Mark Morton Guitar Auction To Benefit Victory Junction

(Lamb of God lead guitarist Mark Morton, seen here at the 2009 NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway International Raceway, has donated the guitar he played at the band's only live appearance of 2011 to the Victory Junction Gang Camp to be auctioned off. Photo by Brandon W. Mudd)

LAMB OF GOD lead guitarist Mark Morton is auctioning one of his stage guitars played during the band's performance at D-Tox Fest on June 17th in Montebello, Quebec. The guitar, a Mark Morton Signature model Jackson Dominion from Morton's personal collection, is autographed and will come with photographs from the performance and a personal letter of appreciation and authenticity from Morton.

All proceeds from the auction will benefit Victory Junction, a camp for chronically ill children in Randleman, NC. More specifically, the funds generated by the auction will allow a child to experience Victory Junction for the first time.

During a recent visit to the camp, Morton and his family spent time with staff and campers, including 16-year old Brian Walker, a Lamb Of God fan, music lover and Victory Junction camper. “Victory Junction is amazing,” explained Morton. “One of the highlights for me was getting to hang out with Brian. Hearing first-hand about how special this camp is to these kids and learning about all the liberating experiences they pack into a week made me that much more thrilled about our auction. Not only will the winning bidder get a beautiful instrument, they will also receive the joy of knowing that their generosity gave a special child, like my buddy Brian, a week at camp that they will surely never forget!"

The auction will begin on Wednesday, September 21, 2011, and last for 10 days ending on Saturday, October 1st. To participate in the auction visit: http://myworld.ebay.com/victoryjunction.

Victory Junction is a year-round camping environment for children ages six to 16 with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. Founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty in honor of their son Adam, the camp is located in Randleman, NC, with a second location opening soon in Kansas City, KS. Victory Junction offers programs for a range of disease groups and maintains strong relationships with more than 30 partner hospitals. Victory Junction's mission is to provide life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a safe and medically-sound environment. As a non-profit organization, the camp operates solely through the support of generous individuals, groups and corporations to provide this experience at no charge to children and their families. For more information or to donate, visit www.victoryjunction.org.

Zizzo Featured in Latest Edition of Nitro Rewind

The 2011 NHRA Countdown to the Championship has begun and Nitro Rewind continues to talk with the contenders and the spoilers. This week’s episode talks with the Top Fuel and Funny Car winners from the O’Reilly Auto Part Nationals at zMax Dragway and looks to the Lone Star State and the AAA Texas Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex. The show, an internet based broadcast, is hosted by Bill Stephens and features interviews from Top Fuel and Funny Car NHRA competitors, is available on the NHRA’s YouTube channel after every NHRA national event.

“The Countdown got started in Charlotte and it was a record setting weekend. Viewers will get a great description from Matt Hagan of his record setting 3.995 second pass as well as his thoughts on eventually winning his first race of the season,” said Ashley Force Hood, John Force Entertainment president.

“One thing Nitro Rewind will not do is forget about the drivers not in the Countdown. This week we talk with TJ Zizzo one of the up and coming Top Fuel teams that is running strong against the mega teams. We also check in with fan favorite Antron Brown.”

As The NHRA tour rolls into Texas viewers will get the thoughts of Texan Spencer Massey and 2010 Fall Nationals winner Matt Hagan on getting back to the original super track.

Every episode is posted on the NHRA YouTube channel the Thursday after each national event. This week’s episode can be found here: http://youtu.be/Av4FvL7Fkw4

Fans can check out all the episodes of Nitro Rewind by going to www.youtube.com and searching Nitro Rewind or they can go directly to the NHRA YouTube channel.

