2010 NHRA VEGAS-1 NATIONALS - EVENT RESULTS
 |
||||||
 |
||||||
 |
||||||
SUNDAY FINALS - FORCE, DIXON, AND EDWARDS WIN SUMMITRACING.COM NHRA NATIONALS
John Force continued his comeback run by racing to the Funny Car victory Sunday at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas 
Motor Speedway.
Larry Dixon and Mike Edwards also were winners in their respective categories at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event.
The 60-year-old Force, the 14-time NHRA world champ who struggled on the track during the last three seasons, extended his Full Throttle Series lead with his third win of the season and 129th of his career. It is his second victory at this track.
Force defeated rival and former teammate Tony Pedregon in the final round. Force drove his Castrol GTX High-Mileage Ford Mustang to a winning performance of 4.334 seconds at 284.93 mph, while Pedregon’s Herzog/NitroFish Chevy Impala lost traction and trailed with a 5.630 at 138.34.
“The hardest thing I work for is to be able to compete and show my kids that I can still do it,” said an emotional Force, who defeated Robert Hight, Matt Hagan and Ashley Force Hood to advance to the final. “I want to show them how much I still love it. This is a great win here in front of a lot of family and friends. Now I’m back in the game, and it feels good.”
In Top Fuel, Dixon claimed his third win of the season and 51st of his career and in the process took over the series points lead by outrunning Cory McClenathan in the final round. Dixon powered his Al-Anabi Racing dragster to a 4.016 at 313.37 to hold off McClenathan’s FRAM dragster, which lost traction near mid-track and finished in 5.113 at 158.41.
“We had a great car all weekend,” said Dixon, who beat Steve Faria, Shawn Langdon and Doug Kalitta in earlier rounds. “The car was unbelievable all through qualifying, just very strong. We qualified second and made up a bunch of points on Cory in qualifying. Then, we knew that if we could make it to the final round, if we beat him we’d get the points lead, and we got both. It’s just a great, great weekend all around for everyone on the Al-Anabi team.”
Edwards continued his dominance in Pro Stock by racing to his fourth victory of the season and 24th of his career. The defending series champ posted a 6.751 at 205.51 in his Penhall/Interstate Batteries Pontiac GXP to defeat Greg Stanfield, who trailed with a 6.813 at 203.12 in his NitroFish GXP.
To reach his first career final at The Strip at Las Vegas, Edwards outran Rickie Jones, Warren Johnson and Greg Anderson.
“It feels good to come out here and win at Vegas,” Edwards said. “I’ve been coming here a long time and ran really, really well but just could never close the deal. It feels good.”
The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series continues April 30-May 2 with the AAA NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
 |
Click to visit our sponsor's website
SATURDAY QUALIFYING - WORSHAM, BROWN AND EDWARDS EARN NO. 1 QUALIFYING POSITIONS AT LAS VEGAS
Del Worsham raced to the No. 1 qualifying position in Funny Car Saturday at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals.
Antron Brown and Mike Edwards also will lead their respective categories into Sunday’s 11 a.m. eliminations as the No. 1 qualifiers at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event.
Worsham was able to overcome the hot track conditions that has thrown a curveball to all of the race teams this weekend and produce an eye-popping run in the final session. He powered his Al-Anabi Racing Toyota Solara to a 4.187-second run at 297.75 mph to earn his first No. 1 position since the 2007 season, and fifth overall.
Worsham, who has recorded three first round losses in the first five races, hopes this top qualifying effort will be the start of a turnaround for his season.
“It’s been a frustrating year,” Worsham said. “When the track’s been above 100 degrees we’ve just had a heck of a time getting down the track. [Crew chief] Dickie Venables, based on past performance, has just been great in those conditions, so he’s been very frustrated, along with [team manager] Alan Johnson and [assistant crew chief] Kurt Elliott. Yesterday’s 4.23 run was actually better than that because we just ran it so slow through the middle of the track and the top end to make sure we got down there that we kind of left a little on the table, so the 4.18 wasn’t a total shocker.”
Ashley Force Hood dropped to second with her 4.195 at 295.14 in her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang. Matt Hagan is third in his DieHard Dodge Charger with a 4.217 at 297.16.
Worsham, who will face veteran driver Jim Head in the first round of eliminations, expects a tough day of racing ahead on Sunday with the weather forecast calling for more temperatures in the mid to high 80s.
