NHRA SOUTHERN NATIONALS - SAME DAY COVERAGE

Fri, 2008-04-25 17:00

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One of NHRA’s long-established events — the race celebrated its 27th anniversary last season — this belle of the South has gained a reputation as one of the tougher events on the tour to win. With summer approaching, warm temperatures can turn the event into “Hotlanta”. 

 

 
       

 

SUNDAY FINAL - HISTORY MADE; ASHLEY FORCE BECOMES FIRST WOMAN TO WIN IN FUNNY CAR

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Ashley Force became the first female nitro Funny Car winner in NHRA drag racing history.
In a final round for the ages Ashley Force beat father John, becoming the first woman in NHRA history to win a national event in Funny Car at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals in Commerce, Ga.

Ashley faced father and NHRA legend John Force in the final round, driving her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang pass the iconic legend with a run of 4.837 at 320.36. Though John was competing in his 500th race and came within one round win of reaching 1,000, it was the younger Force who stood in the winner’s circle at the end of the event.

“I’m just happy to win an event,” said Force. “That was the main thing. Being a female, that’s exciting for the record books and everything, but my team, we just wanted to get our first win. To get it finally done here in Atlanta, we’re just a little bit relieved but so excited as well.”

Force’s win gave her a 59 point cushion for the lead in Funny Car over Tim Wilkerson.

Antron Brown picked up his second win of the season in Top Fuel, beating points leader Tony Schumacher in the final round. Brown drove his Matco Tools dragster to a 4.537 run at 325.14, beating Schumacher on a holeshot.

“We just take it round by round at each race,” said Brown. “I’m just tickled to death to be a part of this race team and this car.”

In Pro Stock, Mike Edwards picked up his first win in over two years, driving his Young Life Pontiac GXP to a 6.680 run at 206.20. Edwards’ run was just enough to beat runner-up Jason Line, who appeared in his second consecutive final round.

“You just can’t describe the feeling of winning one of these races in this class,” said Edwards, whose last win had come nearly two years previous. “There are so many good teams and it’s been so long since I last won. It’s just an unbelievable feeling to win one of these races.”

Andrew Hines proved his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley Davidson Motorcycle winning with a run of 6.946 at 191.40.

“My motorcycle was just flawless,” said Hines. “I can’t say enough on what the guys have done for the engines on these things.”



 

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Sunday's final results from the 28th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway.  The  race is the sixth of 24 in the  NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series:
 

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Top Fuel -- Antron Brown, 4.537 seconds, 325.14 mph def. Tony Schumacher, 4.521 seconds, 329.58 mph.

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Funny Car -- Ashley Force, Ford Mustang, 4.837, 320.36 def. John Force, Mustang, 11.223, 85.97.

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Pro Stock -- Mike Edwards, Pontiac GXP, 6.680, 206.20 def. Jason Line, GXP, 6.680, 206.92.

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Pro Stock Motorcycle -- Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.946, 191.40 def. Chip Ellis, Suzuki, 6.958, 190.70.

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Top Alcohol Dragster -- Spencer Massey, 5.356, 268.92 def. Bill Reichert, 13.147, 84.11.

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Top Alcohol Funny Car -- Frank Manzo, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.558, 260.81 def. Steve Harker, Monte Carlo, 5.569, 257.83.

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Competition Eliminator -- Rick Brown, Chevy S-10, 8.339, 160.90 def. David Rampy, Bantam, 7.342, 168.28.

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Super Stock -- Kevin Helms, Olds Achieva, 9.718, 110.84 def. Jeff Gillman, Pontiac Sunfire, 9.733, 107.50.

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Stock Eliminator -- Lee Zane, Pontiac Firebird, 11.020, 101.94 def. Adam Davis, Chevy Camaro, 11.327, 93.98.

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Super Comp -- Bubba Watts, Dragster, 8.919, 170.51 def. Tom Ratliff, Chevy Corvette, 8.894, 157.93.

 
Super Street -- Gary Federico, Buick Grand National, 10.886, 153.42  def. Lamar Stevenson, Chevy Camaro, 10.885, 125.29.

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SATURDAY - WILKERSON, McCLENATHAN, KRISHER, HINES STAY IN NO. 1 QUALIFYING SPOTS

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Tim Wilkerson retained the top spot from Friday qualifying.
The No. 1 provisional qualifiers from Friday in all four categories held on to those top spots as qualifying wrapped up Saturday for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals in Commerce, Ga.

Tim Wilkerson’s run of 4.774-second pass at 325.92 mph in his Levy Ray & Shoup Chevy Impala SS from the previous day was enough to keep him in the top spot in Funny Car. It is Wilkerson’s third No. 1 qualifier of the season and 13th of his career.

