2021 NHRA CHARLOTTE FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS - EVENT RESULTS
 |
|
SUNDAY - J. FORCE, S. TORRENCE, GLENN AND JOHNSON GRAB THRILLING WINS AT NGK NTK NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS AT ZMAX DRAGWAY
Sixteen-time world champ John Force added another win to his legendary Funny Car career on Sunday, clinching his 152nd victory at the 11th annual NGK NTK NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway.
Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) and Steve Johnson (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won in their respective categories at the fourth race of the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.
Force wrapped up a spectacular weekend at zMAX Dragway with a run of 3.916-seconds at 328.78 mph in his 11,000-horsepower PEAK/BlueDEF Platinum Chevrolet Camaro SS in the final round. He held off a standout final quad that also featured J.R. Todd, Cruz Pedregon and Alexis DeJoria, handing Force his first victory since winning the U.S. Nationals at Indy in 2019. The legendary Force, who was also the No. 1 qualifier, went as quick as 3.897 at 330.31 on Sunday, crediting a strong team and his love of racing at zMAX Dragway to earn his second four-wide win at Charlotte.
“Timing is everything,” Force said. “I won the inaugural (four-wide race) here (in 2010) and this makes me so proud. Don’t take the job you love for granted. I wanted to win for (track owner) Bruton (Smith), (crew chief) Daniel (Hood), but these kids are tough out here. Some days, things go right and our car was ready and prepared, and I halfway did my job. I’m excited and I get to send this (Wally trophy) to Bruton, a guy I really love.”
Gainesville winner Todd advanced to his second final round of the year and 37th overall, going 3.944 at 327.82. Pedregon appeared in his first final of the season, while DeJoria was also making her first appearance in the finals.
Torrence continued his four-wide dominance, winning for the sixth time in the last seven Top Fuel four-wide events, furthering the points lead for the reigning three-time world champ. Torrence went 3.716 at 329.10 in his 11,000-horsepower Capco Contractors dragster in the final round, knocking off a loaded final-round quad that also included No. 1 qualifier Brittany Force, Atlanta winner Antron Brown and Gainesville winner Josh Hart. Torrence won for the second time this season and earned his 42nd career victory, also picking up his fourth straight four-wide win at zMAX Dragway.
"At first, admittedly, I was not a fan of the four-wide but (track owner) Bruton Smith and Marcus, thank you guys, I love it," said Torrence. "I mean, we do really well I don't know why but I like to keep doing it. It's the only thing that I've got a winning record, and so I'm proud of that. It makes us as a driver step up more, I think that it takes you out of your body, your wheelhouse of thinking makes you concentrate and focus a lot more.”
B. Force advanced to her first final this year and 24th overall, finishing as the runner-up with a run of 3.723 at 333.16 as she tried to join her father in the winner’s circle for the first time. It’s the third straight final for Brown, and second in just three races for rookie Hart.
The Pro Stock final quad featured four young drivers going for their first career victory, and it was Glenn who came out on top against Mason McGaha, Troy Coughlin Jr. and Fernando Cuadra Jr. Glenn went 6.540 at 210.80 in his RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro. In his first final round appearance in just his fourth career start, Glenn gave KB Racing its fourth win in as many races to open the 2021 season.
“To be honest, I don't even think it's hit me yet," Glenn said. "I'm just trying to enjoy everything I can. I've never experienced it on this side. It's super emotional. This is a whole new perspective for me and these cars are so much fun, but they're hard to drive. The results just came a little sooner than we were expecting."
Mason McGaha finished as the runner-up, advancing to the final quad at both four-wide races this year. Troy Coughlin advanced to his third career final round, while Cuadra was making his first final-round appearance.
It was a long time coming for Pro Stock Motorcycle veteran Steve Johnson, who picked up his first victory in more than seven years, going a track-record 6.729 at 198.03 in the final round on his Mac Rak Suzuki. It also gave Johnson the third-quickest pass in the history of the class and the quickest ever run in class history for a Suzuki. To win for the first time since Gainesville in 2014 and the seventh time in his career, Johnson had to beat defending world champ Matt Smith, Karen Stoffer and Joey Gladstone in the final round.