“I’m still a little worried that we have to go down the track four times tomorrow and we went down the track half the time today, so we really need to work on making sure it’s consistent,” Worsham said. “That has been our problem when the track’s been above 100, so hopefully after this weekend with the data that they have and all of Dickie’s racing experience will pay off.”
In Top Fuel, Brown claimed his second No. 1 of the season and 23rd of his career with his run from Friday of 3.881 at 316.60 in his Matco Tools dragster.
“We’re happy with the whole effort this weekend,” said Brown, who will face Rob Passey in the opening round. “The car ran exactly what we wanted it to, and we’re looking forward to tomorrow. Tomorrow is going to be a tough day. It’s going to be a little hotter. The sun’s going to be out, and we’re going to race in the prime time of the day. It’s definitely going to be a catfight tomorrow down that racetrack. We’re not going to be fighting the other person in the other lane, we’re going to be fighting to get down the racetrack. It’s going to make it really challenging for the crew chiefs, but I like my odds with the guys in my pit area.”
Houston winner Larry Dixon was second in his Al-Anabi Racing dragster with a 3.894 at 314.24, while Doug Kalitta anchored third in his Technicoat Dragster with a 3.909 at 315.56.
Defending Pro Stock world champ Edwards improved on his leading performance from Friday with a 6.687-second run at 205.88 mph in his Penhall/Interstate Batteries Pontiac GXP to earn his third consecutive top qualifying position at this track, his fifth No. 1 of the season and 27th of his career. Edwards will meet Rickie Jones in the first round of eliminations.
“This morning was definitely better for several teams, and we just made an exceptionally nice run,” Edwards said. “I’m very proud of my guys. If tomorrow is like it is today, I’d like to stay in that left lane; it seems like we’ve got a better handle on it. If the sun’s out, you’re going to see exactly what we saw today. It will be faster in the morning, and as the day goes on, it will be hotter and greasier, so you’ll just have to make the adjustments.”
Ron Krisher is second in his Valvoline Chevy Cobalt with a 6.716 at 205.38 and Rodger Brogdon is third in his Attitude Apparell/Kent Services Trucking GXP with a 6.725 at 205.16.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
 |
Click to visit our sponsor's website
First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the 11th annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the sixth of 23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.
Top Fuel -- 1. Antron Brown, 3.881 seconds, 316.60 mph vs. 16. Rob Passey, 4.562, 241.15; 2. Larry Dixon, 3.894, 314.24 vs. 15. Steve Faria, 4.528, 185.23; 3. Doug Kalitta, 3.909, 315.56 vs. 14. Steven Chrisman, 4.149, 283.61; 4. Cory McClenathan, 3.912, 312.57 vs. 13. Terry Haddock, 4.137, 283.55; 5. Tony Schumacher, 3.942, 308.07 vs. 12. David Grubnic, 4.105, 295.46; 6. Morgan Lucas, 3.980, 303.50 vs. 11. Troy Buff, 4.094, 276.29; 7. Shawn Langdon, 3.991, 308.14 vs. 10. Mike Strasburg, 4.039, 306.19; 8. Brandon Bernstein, 4.000, 306.19 vs. 9. Terry McMillen, 4.031, 290.19. Did Not Qualify: 17. Steve Torrence, 4.564, 228.34.
Funny Car -- 1. Del Worsham, Toyota Solara, 4.187, 297.75 vs. 16. Jim Head, Solara, 4.565, 257.73; 2. Ashley Force Hood, Ford Mustang, 4.195, 295.14 vs. 15. Cruz Pedregon, Solara, 4.532, 269.24; 3. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 4.217, 297.16 vs. 14. Jeff Arend, Solara, 4.314, 292.58; 4. Gary Densham, Chevy Impala, 4.220, 295.92 vs. 13. Tony Pedregon, Impala, 4.301, 287.78; 5. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.221, 291.70 vs. 12. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.289, 287.47; 6. Robert Hight, Mustang, 4.223, 300.00 vs. 11. John Force, Mustang, 4.263, 297.94; 7. Bob Bode, Chevy Impala SS, 4.238, 297.22 vs. 10. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.255, 292.90; 8. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.243, 293.66 vs. 9. Melanie Troxel, Charger, 4.250, 302.28. Did Not Qualify: 17. Jeff Diehl, 4.809, 212.73; 18. Paul Lee, 5.064, 293.22.
