2016 NHRA U.S. NATIONALS - INDY RESULTS
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MONDAY - SCHUMACHER, HAGAN, MCGAHA AND HINES VICTORIOUS AT PRESTIGIOUS U.S. NATIONALS; COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP SET
Tony Schumacher sprinted to victory on Labor Day at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.
Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Chris McGaha (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners in their respective categories at the 18th event of 24 on the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule. The Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals was the final race of the regular season.
Schumacher claimed his 82nd career win when he powered his U.S. Army dragster to a 3.806-second pass at 317.64 mph to beat Steve Torrence’s 3.803 at 325.06 in his Capco Contractors / Torrence Racing dragster during the final round on Monday. The winningest Top Fuel driver in NHRA Top Fuel history also became the winningest driver in Lucas Oil Raceway history by tallying his 10th career victory at the venerable track. Schumacher outran Tripp Tatum, reigning world champ Antron Brown and Sonoma, Calif., event winner J.R. Todd in the earlier rounds before facing Torrence.
“I didn’t see (Steve Torrence) for one second but I heard him,” said Schumacher. “It was a great final round, live on FOX and I had my chance to win my 10th at Indy. The fans got a close race. It’s been such a great career and it’s been so much fun. I’ve had great teams, one after another, and it’s a blessing to be a part of this and have a chance. I love my job and I love drag racing cars.”
Schumacher, who also won the Top Fuel portion of the lucrative NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootout this weekend, will enter the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship six-race playoff as the No. 4 seed.
Torrence, competing in his sixth final round of the season, beat Bruce Litton, Shawn Langdon and Doug Kalitta in the earlier rounds. He is a three-time runner-up at Indianapolis and has two wins so far this season, which came at Pomona, Calif., and Englishtown, N.J. Torrence will enter the Countdown as the third seed.
Leah Pritchett, driver of the Papa John’s dragster, clinched the 10th and final spot in the Countdown to the Championship after Terry McMillen redlighted in the first round in his Amalie Motor Oil dragster. Pritchett, who also lost in the first round, had a one-point lead over McMillen entering eliminations.
Hagan pushed his Mopar / Rocky Boots Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car to a 3.964 at 327.43 to better reigning world champion Del Worsham’s 3.958 at 324.20 in his DHL / Mello Yello Toyota Camry. This is Hagan’s 21st career win and first at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals. The two-time world champ has three wins so far this season and enters the playoffs as the third seed. Hagan sprinted past John Bojec, Robert Hight and Tommy Johnson Jr. en route to making his fifth final round appearance of the season.
“It’s incredible,” said Hagan. “This is something for the last nine years that I’ve been driving for Don Schumacher Racing we have been trying to accomplish and it’s not an easy task. I have the parts and pieces and people around me, especially (crew chief) Dickie Venables. I’m just proud to be a part of it. The fans got what they paid for today. I’m tickled to death to be up here right now. This is something that I’ve wanted to check off for a long time.”
Worsham, who won four of the six Countdown races last year en route to his first Funny Car world championship, beat Alexis DeJoria, Dave Richards and points leader Ron Capps in the earlier rounds. Worsham has one win this season and enters the Countdown in the No. 2 slot.
Alexis DeJoria, driver of the Tequila Patron Toyota Camry, clinched the final Funny Car spot when Chad Head lost to Capps in the second round.
In Pro Stock, McGaha tallied his first win in 2016 by racing his Harlow Sammons of Odessa Chevy Camaro to a 6.688 at 207.15 to defeat Allen Johnson’s 6.715 at 207.09 in his Marathon Petroleum Dodge Dart. McGaha, who was the runner-up at Phoenix earlier this year, has four wins in his career. This was his first final round appearance at Indianapolis. The Texan will enter the Countdown as the No. 7 seed. He outlasted Matt Hartford, Curt Steinbach and two-time 2016 runner-up Vincent Nobile en route to the final round.
“We got to keep doing what we were doing today,” said McGaha about his chances of winning the championship. “If we keep doing what we were doing today, we’ll definitely have a shot. I botched a lot of runs along the way. We shouldn’t even be in seventh. Between tire shaking and making bad calls and flat getting our butt kicked, we should be a lot higher. It’s not impossible at this point. Just got to keep winning.”
Johnson, making his third final round appearance of the season, raced past Brainerd winner Drew Skillman, seven-time 2016 event winner Greg Anderson and Shane Gray in the earlier rounds.
Gray, McGaha, back-to-back world champ Erica Enders and five-time world champ Jeg Coughlin penciled their names into the final four Countdown to the Championship spots in Pro Stock.
Hines took over the Pro Stock Motorcycle points lead by riding his Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson to a 6.682 at 194.63 in the final round to beat Hector Arana Jr., who redlighted on his Lucas Oil Buell. He earned his 47th career win, fifth of the 2016 season and second at Lucas Oil Raceway with the effort. The winningest Pro Stock Motorcycle racer in NHRA history beat rookie Melissa Surber, alligator farmer Jerry Savoie and Sonoma winner LE Tonglet in the earlier rounds.
“I’ve had a good motorcycle as of late, but it hasn’t been qualifying well,” said Hines, a five-time Pro Stock Motorcycle champion. “I knew the potential of my Harley. I knew I had a bike that could go rounds and we just had to pick on it here and there. We’re getting closer to something that will work for us in the heat. We got to the final round and figured out the tune-up that needed to be in there. I’m happy I made my best run of the weekend in the final round.”
Arana Jr. made his first final round appearance of the season by riding past Michael Ray, Chip Ellis and rookie Cory Reed in the first three rounds. The 2011 Indianapolis winner will head into the playoffs as the No. 7 seed.
LE Tonglet, Chip Ellis, Hector Arana Sr., Matt Smith and Reed all clinched spots into the Countdown to the Championship.
The 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will continue with the NHRA Carolina Nationals, Sept. 16-18, at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, N.C. The event is the first race of the six-race NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
SUNDAY - C. FORCE WINS FUNNY CAR PORTION OF NHRA TRAXXAS NITRO SHOOTOUT; HAGAN, MILLICAN, BUTNER AND SAMPEY RACE TO NO. 1 QUALIFIERS IN INDIANAPOLIS
Courtney Force won the lucrative Funny Car portion of the NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootout and Matt Hagan secured the No. 1 qualifier Sunday at the 62nd annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.
Clay Millican (Top Fuel), Bo Butner (Pro Stock) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories at the 18th event of 24 on the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule. The Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals is the final race of the regular season.
Force sprinted to a $100,000 payday in her Traxxas Chevy Camaro SS by posting a 4.018-second pass at 266.04 mph to defeat teammate Robert Hight’s 4.596 at 180.09 at the controls of his Auto Club of Southern California Chevy Camaro SS during the final round of the specialty event.
This is Force’s first final round appearance at the NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootout and her fifth time in the event. She entered as the No. 2 seed with her Houston victory. She outlasted Alexis DeJoria and Matt Hagan in the earlier rounds before facing Hight.
