NHRA VIRGINIA NATIONALS - EVENT RESULTS
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SUNDAY - C. FORCE, TORRENCE, GRAY AND TONGLET EMERGE VICTORIOUS AT INAUGURAL VIRGINIA NHRA NATIONALS
Courtney Force was able to build on her points lead in the Funny Car category at the Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park as she brought home her fourth Funny Car victory of the season.
Steve Torrence (Funny Car), Tanner Gray (Pro Stock), and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also winners in their respective categories at the 10th of 24 events on the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.
Force’s 4.039-second pass at 321.96 mph in her Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS was enough to take down her father, John Force, in the final round on Sunday.
“It was really exciting for us to be part of an all John Force Racing final, but to have my team tuning this car so well all weekend helped get us a win here,” Force said. “We just have to maintain our focus throughout the season and keep performing well as a driver as we prepare for the Countdown to the Championship.”
This marked the 50th time in the history of John Force Racing that two team cars faced off in the final. She took down Jeff Diehl, Jim Campbell, and J.R. Todd on her road to victory.
Torrence powered to the Top Fuel win with a run of 3.812 at 322.96 in his Capco Contractors dragster to take down Doug Kalitta in the finals. The current points leader in the class notched his fourth victory of the year and the 20th of his career in his 200th race as a Top Fuel competitor.
“We didn’t qualify exactly where we wanted to, but at the end of the day we were in the right spot to win the race so I was proud of my team,” Torrence said. “This is one of the best racetracks I’ve ever been down because it’s so smooth, I really enjoyed coming back here where my Top Fuel career started.”
Torrence qualified sixth for the event and defeated Scott Palmer, Terry McMillen, and Antron Brown en route to victory.
Kalitta secured his second runner-up of the season and first since Charlotte, as he is still aiming for his first win since the season-opening Pomona event.
Gray was able to take down two-time world champion Erica Enders in the final round for his seventh career victory and second of the season. His 6.595 at 208.81 in his Gray Motorsports Valvoline Chevrolet Camaro made him just the second Pro Stock competitor to reach the winner’s circle twice in 2018.
“Every time we match up with Erica it makes for some good racing, it’s a lot of fun getting to race the two-time champion,” Gray said. “It means a lot to get a win in my first time at the track, so it’s fun to get a win here in Virginia especially since it isn’t far from my home.”
He took down Kenny Delco, Vincent Nobile, and Drew Skillman to lock down the win.
Enders now has three runner-up finishes on the year to go along with a victory in Charlotte, as her four final rounds are the most in the class in 2018.
Tonglet earned his first victory of the season in Pro Stock Motorcycle, using a 6.841 at 196.76 on his Nitro Fish Racing Suzuki to take down points leader Andrew Hines in the finals.
“Getting this win was huge, especially going against a Harley-Davidson bike because we know they are always going to be tough to beat,” Tonglet said.
“Our bike is just flying and is fun to ride right now.”
After qualifying fifth, he bested John Hall, defending champion Eddie Krawiec, and No. 1 qualifier Hector Arana Jr. to notch the win.
Hines now has three runner-up appearances on the season, as he still chases his first win of the year.
The 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season continues at Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tenn. from June 15-17.
SATURDAY - SCHUMACHER, C. FORCE, ANDERSON AND ARANA JR. HOLD ONTO NO. 1 QUALIFIERS AT VIRGINIA MOTORSPORTS PARK
Tony Schumacher was able to parlay his strong Friday qualifying pass to secure the Top Fuel No. 1 qualifier at the inaugural Virginia NHRA Nationals in front of a sellout crowd at Virginia Motorsports Park.
Courtney Force (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock), and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories at the 10th of 24 events on the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.
Schumacher powered to the top spot with a run of 3.777-seconds at a track record 327.51 mph in his U.S. Army dragster during the second qualifying session on Friday. The eight-time world champion now has three No. 1 qualifiers on the season, while he chases his first event win of the year.
“We are going to figure out what the track can take tomorrow since it should be a hot day, which is exactly what we want,” Schumacher said. “We have an incredible team, we are continuing to figure things out and trying to get our first win since last year.”
