Lombardo Races to Route 66 Nationals for Third JEGS Allstars Appearance

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of Auto Imagery

CHICAGO (June 25) – NAPA Auto Parts/Lucas Oil Top Alcohol Funny Car driver John Lombardo Jr. is making the annual trip from his Brea, Calif. home base to Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill. to compete at the Route 66 Nationals this weekend, June 27-29. While racing at the national event, he will also take part in the JEGS Allstars specialty race, featuring eight of the best alcohol-burning Funny Cars in the country.

Lombardo is one of twenty-two Top Alcohol Funny Car drivers entered to compete at the NHRA Route 66 Nationals, which is considered to be one of the best national events for Sportsman racing. Though the JEGS Allstars field is limited to eight cars – two from each of the NHRA's four regions – the competition will be just as grueling, as John explains.

“The Jegs Allstars eight-car shootout format, where each team needs to earn their place during the prior year's regional points, gathers the toughest in the country. And if we're fortunate enough to go rounds in the Jegs eight-car show on Saturday and the Lucas Oil Series national event on Sunday, we may see the Christmas tree nine times in one weekend – you won't hear any complaints coming from the cockpit!”

The unique Jegs Allstars format allows each region or division to compete as a team, with each driver accumulating points for his or her region. Lombardo previously raced for the Division 7 team. This year, he'll race under the Central Region banner.

“Everyone touches on the team competition, and rightfully so. I've been fortune to represent my region and compete twice in the past, enjoying a Division 7 victory and trophy touring rights,” noted Lombardo, who is the reigning Central Region TAFC champion.

In addition to the prestige of racing in the Allstars event, John Lombardo Jr. and his Rick Jackson-led team are honored to participate thanks to the support of event sponsor JEGS Performance and series title sponsor Lucas Oil. The opportunity to race in front of Chicago-area fans is also a yearly highlight for the West Coast group.

“Jegs and Lucas Oil are the official corporate partners of NHRA's sportsman drag racing program; they are the cornerstone of all that we build on, in both regional and national event competition. Their commitment is significant and consistent.

“Route 66 Raceway is one of the best facilities and Chicago is one of the best markets on tour, so I always look forward to this race. We will be ready to slug it out with the nation's best and put on a stellar show in Chi-town!” John exclaimed.

Racing at the NHRA Route 66 Nationals, June 27-29, kicks off on Friday with qualifying sessions at 11:30 AM and 3 PM. JEGS Allstars activities begin with driver introductions at noon on Saturday, followed by first round at 1 PM. National event eliminations start at 9 AM on Sunday.


Jackson Lombardo Racing is a NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car team owned by California businessman Rick Jackson and 2013 Central Region champion John Lombardo Jr. The team's NAPA Auto Parts/Lucas Oil Mustang is driven by Lombardo and tuned by Jackson. Jackson Lombardo Racing receives support from NAPA Auto Parts, Lucas Oil, Centre Pointe Collision Centers, NAPA Batteries, NAPAFilters.com, NAPA Power Supreme, Arvada Excavating, NGK Spark Plugs, NAPA Belts and Hose, CP-Carrillo, MAHLE, Midtronics, Mechanix Wear, NYNY Hotel and Casino, Gatorwraps, Raymond's Trophy, and Twin Palms.

For more information on John Lombardo Jr. and the Jackson Lombardo Racing team, please visit www.jackson-lombardo.com. Keep up with John and the team on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lombar...50?ref=profile) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/lombardoracing).

Lombardo Ready for 2014 with New Car, Team

Courtesy of LuAnn Bishop
Photo courtesy of Bob Johnson Photography

Greetings and welcome to 2014. Much of the country is beyond freezing cold and we would certainly be thankful for a few inches of rain here in Southern California, but a few (perfect) 70 degree days were exactly what we needed to run our brand new NAPA Auto Parts Lucas Oil Ford Mustang through it's paces. The last time I suited up at Famoso, Bakersfield's home of the famed March Meets and Hot Rod Reunion we qualified #1, went low e.t. and top speed, won the race, and set the track record-we like it here!