“I went out today with the mindset of calm and relaxed,” said Force, daughter of 16-time Funny Car world champ John Force. “We got that run in last night and that was huge. It qualified us for fourth so my guys got me into today not thinking about a qualifying run which is huge for a race like this. To win an event like this in front of all these fans in Indiana is huge for our team. To be able to outrun Robert and get that win is a big one for our Traxxas team.”
Hight, who experienced a massive engine explosion that destroyed the body of his Chevy Camaro during Saturday’s second qualifying session, made his third consecutive runner-up finish at the NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootout. He beat Tommy Johnson Jr. in the opening round and was then set to race Ron Capps in the second, but Capps’ parachutes failed to release in the shutoff area during his first round sprint. Capps’ Napa Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T went into the sandpit and flipped upside down before being caught by the safety net. He exited the racecar unharmed but was unable to race Hight in the second round.
Hagan’s Friday night performance of 3.858 at 330.80 in his Mopar / Rocky Boots Dodge Charger R/T propelled him to the No. 1 spot in Funny Car qualifying for the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals. His time was a Lucas Oil Raceway track record. Hagan earned the 25th No. 1 qualifier of his career and fourth of the season with the effort. He will meet John Bojec in the opening round of eliminations.
“I didn’t think it was going to stick, but I’m glad it did,” said Hagan, who is chasing his first win at the Big Go. “I was surprised to see that .85-second pass was still it. That’s racing. Everybody is swinging for the fence and digging deep and sometimes you miss it. We’ll get focused for tomorrow. Woke up this morning with a sore throat and running a fever but whether you got a cold or not, you got to get in the racecar focused.”
Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T pilot Jack Beckman is third with a 3.859 at a track record speed of 333.08. The 2012 Funny Car world champion will race Dave Richards in the opening round. Points leader Capps is third with a 3.861 at 325.30 in his Napa Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T and is matched with Bob Bode. In fourth is Courtney Force, who will go heads up with Jim Campbell in the first round.
In Top Fuel, Millican was able to stay in the No. 1 spot through Sunday with his Saturday night performance of 3.692 at 316.82 in his Parts Plus / Great Clips dragster. His time is a track record. This is Millican’s fourth career No. 1 qualifier and first of the season. He is pursuing his first career victory. Millican will race Terry McMillen Monday morning.
“This is an incredible group that we have together that makes this thing go,” said Millican. “I’m the one everyone talks to but the truth is it is all those young men that work on the car. It is really a proud moment for this small team to be able to go out here and be the No. 1 qualifier at the U.S. Nationals. This is my fourth No. 1 qualifier with the NHRA but this is certainly the biggest one, no doubt about it.”
Steve Torrence is second in his Capco Contractors dragster with a 3.702 at 328.06.The two-time 2016 event winner will battle Indianapolis local Bruce Litton in the first round. Brittany Force is third in her Monster Energy dragster and will meet Pat Dakin Monday morning. Schumacher and reigning world champ Antron Brown are fourth and fifth, respectively.
McMillen and 10th place qualifier Leah Pritchett, driver of the Papa John’s dragster, are in a heated points battle for the 10th and final place in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. Pritchett enters Monday’s eliminations with a one-point lead over McMillen, who drives the Amalie Motor Oil dragster.
Bo Butner pushed his Jim Butner Auto Chevy Camaro to the top spot in Pro Stock with a 6.571 at 210.24, claiming the third No. 1 of his career. He has notched four runner-up finishes this year, the most recent coming in Sonoma, Calif. Butner will race Curt Steinbach in the first round of eliminations.
“Hopefully we will get some of this hometown love,” said Butner, who is from Floyds Knob, Ind. “We have a very fast car and we’ve had a very fast car all year long. This is the toughest class ever and it’s hard to win. You have to have a little luck and some breaks but I feel good about this weekend so I think we’ll maybe finish it up like we need to and win.”
Greg Anderson qualified second in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro with a 6.576 at 209.92. Anderson, a six-time Indianapolis winner, has seven wins in eleven final round appearances this season and currently sits second in points. He will go head-to-head with five-time world champ Jeg Coughlin to open eliminations.
Shane Gray, the Chicago No. 1 qualifier, is third and is matched with two-time and reigning world champion Erica Enders. Enders is the defending event winner.
Vincent Nobile, a two-time 2016 runner-up, is fourth and will race Deric Kramer, while seven-time 2016 winner Jason Line is fifth and paired with Seattle winner Aaron Strong.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Sampey rode her Star Racing / Precision Service Equipment Buell to the 48th No. 1 qualifier of her career with a 6.812 at 196.62. She set the elapsed time track record with the pass. This is her third No. 1 qualifier of 2016 and fifth ever at Lucas Oil Raceway. Sampey won this race back-to-back in 2001 and 2002. She will go up against 2009 event winner Hector Arana in the first round.
“When they told me I ran an .81 I lost it down there like I had won the race,” said Sampey, who won earlier this year in Englishtown, N.J., to claim her first victory since 2007. “I was hootin’ and hollerin’ because I didn’t expect it. I was very proud of my team and very proud of myself because I did a very good job of driving it that run, which usually doesn’t happen every single run.”
Alligator farmer Jerry Savoie qualified second with a 6.841 at 195.19 on his White Alligator Racing Suzuki. The defending Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals champion is paired with Scott Pollacheck in the opening round.
Eddie Krawiec is third on his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson and will race Karen Stoffer Monday morning. Chip Ellis is fourth and matched with Jim Underdahl while Hector Arana Jr. is fifth and will battle Michael Ray.
Eliminations for the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals will begin Monday at 11 a.m. at Lucas Oil Raceway.
Monday's first-round pairings for eliminations for the 62nd annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway Park at Indianapolis, the 18th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Sunday. DNQs listed below pairings.
Top Fuel -- 1. Clay Millican, 3.692 seconds, 318.77 mph vs. 16. Terry McMillen, 3.895, 316.45; 2. Steve Torrence, 3.702, 328.62 vs. 15. Bruce Litton, 3.829, 319.14; 3. Brittany Force, 3.706, 326.00 vs. 14. Pat Dakin, 3.799, 311.70; 4. Tony Schumacher, 3.717, 330.31 vs. 13. Tripp Tatum, 3.796, 326.00; 5. Antron Brown, 3.725, 326.00 vs. 12. T.J. Zizzo, 3.772, 319.82; 6. Doug Kalitta, 3.726, 328.54 vs. 11. Richie Crampton, 3.772, 324.90; 7. Shawn Langdon, 3.731, 327.11 vs. 10. Leah Pritchett, 3.738, 329.75; 8. Morgan Lucas, 3.732, 326.63 vs. 9. J.R. Todd, 3.734, 319.37.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Wayne Newby, 3.897, 308.85; 18. Terry Haddock, 4.009, 299.86; 19. Chris Karamesines, 4.662, 165.78; 20. Luigi Novelli, 4.820, 305.29.