Defending Top Fuel world champion Brittany Force qualified second as she prepares for Bill Litton on Sunday.
C. Force remained atop the Funny Car lead with a pass of 3.983 at 323.35 in her Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro recorded during her second qualifying run of the weekend. The current points leader secured her sixth No. 1 qualifier of the year and fourth in the past five events.
“My team has been incredible, and having a consistent racecar like this has us feeling good going into race day,” Force said. “It feels awesome to have a No. 1 qualifier hat but it is important for us to continue to go rounds and hopefully end up in the winner’s circle.”
She will face-off against Jeff Diehl in the first round.
Teammate Robert Hight finds himself qualified second for eliminations as he prepares for Cruz Pedregon who looks to rebound after an explosion during the third round of qualifying.
Anderson retained the top spot in Pro Stock after driving to a 6.571 at 210.67 in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro during the last pass on Friday. The four-time world champion locked in his sixth No. 1 qualifying spot of the season and second consecutive.
“Even though it’s been hot this weekend, this wonderful racetrack is not going to change by tomorrow so we know that can only get better,” Anderson said. “This is a wonderful class right now with competition through the roof, so we know every pair is going to run well and it will be an exciting day.”
He matches up with Tommy Lee for Sunday’s eliminations.
The defending Pro Stock world champion Bo Butner qualified second and will go head-to-head with Wally Stroupe in eliminations.
The Pro Stock Motorcycle class is led by Hector Arana Jr., who used a 6.795 at 198.15 on his Lucas Oil Racing TV EBR from his second qualifying run on Friday to lead the pack throughout Saturday. He is set to take on Kelly Clontz in the first round on Sunday.
“We are always trying to run faster each round, but we wanted to figure out which direction we needed to go on Sunday,” Arana Jr. said. “Tonight, we will go through all of the data and notes and try to put a winning combination together for tomorrow.”
Andrew Hines qualified second and prepares for Hector Arana in the first round.
Eliminations begin at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday at Virginia Motorsports Park.
Sunday's first-round pairings for eliminations for the Inaugural Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park, the 10th 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. Tony Schumacher, 3.777 seconds, 327.51 mph vs. Bye; 2. Brittany Force, 3.808, 324.75 vs. 15. Bill Litton, broke; 3. Terry McMillen, 3.816, 323.81 vs. 14. Terry Haddock, 4.249, 215.68; 4. Doug Kalitta, 3.827, 320.36 vs. 13. Dan Mercier, 3.946, 318.39; 5. Leah Pritchett, 3.830, 320.05 vs. 12. Clay Millican, 3.907, 306.05; 6. Steve Torrence, 3.837, 323.81 vs. 11. Scott Palmer, 3.891, 320.05; 7. Mike Salinas, 3.841, 321.19 vs. 10. Antron Brown, 3.878, 319.14; 8. Richie Crampton, 3.863, 314.46 vs. 9. Dom Lagana, 3.869, 323.81.
Funny Car -- 1. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.983, 323.35 vs. 16. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Solara, 4.280, 289.38; 2. Robert Hight, Camaro, 4.039, 318.39 vs. 15. Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Camry, 4.158, 289.94; 3. Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 4.039, 318.02 vs. 14. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 4.152, 302.14; 4. J.R. Todd, Camry, 4.042, 316.15 vs. 13. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.115, 284.75; 5. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.053, 312.06 vs. 12. Del Worsham, Camry, 4.113, 312.28; 6. Jonnie Lindberg, Mustang, 4.057, 310.98 vs. 11. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.088, 315.56; 7. John Force, Camaro, 4.065, 317.12 vs. 10. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.083, 314.83; 8. Jim Campbell, Charger, 4.070, 311.34 vs. 9. Shawn Langdon, Camry, 4.080, 315.78.
Did Not Qualify: 17. John Smith, 4.356, 255.19; 18. Phil Burkart, 5.009, 159.89.