VIDEO: Zizzo Has a PEAK Performance at zMAX

VIDEO: NHRA, TJ Zizzo Honors America & 9/11 Heroes

zMAX Dragway Offers Free Thursday Tix for Matt Smith Bike Sponsors

(Former NHRA Full Throttle Series Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Matt Smith is providing fans an opportunity to be a sponsor on his Buell next weekend at zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C. Photo by Brandon W. Mudd)

Former NHRA Full Throttle Series Pro Stock Stock Motorcycle champion Matt Smith is offering drag racing fans the opportunity to be a part of his team at zMAX Dragway Sept. 15-18 for the O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals. For $20, fans can sponsor Smith's Buell at his home track, where he won the inaugural 4-Wide Nationals in 2010. The sponsorship provides access to a party at the Matt Smith Racing pit Thursday, Sept. 15, 4-6 p.m., where the sponsor can personally sign their name on the bike, receive an autograph from both Matt and Angie Smith, and participate in a group photo with Matt, Angie, the MSR Fan Sponsor Buell, and other sponsors.

The staff at zMAX have sweetened the deal by offering a free Thursday ticket to anyone sponsoring Smith's bike. A table will be set up outside the main spectator entrance of the drag strip where MSR sponsors can pick up their wristbands for the pit party and, at that time, will receive one free ticket for Thursday's festivities. In addition to all the other perks of being a fan bike sponsor, Antron Brown, the most recent U.S. Nationals Top Fuel champion, will be at the pit party to sign autographs and hang out starting at 5 p.m. The original deadline of Sept. 10 has also been lifted and fans will be able to pay for a sponsorship on Thursday at the gate where they will receive the free ticket and all the rest of the perks of being a sponsor next weekend.

But a free ticket, a meet and greet with Antron Brown, and a party isn't enough for Matt. He has some other perks for a couple of lucky fans.

"We've already had a bunch of people sign up for this deal and we're blown away with the response we've seen," said Smith. "To sweeten the pot a little, we're going to put everyone's name in a hat on the day of the pit party and pull five names. The first four will receive autographed team shirts. The fifth is going to get a team credential that allows them to go anywhere with us, including the starting line for every pass we make. We want to make this a great weekend for all our new sponsors and hopefully, they'll be partying with us in the Winner's Circle Sunday!"

Sponsors will receive one MSR Pit Party invitation and can sign one name per $20 sponsorship; however, fans may purchase as many sponsorships as they would like. If a sponsor is unable to attend the Pit Party, Matt or Angie will sign the sponsor's name to the bike personally and an autograph will be mailed to them.

Fans wanting to sponsor Matt's bike prior to the race can do so via PayPal or they can pay at the MSR table at the main entrance on Thursday. For more information on this opportunity and to pay through PayPal, click HERE. For any questions regarding sponsorships, e-mail Matt Smith Racing at SponsorMattsBike@yahoo.com. For more information on the O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at zMAX Dragway Sept. 15-18 or to purchase tickets, click HERE.

Fans of Matt Smith can find updates and photos of Matt Smith Racing at MattSmithRacing.com, Facebook.com/MattSmithRacing, and Twitter.com/MattSmithRacing. Videos of Matt and Matt Smith Racing can be found at YouTube.com/MattSmithNHRA. For information regarding sponsorship opportunities with Matt Smith Racing, please e-mail MattSmithRacing@yahoo.com.

Gateway International Raceway to Re-Open, Host NHRA

(Warren Johnson, Robert Hight, Tony Schumacher, and Michael Phillips visited the Winner's Circle at Gateway International Raceway's 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Series event. The facility sat vacant in 2011 but will host the NHRA Midwest Nationals again 2012 after it was announced St. Louis businessman and former professional racer Curtis Francois has leased the facility. Gateway International Raceway photo)

On Nov. 3, 2010, Dover Motorsports Inc., shut down Gateway International Raceway. I was the PR director there for the last four seasons it was in operation. On Thursday, it was announced Curtis Francois has leased the track and that the NHRA Full Throttle Series will return to the St. Louis area Oct. 5-7, 2012. If you care, HERE are my thoughts on the return of Gateway.