Funny Car -- 1. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.858, 330.80 vs. 16. John Bojec, Toyota Solara, 4.136, 299.86; 2. Jack Beckman, Charger, 3.859, 333.08 vs. 15. Dave Richards, Ford Mustang, 4.103, 310.84; 3. Ron Capps, Charger, 3.861, 325.30 vs. 14. Bob Bode, Solara, 4.095, 310.77; 4. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.867, 327.66 vs. 13. Jim Campbell, Charger, 3.977, 315.56; 5. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 3.868, 329.99 vs. 12. John Hale, Charger, 3.969, 478.89; 6. John Force, Camaro, 3.872, 329.58 vs. 11. Chad Head, Toyota Camry, 3.953, 325.92; 7. Del Worsham, Camry, 3.874, 328.86 vs. 10. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 3.945, 325.45; 8. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.881, 330.31 vs. 9. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.914, 328.46.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Cruz Pedregon, 4.753, 222.99; 18. Justin Schriefer, 5.881, 276.58; 19. Tim Gibbons, broke.
Pro Stock -- 1. Bo Butner, Chevy Camaro, 6.571, 210.24 vs. 16. Curt Steinbach, Camaro, 6.674, 206.13; 2. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.576, 209.92 vs. 15. Jeg Coughlin, Dodge Dart, 6.659, 207.82; 3. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.577, 209.52 vs. 14. Erica Enders, Dart, 6.648, 208.14; 4. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.582, 210.31 vs. 13. Deric Kramer, Dart, 6.640, 208.07; 5. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.593, 209.88 vs. 12. Aaron Strong, Camaro, 6.634, 208.23; 6. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.598, 209.62 vs. 11. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.633, 208.30; 7. Allen Johnson, Dart, 6.610, 208.71 vs. 10. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.626, 209.46; 8. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.612, 208.94 vs. 9. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.624, 208.88.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Alan Prusiensky, 6.703, 206.10; 18. John Gaydosh Jr, 6.714, 205.98; 19. Shane Tucker, 6.752, 207.02.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Angelle Sampey, Buell, 6.812, 197.02 vs. 16. Hector Arana, Buell, 6.918, 195.11; 2. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.841, 196.85 vs. 15. Scotty Pollacheck, Buell, 6.913, 195.34; 3. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.848, 195.00 vs. 14. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.907, 194.83; 4. Chip Ellis, Buell, 6.849, 196.53 vs. 13. Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 6.897, 195.39; 5. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.853, 196.04 vs. 12. Michael Ray, Buell, 6.887, 194.80; 6. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 6.860, 196.44 vs. 11. Matt Smith, Victory, 6.876, 193.52; 7. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.864, 195.31 vs. 10. Melissa Surber, Buell, 6.875, 194.38; 8. Cory Reed, Buell, 6.868, 196.07 vs. 9. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.872, 195.56.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Mark Paquette, 6.962, 194.07; 18. Joey Gladstone, 7.018, 193.49; 19. Angie Smith, 7.038, 191.59; 20. Kristen Ashby, 7.275, 183.77; 21. Lance Bonham, 7.606, 180.96; 22. Joe DeSantis, 8.551, 190.40; 23. Anthony Vanetti, broke.
SCHUMACHER WINS TRAXXAS NITRO SHOOTOUT; MILLICAN, HAGAN, NOBILE AND SAVOIE LEAD QUALIFYING SATURDAY AT THE BIG GO
Tony Schumacher won the Top Fuel portion of the NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootout and Clay Millican raced to the qualifying lead in the same category on Saturday at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.
Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were qualifying leaders in their respective categories at the 18th event of 24 on the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule. The Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals is the final race of the regular season.
Schumacher, an eight-time world champion, powered his U.S. Army dragster to a 3.717-second pass at 328.86 mph to beat Leah Pritchett’s 3.738 at 317.05 in her Papa John’s dragster. Schumacher earned his second career NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootout victory with the win. Schumacher, who won in Denver and entered the specialty event as the No. 5 seed, claimed a $100,000 prize. He outlasted Brittany Force and Antron Brown in the earlier rounds before facing Pritchett.
“It takes the points and what we work on all year long and gets rid of that,” said Schumacher. “It is just ‘Here is a pile of money and just go be a machine.’ It makes it a lot on you. You come to the biggest race of the year, the Big Go, and have this thrown in the middle of it is fantastic.
“It is a magical place here in Indy,” Schumacher continued. “This is actually the 11th time (I’ve won an event here) – two Shootouts and nine (event) wins. This is just something special and I’m sure glad it is here.”
Pritchett entered the NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootout as the No. 7 seed after winning her first career race in Phoenix earlier this season. She beat Doug Kalitta and Shawn Langdon in the earlier rounds. She received $15,000 as a runner-up prize.
Millican set the Lucas Oil Raceway elapsed time track record with a 3.692 at 316.82 in his Great Clips / Parts Plus dragster to take the Top Fuel qualifying lead in the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals. Millican has three No. 1 qualifiers in his career and is searching for his first career win.
“The crazy thing is – it’s one of those could’ve, should’ve, would’ve – the car actually quit before the finish line,” Millican said. “It hurt a piston. It probably could’ve went even quicker, but forget all of that. It’s the first 3.6-second run at the U.S. Nationals and that’s something that can’t be taken away from us. A No. 1 qualifier certainly could be tomorrow. There’s two runs left and I’m hoping we stay No. 1.”
Steve Torrence, a two-time 2016 event winner, is second in his Capco Contractors dragster with a 3.702 at 328.06. Brittany Force is third with a 3.706 at 326.00 in her Monster Energy dragster. Schumacher and reigning world champ Antron Brown are fourth and fifth, respectively.
Hagan used his Friday night performance of 3.858 at 330.80 in his Mopar / Rocky Boots Dodge Charger R/T to retain his qualifying lead in Funny Car. The two-time world champion set the Lucas Oil Raceway elapsed time track record with the pass. Hagan has 24 top qualifiers in his career and has sprinted to three this season, including one two weeks ago in Brainerd, Minn. He is a three-time No. 1 qualifier at Indianapolis but has never won the event.
“It’s pretty amazing that we stayed No. 1,” said Hagan. “I really thought that the track was good out there and we were running a little bit later so to stay No. 1 is surprising but obviously we made a great run last night and we were able to stand on that, so that’s pretty impressive. We have a lot of great racecars out there but we have a fast racecar ourselves. I’m looking forward to tomorrow and the Traxxas Shootout. We have a lot of big rounds ahead of us.”
Jack Beckman, the 2012 Funny Car world champion, is second in his Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T with a 3.859 at a track record speed of 333.08. Points leader Ron Capps is third with a 3.861 at 325.30 in his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T. In fourth is Courtney Force and fifth is Tommy Johnson Jr.
