TORRENCE, WORSHAM HEADLINE RECORD-SETTING FRIDAY AT SONOMA

 



A pair of record-setting runs highlighted first day Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals qualifying at Sonoma Raceway.

Steve Torrence established a new NHRA Top Fuel record, and Del Worsham grabbed the Funny Car track record to headline the opening day. Bo Butner (Pro Stock) and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also led their respective divisions.

Torrence was .03 quicker than No. 2 qualifier Doug Kalitta, as he stopped the timers with a 3.671 elapsed time at 326.08 miles per hour. The next three qualifiers, Doug Kalitta, Shawn Langdon and Rickie Crampton, all ran 3.71 seconds.

If Torrence's run holds, it will mark the eighth time in 14 races the former NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster champion has qualified No. 1.

"I was nervous watching the cars in front of us in the session," Torrence said. "The track was getting tight, and the air kept getting cooler. I saw [crew chief Richard] Hogan in the [clutch timers] box turning knobs. We hit the nail on the head to go as quick as we did.

"When the car left, it wadded the tire a little bit. It was on the extreme edge of not making it. I did the best to keep it in the groove, and I saw the .60-something, and I started hollering because I knew we had just run fast."

A deflated right rear slick did little to slow defending NHRA champion Worsham, as he became the quickest Funny Car driver ever at Sonoma Raceway with a 3.868 elapsed time at 327.43 miles per hour.

Worsham's monumental performance beat out No. 2 Courtney Force by .003 of a second.

"We were trying to run our career best, and we definitely succeeded at that," Worsham said. "Right before the finish line, the car made a quiver, and I was able to will it to the finish line. I knew there was a problem, and I just tried to keep the car under control."

Worsham didn't feel as if the tire issue cost him any significant elapsed time performance.

"Just by looking at the eighth mile, I don't think it cost us anything, and it probably finished where it should have," Worsham explained. "I think we got all of it we could. It would be great to have a few shots at these kinds of conditions."

Matt Hagan also established a track record with a 330.15 mile per hour pass.

KB Racing returned to their spot atop the Pro Stock qualifying leaderboard as Butner recorded a 6.553 elapsed time at 210.28 miles per hour. He was trailed by teammate Greg Anderson, who recorded a 6.567. Shane Gray was third with a 6.576.

"We are testing, believe it or not, and trying new things," Butner admitted. "We are getting ready for the Countdown. We are not necessarily testing on runs, but new parts at certain tracks ... getting ready. It's just day one; we still have tomorrow."

Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Savoie made the most of Suzuki's tendency to dominate at sea level as he raced to the provisional pole with a 6.839,  194.46 performance. The resurgent Angelle Sampey was second with a 6.85 to edge out early leader G.T. Tonglet and his 6.862.

"Suzukis run real well at sea level," Savoie, who stands on the cusp of his fifth career No. 1, said. "We needed this home run today. Someone came up to me before the first session and asked what kind of run was out there, and I said, 'definitely an .83, but there can be an .81. We missed our first run, but we made up for it on the second."

Professional qualifying resumes on Saturday with qualifying sessions scheduled for 1:00 and 4:15 PM, PST.

Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 29th annual Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway, 15th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.  Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations:

Top Fuel -- 1. Steve Torrence, 3.671 seconds, 326.08 mph; 2. Doug Kalitta, 3.711, 325.77; 3. Shawn Langdon, 3.714, 325.14; 4. Richie Crampton, 3.714, 322.65; 5. J.R. Todd, 3.731, 324.05; 6. Tony Schumacher, 3.751, 318.99; 7. Antron Brown, 3.754, 315.86; 8. Clay Millican, 3.764, 300.73; 9. Brittany Force, 3.788, 324.20; 10. Leah Pritchett, 3.800, 314.02; 11. T.J. Zizzo, 3.807, 317.34; 12. Troy Buff, 3.867, 310.13.  

Not Qualified: 13. Terry McMillen, 3.881, 311.41; 14. Steve Faria, 3.956, 278.46; 15. Bill Litton, 4.045, 291.82; 16. Scott Palmer, 4.212, 211.53.

Funny Car -- 1. Del Worsham, Toyota Camry, 3.868, 327.43; 2. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.871, 322.50; 3. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.874, 327.03; 4. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.875, 330.15; 5. Ron Capps, Charger, 3.877, 326.71; 6. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 3.903, 321.19; 7. Jack Beckman, Charger, 3.933, 322.34; 8. John Force, Camaro, 3.942, 324.36; 9. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 3.955, 321.27; 10. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 3.992, 313.07; 11. John Hale, Charger, 4.011, 317.87; 12. Chad Head, Camry, 4.193, 233.24.  

Not Qualified: 13. Gary Densham, 4.256, 288.52; 14. Jeff Diehl, 4.275, 226.92; 15. Tim Gibbons, 4.943, 167.74; 16. Cruz Pedregon, 5.228, 144.01; 17. Brandon Welch, 8.818, 71.35.

Pro Stock -- 1. Bo Butner, Chevy Camaro, 6.553, 210.28; 2. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.567, 210.14; 3. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.576, 210.14; 4. Allen Johnson, Dodge Dart, 6.588, 209.95; 5. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.594, 209.62; 6. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.602, 209.69; 7. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.607, 209.52; 8. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.608, 209.01; 9. Erica Enders, Dart, 6.612, 209.26; 10. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.631, 209.59; 11. Jeg Coughlin, Dart, 6.632, 208.23; 12. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.651, 208.97.  

Not Qualified: 13. Aaron Strong, 6.651, 207.59; 14. Deric Kramer, 6.653, 207.91; 15. Alan Prusiensky, 6.918, 203.86; 16. Joey Grose, 6.969, 198.88.

Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.839, 194.46; 2. Angelle Sampey, Buell, 6.854, 193.96; 3. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 6.862, 194.60; 4. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.862, 193.02; 5. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.867, 192.11; 6. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.888, 192.91; 7. Matt Smith, Victory, 6.892, 192.33; 8. Hector Arana, Buell, 6.894, 193.49; 9. Chip Ellis, Buell, 6.901, 193.77; 10. Melissa Surber, Buell, 6.910, 189.76; 11. Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 6.916, 193.40; 12. Cory Reed, Buell, 6.930, 189.90.  

Not Qualified: 13. Karen Stoffer, 6.931, 192.60; 14. Steve Johnson, 6.942, 194.35; 15. Shawn Gann, 6.956, 191.57; 16. Katie Sullivan, 6.975, 187.89; 17. Freddie Camarena, 7.022, 191.95; 18. Michael Ray, 7.023, 189.52; 19. Angie Smith, 7.040, 186.43; 20. Scott Bottorff, 7.158, 184.17; 21. Lance Bonham, 7.206, 182.33; 22. Chaz Kennedy, 7.911, 131.48; 23. Scotty Pollacheck, 18.585, 34.32; 24. Brian Bognuda, broke.

 

 

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