As if Las Vegas weren’t loud and ostentatious enough in its own right, the city hosts the fire and fury of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series twice each year, this event in the spring and the crucial penultimate stop on the schedule in the fall.

 

 

		EVENT NEWS EVENT NOTEBOOK ASHER'S NOTEBOOK ROUND-BY-ROUND RESULTS FINAL ROUND RESULTS POINTS AFTER EVENT			EVENT GALLERY

 

 

SUNDAY FINAL - WILKERSON, MCCLENATHAN, LINE FIRST-TIME WINNERS IN LAS VEGAS

A. FORCE LEAVES EVENT FIRST FEMALE POINTS LEADER IN FUNNY CAR

Tim Wilkerson broke a three and ½ year winless streak and denied Ashley Force her first career Funny Car win in the process at the ninth annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Wilkerson, a Springfield-Ill.-based auto service shop owner, drove his Levi Ray & Shoup Chevy Impala SS to a 4.962 at 292.58 to a win over Force, who turned in a 4.993 at 313.95 in her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang.

Despite the loss, Force leaves the event as the first woman in NHRA history to top the Funny Car point standings as the tour moves to Atlanta.

“We’ve had a good car all year, with some mechanical failures,” Wilkerson said after his first win of the year, sixth of his career and first in Las Vegas. “It’s kind of cool for the single car teams, for Tony Pedregon, me and Del Worsham (to win so far this year). I think that’s really cool. NHRA has done a really good job equalizing the field out there. We have to be safe, have to have our cars together at end of the run, and this weight we’re putting on, we need that.

“It’s just been a hard weekend here. The track’s just a little treacherous from time to time. NHRA did a good job with this place. Our Goodyear’s worked good today and the track prep was good today.”

Wilkerson won last in 2004, when he beat Ashley’s father John Force in Sonoma.

Ashley Force, who grew up at racetracks and considers Wilkerson a family friend, said losing to him was perhaps a little easier to handle than seeing other drivers in the winner’s circle.

“A lot of the fans came up and they were just sure (I would win),” said Ashley Force, who is also the only female to reach a final round in the category. “They were making bets on me and telling me how much money they had on me because I had that left lane, but it wasn’t so obvious to me. We kept picking the left lane. I really was thinking either we’d both get down the track or we’d both go up in smoke together.”

In Top Fuel, newly christened Don Schumacher Racing driver Cory McClenathan had a winless streak of his own to break, earning his first trip to the winner’s circle since Richmond in 2006. McClenathan drove his FRAM dragster to a 4.654 at 315.86 around Antron Brown’s 4.703 at 315.93 in his Matco Tools dragster.

It had been 30 races since his last win – and this one was his 30th career victory.

“To say the least, it’s about time,” McClenathan said. “That’s all I can say. It’s been a couple of years since we even had a competitive car...to come here exactly 30 races later and earn my 30th, it’s incredible. I’m hoping to spend the rest of my days and retire there at DSR.”

Jason Line earned his first win of the year in his third final round appearance when he drove his Summit Racing Pontiac GXP to a 6.782 at 203.83 to Greg Stanfield’s 6.816 at 203.16 in his Attitude Apparel Pontiac GXP. It was Line’s 14th career win and his first in Las Vegas.

“It’s been so long since we had won a race, you start to lose confidence,” Line said. “To finally win a race, it’s redeeming. To win the Summit race is a huge deal for us.

“The truth is, I haven’t done a good job (driving). The stars may lie but the numbers don’t. This is the best car I’ve had in 1 ½ years. I think the lack of confidence is definitely a bad thing for sure. I finally got some back and it feels really good.”

