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SUNDAY – DOUG KALITTA AND TOMMY JOHNSON JR. PICK UP KEY VICTORIES AT NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS
Veteran Doug Kalitta won for the fourth time in St. Louis and pulled within two points of the Top Fuel lead on Sunday, racing to an impressive victory at the ninth annual Mopar Express Lane NHRA Midwest Nationals presented by Pennzoil at World Wide Technology Raceway.
Tommy Johnson (Funny Car) also won at the eighth race of the 2020 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. Due to a unique combination of cold temperatures and wind direction, NHRA officials postponed the conclusion of racing in Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle on Sunday. The two classes will be completed at an upcoming event.
The race was also highlighted by the announcement that Camping World has partnered with NHRA to become the sponsor of the premier professional series, which will be known as the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series.
Kalitta earned his second win this season and 49th in his standout career after going 3.690-seconds at 322.58 mph in his 11,000-horsepower Mac Tools dragster, beating defending world champ Steve Torrence in the final round. It closed the gap between Kalitta and Torrence, who has won two straight world titles, to just two points, setting the stage for a memorable championship battle.
Kalitta reached the final round after getting past Kalitta Motorsports teammate Shawn Langdon, T.J. Zizzo and No. 1 qualifier Tony Schumacher, and is in position to try and win his first career Top Fuel world championship.
“We needed to get some momentum going and this is going to do a lot for us,” Kalitta said. “The conditions were real good and my guys had the car running well today. I’m real proud of these Mac Tools guys. It’s just a big team effort, really. We’re all counting points and figuring out what we can do to get ahead, but the only place you can do it is on the starting line. The championship is the number one prize and we’re hoping to get a couple more wins, for sure. We had a great effort behind us (Sunday) and we’re really looking forward to these next three races. I love running in St. Louis and it’s a good racing town.”
Torrence advanced to his fourth straight final round in St. Louis and 59th in his career by knocking off Kyle Wurtzel, Antron Brown and his father, Billy.
In Funny Car, Johnson picked up a crucial victory to stay in championship contention, going 3.884 at 326.88 in his 11,000-horsepower MD Anderson Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat in the final round to squeak past Matt Hagan’s 3.886 at 333.00. It gives Johnson his second win in 2020 and 21st in his career, and also handed Don Schumacher Racing its 11th straight victory in the class. He advanced to the final round with victories against Terry Haddock, Paul Lee and teammate Jack Beckman, who entered the weekend with the points lead.
Hagan jumped past him by advancing to the final round, but Johnson now trails by just 34 points. Beckman is only 16 points behind Hagan, setting the stage for a thrilling three-car Funny Car race down the stretch. Like Kalitta, Johnson is also seeking that elusive first world championship, and Sunday’s performance means he remains a viable threat in the class.
“This was a must-win,” Johnson said. “You’re trying to gain points on those guys (Hagan and Beckman), so when you do face off with them, it’s a must-win. You can’t let them keep going rounds and keep falling a round behind. It was huge to be able to take out both of them today and keep our team in it, and make it a solid three-man race right now. It’s incredible (DSR) has gone that many races and won. It’s unbelievable and a tribute to all the hard work the guys have done. The semifinal and final were both really tight races and it shows you why the three of us are at the front right now. The racing is so close.”
Hagan advanced to his 63rd career final round with victories against Bob Bode, teammate Ron Capps and Alexis DeJoria.
In Pro Stock, action was stopped midway through the second round, with Greg Anderson and Matt Hartford both picking up wins. Anderson ran a Sunday-best 6.502 at 211.53 in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro in his second-round victory. Erica Enders was set to race Chris McGaha when the call was made to postpone the rest of racing action in the class. Aaron Stanfield and points leader Jason Line were slated to race as well. That winner will meet Hartford and Anderson will race the winner of Enders-McGaha.
Pro Stock Motorcycle completed its second round of eliminations before action was halted on Sunday. Points leader Matt Smith, who won the most recent race in Gainesville, went an eliminations-best 6.767 at 199.49 on his DENSO Auto Parts/Stockseth Racing EBR to move into the semifinals. Joining him was Steve Johnson, teammate and U.S. Nationals winner Scotty Pollacheck and reigning world champ Andrew Hines. Smith and Johnson will square off in the semifinals, while Pollacheck and Hines will race for a spot in the final round.