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Cory Mac will enter Sunday's eliminations as the top Top Fueler.
“It’s a good feeling to be first, no doubt about that,” said Wilkerson. “Hopefully we can win some rounds tomorrow. It would sure be special going in to St. Louis leading the points, especially for the people at Levy Ray & Shoup.”

Cory McClenathan and his FRAM dragster entered Saturday qualifying in the No. 1 spot, and by the end of the day, his run of 4.562 at 327.03 was strong enough for the top spot in Top Fuel. This is McClenathan’s first No. 1 qualifier of the season, 31st of his career and third at Atlanta Dragway.

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Ron Krisher is benefitting from an engine programwith Victor Cagnazzi. He leads Pro Stock headed into Sunday.
“When things are going good, you just roll with it,” said McClenathan, who comes off a win in Las Vegas. “My guys are on a natural high right now. It’s been incredible. When we went to Las Vegas, we beat the odds and put the FRAM dragster in the winner’s circle and entering this event we’ve done the same.”

Ron Krisher held on to the No. 1 spot, driving his Valvoline Chevy Cobalt to a 6.644 at 207.69 for the top spot in Pro Stock. It is his first No. 1 qualifier of the season, 14th of his career and first in over five years.

“There’s a lot of emotion involved in this,” said Krisher, referring to his five-years since his last No. 1. “At this race track we had qualified at 77 straight races and on the 78th race we didn’t qualify by a thousandth. This track owed me.”

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Andrew Hines enjoyed his first No. 1 effort of the season.
Andrew Hines kept his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley Davidson Motorcycle in the No. 1 spot, driving to a 6.950 a 191.40 for the Pro Stock Motorcycle top qualifying position as well as the track record for time. It’s his first No.1 qualifier of the season, 22nd of his career and second at the track.

“It can be a good thing and it can be a bad thing,” said Hines, referring to entering Sunday in the No. 1 spot. “At the same time it makes you feel good entering into Sunday. Especially with the motorcycle I have right now. It’s really a tribute to my team.”



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First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the 28th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway, the sixth 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. Cory McClenathan, 4.562 seconds, 327.03 mph  vs. 16. Todd Paton, 6.474, no speed; 2. Rod Fuller, 4.572, 320.74  vs. 15. Terry McMillen, 4.740, 315.19; 3. Tony Schumacher, 4.582, 324.44  vs. 14. Morgan Lucas, 4.739, 317.27; 4. Larry Dixon, 4.597, 313.66  vs. 13. Bob Vandergriff, 4.729, 314.83; 5. Brandon Bernstein, 4.601, 320.05  vs. 12. J.R. Todd, 4.725, 299.20; 6. Hillary Will, 4.604, 324.67  vs. 11. Alan Bradshaw, 4.701, 299.13; 7. Doug Kalitta, 4.620, 323.58  vs. 10. Doug Herbert, 4.656, 310.91; 8. David Grubnic, 4.628, 319.90  vs. 9. Antron Brown, 4.635, 314.83.

Funny Car -- 1. Tim Wilkerson, Chevy Impala, 4.774, 325.92  vs. 16. Gary Scelzi, Dodge Charger, 4.939, 311.92; 2. Cruz Pedregon, Impala, 4.812, 314.53  vs. 15. Jerry Toliver, Charger, 4.911, 311.70; 3. Tony Bartone, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.829, 318.02  vs. 14. Jim Head, Toyota Solara, 4.901, 318.39; 4. Gary Densham, Impala, 4.849, 308.78  vs. 13. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.900, 314.17; 5. Tony Pedregon, Impala, 4.853, 316.90  vs. 12. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 4.898, 316.30; 6. Del Worsham, Impala, 4.858, 313.95  vs. 11. Ashley Force, Mustang, 4.897, 310.05; 7. Robert Hight, Mustang, 4.860, 312.93  vs. 10. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.882, 310.34; 8. Mike Neff, Mustang, 4.867, 309.42  vs. 9. John Force, Mustang, 4.868, 313.80.

Did Not Qualify: 17. Melanie Troxel, 4.971, 314.53; 18. Frank Hawley, 4.983, 304.12; 19. Tommy Johnson Jr., 4.993, 303.03; 20. Bob Gilbertson, 5.028, 311.27; 21. Scott Kalitta, 5.639, 316.60.

