NHRA pro tour stars to arrive early on April 2

PRESS RELEASE: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, March 25

Several of the stars of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series will arrive in Las Vegas April 2 (Thursday) a day before 10th annual NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Many of the world’s fastest drivers will participate in the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships at the Cashman Center on Thursday at 2:30 p.m.

One of the oldest major competitions in U.S. history, the USBC Open Championships brings together the best bowlers from around the world to compete in a five-month tournament. During that time the USBC (www.bowl.com) identifies and rewards the most elite bowlers in a variety of classifications and different competitions.

Three five-man NHRA teams comprised of Top Fuel Dragster, Funny Car and Pro Stock drivers will compete in the team event as special guests of the USBC.

The three NHRA teams include the NHRA Floppers, NHRA Eliminators and NHRA Holeshots. Several of the participating drivers are avid bowlers with competitive averages and high single- game bests, including Robert Hight, who drives the Auto Club Ford Mustang for John Force Racing. He lists his single-game high at 279.

Fellow Funny Car star Del Worsham, driver of the Al-Anabi Racing Toyota Solara, also is fan of bowling. His father and former crew chief Chuck Worsham — a semi professional bowler — had a pair of bowling lanes installed about his race shop. Pro Stock’s Allen Johnson was the Tennessee Junior State Champion in 1974.

The NHRA Floppers team will consist of Robert Hight, Del Worsham, Jeff Arend, Jack Beckman and Matt Hagan.

“I used to bowl on a junior league when I was a kid,” said Robert Hight. “We lived across the street from a bowling center. I bowled in high school and right up to when I went racing.”

The NHRA Eliminators team is comprised of Morgan Lucas, Shawn Langdon, Spencer Massey, Rod Fuller and Chuck Worsham.

Tom Hammonds, Allen Johnson, Greg Anderson, Jason Line and Pro Stock crewman Jason Gray will make up the NHRA Holeshot quintet.

On that Thursday evening, several drivers will participate in a free autograph session in the Key West Room of The Palms from 6-8 p.m. Drag racing fans are invited to obtain autographs and take photos with their favorite drivers.

Some of the drivers scheduled to appear include: Tony Schumacher, Jeg Coughlin Jr., Cruz Pedregon, Ron Capps, Jack Beckman, Morgan Lucas, Shawn Langdon, Urs Erbacher, Matt Hagan, Jeff Arend, Johnny Gray, Kenny Koretsky and Bob Bode.

To purchase tickets or obtain additional information, please call the LVMS ticket office at (702) 644-4444 or visit www.LVMS.com.