Mountain View planning full NHRA campaign in 2018

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. — Mountain View Tire & Auto Center plans to return full force this year to the National Hot Rod Association's Pro Stock class after sitting out the final five races of the 2017 season.

The Rancho Cucamonga-based dealership is backing driver Vincent Nobile in a 2018 Chevy Camaro prepared and campaigned by Elite Motorsports L.L.C.

Team spokesman Chris Mitsos, son of team owners Nick and Irene Mitsos, told NHRA.com recently that the team suspended operations late in the 2017 seasons after it determined it wasn't competitive enough to challenge for overall wins, despite scoring enough points throughout the season to make the sport's playoffs.

The team is planning to start the 2018 season at the Lucas Oil Winternationals, Feb 8-11, at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, Calif.

The 2018 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series comprises 24 race weekends, concluding with Auto Club Finals, Nov. 8-11, back at Pomona.

As part of the Elite Motorsports team, Mr. Nobile once again will be a teammate to Elite regulars Erica Enders and Jeg Coughlin Jr., as well as Alex Laughlin and part-time driver/crew chief Brian "Lump" Self, according to NHRA.com.

Ms. Enders and Mr. Coughlin, both multiple Pro Stock season champions, struggled last year with just two wins between them.

"We've got a new car coming from (Jerry Haas Race Cars), and we're going to continue racing with the Elite group," Mr. Mitsos told NHRA.com.

"We're pretty optimistic that we're going to be more competitive than last year. The important thing for us is to be competitive. We want to go to every race knowing that we've got a chance to win it."

Mountain View Tire has sponsored Mr. Nobile for the past seven seasons, during which he's scored 10 Pro Stock Class wins.

Mr. Mitsos also disclosed that the Mountain View team is planning to race a General Motors Co. factory-developed "COPO" Camaro in 2019 in the School of Automotive Machinists and Technology NHRA Factory Stock Showdown.