Newman, Schumacher Pay Poignant Visit to Arlington National Cemetery, 9/11 Pentagon Memorial

(U.S. Army Racing drivers Tony Schumacher (NHRA, left) and Ryan Newman (NASCAR, right) participate in a wreath ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Thursday in Washington D.C. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Scott D. Turner, USAAC G7)

U.S. Army Racing drivers Ryan Newman (NASCAR) and Tony Schumacher (NHRA) paid solemn tribute Thursday to our nation's heroes in powerful, emotional visits to both the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery and the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. 

Schumacher and Newman were humbled and honored by the experience as they laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a symbol of all unaccounted for American Soldiers lost in combat. The Tomb commemorates the spirit of devotion, sacrifice and courage of the American Soldier, and has been guarded 24/7 since 1930. 

"It was indeed a somber honor to stand there in front of the Tomb and reflect on the dedication and sacrifices of our American heroes who have fought for our freedom," said Schumacher, who is in his 11th season driving the U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster for Don Schumacher Racing. "It was an emotional moment that I will never forget." 

Newman was equally touched by the experience in the sacred military shrine. 

"Just staring at the Tomb and then seeing all of those delicately-placed white marble headstones is one powerful reminder that we must never take for granted the many sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform," said Newman, who is in his third season driving the No. 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing. 

Following the Arlington National Cemetery visit, Newman and Schumacher laid a wreath at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial which was designed as a place for remembrance, reflection and renewal. 

The design captures that moment in time at 9:37 a.m., Sept. 11, 2001 when 184 lives from the Pentagon and American Airlines Flight 77 became intertwined for eternity. Each Memorial Unit is a cantilevered bench and a permanent tribute to each victim in a single element. Beneath each bench is a pool of flowing water, lit at night to illuminate the Memorial park. 

"It was another emotional visit to see this magnificent and well-thought-out Memorial," said Newman, a 15-time NASCAR Sprint Cup race winner. "This Memorial will ensure that the 184 lives that were lost here 10 years ago will never be forgotten." 

"It's an amazingly-designed Memorial and we need to keep the 184 victims in our hearts," said Schumacher, a seven-time NHRA season champion. "I was deeply touched by the Memorial." 

Following the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial visit, the U.S. Army drivers met with Secretary of the Army, John M. McHugh, U.S. Army Chief of Staff, General Raymond T. Odierno and Sergeant Major of the Army, Raymond F. Chandler. 

"We experienced so much emotion and history today," stated Schumacher. "I feel both fortunate and proud to be the Army's representative on the NHRA circuit. Walking the historic Pentagon corridors was indeed a privilege." 

Said Newman, "It was an insightful, moving and inspiring day to visit both Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon. After today, it makes me even more proud to wear the Army uniform and drive the Soldiers' car." 

In observance of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, Newman's No. 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet will have a special paint at this weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup race in Richmond, Va. His car will carry the names of the 75 U.S. Army personnel killed in the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon. Schumacher's U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster carried the 9/11, U.S. Army paint scheme last week at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. The 9/11 paint scheme will also be on Schumacher's dragster at next week's NHRA national event in Charlotte, N.C.

Nitro Rewind Wraps Up the Big Go

The biggest race of the season, the Mac Tools US Nationals, had the editors at Nitro Rewind scrambling. In addition to great Top Fuel and Funny winner interviews Nitro Rewind was talking with Countdown contenders about the upcoming O’Reilly NHRA Nationals at zMax Dragway, September 15-18. With so much exceptional content Nitro Rewind was split into two episodes. The first posted this week looks back at the Indy race. Part two will be posted early next week and preview the Countdown.

“When we looked at the footage there was no way we could just make one show. We have seen that if Nitro Rewind gets close to ten minutes we see a drop in viewership. We decided to split the show and we hope everyone will enjoy this two-parter,” said Ashley Force Hood, John Force Entertainment president.

“Going into the Countdown we are going to continue to talk with the winners but we also want to focus on drivers both inside and outside the Top Ten. Every driver that qualifies will have an impact on the Top Fuel and Funny Car Full Throttle championship so we will try and talk with as many of them as possible.”

