2016 NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATS - EPPING RESULTS
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MONDAY - BROWN, CAPPS AND ANDERSON EARN VICTORIES AT NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS
Antron Brown raced to his second Top Fuel victory of the season Monday at the rain-delayed NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway.
Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) also were winners of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event near Boston.
Brown closed the gap on series points leader Doug Kalitta with a convincing victory over rival Steve Torrence in the final round. Brown powered his Matco Tools dragster to a winning performance of 3.769 seconds at 314.61 mph to hold off Torrence’s Capco Contractors machine, which trailed with a 3.778 at 325.30, in a very close finish.
It was Brown’s 56th career win and his first at New England Dragway. He earned an opening round bye as the No. 1 qualifier and then defeated Shawn Langdon and Tony Schumacher to advance to his fourth final round appearance of the season. With the victory, Brown cut Kalitta’s lead from 95 to 46 points.
“The car ran great all weekend,” said Brown, who is now 18-1 in head-to-head meetings versus Torrence. “We were fortunate to get the win. That Capco team over there is no joke. Steve is a real tough competitor and we like racing against those guys because you know they are going to give you a great race every time. We’re going home to Englishtown this weekend and we are ready for it. We’ve got to keep pushing.”
Capps scored his second win of the season, second at this event and 47th of his career by outrunning Tommy Johnson Jr. in the Funny Car final. In a battle between Dodge Chargers, Capps finished in 3.923 at 325.61 in his NAPA Auto Parts machine, just ahead of Johnson’s 3.947 at 322.11 in his Make A Wish Funny Car.
Capps NAPA Dodge was quick all weekend. He took the No. 1 qualifying position and then used a consistently quick string of 3.9-second runs during eliminations to claim round wins over Dave Richards, Courtney Force and John Force en route to the final round.
“I am proud of crew chief Rahn Tobler this weekend, he let it all hang out,” Capps said. “To be low E.T. and win the race and to win here twice is cool. How about the fans that showed up today – who cut work and cut school to see some of the racing they saw today, you won’t see that every weekend. There were some nail-biters out there, including that final round. It was a fun day. We knocked off some big cars today and made a big jump in the points. I am proud of Tobler and the whole team.”
Capps, a self-described Funny Car junkie, said winning this event during two significant golden anniversary celebrations is one he will always cherish.
“I love coming here,” said Capps, who with the victory moved from sixth to third in the series points standings. “As a kid I remember reading about this place in National Dragster magazine. It’s been a dream to win here for the second time. It’s huge. There’s so many old school Funny Cars here on display this weekend. To be the guy that wins New England Dragway during the 50th anniversary of Funny Car is only fitting because I love ‘em. I love the nostalgia series. I love driving them. I feel like I was born 25 years too late.”
In Pro Stock, Anderson claimed his fourth win of the season and second straight at this event when he sped past final round opponent Allen Johnson. Anderson covered the distance in 6.598 at 210.44 in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro to hold off Johnson’s charging Marathon Petroleum Dodge Dart, which left the starting line first but finished second with a 6.673 at 208.71. It is the ninth straight final round appearance of the season for Anderson and series leader Jason Line’s KB Racing team and Anderson’s 82nd career victory.
“It’s been a great start to the year,” said Anderson, who defeated V. Gaines, Alex Laughlin and Line in early rounds. “This team is on fire. It’s a dream to drive that race car. I love racing here. It feels like racing back home in Minnesota. I had the best car on the grounds this weekend and only I could’ve screwed it up, and fortunately I got the job done today.”
The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues June 9-12 with the NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J.
SUNDAY - NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS POSTPONED UNTIL MONDAY, JUNE 6
NHRA officials postponed eliminations for the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway until Monday June 6, following a day of lengthy rain delays. Officials worked during the course of the day to dry the track but intermittent and steady rains forced the postponement.
Racing will resume at 11 a.m. on Monday with Top Fuel taking to the track to start the day. The schedule for Monday will remain the same as Sunday.
Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), and Jason Line (Pro Stock) are the No. 1 qualifiers as eliminations begin on Monday.
NHRA All Access coverage will begin at 11 a.m. ET. Television coverage of the event is scheduled to air on FOX Sports 1 at 3 p.m. ET.
If a customer cannot attend the rescheduled event, the ticket holder must retain the ticket(s) for use toward ticket purchase for next year's event. Customer is responsible for any difference due to price increases, account fees, etc.
SATURDAY - BROWN, CAPPS AND LINE LEAD THEIR RESPECTIVE CATEGORIES HEADING INTO SUNDAY ELIMINATIONS
Defending Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown claimed his first No.1 qualifier of the season on Saturday in front of a sold out crowd at the NHRA New England Nationals.
