2019 NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS - EVENT RESULTS
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SUNDAY - HAGAN AND TORRENCE REPEAT AS WINNERS AT SEVENTH ANNUAL NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS
Defending event winners Matt Hagan and Steve Torrence kept their impressive pace going at New England Dragway, as both raced to victories on Sunday at the seventh annual NHRA New England Nationals.
Both wins came at the 13th of 24 events during the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
Hagan won for the third straight year at the track in Funny Car, going 4.014-seconds at 322.81 mph in the final round in his MOPAR Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat to beat Shawn Langdon’s 4.046 at 317.49. Hagan, a two-time world champion, picked up his second win of 2019 and 31st in his career.
Hagan knocked off Don Schumacher Racing teammates Jack Beckman and Ron Capps, and Bob Tasca III, who entered the race on the strength of back-to-back wins, to reach the final round, going a weekend-best 3.958 at 326.24 to start his day. He stayed consistent the rest of eliminations to beat Langdon, who reached his second career final round in Funny Car with round wins against Jim Campbell, points leader Robert Hight and Tim Wilkerson.
“We went down the track in qualifying and that created a lot of confidence in our team,” said Hagan, who also picked up his 350th career round win during eliminations. “Rolling into race day, I knew we had a great car and I was confident in it.
“We kept lane choice every pass and that was big. I’m really excited we were able to get another win and we needed this to be our turning point this season. We needed to gather up some momentum and I feel like we’re making the right steps to move forward coming out of this race.”
In Top Fuel, Torrence, the points leader and defending world champ, kept his dominant stretch going, rolling to his seventh win in the past eight races during the 2019 season with a run of 3.861 at 321.58 to beat Scott Palmer in the final round in his Capco Contractors dragster. Torrence, who is nominated for the Best Driver Award at Wednesday’s 2019 ESPY Awards, picked up his 34th career win by beating Austin Prock, Terry McMillen and Richie Crampton to reach his eighth straight and 50th overall final round.
Palmer advanced to his second career final round thanks to wins against Dan Mercier, Antron Brown and No. 1 qualifier Clay Millican, going 4.014 at 251.25 against Torrence. The victory also gives Torrence, who already clinched his spot in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship this weekend, his 13th win in the last 19 races dating back to last year’s playoffs and 26th win since 2017.
“I really, really want Scott Palmer to win a race, but we want to win them all, too,” said Torrence, who qualified ninth and won from the seventh different qualifying position in 2019. “That was a great final round. That’s a really good group of guys and to see the progression we’ve both made, it’s pretty neat and really special for us.
“Without being cocky and just being confident, you carry the mindset of you want to go everywhere and win. With doing that, you don’t treat anywhere any differently. This is a fun place to come to and it’s a pretty neat part of the country.”
The Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues July 19-21 with the 40th annual Dodge Mile-High NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil at Bandimere Speedway in Denver. It also marks the start of the NHRA’s famed three-race Western Swing. Eliminations of all three events will be shown live on the FOX national broadcast network.
SATURDAY - MILLICAN AND TODD SECURE NO. 1 QUALIFYING SPOTS AT NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS
Clay Millican raced to the No. 1 qualifying position in Top Fuel on Saturday at the seventh annual NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway.
Defending Funny Car world champion J.R. Todd also qualified No. 1 at the 13th of 24 events during the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. Qualifying concluded after the third session on Saturday due to weather.
Millican claimed his second No. 1 qualifier of the season and 22nd in his career after his pass of 3.795-seconds at 326.71 mph from Friday in his Parts Plus/Laris Motorsports Insurance dragster held up. Richie Crampton, who won earlier this year in Gainesville, finished No. 2 with a run of 3.825 at 319.07, while Kalitta Motorsports teammate Doug Kalitta was a spot behind in third after his 3.844 at 321.73.
Points leader and defending world champ Steve Torrence, who has six wins in the last seven races, will start eliminations from ninth after his 4.170 at 218.72. Millican will race for his first win of 2019 and his first NHRA Top Fuel victory with crew chief Mike Kloeber.
“Obviously we had a big change in the off-season, and Mike and I have been friends for a long time,” said Millican, who is also after his first NHRA win in Epping. “Pretty much everything about what I do in the race car I learned from him. He’s taught me so much. It’s just really, really fun and it’s great working with him again. The guys working on the car have just been unbelievable. I think we’re further ahead than I thought we would be.”
Todd picked up his second No. 1 qualifier of 2019 and 12th in his career thanks to his run of 4.022 at 317.34 on Friday in his DHL Toyota Camry. Bob Tasca III, who is racing at his home track and coming off of back-to-back Funny Car wins this season, qualified second with a 4.035 at 318.17. Ron Capps, a two-time winner in Epping, is third after going 4.039 at 313.07, while points leader Robert Hight is a spot behind after his run of 4.046 at 322.65.