It was a family filled day in the winner’s circle and Nitro Rewind as both Nitro winners Antron Brown and Mike Neff have their kids make cameo appearances in this episode. The magnitude of winning the most prestigious drag race is evident during each driver’s interview.

This episode also features highlights of the NHRA moving tribute to 9/11 as well as footage of the Honoring Our Heroes commemorative Funny Car John Force will be racing in Charlotte.

Every episode is posted on the NHRA YouTube channel the Thursday after each national event. This week’s episode can be found here: http://youtu.be/2plDGnfOctA

Fans can check out all the episodes of Nitro Rewind by going to www.youtube.com and searching Nitro Rewind or they can go directly to the NHRA YouTube channel.

John Force Racing Lands Three of the Top Ten Moments in NHRA History

(Fifteen-time NHRA Full Throttle Series Funny Car champion John Force has been a big part of NHRA history, including his 100th win and his being named Driver of the Year, the first drag racer to receive that honor. Photo by Brandon W. Mudd)

To commemorate its 60th anniversary season, NHRA announced the 60 Greatest Moments in its history back in January and then it asked its fans, throughout the course of the 2011 season, to select the Moment that they collectively felt was the greatest moment in NHRA history.

John Force Racing was fortunate to have four moments selected as part of the 60 Greatest Moments. JFR’s four moments included: John Force being named Driver of the Year (1996), John Force winning his historic 100th NHRA national event (2002), Ashley Force Hood’s historic first win in Funny Car in Atlanta (2008) and John Force’s dramatic comeback for his 15th Full Throttle Funny Car championship (2010). Through fan voting all four moments moved on to the top 20 Greatest Moments in NHRA history. Today we are pleased that three of the JFR moments have reached the Top Ten and fans will have an opportunity to consider them as possibly the Greatest Moment in the 60 years of the NHRA.

“I love the NHRA and I could not be prouder to have three moments in the Top Ten. When you are considered beside names like Garlits, Muldowney, Bernstein, and Schumacher you know you are in with the best. I don’t do computers but if I did I don’t know how I would vote,” said John Force. “This is going to be tough and I am just excited to have three in the Top Ten. I want to thank all our fans for voting for us and please keep those votes coming. I know we are going to need them so be sure to vote every day if you can.”

NHRA fans responded in huge numbers – more than 7.5 million impressions and more than 31,000 fan interactions – to pare the list down first to 20 Greatest Moments and now to a truly memorable Top 10.

Here are the Top 10 Greatest Moments (in chronological order):

Founding of NHRA (1951)

Don Garlits makes NHRA's First 200-mph Run (1964)

Don Garlits debuts the rear-engine dragster — and wins (Pomona, 1971)

Shirley Muldowney is first Women to Win in Top Fuel (1976)

Shirley Muldowney is NHRA's First Female World Champ (1977)

Kenny Bernstein makes NHRA's first 300-mph Run (1992)

John Force is first to win 100 career races (2002)

Tony Schumacher's "The Run" (2006)

Ashley Force Hood is first Female Funny Car Winner (2008)

John Force Completes Comeback, Wins 15th Championship (2010)

To participate, fans can go to NHRA’s Facebook page, easy to find at Facebook.com/NHRA, and click on the “Vote 4 Greatest Moment” tab. Once there, fans will be instructed to select just one (1) of the 10 Moments and click ‘Submit’ (after submitting their vote, fans will have the chance to enter to win one VIP package or one of five pairs of full-event tickets to the 2012 event of their choice).

Fans will be encouraged to check back often as the Moment with the fewest votes at the conclusion of every one of the first five races in the Countdown playoff will be eliminated. That will leave five Moments still in play entering the Auto Club NHRA Finals.

Voting will close on Wednesday, Nov. 9 and the fans’ selection for the Greatest Moment in NHRA History will be unveiled during pre-race at the Auto Club NHRA Finals on Sunday, Nov. 13.

VIDEO: Zizzo Racing Makes Its Mark at Indy