Nobile has dream weekend in Norwalk
(7-8-2012) NORWALK, OH – NHRA Pro Stock driver Vincent Nobile probably felt like he was dreaming after he ran the table at this weekend’s Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio. Nobile began with a $50,000 victory in Saturday’s K&N Horsepower Challenge race, and then finished the rout by successfully defending his title in Sunday’s final eliminations. In the process, Nobile earned a $25,000 double-up bonus from NHRA, bringing his total haul to more than $100,000 for the weekend.
“This is incredible,” said Nobile, who has now won five times in just 38 starts as a professional. “Never in a million years did I think we could come in here, win both races, and get that double-up bonus. We have a great team and when everything is clicking, we’re tough to beat but at the same time, winning seven-straight rounds against the best racers in Pro Stock is almost impossible to do. I’m just in shock.”
On Saturday, Nobile won the K&N Horsepower Challenge following a final round victory over reigning NHRA champion Jason Line. Nobile won the final on a holeshot, winning with a 6.75 elapsed time to Line’s quicker 6.73. Nobile also defeated Mike Edwards and teammate Allen Johnson in the special event, which is open only to the top eight Pro Stock drivers.
Returning for Sunday’s final eliminations, Nobile once again faced Line in the final round with a similar result, winning with a 6.66 to Line’s 6.70. Nobile also defeated Warren Johnson, V. Gaines, and Allen Johnson to stretch his win streak to seven-straight rounds.
“My crew gave me a great car this weekend,” said Nobile. “The weather was brutally hot and we had some of the highest track temperatures we’ve ever raced in but we managed to get the job done. This is only my second trip to Norwalk and I’ve won three races and 11-straight rounds so I guess you could say this is my favorite track on the tour.”
Nobile wasn’t the only one to score big in Norwalk as lucky fan Peggy Coleman of Joplin, Mo., also got to share the wealth. As part of a promotion tied to the K&N Horsepower Challenge, Coleman won a brand new Toyota Tundra pick-up as a result of Nobile’s victory. The new truck was an especially welcomed gift for Coleman, who lost her home as a result of the tornadoes that devastated large portions of Joplin last year. Toyota officials agreed to cover the sales tax due on the new truck while GK Motorsports team owner Gaston Kearby also generously agreed to cover any additional costs incurred by Coleman.
“This is not about the money,” said Nobile following his $50,000 K&N Horsepower Challenge victory. “It’s not even about the trophy. It’s about the story. Winning the race meant winning a Toyota Tundra for Peggy Coleman. She was in a terrible situation where she lost her house and it’s great to be able to give her something back to her.”
Linear Mode