Action in the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Series was also postponed due to the cold temperatures and wind direction. There were no elimination runs made in the class on Sunday.
The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues Oct. 14-18 with the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex in Dallas.
SATURDAY – SCHUMACHER BREAKS TOP FUEL TRACK SPEED RECORD, JOINED BY NO. 1 QUALIFIERS LEE, LINE, M. SMITH AT MIDWEST NATIONALS
Eight-time Top Fuel world champion Tony Schumacher powered to his first No. 1 qualifier since 2018, breaking the track speed record during Saturday’s ninth annual Mopar Express Lane NHRA Midwest Nationals presented by Pennzoil at World Wide Technology Raceway.
Paul Lee (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories at the eighth race of the 2020 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. Only one run of qualifying was completed in Top Fuel and Funny Car on Saturday due to weather.
Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle were not able to make a qualifying attempt due to weather. Their eliminations ladders were set by the current points standings in each class, with points leaders Line and Smith getting the top spots.
After multiple rain delays, Schumacher, who returned to Top Fuel action in July after not racing in 2019, went 3.680-seconds at 332.92 mph in his 11,000-horsepower Okuma/Sandvik Coromant dragster, earning his 88th career No. 1 qualifier. Top Fuel’s winningest driver will aim for his 85th career victory on Sunday and third at St. Louis, opening eliminations against Kebin Kinsley. Schumacher raced at the first two events when the NHRA returned to action in July, and then committed to the final six races of the 2020 season starting at the U.S. Nationals.
“I was just on a dynamite run,” Schumacher said. “I honestly didn’t think it was going to stick, but for all the people who jumped in at the last minute to help me out and get me back out here, I appreciate it. (Crew chief) Mike Green and I have been doing this a long time together. We work well together and understand how each other works, and these guys are having a great time. I’m real happy to be here. I’ve got faith in the guys and that makes a big difference. It’s hard to go down a track that’s 64 degrees. It takes a great crew chief, a great team and some luck. We had it all right there, so it was perfect for us.”
Terry McMillen qualified second after his run of 3.715 at 319.45 and Antron Brown was a spot behind in third after going 3.720 at 326.95. Points leader Steve Torrence starts eliminations from sixth after going 3.924 at 327.82.
Paul Lee earned his first career No. 1 qualifier in Funny Car thanks to a run of 3.913 at 326.95 in his 11,000-horsepower FTI Performance Dodge Charger. Next up, the veteran will try to pick up his first career win in the class and he’ll open eliminations against Jim Campbell. Alexis DeJoria, who returned to the class this year after not racing the previous two seasons, took second with a 3.929 at 288.21 and Cruz Pedregon qualified third with a run of 3.949 at 329.58. Points leader Jack Beckman ended in the fifth position after his pass of 4.750 at 185.03.
For the first time since the 2000 season, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying was determined by the current points standings. Following the lengthy rain delays, cooler track conditions didn’t allow for either class to make a qualifying run on Saturday. Line, who entered the weekend with a two-point lead over reigning world champion Erica Enders, picked up his third top qualifier this year and 58th in his career in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro. He will open eliminations against rookie Mason McGaha. Enders will start from the second position and Jeg Coughlin Jr. will be third.
After moving into the points lead with a victory at the most recent race in Gainesville, Matt Smith will begin eliminations from the top spot for the second straight race on his DENSO Auto Parts/Stockseth Racing EBR. It serves as his third No. 1 qualifier in 2020 and 41st in his career. Smith will take on Hector Arana to begin eliminations. Scotty Pollacheck opens race day from the second spot and Andrew Hines is third.
In the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, reigning world champion Stevie “Fast” Jackson qualified No. 1 thanks to his run of 5.659 at 253.52 in his blown Bahrain 1 Racing Camaro on Friday. The pass also set a new track elapse time record. Saturday’s qualifying session was canceled due to inclement weather. Jackson, who is currently second in points, will face off with Steve Matusek to open eliminations. Brandon Snider qualified second with a 5.660 at 252.00 and Khalid alBalooshi took third after going 5.699 at 253.18. Points leader and former world champ Mike Janis will start race day from 11th after going 5.859 at 211.33.