Pro Stock -- 1. Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.571, 210.67 vs. 16. Tommy Lee, Camaro, 6.951, 198.41; 2. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.575, 210.14 vs. 15. Wally Stroupe, Camaro, 6.765, 203.80; 3. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.579, 209.30 vs. 14. John Gaydosh Jr, Chevrolet Camaro, 6.720, 205.98; 4. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.580, 209.62 vs. 13. Val Smeland, Camaro, 6.681, 207.43; 5. Tanner Gray, Camaro, 6.585, 209.92 vs. 12. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.657, 208.01; 6. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.590, 209.69 vs. 11. Buddy Perkinson, Camaro, 6.627, 209.26; 7. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.591, 209.49 vs. 10. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.601, 209.82; 8. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.598, 209.69 vs. 9. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.599, 209.82.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.795, 199.14 vs. 16. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.969, 193.10; 2. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.833, 197.02 vs. 15. Hector Arana, Buell, 6.967, 196.70; 3. Matt Smith, Victory, 6.837, 194.69 vs. 14. Cory Reed, Buell, 6.936, 193.05; 4. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.850, 195.99 vs. 13. Mark Paquette, Buell, 6.932, 193.74; 5. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 6.858, 195.39 vs. 12. John Hall, Buell, 6.929, 192.44; 6. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.863, 195.11 vs. 11. Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 6.922, 195.31; 7. Scotty Pollacheck, Suzuki, 6.872, 194.07 vs. 10. Joey Gladstone, Suzuki, 6.889, 193.49; 8. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.886, 194.86 vs. 9. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.887, 193.68.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Ryan Oehler, 6.975, 191.95; 18. Karen Stoffer, 6.987, 191.29; 19. Ron Tornow, 6.995, 190.00; 20. Angelle Sampey, 7.039, 191.84; 21. Andie Rawlings, 7.302, 179.56.
FRIDAY - C. FORCE, SCHUMACHER, ANDERSON & ARANA JR. INITIAL NO. 1 QUALIFIERS AT INAUGURAL VIRGINIA NHRA NATIONALS
Courtney Force continued her early-season dominance in the Funny Car class as she currently sits as the No. 1 qualifier at the inaugural Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park.
Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock), and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also preliminary No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories at the 10th of 24 events on the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.
Force jumped atop the category lead with a pass of 3.983-seconds at 323.35 mph in her Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS recorded during her second qualifying run of the day. The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series returned to the facility for the first time since 2009 and both her time and speed are track records. The current points leader is on the hunt for her sixth No. 1 qualifier of the year and fourth in the past five events.
“We didn’t really know what to expect at a new track, but once we made a solid run in the first round we knew we could make a phenomenal run in the second round to try and get our top spot back,” Force said. “It’s great to be back in Virginia, and I’m really proud of my team for having such a good start to the weekend.”
John Force Racing teammate Robert Hight currently finds himself second with a pass of 4.039 at 318.39 recorded during his second run of the night.
Schumacher powered to the top spot in Top Fuel with a run of 3.777 at a track record 327.51 in his U.S. Army dragster during the second qualifying session of the day. The eight-time world champion is aiming for his third No. 1 qualifier on the season.
“All of the drivers and crew chiefs were really pleased with this track, it was just perfect,” Schumacher said. “We have won this race before, but to have the fans coming back to this track and see the U.S. Army car doing well is a really cool feeling.”
Defending Top Fuel world champion Brittany Force is currently second after a 3.808 at 324.75 during her second pass of the day.
Anderson currently holds the top spot in Pro Stock after driving to a 6.571 at 210.67 pass in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro during the last pass of the second round of qualifying. The four-time world champion is chasing his sixth No. 1 qualifying spot of the season and second in a row.
“This is a brand-new race track and they have done a phenomenal job on these two lanes, it’s a tough challenge, but I am very happy with the job that has been done here,” Anderson said. “I have a lot of history here in Richmond, this is a magical place to me so I’m glad to be back here to race at this track.”
Defending Pro Stock world champion Bo Butner was able to move into second with a 6.575 at 210.14 during the second round as he looks to regain the momentum from his season-opening victory at Pomona.