“When you have a career path and you reach a goal, it can be euphoric,” Johnson said. “We are committed to this sport and I’m so excited about the emotion of our sport. I feel like our sport is really doing well. This trophy is so cool and this is the most special (win)."
Points leader Smith finished as runner-up in advancing to his 60th final round in his career and third this season. It was just the second career final-round appearance for Gladstone and the first for Stoffer since 2019.
The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series returns to action May 21-23 with the Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals presented by Pennzoil.
SATURDAY - J. FORCE, B. FORCE, ANDERSON AND POLLACHECK CLAIM TOP SPOTS AT FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS
A father and daughter duo will start race day atop both nitro categories for just the second time in NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series history, as John Force and Brittany Force finished as the No. 1 qualifiers in Funny Car and Top Fuel, respectively, on Saturday at the 11th annual NGK NTK NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway.
Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Scotty Pollacheck (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also qualified No. 1 in their respective categories at the fourth race of the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.
The father-daughter Force duo accomplished the feat at Houston in 2019 and just more than two years later, they enjoyed No. 1 qualifier together on Saturday in Charlotte. They will now try to share the winner’s circle for the first time on Sunday.
J. Force impressed on Saturday at zMAX Dragway, making two strong passes, including his run of 3.902-seconds at 330.55 mph in his 11,000-horsepower PEAK/BlueDEF Platinum Chevrolet Camaro SS. It gives the legendary Force his first top spot of the year and 161st in his career, putting him in an opening-round quad that also features Dale Creasy Jr., Mike McIntire and Dave Richards. Force is aiming for his first victory of 2021.
“Well it’s exciting (to qualify No. 1),” J. Force said. “The first time I’ve got to wear one of these (Camping World No. 1 qualifier) hats. I have to say that (crew chiefs) Daniel Hood and Tim Fabrisi, these guys all make it happen for me.”
Alexis DeJoria, the provisional No. 1 qualifier from Friday, finished second with her 3.930 at 301.74, and Ron Capps took the third spot with a run of 3.943 at 325.30.
B. Force’s blast and track-record run of 3.662 at 333.08 easily held up from Friday in Top Fuel in her 11,000-horsepower Flav-R-Pac dragster, giving the former world champ her second No. 1 qualifier of 2020 and 22nd in her career. She’ll take on John Morrison, Justin Ashley and Clay Millican in the first-round quad to open eliminations, seeking her first win of the season and trying to become the fourth different Top Fuel winner to open the 2021 season.
“We ran awesome last night and got that 3.66 but today’s what’s really important,” said B. Force, after a tough day of qualifying on Saturday. “I’ve been working on reaction times. I’ve been out of the seat for a year. This whole time, we’ve been away from the track for a year. We want to win and there’s no better place than to do it here at the four-wide. I did it in handful of years ago and we want to do it again.”
Three-time defending world champ Steve Torrence maintained the second spot thanks to his run of 3.683 at 316.97 on Friday. Leah Pruett qualified third after her pass from 3.718 at 324.59 also held up from a day ago.
Greg Anderson stayed perfect in Pro Stock qualifying, securing the No. 1 spot for the fourth consecutive race. His run of 6.524 at 210.50 held up from Friday in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro, and the points leader and four-time world champion claimed the top spot for the 110th time in his standout career. Anderson, who also has two victories in 2021, will take on Cristian Cuadra, Deric Kramer and Troy Coughlin Jr. in the opening-round quad to being eliminations at his home track, as he continues to roll along this season.
“This gives me a lot of confidence,” Anderson said. “I love racing at this track and we’ve got a lot of experience here, so we should do well. I’m looking forward to hopefully having a big day tomorrow. This car has been a dream to drive all year, so we’ll win if we can get a win (on Sunday) for Rick Hendrick and this HendrickCars.com Camaro.”