Eliminations for the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Midwest Nationals presented by Pennzoil begin at 11 a.m. CT on Sunday. Live television coverage of eliminations begins at 2:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1 (FS1).
Sunday’s first-round pairings for eliminations for the ninth annual Mopar Express Lane NHRA Midwest Nationals presented by Pennzoil at World Wide Technology Raceway, the eighth of 11 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, 3.680 seconds, 332.92 mph vs. 16. Kebin Kinsley, 8.869, 61.82; 2. Terry McMillen, 3.715, 319.45 vs. 15. Todd Paton, 8.822, 81.37; 3. Antron Brown, 3.720, 326.95 vs. 14. Justin Ashley, 6.503, 123.41; 4. T.J. Zizzo, 3.755, 327.74 vs. 13. Luigi Novelli, 6.303, 89.81; 5. Doug Kalitta, 3.913, 325.22 vs. 12. Shawn Langdon, 5.993, 271.35; 6. Steve Torrence, 3.924, 327.82 vs. 11. Kyle Wurtzel, 5.274, 132.30; 7. Billy Torrence, 4.022, 322.50 vs. 10. Chris Karamesines, 4.701, 158.41; 8. Pat Dakin, 4.087, 300.66 vs. 9. Leah Pruett, 4.310, 249.07.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Clay Millican, 13.497, 43.49.
Funny Car — 1. Paul Lee, Dodge Charger, 3.913, 326.95 vs. 16. Jim Campbell, Charger, broke; 2. Alexis DeJoria, Toyota Camry, 3.929, 288.21 vs. 15. Dale Creasy Jr., Charger, 15.785, 67.72; 3. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.949, 329.58 vs. 14. Ron Capps, Charger, 12.851, 71.93; 4. Daniel Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 4.389, 197.48 vs. 13. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 11.856, 79.57; 5. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.750, 185.03 vs. 12. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 10.593, 73.12; 6. Matt Hagan, Charger, 5.105, 148.15 vs. 11. Bob Bode, Mustang, 8.440, 85.95; 7. J.R. Todd, Camry, 5.801, 184.98 vs. 10. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 7.985, 149.96; 8. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 7.220, 118.97 vs. 9. Terry Haddock, Mustang, 7.372, 87.39.
Pro Modified — 1. Steve Jackson, Chevy Camaro, 5.659, 253.52 vs. 16. Steve Matusek, Ford Mustang, 8.217, 110.44; 2. Brandon Snider, Chevy Corvette, 5.660, 252.00 vs. 15. Clint Satterfield, Camaro, 7.646, 123.71; 3. Khalid alBalooshi, Camaro, 5.699, 253.18 vs. 14. Jonathan Gray, Camaro, 7.362, 127.88; 4. Rickie Smith, Camaro, 5.711, 252.33 vs. 13. Jeff Jones, Corvette, 6.731, 137.61; 5. Chad Green, Corvette, 5.739, 249.72 vs. 12. Justin Jones, Corvette, 5.956, 207.02; 6. Jeffery Barker, Camaro, 5.745, 253.14 vs. 11. Mike Janis, Camaro, 5.859, 211.33; 7. Brandon Pesz, Camaro, 5.748, 248.57 vs. 10. Doug Winters, Chevy Chevelle, 5.846, 245.81; 8. Kris Thorne, Camaro, 5.776, 258.52 vs. 9. Jim Whiteley, Corvette, 5.785, 246.03.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Jason Scruggs, broke.