The Pro Stock Motorcycle class was paced by Hector Arana Jr., who used a 6.795 at 198.15 on his Lucas Oil Racing TV EBR from his second qualifying run as he had low E.T. of both qualifying sessions to lead the pack.
“Our bike is really consistent right now and has responded well to the changes we have been making,” Arana Jr. said. “This track is one of the best I have been on, and we knew we could throw everything we have at this track to have a few solid runs.”
The category points leader Andrew Hines is currently second after a 6.833 at 196.24 as he looks to become the first Pro Stock Motorcycle winner in Richmond since his brother Matt in 1998.
Qualifying continues at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday at Virginia Motorsports Park.
Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the Inaugural Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park, the 10th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Tony Schumacher, 3.777 seconds, 327.51 mph; 2. Brittany Force, 3.808, 324.75; 3. Terry McMillen, 3.816, 323.81; 4. Doug Kalitta, 3.827, 320.36; 5. Mike Salinas, 3.861, 319.07; 6. Richie Crampton, 3.863, 314.46; 7. Antron Brown, 3.879, 304.67; 8. Dom Lagana, 3.886, 321.58; 9. Scott Palmer, 3.891, 309.06; 10. Clay Millican, 3.907, 306.05; 11. Leah Pritchett, 3.917, 316.15; 12. Dan Mercier, 4.180, 238.64; 13. Steve Torrence, 4.198, 210.44; 14. Terry Haddock, 4.249, 215.68.
Funny Car -- 1. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.983, 323.35; 2. Robert Hight, Camaro, 4.039, 318.39; 3. Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 4.039, 318.02; 4. J.R. Todd, Toyota Camry, 4.042, 310.55; 5. Jonnie Lindberg, Ford Mustang, 4.057, 310.98; 6. John Force, Camaro, 4.068, 316.97; 7. Jim Campbell, Charger, 4.070, 311.34; 8. Shawn Langdon, Camry, 4.080, 315.78; 9. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.088, 315.56; 10. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.104, 307.65; 11. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.115, 284.75; 12. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.164, 288.52; 13. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Solara, 4.280, 289.38; 14. John Smith, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.356, 255.19; 15. Phil Burkart, 5.009, 159.89; 16. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 6.347, 112.09.
Not Qualified: 17. Tommy Johnson Jr., broke.
Pro Stock -- 1. Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.571, 210.67; 2. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.575, 210.14; 3. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.579, 209.30; 4. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.580, 209.62; 5. Tanner Gray, Camaro, 6.585, 209.92; 6. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.591, 209.49; 7. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.599, 209.82; 8. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.601, 209.82; 9. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.601, 209.49; 10. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.604, 209.14; 11. Buddy Perkinson, Camaro, 6.636, 208.88; 12. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.657, 207.11; 13. Val Smeland, Camaro, 6.681, 207.43; 14. John Gaydosh Jr, Chevrolet Camaro, 6.730, 204.57; 15. Wally Stroupe, Camaro, 6.765, 203.80; 16. Tommy Lee, Camaro, 7.075, 195.31.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.795, 199.14; 2. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.833, 197.02; 3. Matt Smith, Victory, 6.837, 193.74; 4. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.850, 195.99; 5. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.878, 194.94; 6. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.886, 194.86; 7. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 6.888, 195.08; 8. Scotty Pollacheck, Suzuki, 6.889, 194.07; 9. Joey Gladstone, Suzuki, 6.889, 192.82; 10. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.914, 193.24; 11. Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 6.922, 194.46; 12. Mark Paquette, Buell, 6.932, 192.96; 13. Hector Arana, Buell, 6.967, 196.70; 14. Cory Reed, Buell, 6.968, 190.57; 15. Ryan Oehler, Buell, 6.975, 190.30; 16. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.987, 191.29.
Not Qualified: 17. Ron Tornow, 7.033, 190.00; 18. John Hall, 7.081, 187.21; 19. Kelly Clontz, 7.118, 190.83; 20. Angelle Sampey, 7.157, 190.70; 21. Andie Rawlings, 7.303, 179.56.
