<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/callawayhouston1.jpg" alt="callawayhouston1" align="right"borders="0"/>
NOBLE, Okla. - After reaching the semifinals of the O'Reilly Fall Nationals in Dallas three weeks ago, NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Lee Callaway and his Royce Homes backed team are excited about their chances going into this weekend's Division 4 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series closer at Thunder Valley Raceway Park just outside of Oklahoma City, Okla. Callaway and his team lead by co-Crew Chiefs Jackie Stidham and Stacy McLemore posted career best numbers since making the switch to Top Alcohol Funny Car this year, reaching the 5.60's at over 254 mph, and hope for more of the same in Noble.
Callaway, of Baytown, Texas, raced Top Alcohol Dragsters for 15 years, including a Division 4 Championship in 2002, before making the switch to Top Alcohol Funny Car this season. To assist in the transition to Funny Car, Callaway enlisted the help of multi-time Division 4 Champ Stidham, who retired from driving last year. The team is developing their small cubic inch combination, which they feel is more efficient than the larger motors that are commonplace in the class.
"We're running the same 464 cubic inch motors we ran in the dragster," said Callaway. "We feel like they can run just as well, if not better than the 526 inch motors. That might sound crazy to some, but we feel since they reduced the overdrive for the Funny Cars a few years ago, the smaller motor makes the supercharger more efficient and will allow us to rev the engine higher than the big stroke 526's. We got it into the 5.60's in Dallas, and we feel like there is a lot more left. We're just taking it one step at a time and having fun this year."
"We're real excited to have Mike Manners and Royce Homes on board to finish the year out," Callaway continued. "We're excited about working with them in the future and hope to put this Royce Homes Mustang in the winner's circle on Sunday. It's going to be a tough field, so we'll have our work cut out for us."
Qualifying begins on Friday for the alcohol cars, with two more sessions on Saturday. Final eliminations will conclude the event on Sunday. Stay tuned to InsideTopAlcohol.com for the latest news in alcohol racing.
About Royce Builders:
Royce Builders is one of the most successful home building companies in the nation. Royce Builders ranks among the top 30 privately held builders in the United States and stands firm as one of Houston's most respected. With nearly 20,000 satisfied residents living in Royce Builders homes, our track record speaks volumes. To find a home that fits your lifestyle, visit Royce Builders - New Homes Houston, Dallas, Phoenix & Atlanta
Callaway hoping to end year with a bang in Noble
NOBLE, Okla. - After reaching the semifinals of the O'Reilly Fall Nationals in Dallas three weeks ago, NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Lee Callaway and his Royce Homes backed team are excited about their chances going into this weekend's Division 4 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series closer at Thunder Valley Raceway Park just outside of Oklahoma City, Okla. Callaway and his team lead by co-Crew Chiefs Jackie Stidham and Stacy McLemore posted career best numbers since making the switch to Top Alcohol Funny Car this year, reaching the 5.60's at over 254 mph, and hope for more of the same in Noble.
Callaway, of Baytown, Texas, raced Top Alcohol Dragsters for 15 years, including a Division 4 Championship in 2002, before making the switch to Top Alcohol Funny Car this season. To assist in the transition to Funny Car, Callaway enlisted the help of multi-time Division 4 Champ Stidham, who retired from driving last year. The team is developing their small cubic inch combination, which they feel is more efficient than the larger motors that are commonplace in the class.
"We're running the same 464 cubic inch motors we ran in the dragster," said Callaway. "We feel like they can run just as well, if not better than the 526 inch motors. That might sound crazy to some, but we feel since they reduced the overdrive for the Funny Cars a few years ago, the smaller motor makes the supercharger more efficient and will allow us to rev the engine higher than the big stroke 526's. We got it into the 5.60's in Dallas, and we feel like there is a lot more left. We're just taking it one step at a time and having fun this year."
"We're real excited to have Mike Manners and Royce Homes on board to finish the year out," Callaway continued. "We're excited about working with them in the future and hope to put this Royce Homes Mustang in the winner's circle on Sunday. It's going to be a tough field, so we'll have our work cut out for us."
Qualifying begins on Friday for the alcohol cars, with two more sessions on Saturday. Final eliminations will conclude the event on Sunday. Stay tuned to InsideTopAlcohol.com for the latest news in alcohol racing.
About Royce Builders:
Royce Builders is one of the most successful home building companies in the nation. Royce Builders ranks among the top 30 privately held builders in the United States and stands firm as one of Houston's most respected. With nearly 20,000 satisfied residents living in Royce Builders homes, our track record speaks volumes. To find a home that fits your lifestyle, visit Royce Builders - New Homes Houston, Dallas, Phoenix & Atlanta