Todd, who picked up his third career No. 1 qualifier in Funny Car, will try to win at New England Dragway for the first time. His top run also marked the first No. 1 qualifier for Kalitta Motorsports in Funny Car at the facility.
“It just gives everybody a little pep in their step, but at the end of the day we want wins,” said Todd, who has one win in 2019. “The No. 1 qualifier is good and all, but you don’t get points and trophies for that. It would be big to get a win here, and any win you can get on the tour is special. We want to start the second half of the season off on the right foot.”
Eliminations at the NHRA New England Nationals begin at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday at New England Dragway, with live action starting on FS1 at 1 p.m.
Sunday's first-round pairings for eliminations for the seventh annual NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway, the 13th 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. Clay Millican, 3.795 seconds, 326.71 mph vs. Bye; 2. Richie Crampton, 3.825, 319.07 vs. 13. Audrey Worm, 9.234, 89.65; 3. Doug Kalitta, 3.844, 321.73 vs. 12. Terry McMillen, 6.318, 103.24; 4. Antron Brown, 3.848, 321.73 vs. 11. Cameron Ferre, 5.886, 117.18; 5. Scott Palmer, 3.877, 315.34 vs. 10. Dan Mercier, 4.279, 219.72; 6. Austin Prock, 3.899, 310.05 vs. 9. Steve Torrence, 4.170, 218.72; 7. Brittany Force, 3.904, 292.90 vs. 8. Dom Lagana, 3.926, 318.77.
Funny Car -- 1. J.R. Todd, Toyota Camry, 4.022, 317.34 vs. Bye; 2. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 4.035, 318.17 vs. 15. Jeff Diehl, Camry, 17.392, 52.30; 3. Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 4.039, 313.07 vs. 14. Mike Smith, Dodge Stratus, 9.893, 80.08; 4. Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 4.046, 322.65 vs. 13. Terry Haddock, Mustang, 4.332, 288.52; 5. Shawn Langdon, Camry, 4.046, 314.39 vs. 12. Jim Campbell, Charger, 4.162, 297.42; 6. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.051, 318.47 vs. 11. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.117, 310.55; 7. John Force, Camaro, 4.054, 313.88 vs. 10. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 4.089, 305.91; 8. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.069, 311.34 vs. 9. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.073, 303.64.
FRIDAY - TODD AND MILLICAN PROVISIONAL NO. 1 QUALIFIERS AT THE NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS
Defending Funny Car world champion J.R. Todd powered down the hot track Friday evening for the provisional top spot at the NHRA New England Nationals located at New England Dragway.
Todd drove his DHL Toyota Camry to a 4.022-seconds at 317.34 mph during the second round of qualifying. Todd is chasing his second No. 1 qualifier of the season, 12th of his career and first career at New England Dragway.
“We’re starting the second half of the season and it’s really go time, to start making moves,” Todd said. “I said last year I wanted to be in the top five coming out of Indy and we’re hanging right around there right now. But that was a good run for the DHL Toyota there in Q2. I didn’t think it was going to hold, though. I’m kind of surprised (Ron) Capps didn’t run better than he did. But, hats off to (crew chiefs) Jon (Oberhofer) and Todd Smith for adapting to these hot conditions and making this thing rip like it is.”
Capps and teammate Shawn Langdon are currently in the second and third spots respectively following Friday evening qualifying.
Clay Millican is also sitting in the top spot for Top Fuel at the 13th of 24 events on the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour.
Millican’s second qualifying run of 3.795 at 326.71 in his Parts Plus/Laris Motorsports Insurance dragster earned the top spot of the day. He is looking for his second No. 1 qualifying position of the season, 22nd of his career and first at NHRA New England Nationals.
“It was pretty obvious that everybody was having trouble,” Millican said. “There was no way a 3.79 was going to stay No. 1, I didn’t think. We were second car down the race track in that session and it’s a good race track but any race track is going to have trouble when it’s this hot outside.”
Qualifying continues at the NHRA New England Nationals at with the action LIVE on FS1 beginning at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday at New England Dragway.
Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the seventh annual NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway, 13th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Clay Millican, 3.795 seconds, 326.71 mph; 2. Richie Crampton, 3.825, 319.07; 3. Doug Kalitta, 3.844, 321.73; 4. Antron Brown, 3.848, 321.73; 5. Scott Palmer, 3.877, 315.34; 6. Austin Prock, 3.899, 310.05; 7. Brittany Force, 3.904, 292.90; 8. Dom Lagana, 3.926, 318.77; 9. Dan Mercier, 4.279, 219.72; 10. Cameron Ferre, 5.886, 117.18; 11. Steve Torrence, 6.157, 100.74; 12. Terry McMillen, 6.318, 103.24; 13. Audrey Worm, 9.234, 89.65.