From the moment we received the first rendering to the day Rick Jackson's Centre Pointe Collision Center color magicians allowed us a few spy photos, the subtle but gorgeous black to blue fade has consistently impressed. Now proudly decked out with our partners logos, countless hours of tinkering yields a special balance of taste and national branding. Set the body and brand new Hadman Chassis in place by it's 80 foot transporter/rolling workshop with matching Gatorwraps graphics, and you're forced to take a moment and let it sink in. It's no wonder folks love to be around these cars.

We budgeted a few days to methodically work through all that has to be just right to be prepared for Pomona. We arrived with a brand new car, all new data logger, ignition, and fuel systems, new driver and crew combination-all of whom have been absent from a drag strip since November. Plain and simple, Rick Jackson, Chris Perl, Lew Larson, Scott Manning, and Jim Adolph made this a successful outing, each new system was sorted out. We will arrive at Pomona next week for the Winternationals with an invaluable familiarity and comfort level with our new program, ready to start 2014 by attacking one of the quickest, fastest, and shortest drag strips in the country.

NAPA Filters, having lead us to back to back Pomona victories here just a year ago, has the car book ended with their rightful place on the hood and (the driver's best friend) parachutes. The anticipation is essentially expiring and the excitement of the new season is ours to enjoy! We hope to see you at an upcoming event and thank you very much for supporting our program on and off the track!

We are so excited to be racing this year with our sponsors: NAPA Auto Parts, Lucas Oil, Centre Pointe Collision Centers, NAPA Batteries, NAPA Filters.com, NAPA Power Supreme, Arvada Excavating, NGK Spark Plugs, NAPA Belts and Hose, CP Carrillo, Carlyle Professional Hand Tools, Mahle, Midtronics, Mechanix Wear, NYNY Hotel and Casino, Gatorwraps, Raymond’s Trophy, and Twin Palms!

www.jacksonlombardoracing.com

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Lombardo and Jackson Join Forces for 2014 TAFC Title Chase

Courtesy of LuAnn Bishop/Lombardo Racing

Two of Top Alcohol Funny Car's perennial championship contenders join forces as NAPA driver John Lombardo Jr. merges with Rick Jackson's Centre Pointe team. "Teaming with Rick Jackson will virtually double our resources and increase our ability to promote JLR, the class, and the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series," Lombardo said. "Rick's results speak to his commitment to performance, as do ours."

Both partners in the new JLR team already have multiple national event victories, including a combined three this year, and both are among the quickest and fastest ever, with all-time bests in the mid-5.40s. Lombardo, currently second in the national standings, opened the season with a victory at the Winternationals, claimed his second regional championship in the last three years, and led the national rankings multiple times with a 25-11 win-loss record.

"NAPA, Lucas Oil, and the rest of our great partners are coming with me to Rick's already strong program," said Lombardo, whose professional approach and considerable marketing acumen has made him one of the top promoters in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. "My equipment will be retained to work displays and customer events for NHRA and our marketing partners, bringing a "Big Show" feel to many of our national and LODRS regional appearances."

Read the full story at www.LombardoRacing.com. 

 

Lombardo Racing Announces New App

Courtesy of LuAnn Bishop

Brea CA. – The battle continues to heat up in Top Alcohol Funny Car as NAPA/Lucas Oil pilot John Lombardo Jr. closes the gap on national points leader Dan Pomponio.  This weekend America’s Heartland welcomes the “Big Show,” the NHRA Mello Yello series to Topeka Kansas. 

NHRA Drag Racing fans and all at Team NAPA can now stay up to speed on all the latest Lombardo Racing action.  Team news, photos, updates, special events, schedules, even round by round results will populate the brand new Lombardo Racing App.  

 “We are excited to launch our brand new app here in Topeka.  As our team, sponsors and fan base continue to grow we need to provide them a simple, easy, interactive application so they can get all our team updates, information, sponsor links, and special communications.  Smart phones continue to amaze through connectivity and function-I get text messages now before we can tow back from a run.  Grab our app and we’ll send 3,200 horsepower’s worth of NHRA/Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series your way, wherever you are!” said Lombardo Jr. 