Pro Stock -- 1. Mike Edwards, Pontiac GXP, 6.687, 205.88 vs. 16. Rickie Jones, GXP, 6.767, 204.14; 2. Ron Krisher, Chevy Cobalt, 6.716, 205.38 vs. 15. Ronnie Humphrey, GXP, 6.766, 204.70; 3. Rodger Brogdon, GXP, 6.725, 205.16 vs. 14. V. Gaines, Dodge Avenger, 6.761, 204.57; 4. Allen Johnson, Avenger, 6.732, 204.88 vs. 13. Johnny Gray, GXP, 6.761, 204.60; 5. Greg Anderson, GXP, 6.737, 204.73 vs. 12. Vinnie Deceglie, Avenger, 6.754, 204.32; 6. Shane Gray, GXP, 6.738, 204.39 vs. 11. Greg Stanfield, GXP, 6.754, 204.45; 7. Bob Yonke, GXP, 6.745, 204.57 vs. 10. Jeg Coughlin, Cobalt, 6.751, 205.51; 8. Warren Johnson, GXP, 6.745, 204.26 vs. 9. Jason Line, GXP, 6.748, 205.07. Did Not Qualify: 17. Steve Spiess, 6.772, 203.37; 18. Larry Morgan, 6.781, 203.34; 19. Kurt Johnson, 6.785, 203.58; 20. Erica Enders, 6.793, 204.32; 21. Danny Gruninger, 6.816, 202.79; 22. Gordie Rivera, 6.821, 201.70; 23. Jim Cunningham, 6.921, 202.79; 24. John Nobile, 13.381, 62.50; 25. Justin Humphreys, 18.570, 202.85.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
 |
Click to visit our sponsor's website
FRIDAY QUALIFYING - FORCE HOOD, BROWN AND EDWARDS LEAD QUALIFYING AT LAS VEGAS
Ashley Force Hood raced to the qualifying lead in Funny Car Friday at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals.
Antron Brown and Mike Edwards also were qualifying leaders in their respective categories at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Force Hood powered her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang to a leading performance of 4.195 seconds at 295.14 mph to pace the 16-car lineup. If the performance stands through Saturday’s two qualifying sessions (11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.) it would be her first No. 1 of the season and 10th of her career.
Force Hood was quickest in both sessions as all teams had to deal with tricky track conditions brought on by some unseasonably warm temperatures in the upper 80s. She was pleased with her team’s effort.
“We are definitely very excited that we got down the track in both sessions today under power, A to B,” Force Hood said. “This is a very tricky track with the weather and it was just a matter of doing the right thing each run. It definitely helped to get the first run down because we had more data to go by for the second run. But you could see the other teams getting it figured out very quickly and by tomorrow I’m sure you’re going to see better sessions filled with full runs. I’m sure my time isn’t going to stay first, but if the conditions improve and everybody can outrun us, then that means we can improve as well and that’s kind of what we’re looking for tomorrow.”
“It’s been awhile since we were excited to run in the teens. Before that run, we were really hoping that we could break into the teens, so we’re pretty excited. These definitely aren’t typical of kinds of runs that cars make here in Vegas, but I’m sure everybody will get it figured out and by tomorrow and definitely by Sunday you’ll see better runs.”
Houston winner Matt Hagan was second with a 4.217 at 297.16 in his DieHard Dodge Charger and veteran driver Gary Densham was third with a 4.220 at 295.92.
In Top Fuel, Brown set the pace in his Matco Tools dragster, covering the distance in 3.881 at 316.60. Brown says the teams that are able to run well tomorrow will be the favorites for Sunday’s 11 a.m. eliminations.
“Tomorrow’s definitely going to show who’s going to have it on race day,” Brown said. “The first run today, the track was the hottest track that we had all year long, and on that last run, it got back into the ballpark of what we are used to seeing. The track conditions, you go from 128 degrees down to, when we ran, like 106, so the conditions definitely came back to us that last session. Everybody was still just being safe on that run to get from A to B and get in the field because that’s probably going to be the best track that we’re going to see all weekend unless the final round goes into late like it is today.”
Larry Dixon was second with a 3.894 at 314.24 in his Al-Anabi Racing dragster and Doug Kalitta was third with a 3.909 at 315.56 in his Technicoat dragster.