Aaron Stanfield’s 6.533 at 210.67 from Friday kept him second, while back-to-back world champ Erica Enders moved to third on Saturday, making the quickest run of the day with a pass of 6.534 at 211.59
On a record-setting day in Pro Stock Motorcycle, it was Scotty Pollacheck who claimed the No. 1 spot for the second straight race, going 6.736 at 201.16 on his Denso/Strutmaster/Matt Smith Racing EBR. It shattered the track record set less than 24 hours ago and gave Pollacheck, who also won in Atlanta, the sixth-quickest run in class history. He’ll face James Underdahl, Angie Smith and Karen Stoffer to open eliminations as Pollacheck looks to win a four-wide race for the first time in his career.
“The four-wide races are always tough, but I love racing in them and I would love to close the deal on Sunday,” Pollacheck said. “I’ve been close before, but I’ve never got that trophy at the end of the day. Hopefully, we can change that (on Sunday).”
Steve Johnson qualified second with a 6.738 at 196.90, making the seventh-quickest pass ever in the class. Matt Smith was third thanks to a 6.740 at 201.73. Eddie Krawiec also made history on Saturday, making the fastest run ever in the class with his run of 203.49.
In E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series action, points leader Justin Bond earned his second No. 1 qualifier in three races, as his run of 5.631 at 253.75 in his ProCharger-powered Bahrain 1 Racing Camaro from Friday held up. Khalid alBalooshi qualified second with a 5.658 at 253.61 and Jose Gonzalez took third after going 5.678 at 252.80.
Eliminations for the NGK NTK NHRA Four-Wide Nationals begin at 12 p.m. ET on Sunday.
First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the 11th annual NGK NTK NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway, the fourth of 22 events in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.
Top Fuel -- 1. Brittany Force, 3.662 seconds, 333.08 mph vs. 16. Joe Morrison, 4.115, 296.89 vs. 8. Justin Ashley, 3.796, 324.51 vs. 9. Clay Millican, 3.810, 312.57; 2. Steve Torrence, 3.683, 326.95 vs. 15. Arthur Allen, 3.977, 299.86 vs. 7. Doug Foley, 3.785, 320.36 vs. 10. Mike Salinas, 3.812, 318.17; 3. Leah Pruett, 3.718, 324.59 vs. 14. Krista Baldwin, 3.920, 314.17 vs. 6. Antron Brown, 3.761, 325.30 vs. 11. Shawn Langdon, 3.830, 317.05; 4. Josh Hart, 3.757, 327.03 vs. 13. Kyle Wurtzel, 3.885, 314.68 vs. 5. Billy Torrence, 3.760, 326.63 vs. 12. Doug Kalitta, 3.832, 317.42.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Luigi Novelli, 4.131, 283.55; 18. Buddy Hull, 5.467, 135.12.
Funny Car -- 1. John Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.902, 330.55 vs. 16. Dale Creasy Jr., Dodge Charger, 6.104, 112.87 vs. 8. Mike McIntire, Toyota Camry, 4.019, 316.60 vs. 9. Dave Richards, Ford Mustang, 4.044, 308.57; 2. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 3.930, 318.54 vs. 15. Robert Hight, Camaro, 5.413, 132.67 vs. 7. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.013, 324.05 vs. 10. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 4.057, 309.27; 3. Ron Capps, Charger, 3.943, 325.30 vs. 14. Cory Lee, Mustang, 4.423, 230.92 vs. 6. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.957, 322.81 vs. 11. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.058, 260.71; 4. J.R. Todd, Camry, 3.946, 325.69 vs. 13. Terry Haddock, Mustang, 4.215, 298.80 vs. 5. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.952, 320.05 vs. 12. Jim Campbell, Charger, 4.125, 287.29.
Pro Stock -- 1. Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.524, 211.33 vs. 16. Cristian Cuadra, Ford Mustang, 6.669, 207.18 vs. 8. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.546, 210.87 vs. 9. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.554, 210.50; 2. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.533, 211.53 vs. 15. Fernando Cuadra, Mustang, 6.625, 209.69 vs. 7. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.544, 211.30 vs. 10. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.556, 210.93; 3. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.534, 211.59 vs. 14. Aaron Strong, Camaro, 6.583, 210.21 vs. 6. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.543, 210.87 vs. 11. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.560, 211.49; 4. Kyle Koretsky, Camaro, 6.535, 210.87 vs. 13. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Mustang, 6.574, 210.41 vs. 5. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.541, 210.83 vs. 12. Val Smeland, Camaro, 6.564, 211.13.
