When it comes to the NHRA New England Nationals, Mother Nature has amassed a record most Hall of Fame drivers would envy.
On Sunday, though, the old girl added another win to the ledger, washing out the Top Fuel and Funny Car finals and forcing NHRA officials to move both championship rounds nearly 900 miles south to Bristol (TN) Dragway.
The rain arrived before the Epping, N.H., track could crown winners in Top Fuel and Funny Car. Shawn Langdon and Leah Pruett will settle the Top Fuel title Friday at Bristol, while John Force Racing teammates Jordan Vandergriff and Jack Beckman will race for the Funny Car trophy.
Before the skies finally closed for business, Dallas Glenn made sure at least one professional trophy left Epping with an owner. The reigning Pro Stock world champion defeated Matt Hartford in the final round to score his third victory of the season and his first career win at New England Dragway. The victory strengthened his hold on the points lead and marked the 24th national event win of his career.
“Dave [Connolly, crew chief] said the track was going to run better if it held and he was going to be aggressive. I hit the tree pretty good the round before, so I left everything alone. The car felt great, and we just kept picking away at it all day, making it a little better every run,” Glenn said.
Glenn entered eliminations from the fifth qualifying position and steadily improved throughout the day. By the final round, both the driver and the KB Titan Racing Chevrolet Camaro had found the combination needed to win.
His biggest challenge came in the semifinals against No. 1 qualifier and teammate Greg Anderson. Glenn used a .011-second reaction time to score a holeshot victory and advance to the final round.
Glenn left with a .002 reaction time and drove to a 6.543-second pass at 209.39 mph in his RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro. Hartford was quick at 6.550, 209.92, but Glenn’s advantage at the tree proved decisive.
“When I got out of the car, I asked, ‘Was I at least double-oh something?’ I had no idea it was .002,” Glenn said. “I knew Matt was going to be fast, so I knew I needed to get enough on the tree to get around him. Historically, this hasn’t been one of my better tracks, but Dave and the team kept working on the car and we found enough to get the job done.
“Phoenix was a track I’d never won at until this year. I’d never won here until today. Now we’re heading to Bristol, another place I haven’t won yet. Hopefully, we can keep checking them off the list.”
Hartford advanced to his third final round of the season and the 24th of his career with victories over Deric Kramer, Eric Latino, and Greg Stanfield.
Glenn’s victory expanded his lead over Anderson to 39 points heading into Bristol.
While Pro Stock completed its race day, the nitro categories were left with unfinished business.
Langdon will take a three-race winning streak into Friday’s Bristol Top Fuel final. The points leader advanced with victories over Clay Millican and teammate Doug Kalitta.
Pruett earned her place in the final by defeating Scott Farley, rookie Maddi Gordon, and Billy Torrence. The matchup gives Bristol an unexpected bonus attraction before qualifying begins for next weekend’s Thunder Valley Nationals.
Funny Car’s delayed final guarantees a victory celebration for John Force Racing.
Vandergriff continued his breakout season by defeating Jeff Arend, Chad Green, and J.R. Todd to reach the final round. The No. 1 qualifier will be seeking another milestone victory in his first full season with the powerhouse organization.
Beckman advanced to the final with wins over Phil Burkhart, Matt Hagan, and Ron Capps. The veteran now stands between Vandergriff and another breakthrough moment.
