Story by Jen McVay, Photos by MSA Staff:
Breast Cancer is one of the most dangerous diseases that affect millions of women each year. For numerous years different organizations and groups have done different things to raise awareness to this horrible disease. And NHRA was not going to be left out.
So when NHRA pitched the idea of breast cancer awareness to their drivers, numerous drivers stepped up to the challenge. Some painted their car bodies to show support to cancer survivors and to the ones who have lost their battle. Some drivers also wore pink fire suits and heck even some of the crew members got in on it by wearing pink team shirts while out on the starting line.
Top fuel driver Terry McMillen and his Amalie Oil team showed their support by painting his dragster pink. And for anyone who donated to the organization She4Life the name of a loved one who is battling cancer or has lost their battle, their name would be added to the hood of the Amalie Oil dragster. McMillen’s crew even showed their support by wearing pink team shirts when out on the starting line.
Also another top fuel driver to show support was Antron Brown in his Matco Tools Dragster painted pink. He even went as far as to have a pink fire suit done to show his support. Way to rock that pink fire suit Antron.
And not to be showed up, by the top fuel dragsters. Then came Nitro Funny Cars. First to the line in his pink shirt and smiling face was “fast” Jack Beckman in his Matco Tools car painted pink to show his support. Not only is he showing support for cancer survivors , Beckman takes this disease personally since he himself is a cancer survivor , he also lost his mom Mrs. JoAnn Beckman to this horrible disease over 20 years ago. Beckman had the names of over 1,350 women on his car who are battling or have survived or even lost their battle with cancer.
Then came Pro-Stock, and the awesome paint scheme of The Jeggs car being driven by Jeg Coughlin jr. Coughlin showed his respect and support with the paint scheme. Coughlin says it’s the least he can do to show support for those battling that awful disease. He also helps with the Jegg Foundation and their donations to various cancer support groups.
So the next time you have spare change or even a spare dollar or two, and you’re thinking what can I spend it on. Here’s a thought donate it to the Susan G. Komen Cancer research group. There are numerous cancer groups out there that are fighting for the same cause and that’s a cure for this awful disease. The Susan G. Komen group is a non-profit group.
At the end of the weekend of racing at Maple Grove, there were some upsets and some long overdue wins. In Top Fuel it was Tony Schumacher taking the win away from Brittany Force in the final round. This giving Schumacher a huge lead in the points with only two races left in the season.
While in the Funny Car category it was Matt Hagan who brought home the Wally. And is now in the points lead with 2423 over second place John Force 2387, there is only 36 points separating the two drivers. With two races to go it’s still anyone’s championship, it all depends on who wants it more.
Then not to be out done, Pro-Stock driver Roger Brogdon got a long overdue win over Allen Johnson, beating him 212.130 to Johnson’s 90.640 mph. This is Brogdon’s first win since 2013 when he outran Erica Enders-Stevens in Bristol.
In Pro-Stock Motorcycles it was Eddie Krawiec raising the trophy. Krawiec #4 in points took on #11 Scotty Pollacheck in the final round and beating him 197.130 to Pollacheck’s 193.820 mph. With this win that puts Krawiec within 25 points of the first place leader Andrew Hines. With two races left to in the championship once again it’s anyone’s race.