Did Not Qualify: 17. John Gaydosh Jr, 6.863, 202.55; 18. Richie Stevens, 7.327, 153.13.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Scotty Pollacheck, EBR, 6.736, 201.16 vs. 16. Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 6.866, 196.64 vs. 8. Angie Smith, EBR, 6.782, 199.02 vs. 9. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.799, 198.61; 2. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.738, 197.62 vs. 15. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.862, 194.72 vs. 7. Andrew Hines, Buell, 6.773, 202.15 vs. 10. Chip Ellis, EBR, 6.824, 198.50; 3. Matt Smith, EBR, 6.740, 202.18 vs. 14. Cory Reed, Suzuki, 6.851, 199.08 vs. 6. Eddie Krawiec, Buell, 6.771, 203.49 vs. 11. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.845, 195.65; 4. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.761, 202.70 vs. 13. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.848, 198.96 vs. 5. Joey Gladstone, Suzuki, 6.763, 200.53 vs. 12. Angelle Sampey, Suzuki, 6.847, 198.20.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Chris Bostick, 6.871, 196.36; 18. Marc Ingwersen, 6.914, 195.99; 19. Jianna Salinas, 6.945, 192.88; 20. Pablo Gonzalez, 7.025, 191.65; 21. Ron Tornow, 7.036, 193.90; 22. David Barron, 7.274, 160.08.
FRIDAY
A pair of women ruled qualifying on Friday at zMAX Dragway, as Brittany Force and Alexis DeJoria powered to the provisional No. 1 spot in Top Fuel and Funny Car, respectively, during the opening round of qualifying at the NGK NTK NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte.
Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Joey Gladstone (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also provisional No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories at the fourth race of the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season. Qualifying continues on Saturday and zMAX Dragway will be able to operate at full capacity. After an executive order from Gov. Roy Cooper on Friday, grandstand limitations were lifted, allowing fans to return to zMAX Dragway without limitation.
Force put on a show under the lights on Friday in her 11,000-horsepower Flav-R-Pac dragster, going 3.662-seconds at 333.08 mph to make the quickest and fastest runs in zMAX Dragway history. Force, who also owns both ends of the national record, is in line to grab her second No. 1 qualifier of the 2021 season and 22nd in her career.
“I’m just pumped after a run like that,” Force said. “The four-wide race can be tough and tricky, and I just have to keep my focus. (Crew chief David) Grubnic said we were going to have a killer run, and Grubnic, Mac Savage, and all of my guys, I’m just so proud of them.”
Defending three-time world champ Steve Torrence is second, following Force’s blast with a pass of 3.683 at 316.97. Leah Pruett rounds out the top three after going 3.718 at 324.59. Six drivers made three-second runs under the lights on Friday.
After struggling in Atlanta, DeJoria redeemed herself in a major way in Funny Car, going 3.930 at 301.74 in her 11,000-horsepower ROKit Toyota Camry. If it holds, it would give DeJoria her first No. 1 qualifier this season and fifth in her career. DeJoria was the only driver in the class to make a three-second run on Friday, with drivers getting two more chances on Saturday. DeJoria will look to build on her run as well, while Mike McIntire is currently qualified second after his solid run of 4.019 at 313.15. Dave Richards is in the third spot. DeJoria and McIntire were the only drivers to make 300-mph runs as well.
Pro Stock points leader Anderson raced to the provisional No. 1 spot with a run of 6.524 at 210.50 in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro. Should it hold, it would continue Anderson’s torrid start to the 2021 campaign and give him four straight No. 1 qualifiers this season and 110 in his standout career. Anderson, a four-time world champ, is also after his third win of the season in four races. Aaron Stanfield was a spot behind with a solid pass of 6.533 at 210.67 and Kyle Koretsky is currently third after going 6.535 at 210.87.
Joey Gladstone put on an impressive display in Pro Stock Motorcycle and is in line for his first career No. 1 qualifier. He went a career-best 6.763 at 198.58 on his Precision Service Equipment Suzuki, setting the track record at zMAX Dragway and giving him a great chance for his first top spot. Defending world champ and points leader Matt Smith broke the track speed record en route to the No. 2 spot, going 6.778 at 201.10. It also gives him the fifth-fastest run in Pro Stock Motorcycle history. Eddie Krawiec was a spot behind after his run of 6.828 at 201.07.
