Courtesy of Randy Meyer Racing
Baytown, TX – The Randy Meyer Racing Team visited Baytown, Texas for the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series NHRA South Central Divisional Showdown at Sundown event at Royal Purple Raceway this past weekend to kick off their 2014 race season.
Team-owner Randy Meyer and his two Top Alcohol Dragster team struggled to go rounds at this event. The bad weather caused many problems, including canceling the crucial testing session before the race. For the first qualifying session on Friday, Randy wasn’t able to make the 8-car field as he struggled to get off the line. Chase Copeland, the driver of the team’s second A/Fuel Dragster, also struggled with his first qualifying pass, but was able to make the field with a 6.52 e.t. at 257 mph.
The race schedule was moved up to finish the event on Saturday to make up for the incoming rainstorm on Sunday, which caused racers to lose the third qualifying session. With only one more chance to qualify, the team did what they could to step it up in the cold temperatures. Chase claimed the sixth spot with a quicker pass of 5.64 e.t. at 264 mph, while Randy was also able to enter the field in the seventh spot with a 5.67 e.t. at 256 mph.
For the opening round of eliminations, Randy was up against Duane Shields, the number two qualifier. Randy launched off the starting line first, but immediately spun the tires. He managed to backpedal to recover the run, but Shields was too far ahead to catch. Chase faced David Brounkowski, the third qualifier, but lost due to a late reaction time. Although Brounkowski hurt his motor on the run, Chase wasn’t able to get around him, but he was able to make a clean run with an improved time of 5.48 e.t. at 261 mph.
“Because of the rain and cold, we weren’t able to get data from testing,” Said Randy. “We plan to test in Valdosta, Georgia to get it sort out. The car acts like it wants to run good again, it has lots of power, but we are not quite there yet.”
Chase added, “The first outing went very well. We really needed our testing days that were rained out, but for no data on the second car the team did great. I look forward to Gainesville; with the information we got at the regional event the car shows great potential! Thanks again to Randy Meyer Racing, Lucas Oil, NGK, Belzona Industrial Solutions, Rezner Trailers, and Gunk for this great opportunity!”
The team is excited about the start of the season with both cars running strong. Their next race will be in Gainesville, Florida for the NHRA GatorNationals. Sportsman racing will air on ESPN2 March 29th from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM ET/7:00 AM – 8:00 AM PT. Make sure to visit our Facebook Page (/RandyMeyerRacing) for race updates.
The Randy Meyer Racing Team would like to thank their partners: Lucas Oil, Smart Chicken, NGK Spark Plugs, Quik-Latch Products, Boninfante, Taylor Cable, Motor Medic, Belzona Industrial Solutions, Rezner trailers, ARP, MAHLE Clevite, Hedman Hedders, and Moroso.
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