FRIDAY –
PRO MODIFIED (Q-1)
1 1 Steve Jackson, Evans GA, ’18 Camaro 5.659 253.52 253.52
2 9 Brandon Snider, Atmore AL, *’16 Corvette 5.660 252.00 252.00
3 8 Khalid alBalooshi, Dubai UE, ’19 Camaro 5.699 253.18 253.18
4 43 Rickie Smith, King NC, n’20 Camaro 5.711 252.33 252.33
5 473 Chad Green, Midland TX, n’18 Corvette 5.739 249.72 249.72
6 2343 Jeffery Barker, Kathleen GA, n’18 Camaro 5.745 253.14 253.14
7 463 Brandon Pesz, Weatherford TX, *’68 Camaro 5.748 248.57 248.57
8 288K Kris Thorne, Mims FL, t’17 Camaro 5.776 258.52 258.52
9 5087 Jim Whiteley, Grand Junction CO, *’63 Corvette 5.785 246.03 246.03
10 2105 Doug Winters, Pleasant Garden NC, *’69 Chevelle 5.846 245.81 245.81
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN (Q-1)
1 387 Mark Pawuk, Akron OH, ’15 Challenger 7.814 175.48 175.48
2 8 David Barton, Sinking Springs PA, ’17 Camaro 7.857 174.57 174.57
3 402 David Janac, Caldwell TX, ’18 Camaro 7.865 174.73 174.73
4 445 Aaron Stanfield, Bossier City LA, ’20 Camaro 7.870 175.18 175.18
5 4 Stephen Bell, Shreveport LA, ’18 Camaro 7.904 174.17 174.17
6 597 David Kramer, Sterling CO, ’19 Camaro 7.905 171.79 171.79
7 7773 Leah Pruett, Lake Havasu City AZ, ’18 Challeng 7.955 172.32 172.32
8 107 Doug Hamp, York PA, ’20 Camaro 8.008 172.50 172.50
9 222 Waldemar Rodriguez, Cidra PR, ’19 Camaro 8.042 168.58 168.58
10 B346 Lee Hartman, Canfield OH, ’19 Camaro 8.145 169.87 169.87
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
MOUNTAIN MOTOR PRO STOCK (Q-1)
1 38 JR Carr, Pasco WA, ’20 Camaro 6.179 228.23 228.23
2 297 Trevor Eman, Orangestad AW, ’18 Mustang 6.238 223.76 223.76
3 531 John DeFlorian Jr, Armold MO, ’15 Camaro 6.267 225.67 225.67
4 5383 Brad Waddle, Salina KS, ’13 Mustang 6.303 224.40 224.40
5 200 Elijah Morton, Jacksonville NC, ’18 Mustang 6.392 224.06 224.06
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
COMP (FINAL)
1 353 CC/AT Bruno Massel, Elmhurst IL, ’10 Cobalt 7.072 7.83 -0.758
2 590 K/AA Clint Neff, Arvada CO, ’31 Ford 7.403 8.14 -0.737
3 4487 C/EA Sean Dodd, Double Oak TX, ’06 Chevy Cobalt 7.972 8.70 -0.728
4 5008 G/A Travis Gusso, Sioux Falls SD, ’10 Cobalt 8.241 8.94 -0.699
5 358 D/EA David Billingsley, Decatur IL, ’14 Chevy 7.980 8.67 -0.690
6 26 F/D John Frech, Courtland OH, Weddle-Chevy 7.907 8.59 -0.683
7 45 B/DA Chase Williams, Carthage TX, Spitzer 6.680 7.34 -0.660
8 9 C/AA Jim Greenheck, Schofield WI, ’12 Camaro 7.161 7.82 -0.659
9 38 A/EA Todd Frantz, Louisville KY, ’32 Bantam 7.251 7.89 -0.639
10 31 K/AA Chad Voges, Saint Peters MO, ’32 Bantam 7.539 8.17 -0.631
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
TOP DRAGSTER (FINAL)
1 397 Phillip Oakley, Philpot KY, Miller-Chevy 6.117 235.15 235.15
2 5226 Afton Swanson, Denver IA, Spitzer-Chevy 6.117 233.24 233.24
3 459D J.R. Baxter, Waxahachie TX, Miller-Chevy 6.119 202.52 215.48
