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NorCal Driver Highlights in the NHRA for the month of February

Here are the race results for Northern California Drivers competing in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series during the month of February.

Last Month’s Races: Feb. 9-11, the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals presented by Super Start Batteries in Pomona and Feb. 17-19, the NHRA Arizona Nationals in Phoenix.

Upcoming Race: March 8-11 is the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals presented by NapaFilters.com in Gainsville, Florida.

Top Fuel

Ron August Jr. from Pleasanton, CA has not raced yet.

Steve Faria from Tulare, CA qualified 15th in Pomona losing to eventual winner Spencer Massey in the first round of eliminations. Steve did not race in the Arizona Nationals and is currently in 16th in the 2012 points standings.

Mike Salinas from San Jose, CA has not raced yet.

Hillary Will from Fortuna, CA has not raced yet.

Funny Car

Robert Hight from Alturas, CA qualified in the top spot for the 40th time in his career with a run of 4.060 at 316.52 mph at the Winternationals. But, on Sunday, he lost in the 1st round of eliminations on Sunday to Todd Lesenko. In Phoenix, Robert qualified 8th and then defeated Bob Tasca III, Johnny Gray, Courtney Force and finally Mike Neff in the Finals to become the 2012 Phoenix Funny Car Champion. Robert is now in 2nd place in the 2012 Points Standings.

Jeff Diehl from Monterey did not qualify in Arizona, and is in 20th place in the points.

Brian Thiel from Pleasant Grove has not raced yet.

Pro Stock

Ben Watson from Sonora, CA has not raced yet.

Pro Stock Motorcycle

Karen Stoffer from Minden, Nevada has not raced yet.

Katie Sullivan from Corning, CA, has not raced yet.

Matt Guidera from Loomis, CA, has not raced yet.

Top Alcohol Funny Car

Bret Williamson from Campbell, CA qualified 6th in Pomona and lost to Jason Rupert in the first round of eliminations. Bret is now 14th in the points standings.

Hillary Will is the New Driver for Dote Racing Top Fuel Team

Hillary Will Top Fuel Driver — In 2008, Hillary Will from Fortuna, CA earned her first career victory at Topeka, Kansas.

Monroe, Ohio – The Dote Racing Top Fuel team , Monroe, OH, has tapped Hillary Will, Avon, IN, to drive their 300+ MPH dragster in the Full Throttle NHRA Drag Racing series starting in 2012.

The team, led by crew chief, Doug Kuch will begin their season in Gainesville, FL on March 9-11. The team is actively seeking marketing partners and aims to compete the full season in 2013 and beyond. They will begin testing this October.

Connie Dote, the team co-owner said, “Doug Kuch and the guys have been working diligently all summer to get everything ready. Now that we have hired Hillary, I think we have all the right parts and people in place.” Sue Dote, co-owner added, “I hope to be more competitive than ever and I can’t wait for the season to start.”

Hillary, a native of Fortuna, CA, won the 2008 NHRA Summernationals in Topeka, KS and went to three finals enroute to a fourth-place finish in NHRA Top Fuel that year. She has had International success as well, winning the Inaugural Scott Kalitta Memorial USA vs Austrailia Race in Sydney, Australia.

“I couldn’t be more excited; I am so thankful for this opportunity,” said Will. “I miss driving, I miss winning, and I miss being part of a team. The Dote Racing Team is exactly where I want to be. Like me, they began racing in the sportsman classes and have a strong passion for racing. I can’t wait for our team to be in the winner’s circle and I’m looking forward to many successful years of racing with them.”

Hillary Will in the Dote Racing Top Fuel Dragster.

About Dote Racing
The Dote Racing Family, a three generation race team started competing in the mid 80’s with Lynn and Sue purchasing a Henry J drag car. Mike Dote, Lynn & Sue’s son, and his wife Connie, soon followed in his parent’s footsteps. Mike, Connie, and daughters Camie and Joanna began competing weekly and winning in NHRA’s sportsman categories. Then they decided to take their passion for racing to the next level. The Dote Racing family started racing top fuel in 2010 and has run 10 races thus far.

The 22nd annual “Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial” at Silver Dollar Speedway will be Saturday, May 5th.

By Gary Thomas

Chico, CA – February 23, 2012…The 22nd annual “Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial” at Silver Dollar Speedway will be here in early-May and to get a head start on things lap money is on sale for the prestigious event.

If anyone would like to purchase a lap please contact Dave and Dianne Durica at Durica1414@sbcglobal.net or 916-988-5958.

All of the money goes back to the racers and helps make this event unique and special like it has been for so many years. The laps cost $100 and are split between the top 3 in the A-main and LCQ each lap. The leader gets $50, 2nd place $30 and 3rd place $20.

In addition to lap money if anyone has anything they would like to donate for the event contact Dave and Dianne to give them the details.

There is already $500 up for grabs to the fast qualifier courtesy of Jason and Robyn Meyers in memory of “Carwash” Mike Avilla. In fact the fast time award at the Bradway Memorial will be known as the “Carwash Mike” fast time award.

The Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial is considered the cornerstone event for the Cancen Oil King of the West Sprint Car Series presented by Goodyear and will take place on Saturday May 5 in Chico.

Last season’s edition of the Bradway Memorial saw an epic main event that featured four different leaders during the 40-lapper and in the end it was Clovis resident Peter Murphy, who charged from 15th starting to claim the huge victory. Roger Crockett finished second and also put on a thrilling charge after starting 18th in the feature.

For more info on the Cancen Oil King of the West Sprint Car Series presented by Goodyear visit http://www.kwssprints.com and for more on Silver Dollar Speedway log onto http://www.silverdollarspeedway.com.