Edwards was quickest in Pro Stock with a performance of 6.706 at 205.47 in his Penhall/Interstate Batteries Pontiac GXP. After qualifying fifth in the first session, Edwards made an engine change and then moved back to the front of the field.
“We didn’t do a very good job the first run, that’s for sure,” Edwards said. “We did a better job with the adjustments tonight, and it really paid off. We had some issues with the motor — we changed motors between runs — but we didn’t do very good on the starting line either, so hats off to my guys because they really, really did a good job tonight. We didn’t have much to go off of because of the run the first run, but we made a lot of good changes and a lot of good adjustments and made a nice run.”
Ron Krisher took second in his Valvoline Chevy Cobalt with a 6.716 at 205.38, while Allen Johnson was third in his Team Mopar Dodge Avenger with a 6.732 at 204.88.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
 |
Click to visit our sponsor's website
Results Friday after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 11th annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, sixth of 23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Antron Brown, 3.881 seconds, 316.60 mph; 2. Larry Dixon, 3.894, 314.24; 3. Doug Kalitta, 3.909, 315.56; 4. Cory McClenathan, 3.912, 312.57; 5. Tony Schumacher, 3.942, 308.07; 6. Morgan Lucas, 3.980, 303.50; 7. Brandon Bernstein, 4.000, 306.19; 8. Mike Strasburg, 4.039, 306.19; 9. Shawn Langdon, 4.083, 297.29; 10. Terry McMillen, 4.088, 284.03; 11. David Grubnic, 4.105, 294.24; 12. Steven Chrisman, 4.149, 283.61. Not Qualified: 13. Steve Faria, 5.090, 147.41; 14. Rob Passey, 7.001, 95.92; 15. Troy Buff, 8.879, 56.53; 16. Steve Torrence, 8.960, 80.94.
Funny Car -- 1. Ashley Force Hood, Ford Mustang, 4.195, 295.14; 2. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 4.217, 297.16; 3. Gary Densham, Chevy Impala, 4.220, 295.92; 4. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.221, 291.70; 5. Robert Hight, Mustang, 4.223, 300.00; 6. Del Worsham, Toyota Solara, 4.235, 292.90; 7. Bob Bode, Chevy Impala SS, 4.238, 297.22; 8. Melanie Troxel, Charger, 4.250, 302.28; 9. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.255, 292.90; 10. John Force, Mustang, 4.263, 297.94; 11. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.290, 293.66; 12. Tony Pedregon, Impala, 4.301, 270.86. Not Qualified: 13. Paul Lee, 4.302, 293.22; 14. Cruz Pedregon, 4.371, 235.64; 15. Jeff Arend, 4.568, 248.57; 16. Jeff Diehl, 4.746, 186.95; 17. Jim Head, 5.289, 143.51; 18. Jack Beckman, 7.194, 93.98.
Pro Stock -- 1. Mike Edwards, Pontiac GXP, 6.706, 205.47; 2. Ron Krisher, Chevy Cobalt, 6.716, 205.38; 3. Allen Johnson, Dodge Avenger, 6.732, 204.88; 4. Greg Anderson, GXP, 6.737, 204.51; 5. Rodger Brogdon, GXP, 6.746, 205.13; 6. Johnny Gray, GXP, 6.761, 204.60; 7. V. Gaines, Avenger, 6.761, 204.11; 8. Jeg Coughlin, Cobalt, 6.762, 205.38; 9. Vinnie Deceglie, Avenger, 6.762, 204.32; 10. Jason Line, GXP, 6.764, 204.82; 11. Ronnie Humphrey, GXP, 6.766, 204.70; 12. Shane Gray, GXP, 6.773, 204.26. Not Qualified: 13. Rickie Jones, 6.790, 202.91; 14. Greg Stanfield, 6.793, 204.01; 15. Warren Johnson, 6.796, 203.22; 16. Bob Yonke, 6.798, 204.11; 17. Steve Spiess, 6.798, 203.09; 18. Kurt Johnson, 6.804, 203.19; 19. Justin Humphreys, 6.810, 202.85; 20. Larry Morgan, 6.811, 203.03; 21. Erica Enders, 6.812, 203.49; 22. Danny Gruninger, 6.815, 202.70; 23. Jim Cunningham, 6.865, 202.79; 24. Gordie Rivera, 6.903, 191.27; 25. John Nobile, 13.549, 62.29.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
 |
Click to visit our sponsor's website
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
 |
Click to visit our sponsor's website
