue of a pair of holeshots. "We got detoured for a couple of races there, but everything came together in Reading.
"It would be real nice to do what we did in the summer and double-up with back-to-back wins. I would love to win Dallas; that would be about as big for me as it would be to win the U.S. Nationals. It would be the ultimate. My dad and I were there the day Texas Motorplex opened in 1986, so I feel like we've been there from the beginning. That would be a very special trophy to have in our collection."
McGaha has many large Texas racing memories, but in the Pro Stock ranks, he can proudly say that his first round-win came at Texas Motorplex in 2011 in just the second race of his professional career, when he beat multi-time champion Greg Anderson. Earlier this year, in Houston, McGaha came just one win light shy of his first Lone Star State win.
"Maybe I was saving it for this race," said McGaha. "It would mean a lot to me, and we'll have a lot of friends and family there this weekend to support us. My wife, Holly, will be there with our kids Mason and Berkley, and of course my mom and dad. And we've had friends who have been telling us for months that they're planning on coming to watch us race and cheer us on. This is a big deal for the Harlow Sammons Racing team. There's no place like home."
Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro Stock Points
following NHRA Keystone Nationals
Countdown to the Championship race 3 of 6
1. Erica Enders, 2,385
2. Greg Anderson, 2,313
3. Chris McGaha, 2,281
4. Larry Morgan, 2,240
5. Allen Johnson, 2,227
6. Drew Skillman, 2,212
7. Vincent Nobile, 2,187
8. Jason Line, 2,179
9. Shane Gray, 2,149
10. Jonathan Gray, 2,119
NHRA's 2015 Countdown to the Championship Results
Race 1 of 6: Sept. 18-20 – NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway, Charlotte
No. 1 qualifier: Greg Anderson
Race winner: Erica Enders def. Vincent Nobile
Harlow Sammons summary:
Chris McGaha, No. 3 in points, qualified No. 6; lost in second round to Erica Enders
Race 2 of 6: Sept. 25-27 – NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park, St. Louis
No. 1 qualifier: Greg Anderson
Race winner: Drew Skillman def. Erica Enders
Harlow Sammons summary:
Chris McGaha, No. 6 in points, qualified No. 6; lost in the first round to Vincent Nobile
Race 3 of 6: Oct. 1-4 – NHRA Keystone Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, Reading
No. 1 qualifier: Drew Skillman
Race winner: Chris McGaha def. Greg Anderson
Harlow Sammons summary:
Chris McGaha, now No. 3 in points, qualified No. 2; defeated Greg Anderson in the final round
What's Next
Oct. 15-18 – NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, Dallas
Oct. 29-Nov. 1 – NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Nov. 12-15 – NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona
AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals
Event Schedule (All Times Central):
Friday, October 16: Two qualifying sessions 2:45 & 5:45 p.m.
Saturday, October 17: Two qualifying sessions at 12:45 a.m. & 3:45 p.m.
Sunday, October 18: Final eliminations starting with Top Fuel at 11 a.m.
Television Coverage on ESPN2 (all times Eastern):
Sunday, October 18: Qualifying 4 – 5 p.m.
Eliminations 8 – 11 p.m.
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