 

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Sunday's final results from the Ninth annual NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The race is the fifth of 24 in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series:

 

 

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SATURDAY QUALIFYING - KORETSKY, HIGHT, SCHUMACHER TOP QUALIFIERS; JOHN FORCE’S QUEST FOR 1,000 ON HOLD WITH DNQ

Pro Stock’s Kenny Koretsky goes into race day at the top of the field today for the first time in 18 years of racing after earning his first career No. 1 qualifier at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

John Force, in the hunt for the 1,000th round win that will place him in the highest level of the history books, failed to qualify for the Funny Car starting line-up with his second consecutive DNQ at this event. It’s the first time in his prolific career that Force has failed to qualify at the same event two years in a row. Instead it was his teammate Robert Hight who had the luck, earning his 24th career No. 1 qualifier and the first of the season with a 4.849 at 321.27 in his last attempt in his Auto Club Ford Mustang.

Koretsky drove his Nitro Fish/Indicom Electric Chevy Cobalt to a 6.724-second pass at 204.05 mph at the ninth annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals, the fifth of 24 events in the Series.

“It’s unbelievable,” Koretsky said. “On the radio the guys were saying all kinds of stuff trying to keep me from getting too excited, but when you see Kurt Johnson next to you and Greg Anderson and Jason Line in front of you…It was all about timing this weekend. We made the right runs at the right times.”

Tony Schumacher earned his first No. 1 qualifier of the year, topping the Top Fuel field for the fifth time in a row in Las Vegas (spring and fall events). He drove his U.S. Army dragster to a 4.510 at 328.38.

“It’s good teamwork, hard work, effort and energy,” said Schumacher of his 48th career No. 1. “You just hope by the end of the year there’s still a little bit of luck left in the luck bank.”

Force’s 5.020 at 277.72 wasn’t enough to put his Castrol GTX High-Mileage Ford Mustang in the show. He’ll continue his march at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals in Atlanta, April 24-27 while Hight and teammates Ashley Force and Mike Neff fly the team banner Sunday.

“It’s been feast or famine for us all year,” said Hight, who earned his fourth career No. 1 qualifier in Las Vegas after an uncharacteristic DNQ in Houston two weeks ago. “We haven’t made many runs this year and we took one big giant step backwards in Houston. We redid the whole clutch (after that). To go down the track all four runs here is unbelievable. (The last run) was probably the best run we’ve made all year. The motor seemed happy all the way down and I knew it.”

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First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the Ninth annual NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the fifth of 24 events in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.

Top Fuel -- 1. Tony Schumacher, 4.510 seconds, 328.38 mph vs. 16. Steven Chrisman, 5.107, 295.98; 2. Doug Kalitta, 4.541, 324.98 vs. 15. Larry Dixon, 5.017, 284.99; 3. Hillary Will, 4.562, 331.85 vs. 14. David Grubnic, 4.871, 305.98; 4. Morgan Lucas, 4.579, 325.22 vs. 13. Urs Erbacher, 4.826, 303.43; 5. Cory McClenathan, 4.597, 325.30 vs. 12. J.R. Todd, 4.775, 286.01; 6. Antron Brown, 4.600, 324.75 vs. 11. Bob Vandergriff, 4.749, 324.12; 7. Rod Fuller, 4.608, 323.50 vs. 10. Troy Buff, 4.744, 265.74; 8. Doug Herbert, 4.617, 315.05 vs. 9. Brandon Bernstein, 4.621, 325.77.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Alan Bradshaw, 6.379, 235.19; 18. Rob Passey, 12.574, 68.25.


