2016 NHRA MILE HIGH NATS - DENVER RESULTS
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FORCE, SCHUMACHER, JOHNSON AND HINES EARN HISTORIC VICTORIES AT MILE-HIGH NATIONALS
The two winningest drivers in their respective classes in NHRA history, John Force and Tony Schumacher, scored historic victories Sunday at the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway near Denver.
Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners at the first NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series finals in history to be televised live on a national broadcast network.
It was the first win of the season for both legendary drivers, who have earned the most world championships and victories in Funny Car and Top Fuel, respectively. They gave epic performances to the national television audience watching the finals live on FOX.
Force defeated his daughter Courtney in a close Funny Car final. In a battle between Chevy Camaros, he finished in 3.965 seconds at 319.45 mph in his Realtree Peak Antifreeze Camaro to her performance of 3.963 at 314.75 in her Traxxas Camaro.
It was the elder Force’s first win of the season, seventh at Denver and 144th of his career. Force hadn’t won a race since June 2015 in Epping, N.H.
“I didn’t have a monkey on my back, it was a gorilla,” said Force, the 16-time world champ who at age 67 becomes the oldest driver in NHRA history to win a Funny Car race.
“Let’s face it, the competition is the best I’ve ever seen,” Force continued. “It’s tough to race my little girl there and it was a close one. I can do this game. I love it. I don’t have anywhere to go. I am going to keep doing this. I want to keep building this sport.”
Force, who also made history earlier in the weekend by clocking the first three-second Funny Car run ever at Bandimere Speedway, outran Jeff Diehl, Matt Hagan and defending world champ Del Worsham to advance to the final. In the final against his daughter he said he needed to totally forget who was in the opposite lane.
“I needed this real bad,” Force said. “I told Courtney I love her, but I am giving this everything I’ve got. Let’s face it, we’ve been getting beat up lately by the Schumacher and Kalitta teams. It’s a great day to come here and look like we know what we’re doing.”
Schumacher, an eight-time world champ, also busted out of a lengthy winless streak and claimed his first win of the season, third at Denver and 82nd of his career. He outran the defending world champ, Antron Brown, in the final round with a run of 3.802 at 324.28 in the U.S. Army dragster. Brown’s Matco Tools dragster slowed near mid-track and finished in 5.199 at 144.75. Schumacher, who climbed to fifth in the points order with the victory, hadn’t won since July 2015 in Chicago.
“To win one of these trophies you have to beat some bad dudes, and we beat a bunch of them today from Doug Kalitta to Antron Brown,” said Schumacher, who outran Kalitta in round one, top qualifier Steve Torrence in the quarterfinals and Clay Millican in the semis to advance to the titan final round meeting with Brown. “I’ve enjoyed great moments in racing during my career, but coming back from a huge deficit when people have counted you out like we have done this weekend is the most satisfying to me.”
With the runner-up finish, his sixth final round of the season, Brown maintained the points lead, 57 over second place Kalitta.
In Pro Stock, Johnson continued his long run of success at Bandimere Speedway as he won the event for a record seventh time in his 10th consecutive final round appearance here, also a record in his category. He powered his Marathon Petroleum Dodge Dart to a 6.982 at 197.34 to hold off the Mountain View Tire Chevy Camaro of Vincent Nobile, which trailed with a 7.037 at 196.82.
“We stunk the place up all weekend during qualifying,” said Johnson, who raced past Drew Skillman, defending world champ Erica Enders and Summit Racing stalwart Greg Anderson to return to the final. “I wouldn’t have given us a one percent chance to win all weekend. The magic up here is just on our side for some reason. We’ve done it for Mopar all those years and now we get to do it for Marathon and Mopar.”
He said his semifinal win over Anderson was especially sweet. Anderson and points leader Jason Line, who lost in the semis to Nobile, combined to win the first 13 races of the season.
“I am sure I am speaking for everyone in the pits, but to break that juggernaut is big,” Johnson said. “We might have got a break or two along the way, but I guess that was that mountain magic. It was great to win here for all the great Denver and Mopar fans and to get the win on live TV on FOX.”