The Funny Car portion of the NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootout, which boasts a $100,000 purse, will take place on Sunday at Lucas Oil Raceway. Capps will race John Force; Courtney is paired with Alexis DeJoria; Hagan will battle Tim Wilkerson; and Robert Hight will go up against Johnson Jr.
In Pro Stock, Nobile held on to his qualifying lead with the 6.582 at 209.79 he posted Friday night at the controls of his Mountain View Tire Chevy Camaro. Nobile has six No. 1 qualifiers in his career and two in 2016.
“My car is the fastest Pro Stock car in the pits right now,” said Nobile. “We made three really good runs. I’ve never had such a fast, consistent racecar in my entire career. To make another No. 1 run in the third session is just amazing.”
Chicago No. 1 qualifier Shane Gray is currently second in his Valvoline / Nova Services Chevy Camaro with a 6.589 at 209.36. Gray won at Indy in 2014.
Six-time Indianapolis winner Greg Anderson was bumped to the third spot with a 6.593 at 209.72 in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro. Anderson is second in points with seven wins this year. In fourth is Bo Butner and in fifth is Texan Alex Laughlin.
Aaron Strong raced Nobile in the third qualifying session to decide the rain-delayed Seattle final round. Strong cruised to victory in his A&J Furniture Chevy Camaro after Nobile left the starting line early. Strong claimed his first career win in only his eighth career Pro Stock race. He claimed his first career round win against Greg Anderson, then went on to beat reigning world champ Erica Enders and Butner before meeting Nobile in the final.
“When we changed to Pro Stock, it was a major undertaking,” said Strong. “We would’ve loved to do it at home with all of the fans supporting us there. It was pretty loud and crazy at Seattle. I was okay coming here and doing it in Indy. Indy has always been on my bucket list. I was excited to just go to a final and come to Indy.”
Savoie rode his White Alligator Racing Suzuki to a 6.841 at 195.19 to maintain his No. 1 qualifying position in Pro Stock Motorcycle. The Louisiana alligator farmer has five No. 1 qualifiers in his career. Savoie is the reigning Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals champion and claimed runner-up finishes at this event in 2014 and 2011.
“We’ve been struggling this weekend with a couple of issues and really haven’t made a clean pass yet,” Savoie said. “The first hit today, we bogged it a little bit. The second run was fairly decent but still should’ve gone .81. We just try to be consistent and consistency wins.”
Angelle Sampey, the winningest female racer in NHRA history, moved to the second spot with a 6.851 at 194.52 on her Star Racing / Precision Service Equipment Buell. Sampey, who claimed her first victory since 2007 earlier this year at Englishtown, N.J., is a two-time Indianapolis winner.
Points leader Eddie Krawiec and his teammate Andrew Hines, who is second in points, are qualified third and fourth, respectively, on their Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson. Krawiec and Hines both have one win here at the Big Go.
Rookie Cory Reed is fifth and LE Tonglet, who won earlier this year at Sonoma and secured his spot in the Countdown to the Championship on Friday, is sixth.
Qualifying for the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals will conclude Sunday with sessions at 11:15 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and set the field for Sunday’s 11 a.m. eliminations.
Saturday's results after the first three of five rounds of qualifying for the 62nd annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway Park at Indianapolis, 18th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Sunday for Monday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Clay Millican, 3.692 seconds, 318.77 mph; 2. Steve Torrence, 3.702, 328.54; 3. Brittany Force, 3.706, 326.00; 4. Tony Schumacher, 3.717, 330.31; 5. Antron Brown, 3.725, 326.00; 6. Doug Kalitta, 3.726, 324.67; 7. Shawn Langdon, 3.731, 327.11; 8. Morgan Lucas, 3.732, 326.63; 9. J.R. Todd, 3.734, 319.37; 10. Leah Pritchett, 3.738, 329.75; 11. Richie Crampton, 3.772, 319.52; 12. T.J. Zizzo, 3.772, 319.82.
Not Qualified: 13. Tripp Tatum, 3.785, 326.00; 14. Terry McMillen, 3.796, 316.45; 15. Wayne Newby, 3.819, 300.00; 16. Bruce Litton, 3.824, 319.14; 17. Luigi Novelli, 3.898, 305.29; 18. Pat Dakin, 4.091, 218.30; 19. Terry Haddock, 4.587, 171.40; 20. Chris Karamesines, 13.701, 56.24.
Funny Car -- 1. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.858, 330.80; 2. Jack Beckman, Charger, 3.859, 333.08; 3. Ron Capps, Charger, 3.861, 325.30; 4. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.867, 327.11; 5. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 3.868, 329.99; 6. John Force, Camaro, 3.872, 329.58; 7. Del Worsham, Toyota Camry, 3.874, 328.86; 8. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.881, 330.31; 9. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 3.934, 328.46; 10. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 3.951, 323.89; 11. John Hale, Charger, 3.969, 318.24; 12. Jim Campbell, Charger, 3.977, 315.56.
Not Qualified: 13. John Bojec, 4.007, 299.86; 14. Bob Bode, 4.143, 271.57; 15. Dave Richards, 4.242, 237.67; 16. Justin Schriefer, 4.381, 276.58; 17. Chad Head, 4.449, 194.02; 18. Cruz Pedregon, 7.720, 84.09; 19. Tim Gibbons, 8.594, 84.94.
Pro Stock -- 1. Vincent Nobile, Chevy Camaro, 6.582, 210.05; 2. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.589, 209.52; 3. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.593, 209.72; 4. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.596, 209.69; 5. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.606, 209.20; 6. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.611, 209.52; 7. Allen Johnson, Dodge Dart, 6.611, 208.71; 8. Aaron Strong, Camaro, 6.634, 208.01; 9. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.636, 208.14; 10. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.637, 208.59; 11. Deric Kramer, Dart, 6.640, 207.56; 12. Erica Enders, Dart, 6.648, 208.14.
Not Qualified: 13. Jeg Coughlin, 6.666, 207.05; 14. Drew Skillman, 6.667, 207.94; 15. Kenny Delco, 6.670, 207.34; 16. Shane Tucker, 6.701, 206.80; 17. Curt Steinbach, 6.711, 204.94; 18. Alan Prusiensky, 6.713, 205.94; 19. John Gaydosh Jr, 6.731, 205.07.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.841, 195.28; 2. Angelle Sampey, Buell, 6.851, 194.52; 3. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.852, 194.77; 4. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.867, 193.85; 5. Cory Reed, Buell, 6.870, 193.63; 6. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 6.873, 194.52; 7. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.874, 194.10; 8. Chip Ellis, Buell, 6.876, 194.46; 9. Matt Smith, Victory, 6.876, 193.52; 10. Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 6.912, 194.16; 11. Hector Arana, Buell, 6.918, 194.04; 12. Michael Ray, Buell, 6.929, 193.99.