Funny Car -- 1. Robert Hight, Ford Mustang, 4.849, 321.27 vs. 16. Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 4.997, 313.44; 2. Tim Wilkerson, Chevy Impala, 4.850, 318.24 vs. 15. Jim Head, Toyota Solara, 4.955, 300.73; 3. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.864, 316.82 vs. 14. Melanie Troxel, Charger, 4.936, 319.90; 4. Ashley Force, Mustang, 4.867, 320.97 vs. 13. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.924, 313.29; 5. Cruz Pedregon, Impala, 4.873, 309.56 vs. 12. Gary Densham, Impala, 4.924, 310.91; 6. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.887, 319.14 vs. 11. Del Worsham, Impala, 4.916, 316.90; 7. Gary Scelzi, Charger, 4.887, 314.39 vs. 10. Tony Pedregon, Impala, 4.914, 317.49; 8. Mike Neff, Mustang, 4.894, 320.51 vs. 9. Bob Bode, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.912, 316.82.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Jerry Toliver, 4.998, 302.89; 18. John Force, 5.020, 306.05; 19. Scott Kalitta, 5.049, 307.02; 20. Tony Bartone, 5.079, 241.67; 21. Terry Haddock, 5.093, 307.30.


Pro Stock -- 1. Kenny Koretsky, Pontiac GXP, 6.724, 204.05 vs. 16. Matt Hartford, Dodge Stratus, 6.775, 203.52; 2. Jason Line, GXP, 6.725, 204.73 vs. 15. Johnny Gray, Stratus, 6.772, 202.30; 3. Kurt Johnson, Chevy Cobalt, 6.726, 205.26 vs. 14. Max Naylor, Stratus, 6.764, 203.43; 4. Ron Krisher, Cobalt, 6.726, 205.13 vs. 13. Jim Yates, GXP, 6.762, 202.76; 5. Allen Johnson, Stratus, 6.727, 204.45 vs. 12. V. Gaines, Stratus, 6.752, 203.19; 6. Warren Johnson, GXP, 6.728, 206.07 vs. 11. Justin Humphreys, GXP, 6.746, 204.14; 7. Mike Edwards, Pontiac GTO, 6.737, 204.08 vs. 10. Jeg Coughlin, Cobalt, 6.743, 204.42; 8. Greg Stanfield, GXP, 6.738, 204.14 vs. 9. Greg Anderson, GXP, 6.739, 204.73.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Bill Glidden, 6.776, 203.22; 18. Tom Hammonds, 6.778, 203.19; 19. Larry Morgan, 6.790, 202.85; 20. Ben Watson, 6.815, 201.13; 21. Vinnie Deceglie, 6.816, 201.07; 22. Todd Hoerner, 6.858, 202.58; 23. Gordie Rivera, 18.045, 199.79.

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FRIDAY QUALIFYING - WILKERSON, SCHUMACHER, KORETSKY CLAIM PROVISIONAL NO. 1 QUALIFYING SPOTS

Tim Wilkerson looked primed to earn his third No. 1 qualifier of the season during the opening day of qualifying at the ninth annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals.

Wilkerson piloted his Levi Ray & Shoup Chevy Impala SS to a 4.850-second pass at 318.24 mph to become the provisional top qualifier. It will be his 13th career No. 1 and his first in Las Vegas if the run remains the best after two qualifying sessions on Saturday.

“I think it’s got a little more in it,” Wilkerson said. “I didn’t think the 4.850 would stay low. The track is just a little tricky.”

The SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals is the fifth of 24 events in the NHRA POWERade Series.

Tony Schumacher drove his U.S. Army dragster to a 4.510 at 328.38 provisional low qualifying effort for what may be his first No. 1 qualifier of the season and the 48th of his career.

“Alan Johnson is a true master,” said Schumacher of his crew chief. “A No.1 qualifying spot? That car doesn’t care…but it gives us a few points and we’re just trying to stay ahead. Right now I’ve got guys bunched up behind me (in the points)…Alan has a purpose for every run. We know exactly what the car will do from the data. He’s a true genius.”

Kenny Koretsky drove his Nitro Fish/Indicom Racing Pontiac GXP to a 6.724 at 204.05 for the provisional top spot in Pro Stock. It will be his first career No. 1 qualifier.

“Well, that’s what happens when you have a good motor,” Koretsky said. “I think tomorrow it’s going to get a little hotter outside. I have to give a lot of credit to my crew chief (Eddie Guarnaccia). We’re working on a new motor combination. We’ve been working on it all year and we finally have it figured out.”