Hines became the winningest Pro Stock Motorcycle rider in history, capturing his 45th career win by outrunning teammate Eddie Krawiec in the final round. Hines took his third win of the season and fourth at this event by posting a track record time of 7.134 at 188.33 on his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson to hold off Krawiec’s Screamin’ Eagle Harley, which trailed with a 7.148 at 187.21.
It was the third consecutive final round appearance for five-time and defending world champ Hines, who defeated Scotty Pollacheck, Cory Reed and LE Tonglet to advance to the final.
“It doesn’t get much better racing up here in the mountain with the thin air requires a different setup,” said Hines, who trimmed Krawiec’s points lead to 109. “Coming back to win on the mountain, it means a lot. My team has had my motorcycle really dialed in right now. It is our third final in a row and I am just riding the wave. I don’t think I’ve ever put eight runs like that together in a weekend. The bike is such a joy to ride right now.”
The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues with the second stop of the Western Swing, the Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals next weekend at Sonoma Raceway in Northern California.
SATURDAY - TORRENCE, C. FORCE, LAUGHLIN AND HINES EARN NO. 1 QUALIFYING POSITIONS AT MILE-HIGH NATIONALS
Defending Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals Top Fuel winner Steve Torrence will try to earn his second consecutive victory on Thunder Mountain Sunday from the No. 1 qualifying position.
Courtney Force (Funny Car), Alex Laughlin (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also will lead their classes into tomorrow’s 11 a.m. eliminations as top qualifiers at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event at Bandimere Speedway near Denver. The race is the first of three consecutive weekends of racing known as the NHRA Western Swing.
Torrence claimed his seventh No. 1 of the season and 12th of his career with a track record time of 3.776 seconds at 325.14 mph from Friday in his Capco Contractors dragster. He will race legendary Chris Karamesines in round one.
“The way the car has performed has been flawless all weekend,” Torrence said. “It does give you a lot of confidence and we’re trying to catch Doug (Kalitta) and Antron (Brown) [in the Top Fuel points standings]. This is a great way to start race day and you can’t sweep the Swing unless you win the first one.”
Series points leader and two-time Denver winner Antron Brown qualified second in his Matco Tools dragster and will face Rob Passey in the first round. Richie Crampton will start third in the Lucas Oil dragster with a 3.813 at 310.27 and will meet Bill Litton in the opener.
By qualifying for this weekend’s race Brown and Kalitta became the first Top Fuel drivers to secure berths in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s six-race playoff series.
In Funny Car, Force raced to her first No. 1 of the season and 10th of her career based on her Friday track record time of 3.917 at 318.39 in her Traxxas Chevy Camaro. She was quickest in both Saturday sessions and carries a lot of momentum into her first round meeting with Jim Campbell as she pursues her second victory of the season.
“It took a lot of hard work this weekend through a lot of late nights, and I am so proud of my guys,” Force said. “It’s been a lot of fun. I am in the new Traxxas Camaro body so it’s exciting. It’s a great way to start the Western Swing by picking up eight bonus points. It’s great to see all the fans packing the stands and I am excited we were able to make all four runs and make some great passes.”
Six-time Denver winner John Force, who posted the first three-second run in track history on Friday and qualified with a 3.935 at 320.43 in his Realtree Peak Camaro, will race Jeff Diehl in the first round. Defending world champ Del Worsham qualified third with a 3.963 at 322.34 in his DHL Toyota Camry and will meet Todd Simpson in round one. Points leader Ron Capps will start 11th after posting a 4.062 at 309.84 in his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger. He will square off with teammate Matt Hagan.
In Pro Stock, second-year pro Laughlin was beaming after scoring his first career No. 1 qualifying position with a performance of 6.926 at 199.02 in his Gas Monkey Garage Chevy Camaro.
“Words can’t even describe how I feel right now,” Laughlin said. “Our team deserves it, and I want to thank everyone on this team. I am going to be tired tomorrow because I am not going to sleep tonight.”
Laughlin, a Texas native, earned his first No. 1 in only his 21st career start. He is the 62nd different Pro Stock driver to claim a No. 1 spot in NHRA history. He said he had a great feeling about his chances to go low prior to that run.