Ron Capps (Funny Car), and Jason Line (Pro Stock) will also lead their categories into eliminations at the ninth race of the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.
Brown set an elapsed time track record piloting his Matco Tools dragster to a 3.701 second pass at 319.07 mph in the final round of qualifying to jump from the fifth spot at New England Dragway near Boston.
“We’re getting to where we want to be at and that’s a plus,” said Brown, a two time world champion, “We just want to make sure that we peak at the right time.”
Steve Torrence, who led qualifying until the final round, is second and will face Smax Smith. Already a two time winner this season, Brittany Force will line up against Todd Patton and nine-time world champion Tony Schumacher heads to the first round of eliminations against Australia native Richie Crampton. Top Fuel points leader Doug Kalitta sits in sixth and will face Terry McMillen in the first round.
Capps’ elapsed time track record pass of 3.865 pass at 325.92 in his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T from Friday held up through the final sessions to earn him his second No. 1 qualifier of the season, 19th of his career.
“The confidence is great and you feel like you’ve got a great race car and we’ve made four great runs and you just don’t want to mess up,” said Capps. “I’ve got to drive it like we’re David and not Goliath tomorrow.”
Capps, who won the season opener in Pomona, Calif., will face Dave Richards in round one of eliminations.
Matt Hagan, who has won the past two races, qualified second and will match up against John Hale. Tommy Johnson, Jr. is third and 16-time world champion John Force is in fourth.
JFR teammates Robert Hight and category points leader Courtney Force will face off in the first round as will Kalitta Motorsports teammates Del Worsham and Alexis DeJoria.
Line secured his fourth No. 1 qualifier of the season, 45th of his career and first at New England Dragway. His 6.567 pass at 211.13 in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro from Friday held up against the two qualifying sessions and matches him against John Gaydosh for the first round.
“There’s a lot of fast cars right now,” said Line. “We’re going to have to dig deep tomorrow, that’s for sure.”
Line has qualified within the top two at every event this year, hasn’t missed a final round appearance, and claimed five victories. Ken Black Racing teammate Bo Butner held onto the No. 2 spot and will face Kenny Delco. Vincent Nobile is in third and matches up against Drew Skillman. Greg Anderson made a jump from the 12th spot to fourth in the final round of eliminations
Eliminations for the NHRA New England Nationals begin Sunday at 11 a.m.
Sunday's first-round pairings for eliminations for the Fourth annual NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway, the ninth 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. Antron Brown, 3.701 seconds, 319.07 mph vs. Bye; 2. Steve Torrence, 3.710, 326.48 vs. 13. Smax Smith, 4.331, 265.33; 3. Brittany Force, 3.729, 327.19 vs. 12. Todd Paton, 3.935, 310.34; 4. Tony Schumacher, 3.743, 325.61 vs. 11. Richie Crampton, 3.846, 308.85; 5. Clay Millican, 3.744, 324.90 vs. 10. Leah Pritchett, 3.819, 320.20; 6. Doug Kalitta, 3.767, 328.30 vs. 9. Terry McMillen, 3.807, 320.97; 7. Shawn Langdon, 3.779, 322.88 vs. 8. J.R. Todd, 3.779, 323.58.
Funny Car -- 1. Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 3.865, 325.92 vs. 16. Dave Richards, Ford Mustang, 4.239, 299.86; 2. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.868, 329.75 vs. 15. John Hale, Charger, 4.100, 285.17; 3. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 3.885, 326.95 vs. 14. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Solara, 4.074, 286.80; 4. John Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.886, 329.75 vs. 13. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 3.978, 318.77; 5. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.890, 330.63 vs. 12. Chad Head, Toyota Camry, 3.942, 320.20; 6. Jack Beckman, Charger, 3.895, 329.99 vs. 11. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 3.941, 314.09; 7. Del Worsham, Camry, 3.909, 324.90 vs. 10. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 3.928, 321.50; 8. Courtney Force, Camaro, 3.915, 327.27 vs. 9. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.919, 329.26.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Mike Smith, 4.517, 213.74.
Pro Stock -- 1. Jason Line, Chevy Camaro, 6.567, 211.13 vs. 14. John Gaydosh Jr, Chevrolet Camaro, broke; 2. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.568, 210.90 vs. 13. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.684, 207.69; 3. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.573, 210.11 vs. 12. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.676, 207.78; 4. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.584, 210.70 vs. 11. V. Gaines, Dodge Dart, 6.671, 208.68; 5. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.587, 209.82 vs. 10. Erica Enders, Dart, 6.631, 209.56; 6. Allen Johnson, Dart, 6.593, 209.46 vs. 9. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.622, 209.43; 7. Jeg Coughlin, Dart, 6.599, 208.94 vs. 8. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.605, 209.75.