Pro Stock -- 1. Ron Krisher, Chevy Cobalt, 6.644, 207.69  vs. 16. Bill Glidden, Pontiac GTO, 6.728, 205.66; 2. Jason Line, Pontiac GXP, 6.650, 207.53  vs. 15. Todd Hoerner, Dodge Stratus, 6.726, 205.51; 3. Justin Humphreys, GXP, 6.655, 207.24  vs. 14. Greg Stanfield, GXP, 6.707, 206.86; 4. Allen Johnson, Stratus, 6.656, 207.69  vs. 13. Rickie Jones, Stratus, 6.684, 205.47; 5. Mike Edwards, GXP, 6.656, 206.83  vs. 12. Dave Northrop, GTO, 6.684, 205.91; 6. Dave Connolly, Cobalt, 6.662, 207.05  vs. 11. Kurt Johnson, Cobalt, 6.684, 206.86; 7. Greg Anderson, GXP, 6.662, 207.24 vs. 10. V. Gaines, Stratus, 6.673, 205.72; 8. Jeg Coughlin, Cobalt, 6.668, 206.92  vs. 9. Warren Johnson, GXP, 6.673, 207.98.

Did Not Qualify: 17. Matt Hartford, 6.731, 205.79; 18. Max Naylor, 6.733, 203.74; 19. Kenny Koretsky, 6.734, 205.29; 20. Johnny Gray, 6.736, 205.69; 21. Jim Yates, 6.738, 205.07; 22. Larry Morgan, 6.750, 205.29; 23. Tom Hammonds, 6.758, 204.94; 24. Jim Cunningham, 6.807, 201.97; 25. Matt Scranton, 6.833, 201.04; 26. Lamar Swindoll Jr., 6.837, 203.22; 27. John Nobile, 12.840, 205.88.

Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.950, 192.30  vs. 16. Michael Phillips, Suzuki, 7.198, 189.04; 2. Chip Ellis, Suzuki, 6.973, 191.67  vs. 15. Junior Pippin, Buell, 7.147, 187.18; 3. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.999, 188.89  vs. 14. Mike Berry, Suzuki, 7.119, 187.44; 4. Chris Rivas, Buell, 7.008, 189.92  vs. 13. Edward Murphy, Suzuki, 7.101, 187.99; 5.
Hector Arana, Buell, 7.010, 191.48  vs. 12. Craig Treble, Suzuki, 7.075, 190.46; 6. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 7.012, 189.52  vs. 11. Angelle Sampey, Buell, 7.068, 185.87; 7. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.022, 192.25  vs. 10. Shawn Gann, Suzuki, 7.063, 188.28; 8. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.037, 191.32  vs. 9. Matt Guidera, Buell, 7.038, 188.38.

Did Not Qualify: 17. Redell Harris, 7.246, 182.58; 18. Darin McCurdy, 7.312, 181.84; 19. Wes Wells, 7.346, 183.29; 20. Angie McBride, 10.728, 102.32.


 

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FRIDAY - WILKERSON, McCLENATHAN, KRISHER, HINES CLAIM PROVISIONAL NO. 1 QUALIFYING SPOTS

 Tim Wilkerson looked to continue his qualifying domination as he took the provisional No. 1 qualifier in Funny Car Friday at the 28th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals.

Wilkerson drove his Levi Ray & Shoup Chevy Impala SS to a 4.774-second pass at 325.92 mph to become the provisional top qualifier. It will be his 13th career No. 1 and second in Commerce.

“The track is pretty good, really,” said Wilkerson. “It was a little green on the first run, there wasn’t a lot of rubber on the track. It’s pretty dang good now!”

Cory McClenathan piloted his FRAM dragster to a 4.562 at 327.03 provisional low qualifying effort for what may be his first No. 1 qualifier of the season, 31st of his career and third at Atlanta Dragway.

“I think coming in here we knew the track was going to be a little on the green side,” said McClenathan. “They re-did the surface and did a good job with that. NHRA came in and did their stuff and it was great.”

Ron Krisher drove his Valvoline Chevy Cobalt to a 6.644 at 207.69 for the provisional top spot in Pro Stock. It will be his first No. 1 qualifier of the season, 14th of his career and first in over five years.

“I’d got used to it before,” said Krisher, referring to his five-years since his last No. 1. “We got a fast racecar, we got a good crew chief, Tommy Utt, I’ve got good guys lining me up. It takes a whole bunch of people to make a run like that, you can’t lay it on just one person.”

Andrew Hines drove his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley Davidson Motorcycle to a 6.950 a 191.40 for the provisional top spot in Pro Stock Motorcycle and setting the track record in the process. It will be his first No.1 qualifier of the season, 22nd of his career and second at the track.

“So far it’s very pleasing to be No. 1,” said Hines. “My dad is kind of stepping back more and more lately, and he’s been putting the pressure on Matt (Hines, crew chief) to lead this team more and more. I hope everyone back at home is extremely excited.”


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Results Friday after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 28th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway, sixth of 24 events in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.  Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.