Just scan in the QR code and in about the time it takes John Lombardo Jr. to make a quarter mile pass in his 260 MPH Top Alcohol Funny Car, you will be “Good To Go” with the new Lombardo Racing App, giving you full access to everything Lombardo Racing. 

“We’re hosting a group of Jr. Dragster drivers and their families from Mokan at this weekend’s Kansas Nationals.  Our pits will be lively with drivers and stories from drag racing’s future.  I hope you follow our progress, we’re looking forward to a long weekend of racing!” 

Download your new Lombardo Racing App and be part of the excitement that is NHRA Mello Yello / Lucas Oil Drag Racing. 

Lombardo is "Good to Go" at The Strip

Courtesy of LuAnn Bishop

Las Vegas NV – At stop number 4 of the NHRA Mellow Yellow series in Las Vegas this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, competition is at an all-time high making for some of the best drag racing in recent years!

Take Top Alcohol Funny Car (TA/FC) national series points leader, John Lombardo Jr....  The 2011 Division 7 champion launched into the 2013 season with one thing on his mind… Winning and Winning Big!

With already one win, and one runner up under his belt, coupled with two number one qualifying sessions, and 2 to 1 odds to win this weekend’s event, John Lombardo Jr. is “Good To Go” for the 2013 TA/FC season.

With the greatest sponsors in the sport behind him, seasoned crew, and set up, John Lombardo Jr. brings a dynamic to the sport of drag racing that will make a true fan out of anyone. 

 

"You hear drivers talk about having a good car; it's the right thing to do and proper way to credit your crew.  Thanks to NAPA Auto Parts, Lucas Oil, and NYNY Hotel and Casino, Lombardo Racing is bringing to Vegas a car that in the last four outings has two wins, a runner up, and low e.t. of all four races, the quickest and fastest passes the class has seen in years, and the national points lead.  Proud is an understatement.  If we stay on our game, my grin will be visible from the grandstands!"

When Lombardo Jr. is not running the quarter mile at 260 MPH, he owns and operates Jackson’s Auto Supply in Brea California one of the largest NAPA distributors on the west coast.

Be part of the excitement that is NHRA Mellow Yellow Drag Racing.  Join John Lombardo Jr. and Lombardo Racing this weekend at “The Strip” at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. 

Be one of the first 50 people to come to the Lombardo Racing pit with "any NAPA" receipt and receive a FREE Team Lombardo T-shirt.

Driver Blog - John Lombardo Jr. - TAFC

Lombardo wins back-to-back Pomona races

Greetings and welcome to 2013!  Ending the season with a win is big.  Starting a campaign with a win is fantastic.  Doing both, going back to back at our home track is tough to describe, it's just settling in.  I have a few really cool Pomona memories and thanks to my team, sponsors, and family the file is filling up fast!

In 1983 I was 16 and my Dad allowed me a couple of days of "Pomona flu" from school to help work on the funny car.  The World Finals ran at the Fairplex, as we had lost Orange County the end of 1982.  As I recall we had a little weather, ran the race and were about done loading the trailer when my Dad and Sondy went to visit with Raymond and Holly Beadle.  Shortly after they all roll up in Raymond's car.  They're meeting Prudhomme for dinner and want to know if we'll join, (yeah I think I can clear my schedule for that...).  My Dad starts to get out to drive the truck and trailer to the restaurant when Raymond shouts a few street directions my way, looks at my Dad in true Texan form and says "Johnny and Jason (my little brother) will bring the rig and meet us there." 

Now you have to understand this was a perfect, current year dually and 42' Chaparral Trailer with a complete funny car operation and I was 16.  Knowing I was in the presence of my idols, Dad gave me the "be careful" look and said "we'll see you over there."  One of the top ten dinners of my life followed (though I can't recall what we ate) listening to Dale Emery, Raymond, the Snake, and my Dad bench race.  For the two years following my Dad drove the Blue Max.  I hadn't realized until recently that between NHRA, IHRA, and the match races they ran 30 races per year.  A grueling schedule for certain, and not once did I see my Dad lose his composure. 