CAPPS, TORRENCE AND LINE LEAD QUALIFYING FRIDAY AT NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS
Ron Capps set a track record and raced to the qualifying lead in Funny Car on Friday at the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway.
Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), and Jason Line (Pro Stock) were qualifying leaders in their respective categories at the ninth event of 24 in the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series near Boston.
Capps powered his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T to an elapsed time record of 3.865 seconds at 325.92 mph in the first session of qualifying. The track record is the second quickest time in Funny Car history. Capps, who is in pursuit of his second No. qualifier of the season, 19th of his career, won this event in 2014.
“This is a fantastic track,” Capps said. “I think that run will be broken and hopefully it’s by our NAPA team but I think several cars are going to run better we could see three or four cars run quicker.”
Matt Hagan, who has two consecutive wins this season in Atlanta and Topeka, is in the second qualifying position after running the fourth quickest Funny Car pass in category history. Tommy Johnson Jr. is in the third position and 16-time world champion John Force is in fourth.
Torrence, who improved from eighth in the first qualifying session, piloted his Capco Contractors/Torrence Racing dragster to an elapsed time track record of 3.710 at 325.92 in session two. He will be looking for his fifth No. 1 qualifier on Saturday.
“I’m really happy with the way things have gone,” said Torrence, winner of the season opening race in Pomona, Calif. “I did not think that .71 would stay low for the night. I’m fortunate and happy to be here.”
Brittany Force, who has victories in Gainesville, Fla., and in Charlotte, N.C., is in the second position and eight time champion Tony Schumacher sits below her heading into the third qualifying session. Top Fuel points leader Doug Kalitta is in sixth after the first day of racing.
Line continues his successful start to the season racing his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro to a 6.567 pass at 211.13 in the second session for the qualifying lead. Line, who improved from the third spot, is en route to his fourth No. 1 qualifier of the season.
“We have a ways to go, all the other cars are running good they’ve gained on us for sure so we’ve got work to do,” said Line.
Line’s Ken Black Racing teammate Bo Butner sits in the second position and Vincent Nobile is in third.
Qualifying for the NHRA New England Nationals will continue Saturday at 2 p.m.
Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the fourth annual NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway, the ninth 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, 3.710 seconds, 325.92 mph; 2. Brittany Force, 3.729, 327.19; 3. Tony Schumacher, 3.743, 325.61; 4. Clay Millican, 3.744, 324.90; 5. Antron Brown, 3.764, 293.60; 6. Doug Kalitta, 3.767, 326.71; 7. Shawn Langdon, 3.779, 322.34; 8. J.R. Todd, 3.781, 323.58; 9. Leah Pritchett, 3.819, 320.20; 10. Richie Crampton, 3.846, 308.85; 11. Todd Paton, 4.121, 229.98; 12. Smax Smith, 4.331, 265.33. Not Qualified: 13. Terry McMillen, 6.271, 109.46.
Funny Car -- 1. Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 3.865, 325.92; 2. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.868, 329.75; 3. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 3.885, 326.95; 4. John Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.886, 329.75; 5. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 3.890, 330.63; 6. Jack Beckman, Charger, 3.895, 329.99; 7. Del Worsham, Toyota Camry, 3.909, 324.90; 8. Courtney Force, Camaro, 3.915, 317.12; 9. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 3.928, 321.04; 10. Chad Head, Camry, 3.942, 320.20; 11. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 3.979, 294.88; 12. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 3.985, 310.84. Not Qualified: 13. Dave Richards, 4.315, 229.39; 14. John Hale, 4.467, 198.23; 15. Mike Smith, 6.076, 98.93; 16. Robert Hight, 6.957, 94.62.
Pro Stock -- 1. Jason Line, Chevy Camaro, 6.567, 211.13; 2. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.568, 210.77; 3. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.573, 210.05; 4. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.587, 209.26; 5. Allen Johnson, Dodge Dart, 6.593, 209.46; 6. Jeg Coughlin, Dart, 6.599, 208.65; 7. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.611, 209.75; 8. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.622, 209.43; 9. Erica Enders, Dart, 6.631, 209.56; 10. V. Gaines, Dart, 6.671, 208.07; 11. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.676, 207.78; 12. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.712, 193.13. Not Qualified: 13. Greg Anderson, 6.747, 179.09; 14. John Gaydosh Jr, 6.894, 181.69.