4 7 Mike Coughlin, Delaware OH, Page-Chevy 6.121 225.52 226.05
5 4358 Dane Ward, Mena AR, Racecraft-Chevy 6.137 223.47 223.47
6 4407 Bob Henry, Owasso OK, Spitzer-Chevy 6.148 235.47 235.47
7 33 JB Strassweg, Evansville IN, Miller-Chevy 6.150 217.91 217.91
8 444B Wayne Landry, St. Bernard LA, American-Chevy 6.152 225.75 225.75
9 3 Ross Laris, Raceland LA, Racecraft-APD 6.173 195.39 195.39
10 370 Jeff Libla, Fairdeling MO, Miller-Chevy 6.180 230.53 230.53
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
SUPER STOCK (FINAL)
1 4739 GT/IA Greg Stanfield, Bossier City LA, ’87 Cama 9.541 10.65 -1.109
2 9 GT/CA Jason DeForrest, Oak Grove MN, ’05 Cavali 8.805 9.90 -1.095
3 4343 GT/FA Craig Gualtiere, Amarillo TX, ’05 Cavalier 9.161 10.25 -1.089
4 3663 FSS/B Daniel Condon, Wilmington IL, ’15 Camaro 8.167 9.20 -1.033
5 4615 GT/EA Christopher Dodd, Double Oak TX, ’08 Coba 9.070 10.10 -1.030
6 3662 FSS/D Scott Libersher, Wilmington IL, ’18 Camaro 8.880 9.90 -1.020
7 4312 FSS/A Paul Candies, Des Allemands LA, ’10 Musta 7.786 8.80 -1.014
8 3043 SS/CA Allen Wade, Rochester IN, ’69 Camaro 9.042 10.05 -1.008
9 540 FSS/L Curtis Hieb, Chamberlain SD, ’10 Mustang 9.793 10.80 -1.007
10 3001 GT/TB J.J. Twitchell, Elkhart IN, ’02 S-10 9.857 10.85 -0.993
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
STOCK (FINAL)
1 541 FS/C Larry DeForrest, Ramsey MN, ’10 Mustang 9.261 10.30 -1.039
2 4705 B/SA Bobby Brannon, Bossier City LA, ’15 Camaro10.223 11.25 -1.027
3 5601 H/SA Jamis Jurgens, Watertown SD, ’83 Camaro 11.125 12.15 -1.025
4 3310 FS/B Cody Herron, New Albany IN, ’14 Mustang 9.005 10.00 -0.995
5 339L D/SA Randi Lyn Shipp, Floyds Knobs IN, ’67 Fir 10.558 11.55 -0.992
6 5033 K/SA Rachelle Thibert, Louisburg KS, ’81 Malibu11.661 12.65 -0.989
7 5664 B/SA Tim Tosto, Wentzville MO, ’69 Camaro 10.279 11.25 -0.971
8 313Y E/SA T.C. Morris, New Haven KY, ’04 GTO 10.741 11.70 -0.959
9 244 FS/D Jeff Taylor, Sellersburg IN, ’15 Challeng 9.660 10.60 -0.940
10 3540 FS/E Charley Downing, Britton MI, ’14 Mustang 10.011 10.95 -0.939
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
SUPER GAS (E1 WINNERS)
1 5830 S/G Ryan Siffring, O’Fallon MO, ’03 Corvette 9.900 9.90 0.000
2 4355 S/G Brad Garner, Edwardsville IL, ’68 Camaro 9.907 9.90 0.007
3 353A S/G Larry Roedel, Evansville IN, ’27-T Ford 9.907 9.90 0.007
4 3696 S/G Rudy Matthews, Ohio City OH, ’69 Camaro 9.909 9.90 0.009
5 7 S/G Vernon Rowland, Blanchard OK, ’85 Calais 9.909 9.90 0.009
6 525G S/G Darryl Sutton, Moscow Hills MO, ’96 Grand 9.911 9.90 0.011
7 2342 S/G Kenny Threatt, Springfield TN, ’63 Corvet 9.916 9.90 0.016
8 2850 S/G Timothy McClain, Adalusia AL, ’63 Corvette 9.923 9.90 0.023
9 315L S/G Bob Eaker, Camby IN, ’10 Camaro 9.925 9.90 0.025
10 395M S/G Marcus Bush, Aledo IL, ’77 Nova 9.929 9.90 0.029
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