Not Qualified: 13. Steve Johnson, 6.929, 193.40; 14. Karen Stoffer, 6.942, 193.52; 15. Joey Gladstone, 6.950, 191.73; 16. Mark Paquette, 6.959, 192.38; 17. Scotty Pollacheck, 6.969, 192.30; 18. Joe DeSantis, 6.987, 190.40; 19. Melissa Surber, 6.997, 191.92; 20. Angie Smith, 7.050, 188.57; 21. Lance Bonham, 7.279, 180.40; 22. Kristen Ashby, 7.338, 181.11; 23. Anthony Vanetti, 7.653, 186.33.
FRIDAY QUALIFYING - HAGAN, TORRENCE, NOBILE AND SAVOIE LEAD QUALIFYING AT CHEVROLET PERFORMANCE U.S. NATIONALS
Matt Hagan sprinted to the qualifying lead in Funny Car Friday at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.
Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were qualifying leaders in their respective categories at the 18th event of 24 on the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule. The Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals is the final race of the regular season.
Hagan took the top spot in Funny Car by navigating the track in 3.858-seconds at 330.80 mph in his Mopar / Rocky Boots Dodge Charger R/T. His time was a Lucas Oil Raceway track record. Hagan has three top qualifiers this season and 24 in his career. He was the No. 1 qualifier two weeks ago in Brainerd, Minn. Hagan has qualified first at Indianapolis three times in his career but has never won the Big Go.
“We’re grateful for what we got,” said Hagan, a two-time Funny Car world champion. “It was a crazy run. The car washes out really hard and I’m over near the wall and I think, ‘Man, I should really click this thing off,’ but then it starts to come around and it settles back down in the groove. It was digging and running good. We got some more night runs tomorrow and I’m sure everyone is going to be pressing hard and we got a lot to do, but it was a wild run and it’ll be one that I’ll always remember.”
Jack Beckman, the 2015 event winner, is currently second with a 3.859 at a track record speed of 333.08 in his Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T. His teammate and points leader Ron Capps is third with 3.861 at 325.30 in his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T.
Sixteen time Funny Car world champion John Force is fourth in his Peak Chevy Camaro SS and followed by teammate Robert Hight and his Auto Club of Southern California Chevy Camaro in fifth. Tommy Johnson Jr. is sixth and reigning world champion Del Worsham is seventh.
Torrence pushed his Capco Contractors / Torrence Racing dragster to a 3.702 at 328.06 to lead Top Fuel through the first qualifying session. Torrence has eight No. 1 qualifiers so far this season and is currently third in points. He posted runner-up finishes at Indianapolis in 2014 and 2013. He is a two-time 2016 event winner and has notched three runner-ups this year as well.
"It's always pretty crucial to come out and run well on the first pass," said Torrence. "You need to get good data for the rest of the runs. Indy is a little bit unique since we have five (qualifying) runs. This one is so late in the evening you can afford the opportunity to go out there and throw everything at it and try to knock one out of the park. There were quite a few cars that ran good in front of us so we knew that the track was out there. We hit the nail a little closer on the head than everyone else tonight."
Tony Schumacher, an eight-time Top Fuel world champion and nine-time Indianapolis winner, sits second in his U.S. Army dragster with a 3.722 at 326.08. Reigning world champion Antron Brown is third with a 3.725 at 326.00 in his Matco Tools dragster and is followed by Brittany Force, pilot of the Monster Energy dragster, in fourth.
The Top Fuel portion of the lucrative Traxxas Nitro Shootout, which boasts a $100,000 purse, will take place during the qualifying sessions on Saturday at Lucas Oil Raceway. Brown will open up against lottery winner Terry McMillen, Doug Kalitta will race Leah Pritchett, Torrence is paired up against Shawn Langdon and Schumacher will battle Force.
Nobile raced to the qualifying lead in Pro Stock with a 6.582 at 209.79 at the controls of his Mountain View Tires Chevy Camaro. Nobile, who raced to a runner-up finish earlier this year in Denver, has six No. 1 qualifiers in his career and two so far this season.
“I don’t think there is much to complain about being nearly two-hundredths faster than the next guy,” said Nobile. “I’m not going to be greedy, but honestly, inside the car wasn’t a perfect run, but I’d be willing to say everybody else out there did not make a perfect run. Just so happened we made the best run that session. Hats off to the guys. They read the track real good. Obviously we’re making power with the top speed of the round. I couldn’t be any happier.”
Nobile will race Aaron Strong in the third qualifying session to decide the Seattle final round, which was postponed in early August due to persistent rain.
Greg Anderson pushed his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro to the No. 2 spot with a 6.600 at 209.26. Anderson, second in points, is a six-time Indianapolis winner and four-time world champion. He has won seven races this year in eleven final round appearances.
Jason Line, Anderson’s teammate and the category points leader, is third with a 6.611 at 209.04 in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro. Anderson has seven victories and five runner-up finishes this season.
Bo Butner is currently fourth, Alex Laughlin is fifth and Matt Hartford is sixth.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Savoie rode his White Alligator Racing Suzuki to the top spot with a 6.848 at 195.28. Savoie, an alligator farmer from Louisiana, has five No. 1 qualifiers in his career. He won the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals last year and posted runner-up finishes here in 2014 and 2011.
“When you come out of the box swinging like we did it’s a good thing because you’re not struggling to find that power,” Savoie said. “It really wasn’t that great of a run. We figured it had an .82 or .83 out there. We bogged it off the line but it gives you a good start to a good weekend. Tonight’s nothing to smile about yet but we did good.”
Points leader Eddie Krawiec is second with a 6.852 at 194.77 on his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson. Krawiec, who won this event in 2014, has three wins this year in five final round appearances. His teammate and reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Andrew Hines is second with a 6.867 at 193.85 on his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson. Hines is second in points with four wins in six final rounds.
Rookie Cory Reed is fourth with a 6.870 at 192.66 on his Precision Service Equipment Buell. Chip Ellis is currently fifth and Hector Arana Jr. is sixth.
Qualifying for the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals continues Saturday with sessions at 2:45 and 6:45 p.m.
Friday's results after the first one of five rounds of qualifying for the 62nd annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway Park at Indianapolis, 18th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Monday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Steve Torrence, 3.702 seconds, 328.06 mph; 2. Tony Schumacher, 3.722, 326.08; 3. Antron Brown, 3.725, 326.00; 4. Brittany Force, 3.730, 323.35; 5. Shawn Langdon, 3.731, 327.11; 6. Morgan Lucas, 3.732, 326.63; 7. Doug Kalitta, 3.751, 324.67; 8. Clay Millican, 3.751, 318.77; 9. J.R. Todd, 3.776, 319.37; 10. Leah Pritchett, 3.792, 311.77; 11. T.J. Zizzo, 3.810, 319.82; 12. Tripp Tatum, 3.824, 326.00.