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Results Friday after two of four rounds of qualifying for the Ninth annual NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, fifth of 24 events in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.

Top Fuel -- 1. Tony Schumacher, 4.510 seconds, 328.38 mph; 2. Doug Kalitta, 4.541, 324.98; 3. Hillary Will, 4.562, 331.85; 4. Morgan Lucas, 4.579, 325.22; 5. Antron Brown, 4.600, 324.75; 6. Cory McClenathan, 4.606, 325.30; 7. Rod Fuller, 4.608, 323.50; 8. Brandon Bernstein, 4.621, 325.77; 9. Doug Herbert, 4.663, 306.53; 10. Troy Buff, 4.744, 265.74; 11. Bob Vandergriff, 4.806, 275.67; 12. Urs Erbacher, 4.826, 303.43. Not Qualified: 13. David Grubnic, 4.881, 272.78; 14. Steven Chrisman, 4.940, 295.98; 15. J.R. Todd, 5.081, 207.53; 16. Larry Dixon, 5.296, 189.02; 17. Alan Bradshaw, 12.277, 83.63.

Funny Car -- 1. Tim Wilkerson, Chevy Impala, 4.850, 318.24; 2. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 4.864, 316.82; 3. Ashley Force, Mustang, 4.867, 320.97; 4. Cruz Pedregon, Impala, 4.873, 309.56; 5. Gary Scelzi, Dodge Charger, 4.887, 314.39; 6. Mike Neff, Mustang, 4.894, 320.51; 7. Robert Hight, Mustang, 4.909, 302.35; 8. Bob Bode, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.912, 316.82; 9. Tony Pedregon, Impala, 4.914, 317.49; 10. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.924, 309.49; 11. Melanie Troxel, Charger, 4.936, 319.90; 12. Del Worsham, Impala, 4.941, 310.55.
Not Qualified:  13. Jim Head, 4.944, 300.73; 14. Jerry Toliver, 4.970, 295.46; 15. John Force, 4.971, 306.05; 16. Ron Capps, 4.991, 305.77; 17. Gary Densham, 5.105, 245.23; 18. Terry Haddock, 5.111, 303.30; 19. Scott Kalitta, 5.123, 289.88; 20. Jack Beckman, 5.310, 215.65; 21. Tony Bartone, 5.351, 221.31.

Pro Stock -- 1. Kenny Koretsky, Pontiac GXP, 6.724, 204.05; 2. Ron Krisher, Chevy Cobalt, 6.726, 205.13; 3. Allen Johnson, Dodge Stratus, 6.727, 204.45; 4. Warren Johnson, GXP, 6.728, 206.07; 5. Kurt Johnson, Cobalt, 6.730, 205.22; 6. Jason Line, GXP, 6.732, 204.63; 7. Mike Edwards, Pontiac GTO, 6.737, 204.08; 8. Jeg Coughlin, Cobalt, 6.743, 204.42; 9. Justin Humphreys, GXP, 6.746, 204.14; 10. Greg Stanfield, GXP, 6.758, 203.92; 11. Tom Hammonds, Cobalt, 6.778, 203.19; 12. Max Naylor, Stratus, 6.781, 202.21.
Not Qualified: 13. Jim Yates, 6.784, 202.45; 14. Johnny Gray, 6.785, 202.18; 15. V. Gaines, 6.799, 203.03; 16. Matt Hartford, 6.801, 203.40; 17. Bill Glidden, 6.809, 202.67; 18. Todd Hoerner, 6.809, 202.58; 19. Larry Morgan, 6.814, 201.64; 20. Greg Anderson, 6.816, 203.71; 21. Ben Watson, 6.817, 201.13; 22. Vinnie Deceglie, 6.822, 201.07; 23. Gordie Rivera, 6.961, 199.79.

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