Fast forward to 2007, I was sick again but this time with "TAFC Flu."  Dolph and I were in the stands about 750 feet down track watching Friday night's cold and damp qualifying session.  Most of the cars were in trouble by half track, all were (probably too) desperate to put a good lap on the board.  The drivers able to hang on to the finish were rewarded with a 250 mph dark blast into the shortest shut down on the national event tour!  I remember thinking to myself, "I want to do this, but do I want to do that?"  By the World Finals 2009 I was licensed and going rounds in one of the most important and historic race tracks in the country. 

In the couple of years following I enjoyed solid outings at NHRA's birthplace and home track.  Until March of 2012 my quickest e.t. was a 5.54, coincidentally coming in one of those "mean air but bring your a game and keep it in the groove or pay the price" kind of sessions.  That was a great lap and still one of my more exciting rides.  Great leave, solid move through low and second, the motor was screaming in high gear, the shift light comes on and blinds me right before the finish line, I lifted and threw the chutes just as it got dark.  That 3/4 of a second or so it takes to blossom and pound you into the shoulder straps felt like an hour!  

The World Finals 2012 was a career kind of weekend.  Jeff Lirones and his crew, having won here back to back were no strangers to Pomona success, but the combination of performance and consistency impressed even their inside group.  Number one qualifier, low e.t. every session, three of four rounds in the 5.40's, the event win, low e.t. of all of 2012, eighth best run of TAFC ever, eighth team ever to run in the 5.40's, and a last weekend launch from eighth to fifth (tie for fourth) in national points.  Jeff, Tim, Russ, Dolph, Mike, LuAnn, and Alan simply checked every box, and they did it at home where we could enjoy celebrating with friends, family, and customers.  Though it has been said in our pits we don't like the truth to get in the way of a good story, the World Finals 2012 versions won't require much doctoring.   

Strangely enough the normally rain plagued Winternationals last week brought beautiful SoCal weather, actually not too dis-similar to November.  Q1 we were ready, but tried to take a bit too much early and didn't make it.  Q2 we looked for a spot in the center of the tune up and put our name on the middle of the board.  We lined up for Q3 and a few track delays put is in the "tuners lick your chops" air.  But a mistake in the clutch can kept us from being able to capitalize.  Westerfield and DeVour made the pass of their career and landed their first low qualifying effort.  Being #9 set the stage to run four Southern California drivers, we all live within 20 minutes of each other.  As great as it is to race our pals, lining up against Bellemeur, Westerfield, Gasparrelli, and Rupert really put the pressure on us.  These are solid cars and all four of these guys can go .025 on the tree while adjusting their face shield!  As cliche as it sounds, need to give credit where credit is due: Jeff, Tim, Russ, Mike, Dolph, Alan, LuAnn, our sponsors, crew at the store, and my family contributed to give me a car that went 5.53, 5.51, 5.53, and 5.55, low e.t. of each round, each would have set low e.t. of the event and the event win.  To say it has been a pleasure to drive would be an understatement. 

All of the rounds were interesting in different ways.  Bellemeur is an ace at the starting line and had gone 5.65 pedaling it in qualifying.  Westerfield is so quick I swear he's able to bend the beams until the green comes on and was low qualifier with a 5.56.  I went .020 in round two and left second!  Gasparrelli has years of experience, has won this race multiple times, and went 5.58 the round prior.  Rupert's worst light of the day was around an .030 and they went 5.63 in the semis.  There was no room for any mistakes.  I'm staring at book ended Pomona Wallys at my NAPA Store and it feels fantastic!  Thank you Jeff Lirones, Tim Ebbett, Russ Pottenger, LuAnn Bishop, Mike Rios, Jim Adolph, Alan Gillis for all you do, and our corporate partners for believing in us, it's our pleasure to represent you. 

Thanks very much to our sponsors:

NAPA Auto Parts

NAPA Legend Batteries

Lucas Oil Products

NAPA Power Starters and Alternators

CP Pistons

Mountain View Chevrolet

NAPA Belts and Hose

Hoosier Tires

NYNY Hotel and Casino

NGK Spark Plugs

Twin Palms

Raymond's Trophy

    

Best,

John