Not Qualified: 13. Bruce Litton, 3.826, 318.92; 14. Terry McMillen, 3.852, 306.88; 15. Luigi Novelli, 3.898, 305.29; 16. Pat Dakin, 4.274, 194.69; 17. Richie Crampton, 6.814, 91.51; 18. Wayne Newby, 10.880, 79.24.
Funny Car -- 1. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.858, 330.80; 2. Jack Beckman, Charger, 3.859, 333.08; 3. Ron Capps, Charger, 3.861, 325.30; 4. John Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.872, 329.58; 5. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.881, 330.31; 6. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 3.882, 327.43; 7. Del Worsham, Toyota Camry, 3.898, 326.95; 8. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 3.934, 328.46; 9. John Hale, Charger, 3.979, 318.24; 10. John Bojec, Toyota Solara, 4.007, 299.86; 11. Bob Bode, Solara, 4.143, 271.57; 12. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 5.490, 129.59.
Not Qualified: 13. Jim Campbell, 7.091, 87.46; 14. Cruz Pedregon, 7.720, 84.09; 15. Chad Head, 7.837, 74.81; 16. Courtney Force, 10.597, 64.12.
Pro Stock -- 1. Vincent Nobile, Chevy Camaro, 6.582, 209.79; 2. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.600, 209.26; 3. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.611, 209.04; 4. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.612, 208.75; 5. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.635, 208.75; 6. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.636, 208.04; 7. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.637, 209.49; 8. Allen Johnson, Dodge Dart, 6.645, 208.36; 9. Erica Enders, Dart, 6.648, 208.14; 10. Jeg Coughlin, Dart, 6.666, 206.76; 11. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.667, 207.94; 12. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.668, 208.01.
Not Qualified: 13. Kenny Delco, 6.676, 206.64; 14. Aaron Strong, 6.679, 207.43; 15. Shane Tucker, 6.701, 206.35; 16. Curt Steinbach, 6.727, 204.73; 17. Deric Kramer, 6.739, 206.35; 18. Alan Prusiensky, 6.777, 199.23.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.848, 195.28; 2. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.852, 194.77; 3. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.867, 193.85; 4. Cory Reed, Buell, 6.870, 192.66; 5. Chip Ellis, Buell, 6.884, 194.35; 6. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.897, 192.47; 7. Matt Smith, Victory, 6.911, 193.52; 8. Angelle Sampey, Buell, 6.912, 193.32; 9. Hector Arana, Buell, 6.918, 194.04; 10. Michael Ray, Buell, 6.929, 193.43; 11. Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 6.935, 191.21; 12. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.942, 191.81.
Not Qualified: 13. Steve Johnson, 6.948, 191.92; 14. Melissa Surber, 7.002, 191.02; 15. Angie Smith, 7.050, 188.57; 16. Joey Gladstone, 7.067, 190.86; 17. Mark Paquette, 7.213, 153.25; 18. Lance Bonham, 7.454, 180.40; 19. Kristen Ashby, 7.501, 173.76; 20. Scotty Pollacheck, 7.612, 129.44; 21. Joe DeSantis, 10.249, 81.17; 22. LE Tonglet, broke.
SPORTSMAN RESULTS
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER (SESSION 2)
1 3 A/FD Duane Shields, Boulder City NV, Hadman- 5.275 276.24 276.24
2 2 B/AD Chris Demke, Tujunga CA, URC-BAE 5.287 272.72 272.72
3 1900 A/FD Dan Page, Hampstead NH, Page-BAE 5.305 272.89 272.89
4 681 TA/D Shawn Cowie, Surrey BC, Hadman-BAE 5.320 272.06 272.06
5 9 A/FD Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville PA, Hadma 5.346 261.72 261.72
6 412 A/FD David Brounkowski, Cypress TX, Bowen-Ch 5.352 264.08 264.08
7 464 A/FD Buddy Domingue, Port Neches TX, Hadman- 5.374 265.90 265.90
8 725K A/FD Krista Baldwin, Upland CA, DSR-AJPE 5.398 266.79 266.79
9 35 A/FD Robin Samsel, Marion IN, MLR-BAE 5.403 267.59 267.59
10 3422 B/AD Ken Perry, Markham ON, Hadman-Arias 5.404 262.03 262.59
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1 3 Annie Whiteley, Grand Junction CO, '15 Camaro 5.474 267.96 267.96
2 2 John Lombardo Jr., Brea CA, '15 Camaro 5.479 251.95 251.95
3 427 Tony Bartone, Long Island City NY, '16 Camaro 5.535 261.42 261.42
4 77 Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina CA, '16 Camaro 5.555 261.12 261.22
5 4 Doug Gordon, Paso Robles CA, '15 Camaro 5.580 262.90 262.90
6 34 Andy Bohl, Racine WI, '16 Camaro 5.592 264.55 264.55
7 7 Phil Burkart, Yorkville NY, '15 Camaro 5.601 262.90 262.90
8 6345 Clint Thompson, Klamath Falls OR, '16 Camaro 5.631 261.17 261.17
9 10 Jay Payne, Claremont CA, '16 Camaro 5.636 253.18 253.18
10 331 Tony Bogolo, Hamilton OH, '01 Avenger 5.652 257.09 257.09
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
COMP (FINAL)
1 143Y E/DA Doug Doll Jr., Lancaster NJ, N&P 7.374 8.10 -0.726
2 3629 G/EA Jason Coan, Kokomo IN, '32 Bantam 8.112 8.83 -0.718
3 51 A/SMA Todd Patterson, Augusta KS, '10 Cobalt 7.832 8.54 -0.708
4 7 B/DA Troy Galbraith, Indianapolis IN, Spitzer 6.754 7.46 -0.706
5 590 K/AA Clint Neff, Arvada CO, '32 Bantam 7.596 8.30 -0.704
6 406D B/DA Donald Thomas, Amarillo TX, Spitzer 6.771 7.46 -0.689
7 210 AA/AM Rodney Rosenstiel, Pace FL, '23-T Ford 6.351 7.04 -0.689
8 23 A/EA David Rampy, Piedmont AL, '32 Bantam 7.236 7.92 -0.684
9 316D DD/AT Carey Bales, Lebanon IN, '16 Accord 7.042 7.72 -0.678
10 330 D/D Brian Browell, Lafayette IN, MR2-Chevy 7.188 7.86 -0.672
THURSDAY QUALIFYING - PARSON'S EL CAMINO HEADLINES SECOND DAY QUALIFYING; BARTON TOPS FSS WITH 8.33
Stock Eliminator took center stage for the second day at the Chevrolet Performance NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, as class eliminations got underway for all classes.
In qualifying, the V/Stock Automatic 1987 El Camino of Jim Parsons passed Paul Mercure in the pecking order.
Parsons recorded a 13.958 in his Missouri-based El Camino to leap to the top with a -1.542 performance. Mercure fell to second with a 9.677, -1.523
Marty Buth, Todd Hoven and Gary Summers rounded out the top five Stockers.
