SEATTLE, WA – The Beal Racing AutoAnything nitro funny car team made the journey to Seattle in hopes that they could rebound from a rocky weekend at the Sonoma Nationals. As the last stop on the NHRA’s Western Swing, this year’s Northwest Nationals provided several exciting moments including record-setting performances across the professional categories.
Beal Racing experimented with a new clutch setup in an attempt to make the car more consistent and easier to tune. The change over to the new setup kept them out of the first and second qualifying runs on Friday.
On Saturday, the team struggled to get a handle on the clutch tune and spun the tires in the remaining two qualifying sessions.
After qualifying in the 15th position, driver Brandon Welch went into eliminations on Sunday with a first round matchup against Ron Capps. The car spun the tires immediately and Brandon was forced to abort the pass.
“We made the decision to change clutch setups, knowing we would be in for a learning curve,” explained Brandon Welch. “I think the change will play out well for us in the long term, but we just couldn’t quite figure it out this weekend.”
Their next race will be on Labor Day weekend at the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.
ABOUT BEAL RACING
San Diego-based Beal Racing campaigns a 300+ mph nitro funny car on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. The team is owned by Chuck Beal and driven by 2016 rookie and Chuck’s grandson, Brandon Welch. After 45 years in drag racing, veteran driver Beal handed over the reins of the family race car to grandson, Brandon in 2015. Beal Racing is sure to be a focus of media and fan attention with a new driver continuing a storied family racing legacy. To learn more about Beal Racing visit www.bealracing.com, or tune in to NHRA competition on Fox and Fox Sports 1.
BEAL RACING REMAINING 2016 SCHEDULE
August 31- September 5 | Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals | Indianapolis, Indiana
September 23-September 25 | 5th Annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals | St. Louis, Missouri
October 13-October 16 | 31st Annual AAA Texas NHRA Fallnationals | Dallas, Texas
November 10-November 13 | 52nd Annual Auto Club NHRA World Finals | Pomona, California