Hole shot win for Brand in steamy Topeka, KS

Sporting a new 2015 Camaro body, Team Co-Line/Goalsetter competed last weekend Aug 22-23 in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, West Central Division, event at Heartland Park in Topeka, KS. On Thursday night, prior to the event, Dale Brand and crew tested their new 2015 Camaro body. “A big thanks to BZ Auto of Sully and Cory Brand of Co-Line Graphics for preparing the new car body so quickly for this race,” said Dale Brand. “Our goals for the weekend included dialing in the aerodynamics of the Camaro body and to win the event. Both goals achieved!” Brand qualified 3^rd in an eight-car field with a 5.706 second quarter-mile pass at 256.41 mph. In the first round of eliminations, Brand faced Kirk Williams of Glenwood, IA. “The temperature on the tow vehicle read 102 degrees,” commented Brand. “Pretty sure these were the hottest conditions I have ever raced in!” Williams was first off the line, but Brand passed him at the 1000-ft mark to take the win at 256.16 mph in 5.710 seconds to Williams losing 5.758 at 247.52 mph. In round two, Brand faced another fellow Iowan, Lance Van Hauen of Reinbeck, IA. Brand was first off the line and clocked a 5.717 second pass at 255.97 mph for the win light. Van Hauen ran a 5.862 at 242.67mph. Before the final round, the Co-Line/Goalsetter team was 20 minutes into turning the car when they realized they had a spun rod bearing. “Eric made the call to change engines mid-way through our turn of the car. In less than one hour, Team Co-Line/Goalsetter had made a complete engine change and test fired the car before heading up to the staging lanes. Very few teams have the will to try let alone the ability to accomplish this challenge between rounds,” said a very sincere Brand about the team effort needed to win the race. The final round paired Brand against the #1 qualifier of the weekend, John Lombardo, Jr. of Brea, CA. Lombardo finished last season number two in points and currently sits ninth in the nation this year. Brand was first off the line with a 0.044 reaction time to Lombardo’s 0.077. And at the finish line, that was what made the difference. Brand clocked a slower 5.669 to Lombardo’s 5.653, but won on a hole shot at the starting line. “That was a close drag race. We won by 17 thousandths of a second!” concluded a very excited Brand. Team members for the weekend included Dale, Tana, and Eric Brand, deWayne Lemons, and Marty Van Wyk. Brand and team are sitting first in the nation in points leading the second place team by 106 points. The team has yet to complete Brainerd’s final round which will be done in Earlville, IA Sept. 5-6, which is also the next event for the team.