David Barton retained the top spot in Factory Stock Showdown qualifying with an even quicker 8.339, 162.68. Chuck Watson passed Chris Holbrook to jump into second and Randy Eakins rounded out the eight-car show with an 8.545.
Super Stock had a new leader on the second day with Freehold, New Jersey's James D'Amore Jr, blasting out a 9.472 elapsed time, -1.278 under the the GT/G index, overtaking Dave Dupps, Jr., who fell into second with his SS/KA Camaro.
Geoff Turk (FSS/D), Larry Zafala (GT/FA) and Robert Cruzen (GT/AA) rounded out the top five Super Stock qualifiers.
After remaining silent on Wednesday, Competition Eliminator fired to life with two sessions on Thursday.
Jason Coan, of Kokomo, Ind., jumped to the head of 51-entries on the property with a -.718 hit against the G/Econo Altered behind the wheel of his '32 Bantam.
Todd Patterson was a close second with a -.704 performance with his A/Super Modified Automative 2010 Cobalt. The veteran engine builder stopped the clocks with a 7.836.
Clint Neff (K/AA), Donald Thomas (B/DA) and David Rampy (A/EA) rounded out the top five with a -0.684 or better.
Qualifying continues on Friday with the Mopar Hemi Shootout and the official Factory Stock Showdown.
COMP (SESSION 2)
1 3629 G/EA Jason Coan, Kokomo IN, '32 Bantam 8.112 8.83 -0.718
2 51 A/SMA Todd Patterson, Augusta KS, '10 Cobalt 7.836 8.54 -0.704
3 590 K/AA Clint Neff, Arvada CO, '32 Bantam 7.596 8.30 -0.704
4 406D B/DA Donald Thomas, Amarillo TX, Spitzer 6.771 7.46 -0.689
5 23 A/EA David Rampy, Piedmont AL, '32 Bantam 7.236 7.92 -0.684
6 210 AA/AM Rodney Rosenstiel, Pace FL, '23-T Ford 6.362 7.04 -0.678
7 340 A/DA Terry Smith, Liberty Twp OH, Advanced 6.501 7.17 -0.669
8 394 B/ED Greg Kamplain, Brownsburg IN, Spitzer-Che 6.883 7.55 -0.667
9 705 C/TA Tony Mandella, Eastvale CA, '01 S-10 8.381 9.04 -0.659
10 330 D/D Brian Browell, Lafayette IN, MR2-Chevy 7.201 7.86 -0.659
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
SUPER STOCK (SESSION 3)
1 3858 GT/G Dan Jacobs, Elizabeth IN, '05 Cavalier 9.472 10.75 -1.278
2 3530 SS/KA Dave Dupps Jr, Germantown OH, '87 Camaro 9.983 11.25 -1.267
3 360 FSS/D Geoff Turk, Yorkville IL, '15 Challenger 8.695 9.90 -1.205
4 757 GT/FA Larry Zavala, Montebello CA, '86 Camaro 9.629 10.80 -1.171
5 4466 GT/AA Robert Cruzen, Cleveland OK, '06 Cobalt 8.935 10.10 -1.165
6 373 FSS/E Bill Skillman, Greenwood IN, '10 Mustang 8.887 10.05 -1.163
7 34 SS/HA Jeff Dona, Gordonville MO, '98 Firebird 9.437 10.60 -1.163
8 439 FSS/B Stephen Bell, Shreveport LA, '15 Camaro 8.042 9.20 -1.158
9 2428 GT/CA Andy Fogle, Organgeurg SC, '05 Cavalier 9.255 10.40 -1.145
10 639 SS/JA Christopher Cour, Brush Prairie WA, '97 C 9.871 11.00 -1.129
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
FACTORY STOCK (FINAL)
1 1990 David Barton, Robesonia PA, '15 Camaro 8.339 162.68 162.68
2 3469 Chuck Watson, Grosse Ile MI, '16 Mustang 8.409 161.07 161.07
3 3334 Chris Holbrook, Livonia MI, '16 Mustang 8.412 158.06 158.06
4 1759 Anthony Bongiovanni, Landing NJ, '16 Mustang 8.434 161.09 161.09
5 7192 Ryan Herem, Canyon Country CA, '15 Camaro 8.442 161.36 161.36
6 439 Stephen Bell, Shreveport LA, '16 Camaro 8.479 161.59 161.59
7 3791 Jordan Pennington, Mishawaka IN, '15 Camaro 8.503 157.87 157.87
8 5715 Randy Eakins, Sikeston MO, '14 Mustang 8.545 158.11 158.11
STOCK (FINAL)
1 5305 V/SA Jim Parsons, Kearney MO, '87 El Camino 13.958 15.50 -1.542
2 2503 FS/F Paul Mercure, White Lake MI, '15 Camaro 9.677 11.20 -1.523
3 3657 P/SA Marty Buth, Freeport IL, '84 Mustang 11.950 13.45 -1.500
4 1035 FS/C Todd Hoven, Milltown NJ, '15 Challenger 8.812 10.30 -1.488
5 3499 U/SA Gary Summers, Franklin KY, '75 Mustang 13.434 14.85 -1.416
6 2124 FS/C Jeff Strickland, Red Bay AL, '15 Camaro 8.962 10.30 -1.338
7 627 U/SA Brian Seaburg, Belfair WA, '72 Comet 13.524 14.85 -1.326
8 520 FS/E Tyler Cassil, Belton MO, '14 Camaro 9.628 10.95 -1.322
9 303N FS/XX Mike Skinner, Grove City OH, '14 Mustang 8.581 9.90 -1.319
10 3125 FS/H Joey Wilkes, Zanesville OH, '15 Camaro 10.197 11.50 -1.303
CLICK HERE TO GET COMPLETE RESULTS
WEDNESDAY QUALIFYING - AN INDY CLASSIC LEADS THE INDY CLASSIC
Paul Mercure figured the first day of the GM Performance NHRA U.S. Nationals needed a blast from the past.
Mercure, of White Lake, Michigan, and an iconic class racer raced to the top of the Stock Eliminator qualifying list, scoring a -1.523 hit against the Factory Stock/F index with his Checkmate COPO Camaro.
"I don’t miss any of those 50-pound flywheel days of Modified, but the rest of it, yeah I do," said Mercure with a smile. "We’ve got a 5 speed in this car, so it's sort of like the old days of Modified. And actually, this runs as good or better than our Modified car did back in 1981. And this is a Stocker."
As impressive as Mercure's hit in the late model machinery proved to be, equally strong was the El Camino of Jim Parsons.
Parsons, running in V/Stock Automatic, was second on the list with a -1.507, 13.993 pass.
David Barton, Chris Holbrook Chuck Watson, Anthony Bongiovanni and Ryan Herem rounded out a barrage of Factory Stock/XX entries qualifying in the top six spots with a -1.367 or better against the 9.90 index.
Kyle Ratcliff's C/Stock Automatic Firebird sat on the bubble of the 124-car Stock field with an -.831, 10.569 performance.