Funny Car -- 1. J.R. Todd, Toyota Camry, 4.022, 317.34; 2. Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 4.039, 313.07; 3. Shawn Langdon, Camry, 4.046, 314.39; 4. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 4.048, 316.45; 5. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.051, 318.47; 6. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.069, 311.34; 7. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 4.091, 312.78; 8. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.095, 305.15; 9. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.117, 310.55; 10. John Force, Chevy Camaro, 4.348, 208.39; 11. Robert Hight, Camaro, 6.368, 107.91; 12. Jim Campbell, Charger, 8.976, 70.82; 13. Mike Smith, Dodge Stratus, 9.893, 80.08; 14. Jeff Diehl, Camry, 17.392, 52.30.
FRIDAY SPORTSMAN QUALIFYING
SUPER STOCK (SESSION TWO)
1 1340 SS/AM Scott Gove, Dennysville ME, '93 Daytona 7.975 9.00 -1.025
2 1116 SS/BA John Armstrong, Kingston NS, '69 Corvette 8.911 9.90 -0.989
3 1394 GT/EA Louis Gill, Val Belaire PQ, '92 Cavalier 9.195 10.10 -0.905
4 17 SS/EA Jerry Hatch, Lubec ME, '70 Challenger 9.464 10.35 -0.886
5 1960 SS/AH Al Smyth, Uxbridge MA, '68 Barracuda 8.714 9.60 -0.886
6 1164 SS/DA Bruce Riley, Lake Echo NS, '71 Chevelle 9.329 10.20 -0.871
7 1030 GT/EA Guy DesJardins, St. Bruno PQ, '67 Camaro 9.241 10.10 -0.859
8 1027 GT/TC Marc LaBrecque, Whately MA, '00 S-10 10.242 11.10 -0.858
9 1318 SS/FA Joe Hertline, Penfield NY, '67 Camaro 9.593 10.45 -0.857
10 1513 GT/OA Doug Chervanik, Sunbury PA, '82 Camaro 10.601 11.45 -0.849
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STOCK (SESSION TWO)
1 1557 B/SA Fred Thibeault, Middleton NS, '69 Camaro 10.225 11.25 -1.025
2 152 H/SA Chris Butcher, Merrimack NH, '83 Camaro 11.185 12.15 -0.965
3 1373 K/SA Dennis Martins, New Bedford MA, '83 Malibu11.690 12.65 -0.960
4 1044 A/SA John Shaul, Fultonham NY, '64 Fury 10.041 11.00 -0.959
5 1426 D/SA Jerry Hatch, Lubec ME, '70 Duster 10.597 11.55 -0.953
6 1340 A/SA Scott Gove, Dennysville ME, '69 Camaro 10.059 11.00 -0.941
7 1455 F/SA Lenny Williams, Poughkeepsie NY, '71 Gran 10.929 11.85 -0.921
8 1984 M/S Robert Costantin, South Amboy NJ, '85 Mus 11.930 12.85 -0.920
9 103 M/SA Howie Smith, N. Syracuse NY, '80 Malibu 11.932 12.85 -0.918
10 1543 B/SA Angelo Ditocco, Mahopac NY, '97 Firebird 10.338 11.25 -0.912
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TOP DRAGSTER (SESSION ONE)
1 3 Alan Kenny, Kutztown PA, Page-Stin 6.289 200.02 200.02
2 146B Rick Jamieson, Sheffield MA, Race Tech-Chevy 6.358 214.48 214.48
3 1266 Craig Michaud, Danvers MA, Dan Page-Chevy 6.386 216.17 216.17
4 1055 Kenneth Moses, Colonia NJ, American-Chevy 6.491 207.46 207.46
5 120P Tony Positano, North York ON, BOS-Chevy 6.518 214.76 214.76
6 119E Paul Neal, Everett MA, Dan Page-GM 6.650 199.79 199.79
7 109H Nick Meloni, Hampton NH, Dan Page-Chevy 6.705 198.79 198.79
8 150 Rick Bell, Merrimack NH, Dan Page-Chevy 6.738 194.21 194.21
9 1522 Jim Blake, Danvers MA, '32 Altered 6.769 201.79 201.79
10 1410 Deborah DiGenova, Derry NH, Dan Page-Chevy 6.811 195.14 195.14
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