“Honestly I felt like we could get the No. 1 spot,” Laughlin said. “We have the best race car this weekend. We came up and tested last week and that made all the difference in the world. I have to thank my sponsor (Gas Monkey Garage), my dad (team owner Kenny Laughlin) and everyone at Gray Motorsports. We’ve had our highs and lows so far this year and this is the highest of the highs so far.”
Defending world champ Erica Enders qualified second with a 6.933 at 199.02 in her Elite Motorsports Dodge Dart and will race fellow Texan Chris McGaha in the opening round. Shane Gray qualified third in his Valvoline Nova Services Camaro with a 6.937 at 197.51 and will face local favorite and Colorado native Deric Kramer in round one.
Hines earned his first top qualifying effort of the season and 37th of his career in Pro Stock Motorcycle by clocking a 7.161 at 185.36 on his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson. It isfo his third No. 1 at Denver, and he will go for his fourth career Bandimere victory when he lines up beside Scotty Pollacheck in round one.
“I’ve had great success here,” Hines said. “My guys have given me a flawless motorcycle this weekend. Eddie (Krawiec, teammate) has been stealing all the No. 1s here lately and it’s nice to get a No. 1 on my side of the pit. The motorcycle is running pretty well. We are looking good for tomorrow and we tried some things today so I think we have a good tune-up for the race.”
Krawiec will start second on his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson with a 7.177 at 186.72 and he will meet Karen Stoffer in round one. Angelle Sampey qualified third on her Precision Service Equipment Buell and will race fellow veteran rider Hector Arana on his Lucas Oil Buell in the opener.
Sunday's first-round pairings for eliminations for the 37th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway, the 14th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.
Top Fuel -- 1. Steve Torrence, 3.776 seconds, 325.14 mph vs. 16. Chris Karamesines, 5.576, 122.28; 2. Antron Brown, 3.805, 305.36 vs. 15. Rob Passey, 4.959, 168.81; 3. Richie Crampton, 3.813, 310.27 vs. 14. Bill Litton, 4.606, 196.36; 4. Brittany Force, 3.813, 316.30 vs. 13. Terry McMillen, 4.284, 208.04; 5. Clay Millican, 3.815, 319.14 vs. 12. Terry Haddock, 4.278, 288.33; 6. J.R. Todd, 3.816, 316.38 vs. 11. Scott Palmer, 4.026, 290.82; 7. Shawn Langdon, 3.826, 314.02 vs. 10. Leah Pritchett, 3.866, 313.37; 8. Doug Kalitta, 3.835, 313.73 vs. 9. Tony Schumacher, 3.836, 313.07.
Funny Car -- 1. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.917, 318.39 vs. 16. Jim Campbell, Toyota Camry, 7.173, 85.88; 2. John Force, Camaro, 3.935, 320.43 vs. 15. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Solara, 6.562, 103.95; 3. Del Worsham, Camry, 3.963, 322.34 vs. 14. Todd Simpson, Camaro, 4.935, 164.13; 4. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 3.975, 318.69 vs. 13. John Hale, Dodge Charger, 4.889, 153.47; 5. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.975, 315.86 vs. 12. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.169, 281.83; 6. Jack Beckman, Charger, 3.985, 313.58 vs. 11. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.062, 309.84; 7. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.010, 316.67 vs. 10. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 4.042, 316.45; 8. Chad Head, Camry, 4.024, 312.93 vs. 9. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.029, 308.92.