David Barton made a major jump in the second session of Factory Stock Showdown qualifying to overtake Chris Holbrook atop the qualifying list.
Barton laid down an 8.461-second pass at 160.92 as the sun began to set on Lucas Oil Raceway Park. Holbrook failed to improve on his earlier 8.461 and remained second.
Of the 20 entries competing this weekend, Larry Stewart Jr. anchored the field at 8.603 seconds with one session remaining.
Super Stock was led by the Super Stock/K Automatic Camaro of Dave Dupps, Jr., was low with a -1.123, 10.019 elapsed time.
Ryan Haag, of Columbus, Indiana, is on the Super Stock bubble at No. 124 with a -.579, 9.871 run in his 1967 Camaro.
Qualifying continues on Thursday with class eliminations scheduled for the Stock Eliminator class eliminations.
SUPER STOCK (SESSION 2)
1 3530 SS/KA Dave Dupps Jr, Germantown OH, '87 Camaro 10.019 11.25 -1.231
2 3858 GT/G Dan Jacobs, Elizabeth IN, '05 Cavalier 9.564 10.75 -1.186
3 3903 FSS/D Ray Skillman, Greenwood IN, '10 Mustang 8.795 9.90 -1.105
4 360 FSS/D Geoff Turk, Yorkville IL, '15 Challenger 8.813 9.90 -1.087
5 2428 GT/CA Andy Fogle, Aiken SC, '05 Cavalier 9.319 10.40 -1.081
6 4466 GT/AA Robert Cruzen, Cleveland OK, '06 Cobalt 9.038 10.10 -1.062
7 38 GT/CA Irvin Johns, Memphis IN, '05 Cavalier 9.348 10.40 -1.052
8 757 GT/FA Larry Zavala, Montebello CA, '87 Camaro 9.753 10.80 -1.047
9 439 FSS/B Stephen Bell, Shreveport LA, '15 Camaro 8.153 9.20 -1.047
10 4688 SS/JA Mike Cotten, Cave Creek AZ, '70 Barracuda 9.969 11.00 -1.031
STOCK (SESSION 2)
1 2503 FS/F Paul Mercure, White Lake MI, '15 Camaro 9.677 11.20 -1.523
2 5305 V/SA Jim Parsons, Kearney MO, '87 El Camino 13.993 15.50 -1.507
3 1990 FS/XX David Barton, Robesonia PA, '15 Camaro 8.439 9.90 -1.461
4 3469 FS/XX Chuck Watson, Grosse Ile MI, '16 Mustang 8.502 9.90 -1.398
5 3499 U/SA Gary Summers, Franklin KY, '75 Mustang 13.533 14.85 -1.317
6 439 FS/XX Stephen Bell, Shreveport LA, '16 Camaro 8.596 9.90 -1.304
7 3657 P/SA Marty Buth, Freeport IL, '84 Mustang 12.151 13.45 -1.299
8 627 U/SA Brian Seaburg, Belfair WA, '72 Comet 13.569 14.85 -1.281
9 2124 FS/C Jeff Strickland, Red Bay AL, '15 Camaro 9.041 10.30 -1.259
10 303N FS/XX Mike Skinner, Grove City OH, '14 Mustang 8.646 9.90 -1.254
FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN (SESSION 2)
1 1990 David Barton, Robesonia PA, '15 Camaro 8.439 161.48 161.48
2 3334 Chris Holbrook, Livonia MI, '16 Mustang 8.461 160.92 160.92
3 3469 Chuck Watson, Grosse Ile MI, '16 Mustang 8.502 162.53 162.53
4 1759 Anthony Bongiovanni, Landing NJ, '16 Mustang 8.532 159.06 159.06
5 7192 Ryan Herem, Canyon Country CA, '15 Camaro 8.533 159.48 159.48
6 439 Stephen Bell, Shreveport LA, '16 Camaro 8.596 158.33 158.33
7 3791 Jordan Pennington, Mishawaka IN, '15 Camaro 8.602 159.23 159.23
8 4166 Larry Stewart, Clinton MS, '16 Camaro 8.603 157.74 157.74
SUPER STOCK (SESSION ONE)
1 3530 SS/KA Dave Dupps Jr, Germantown OH, '87 Camaro 10.019 11.25 -1.231
2 3903 FSS/D Ray Skillman, Greenwood IN, '10 Mustang 8.795 9.90 -1.105
3 3858 GT/G Dan Jacobs, Elizabeth IN, '05 Cavalier 9.657 10.75 -1.093
4 2428 GT/CA Andy Fogle, Aiken SC, '05 Cavalier 9.328 10.40 -1.072
5 38 GT/CA Irvin Johns, Memphis IN, '05 Cavalier 9.348 10.40 -1.052
6 360 FSS/D Geoff Turk, Yorkville IL, '15 Challenger 8.862 9.90 -1.038
7 4688 SS/JA Mike Cotten, Cave Creek AZ, '70 Barracuda 9.969 11.00 -1.031
8 311 GT/HA Dan Kyle, Lawrenceburg IN, '87 Firebird 10.027 11.05 -1.023
9 439 FSS/B Stephen Bell, Shreveport LA, '15 Camaro 8.187 9.20 -1.013
10 67 GT/FA Tom Gaynor, Battle Ground WA, '05 Cavalier 9.793 10.80 -1.007
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
STOCK (SESSION ONE)
1 2503 FS/F Paul Mercure, White Lake MI, '15 Camaro 9.677 11.20 -1.523
2 5305 V/SA Jim Parsons, Kearney MO, '87 El Camino 14.065 15.50 -1.435
3 3499 U/SA Gary Summers, Franklin KY, '75 Mustang 13.533 14.85 -1.317
4 627 U/SA Brian Seaburg, Belfair WA, '72 Comet 13.569 14.85 -1.281
5 2124 FS/C Jeff Strickland, Red Bay AL, '15 Camaro 9.041 10.30 -1.259
6 1035 FS/C Todd Hoven, Milltown NJ, '15 Challenger 9.068 10.30 -1.232
7 3657 P/SA Marty Buth, Freeport IL, '84 Mustang 12.242 13.45 -1.208
8 1587 FS/XX Don Fezell, DuBois PA, '08 Mustang 8.704 9.90 -1.196
9 159 FS/E Victor Cagnazzi, Mooresville NC, '16 Cama 9.780 10.95 -1.170
10 1967 J/SA Jim Marshall, Indian Land SC, '77 Nova 11.287 12.45 -1.163
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FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN (SESSION ONE)
1 3334 Chris Holbrook, Livonia MI, '16 Mustang 8.461 160.92 160.92
2 1759 Anthony Bongiovanni, Landing NJ, '16 Mustang 8.532 159.06 159.06
3 7192 Ryan Herem, Canyon Country CA, '15 Camaro 8.533 159.48 159.48
4 1990 David Barton, Robesonia PA, '15 Camaro 8.564 160.33 160.33
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