In E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series action, points leader Justin Bond is the current No. 1 qualifier after his run of 5.631 at 253.75. It is the second-quickest pass in class history.
Qualifying continues Saturday at the NGK NTK NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at 1:15 p.m. ET.
Results Friday after the first one of three rounds of qualifying for the 11th annual NGK NTK NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway, fourth of 22 events in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Brittany Force, 3.662 seconds, 333.08 mph; 2. Steve Torrence, 3.683, 316.97; 3. Leah Pruett, 3.718, 324.59; 4. Antron Brown, 3.761, 285.95; 5. Josh Hart, 3.776, 324.44; 6. Clay Millican, 3.810, 312.57; 7. Doug Kalitta, 4.237, 222.47; 8. Billy Torrence, 5.200, 150.60; 9. Shawn Langdon, 6.049, 105.99; 10. Justin Ashley, 6.962, 85.17; 11. Doug Foley, 7.222, 87.67; 12. Arthur Allen, 7.435, 77.86; 13. Kyle Wurtzel, 7.669, 80.72; 14. Krista Baldwin, 8.067, 75.60; 15. Joe Morrison, 8.546, 75.73; 16. Mike Salinas, 9.107, 64.05.
Funny Car -- 1. Alexis DeJoria, Toyota Camry, 3.930, 301.74; 2. Mike McIntire, Camry, 4.019, 313.15; 3. Dave Richards, Ford Mustang, 6.857, 90.88; 4. Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 7.366, 90.89; 5. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 7.584, 87.52; 6. Ron Capps, Charger, 7.676, 84.83; 7. Dale Creasy Jr., Charger, 7.788, 89.52; 8. J.R. Todd, Camry, 7.996, 81.66; 9. Cory Lee, Mustang, 8.168, 77.53; 10. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 8.228, 91.12; 11. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 8.230, 74.94; 12. Jim Campbell, Charger, 8.542, 68.16; 13. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 8.615, 51.30; 14. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 8.906, 84.28; 15. Terry Haddock, Mustang, 12.460, 77.35; 16. John Force, Camaro, 14.300, 70.63.
Pro Stock -- 1. Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.524, 210.50; 2. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.533, 210.67; 3. Kyle Koretsky, Camaro, 6.535, 210.87; 4. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.543, 210.21; 5. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.546, 210.87; 6. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.551, 211.06; 7. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.556, 210.05; 8. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.559, 209.82; 9. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.582, 210.31; 10. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Ford Mustang, 6.588, 209.79; 11. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.592, 210.50; 12. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.601, 210.73; 13. Cristian Cuadra, Mustang, 6.669, 207.18; 14. John Gaydosh Jr, Camaro, 6.955, 195.34; 15. Val Smeland, Camaro, 20.057, 22.97.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Joey Gladstone, Suzuki, 6.763, 198.58; 2. Matt Smith, EBR, 6.778, 201.10; 3. Eddie Krawiec, Buell, 6.828, 201.07; 4. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.836, 197.33; 5. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.851, 196.44; 6. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.862, 194.72; 7. Angie Smith, EBR, 6.865, 195.19; 8. Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 6.866, 195.59; 9. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.874, 194.72; 10. Cory Reed, Suzuki, 6.878, 197.16; 11. Andrew Hines, Buell, 6.914, 199.14; 12. Marc Ingwersen, Buell, 6.914, 195.99; 13. Chip Ellis, EBR, 6.918, 192.03; 14. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 7.053, 193.07; 15. Pablo Gonzalez, Buell, 7.077, 187.52; 16. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 7.080, 186.95. Not Qualified: 17. Ron Tornow, 7.126, 189.76; 18. Jerry Savoie, 7.145, 189.34; 19. Scotty Pollacheck, 7.497, 162.24; 20. Jianna Salinas, 17.439, 38.90; 21. Angelle Sampey, 49.388, 7.08; 22. David Barron, broke.
