Nitro Spring Training
February 3rd-5th, 2017
Chandler, AZ
Team Litton Racing launched into the 2017 NHRA preseason this past weekend at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona. The 450-acre multi-purpose motorsports facility is located on the Gila River Indian Community just minutes east of state capital Phoenix. It features a quarter-mile dragstrip, has a 1,100-foot elevation, and is a popular winter testing spot due to the warm, dry climate. The venue is also known for producing record performances, such as Tony Schumacher’s historic 330-mph quarter-mile blast in 1999. Randy Meyer Racing and Team Litton Racing reunited to kick the 2017 race season into high gear with a weekend of test runs.
Driver Bill Litton, Crew Chief Randy Meyer, and Assistant Crew Chief Dan Pomponio along with crew members Adrian Long, Mary Meyer and Megan Meyer all hoped to get some great data to fine-tune the nitro beast in preparation for next weekend’s NHRA season starter in Pomona for the Circle K Winternationals.
Excited to get back on the track, Driver Litton and team put all of their off-season hard work to the test when Litton got behind the wheel on Sunday for the first test run. The first run was slated for a half track shakedown run to test out an assortment of changes to the car. Per Megan Meyer, “We were just a little iffy on what could happen or could not happen but everything worked out really well. The car had an excellent 60-foot time and sounded really great.”
On the second test run, Driver Litton had the green light for a “full pull” if everything felt good. He progressed down the track resulting in an 
excellent time of 5.247 @ 268 mph. Megan Meyer gave her thoughts stating, “We were really happy with this run although it dropped a couple of cylinders right before the finish line, so we think there’s more in it.” The crew got ready to make some additional changes to the car prior to session number three.
Going into the third and final session of the day, the crew tore down the motor and put in some new Clevite bearings. They made a few other adjustments then brought the beast back to the starting line. The car launched hard with another excellent 60-foot time of .930 (just under one second reaching approximately 100 mph) and made a very consistent “full pull” this time at 5.243 @ 275 mph with all the cylinders lit.
The testing continued until the desert sun set in the sky and all that remained was a dedicated team and the smell of nitro in the air. Litton felt the testing was a success stating, “I am so blessed to have such an awesome team and Randy Meyer horsepower. Can’t wait to take this combination to Pomona and see if we can take care of some business for our fans and sponsors.”
Team Litton Racing and Randy Meyer Racing are confident that they got the information they needed for a strong season kickoff on February 9th in Pomona. The 2017 race season is bound to be an exciting and successful one.
Make sure to tune in to FS1 and FOX Sports for the Circle K NHRA Winternationals. Qualifying will be televised on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, February 10th and live on FS1 at 1 p.m. ET Saturday, February 11th. The Finals will also be broadcasted live on FOX Sports at 4 p.m. ET Sunday, February 12th. For insider updates and exclusive videos and photos, make sure to follow our Litton Racing page on Twitter and Facebook @LittonRacing.