Top Fuel -- 1. Cory McClenathan, 4.562 seconds, 327.03 mph; 2. Rod Fuller, 4.572, 320.74; 3. Tony Schumacher, 4.582, 324.44; 4. Larry Dixon, 4.597, 313.66; 5. Brandon Bernstein, 4.601, 320.05; 6. Hillary Will, 4.604, 324.67; 7. Doug Kalitta, 4.620, 323.58; 8. David Grubnic, 4.628, 319.90; 9. Doug Herbert, 4.725, 306.19; 10. Bob Vandergriff, 4.729, 314.83; 11. Antron Brown, 4.753, 298.87; 12. Terry McMillen, 4.827, 315.19.  Not Qualified: 13. Morgan Lucas, 4.837, 247.25; 14. Alan Bradshaw, 5.770, 153.44; 15. J.R. Todd, 8.499, 95.54.

Funny Car -- 1. Tim Wilkerson, Chevy Impala, 4.774, 325.92; 2. Cruz Pedregon, Impala, 4.812, 314.53; 3. Tony Bartone, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.829, 318.02; 4. Gary Densham, Impala, 4.849, 308.78; 5. Tony Pedregon, Impala, 4.853, 316.90; 6. Del Worsham, Impala, 4.858, 313.95; 7. Robert Hight, Ford Mustang, 4.860, 312.93; 8. Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 4.882, 310.34; 9. Ashley Force, Mustang, 4.897, 310.05; 10. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.898, 316.30; 11. Jim Head, Toyota Solara, 4.901, 318.39; 12. Jerry Toliver, Charger, 4.911, 311.70.  Not Qualified: 13. Scott Kalitta, 4.917, 316.60; 14. Tommy Johnson Jr., 4.931, 295.27; 15. Gary Scelzi, 4.936, 311.92; 16. Bob Gilbertson, 4.944, 311.27; 17. Jack Beckman, 4.949, 310.13; 18. Melanie Troxel, 4.966, 314.53; 19. Frank Hawley, 4.968, 303.57; 20. Mike Neff, 5.078, 267.75; 21. John Force, 7.988, 95.75.

Pro Stock -- 1. Ron Krisher, Chevy Cobalt, 6.644, 207.69; 2. Jason Line, Pontiac GXP, 6.650, 207.53; 3. Justin Humphreys, GXP, 6.655, 207.24; 4. Allen Johnson, Dodge Stratus, 6.656, 207.69; 5. Mike Edwards, GXP, 6.656, 206.83; 6. Dave Connolly, Cobalt, 6.662, 207.05; 7. Greg Anderson, GXP, 6.662, 207.24; 8. Jeg Coughlin, Cobalt, 6.668, 206.92; 9. Warren Johnson, GXP, 6.673, 207.98; 10. V. Gaines, Stratus, 6.673, 205.72; 11. Dave Northrop, Pontiac GTO, 6.684, 205.91; 12. Rickie Jones, Stratus, 6.684, 205.47.  Not Qualified: 13. Greg Stanfield, 6.685, 206.86; 14. Todd Hoerner, 6.694, 205.51; 15. Kenny Koretsky, 6.696, 205.29; 16. Johnny Gray, 6.705, 205.69; 17. Jim Yates, 6.708, 205.07; 18. Larry Morgan, 6.711, 205.29; 19. John Nobile, 6.713, 205.88; 20. Matt Hartford, 6.717, 205.79; 21. Max Naylor, 6.727, 203.74; 22. Bill Glidden, 6.732, 205.66; 23. Tom Hammonds, 6.747, 204.94; 24. Jim Cunningham, 6.807, 201.79; 25. Lamar Swindoll Jr., 6.819, 203.22; 26. Matt Scranton, 6.861, 200.98; 27. Kurt Johnson, 11.809, 75.63.

Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.950, 192.30; 2. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.999, 188.89; 3. Hector Arana, Buell, 7.023, 190.03; 4. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 7.023, 188.52; 5. Chip Ellis, Suzuki, 7.027, 188.49; 6. Matt Guidera, Buell, 7.052, 186.74; 7.Shawn Gann, Suzuki, 7.063, 188.28; 8. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.065, 190.78; 9. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.070, 192.25; 10. Chris Rivas, Buell, 7.078, 189.66; 11. Edward Murphy, Suzuki, 7.101, 187.99; 12. Craig Treble, Suzuki, 7.103, 188.67.  Not Qualified: 13. Mike Berry, 7.105, 187.44; 14. Junior Pippin, 7.164, 183.49; 15. Angelle Sampey, 7.165, 183.74; 16. Michael Phillips, 7.213, 189.04; 17. Redell Harris, 7.297, 180.67; 18. Darin McCurdy, 7.324, 179.35; 19. Wes Wells, 7.344, 180.72; 20. Angie McBride, 8.575, 102.32.


 


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