Pro Stock -- 1. Alex Laughlin, Chevy Camaro, 6.926, 199.02 vs. Bye; 2. Erica Enders, Dodge Dart, 6.933, 198.03 vs. 15. Alan Prusiensky, Dart, 7.477, 192.55; 3. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.937, 198.12 vs. 14. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 7.076, 196.04; 4. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.939, 198.64 vs. 13. Deric Kramer, Dart, 7.059, 195.65; 5. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.940, 197.62 vs. 12. Richie Stevens, Dart, 7.032, 195.56; 6. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.951, 197.42 vs. 11. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.990, 196.96; 7. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.957, 197.80 vs. 10. Allen Johnson, Dart, 6.988, 197.25; 8. Jeg Coughlin, Dart, 6.979, 196.73 vs. 9. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.981, 197.45.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 7.161, 186.41 vs. 16. Scotty Pollacheck, Buell, 7.303, 183.19; 2. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 7.177, 186.72 vs. 15. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.288, 183.87; 3. Angelle Sampey, Buell, 7.178, 187.31 vs. 14. Hector Arana, Buell, 7.285, 185.56; 4. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 7.204, 184.90 vs. 13. Tyler Fisher, Suzuki, 7.278, 182.90; 5. Matt Smith, Victory, 7.209, 186.25 vs. 12. Angie Smith, Victory, 7.276, 180.79; 6. Michael Ray, Buell, 7.219, 185.82 vs. 11. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 7.244, 186.02; 7. Chip Ellis, Buell, 7.226, 186.23 vs. 10. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 7.237, 184.67; 8. Shawn Gann, Buell, 7.235, 185.92 vs. 9. Cory Reed, Buell, 7.235, 184.67.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Melissa Surber, 7.304, 183.64; 18. Michael Phillips, 7.314, 183.62; 19. Jim Underdahl, 7.379, 181.50; 20. Steve Johnson, 7.383, 182.97; 21. Mike Berry, 7.405, 180.60; 22. Lance Bonham, 7.482, 176.81; 23. Kristen Ashby, 7.721, 174.55.
C. FORCE, TORRENCE, ENDERS AND HINES LEAD FRIDAY QUALIFYING AT DENVER
Courtney Force led a parade of track record performances by racing to the Funny Car qualifying lead Friday at the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway.
Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were qualifying leaders in their respective classes at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event near Denver.
Teams in all categories took advantage of cool conditions as racing was delayed until late in the evening after a series of afternoon thunderstorms moved through the area.
Force powered her Traxxas Chevy Camaro to a track record time of 3.917 seconds at 318.39 mph to lead a quick group of Funny Cars. In the first session, her father John Force posted a milestone run when he sped to the first three-second Funny Car run in track history, a 3.959 second run at the controls of his new-look camouflage Realtree Peak Camaro.
“We were hoping to run in the threes (in the second session) after we saw my dad lay down the 3.95 in the first round,” the younger Force said. “It was definitely worth the wait (due to the rain delays). Really excited and proud of my team for giving me a fast race car. It was awesome to have such a huge crowd here late at night to see a track record run like that.”
Force said she hoped the run holds through Saturday’s two qualifying sessions (4 and 6:30 p.m.) so she can secure her first No. 1 qualifying position of the season, first at Denver and 10th of her career.
“My dad was able to run a three on both runs so I know there will be a lot of teams gunning for it tomorrow,” Force said. “It was a great show for the fans tonight and awesome that a ton of them stuck around for both sessions.”
Defending event winner Torrence set a track record time of 3.776 at 325.14 in his Capco Contractors dragster to lead Top Fuel qualifying.
"It seems like my whole team has a good handle on the mountain,” Torrence said. “It is good to come here and have the confidence going into the weekend. This place is so much different than everywhere else we race. The track is unbelievable; it always is here."
Clay Millican sits second with a 3.815 at 319.14 in his Parts Plus dragster and two-time season winner and past world champ Shawn Langdon is third in the Red Fuel dragster with a 3.826 at 310.48. Series leader Antron Brown, a two-time Denver winner, is ninth in the Matco Tools dragster with a 3.911 at 281.30.
Defending world champ Enders led Pro Stock qualifying with a 6.963 at 197.74 in her Elite Motorsports Dodge Dart.
Enders, who entered this race sitting outside the top 10 in points, said this effort couldn’t have come at a better time.
“What better place to have a turnaround weekend than here at our sponsor’s race,” Enders said. “It might surprise a lot of people because we have struggled this season, but I have the best team and I believe in them. I am so proud of our team. Our goal tomorrow is to get our race day setup going and stay consistent.”
Drew Skillman qualified second with a 6.963 at 197.74 in his Ray Skillman Auto Chevy Camaro and was followed by Alex Laughlin, who sits third with a 6.976 at 198.93 in the Gas Monkey Garage Camaro. Points leader Jason Line is 11th with a 7.028 at 196.82 in the Summit Racing Camaro after two sessions. Six-time Denver winner Allen Johnson is seventh with a 6.988 at 197.25 in his Marathon Petroleum Dart.
Five-time world champ Hines, who grew up in nearby Trinidad, Colo., paced Pro Stock Motorcycle with a track record time of 7.161 at 185.36 on his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson.
“That run was pretty good, but the first run had the potential to go significantly quicker but I missed a gear and that put me behind,” Hines said. “We made an adjustment to the engine for round two and that helped. It make a nice clean run and I was able to keep it straight. When you can do that here on the mountain it pays dividends. I hope it will hold for tomorrow. My teammate (Eddie Krawiec) has been getting a lot of green hats (for No. 1 qualifying positions) lately, so I would really like to get one for my team.”
Kraweic was second on his Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson with a 7.177 at 186.72 and Angelle Sampey was third on her Precision Service Equipment/Star Racing Buell with a 7.198 at 183.12.
Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 37th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway, 14th 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, 3.776 seconds, 325.14 mph; 2. Clay Millican, 3.815, 319.14; 3. Shawn Langdon, 3.826, 310.48; 4. Brittany Force, 3.834, 313.66; 5. Tony Schumacher, 3.836, 313.07; 6. Leah Pritchett, 3.881, 312.35; 7. Doug Kalitta, 3.893, 313.73; 8. J.R. Todd, 3.898, 311.56; 9. Antron Brown, 3.911, 281.30; 10. Richie Crampton, 4.041, 231.75; 11. Scott Palmer, 7.456, 83.81.
Funny Car -- 1. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.917, 318.39; 2. John Force, Camaro, 3.935, 320.43; 3. Del Worsham, Toyota Camry, 3.963, 322.34; 4. Robert Hight, Camaro, 4.022, 306.53; 5. Chad Head, Camry, 4.024, 312.93; 6. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 4.135, 303.91; 7. Tommy Johnson Jr., Dodge Charger, 4.136, 291.63; 8. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.169, 281.83; 9. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.175, 236.05; 10. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.444, 198.90; 11. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 4.684, 177.46; 12. Ron Capps, Charger, 6.514, 107.35.
Not Qualified: 13. Todd Simpson, 7.559, 82.32.
Pro Stock -- 1. Erica Enders, Dodge Dart, 6.963, 197.74; 2. Drew Skillman, Chevy Camaro, 6.964, 197.80; 3. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.976, 198.93; 4. Jeg Coughlin, Dart, 6.979, 196.73; 5. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.982, 198.12; 6. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.982, 197.45; 7. Allen Johnson, Dart, 6.988, 197.25; 8. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.989, 197.62; 9. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.990, 196.90; 10. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 7.025, 195.85; 11. Jason Line, Camaro, 7.028, 196.82; 12. Richie Stevens, Dart, 7.032, 195.56.
Not Qualified: 13. Deric Kramer, 7.039, 195.65; 14. Alan Prusiensky, 7.183, 192.55; 15. Chris McGaha, 7.583, 160.52.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 7.161, 186.25; 2. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 7.177, 186.72; 3. Angelle Sampey, Buell, 7.198, 186.64; 4. Matt Smith, Victory, 7.209, 186.25; 5. Chip Ellis, Buell, 7.226, 186.23; 6. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 7.244, 185.61; 7. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 7.251, 184.65; 8. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 7.256, 184.67; 9. Cory Reed, Buell, 7.262, 182.95; 10. Michael Ray, Buell, 7.273, 184.30; 11. Shawn Gann, Buell, 7.285, 184.88; 12. Hector Arana, Buell, 7.285, 184.83.
Not Qualified: 13. Angie Smith, 7.290, 180.79; 14. Michael Phillips, 7.307, 183.62; 15. Steve Johnson, 7.310, 182.97; 16. Scotty Pollacheck, 7.311, 182.85; 17. Karen Stoffer, 7.348, 182.62; 18. Melissa Surber, 7.374, 183.29; 19. Jim Underdahl, 7.423, 178.42; 20. Mike Berry, 7.444, 179.78; 21. Tyler Fisher, 7.562, 163.57; 22. Lance Bonham, 7.587, 175.57; 23. Kristen Ashby, 7.687, 174.55.
