Cruz Pedregon

Dave Grubnic Interview

Dick LaHaie Interview

Clearing up Converter Confusion

Project Muscle Part 6

Bruce Litton's Inspirational Story

Jerry Toliver

IHRA Texas Nationals – San Antonio, Texas

IHRA – San Antonio Photo Gallery

The Real McCoy

The Day Glidden almost ended up in an Olds

Clutch University Part 2

Fuel Delivery 101 – Electrical

On the Chip – Hypertech Tech Article

Pete Millar – The Legend of the Cartoon Man – Part 2

When the Lions Roared

NHRA Nationals – Las Vegas – Same Day Coverage

NHRA Las Vegas – Photo Gallery

NHRA Gatornationals – Same Day Coverage

NHRA Gatornationals – Photo Gallery

NHRA AMS Pro Modified Challenge – Gainesville

NSCA No Problem Coverage

NSCA No Problem Gallery

Goodguys March Meet – Photo Gallery

FFW – Orlando Coverage

Spring Open Coverage

Spring Open Photo Gallery

SUNDAY - SCHUMACHER, BURKART AND ANDERSON CLAIM VICTORIES AT NHRA SUMMITRACING.COM NATIONALS AT THE STRIP AT LVMS

Tony Schumacher raced to his third Top Fuel victory of the season Sunday at the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals.

(4-5-2004) -- Tony Schumacher raced to his third Top Fuel victory of the season Sunday at the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Phil Burkart and Greg Anderson also were winners at the $1.8 million race, the fourth of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

Schumacher stretched his POWERade Series points lead over his rivals by outrunning two-time defending champ Larry Dixon in the final round. Schumacher clocked a 4.525 second run at 331.53 mph in the U.S. Army dragster for his 14th career win, while Dixon's Miller Lite dragster trailed with a 4.571 at 323.97.

With talented crew chief Alan Johnson tuning his machine, the determined Schumacher, who defeated Scott Weis, Scott Kalitta and Doug Herbert in the first three rounds, is in hot pursuit of a second NHRA Top Fuel championship crown.

"This is a lot of fun, but [Dixon] has the No. 1 on his car right now, and it's there for a reason – those guys kicked butt last year," said Schumacher, who leads Brandon Bernstein by 110. "We were chasing them and making mistakes. Now we've kind of leap-frogged them a little bit and maybe the roles are reversed, but they're still the champs. Those guys are stout and I'm sure today has motivated them. They're not going away and we'll duke it out all year. As I've said many times before, Dixon is a great driver. The fans are going to get every nickel's worth watching how things unfold the rest of the season. We're going to have a lot more close races and exciting finishes before we're done."

Phil Burkart earned his second career victory in Funny Car, defeating Whit Bazemore in the final round..

Burkart earned his second career victory in Funny Car, defeating Whit Bazemore in the final round. Burkart, who last won at Columbus, Ohio in 1999, powered his Checker Schuck's Kragen Pontiac Firebird to a 5.029 at 264.03 while Bazemore's Matco Tools Dodge Stratus R/T had an engine explosion past mid-track and limped to a finish of 5.452 at 189.50.

Burkart defeated Tim Wilkerson, Gary Scelzi and John Force before knocking off Bazemore in the final.

"To be able to win three of the first four races is just awesome for this Checker Schuck's Kragen team and Worsham Racing," said Burkart, who watched teammate Del Worsham win back-to-back races earlier in the season at Phoenix and Gainesville, Fla. "Today we just raced our hearts out and it feels great to win here in Vegas. It seems that I race better when I am coming from the bottom half of the field (12th). I guess we just dig down a little deeper when we are the underdogs."

Greg Anderson continued his domination in Pro Stock, scoring his third win of the season and 19th of his career.

Worsham, who lost in the first round, stayed in the points lead, 71 ahead of Force.

Anderson continued his domination in Pro Stock, scoring his third win of the season and 19th of his career. He raced to a 6.849 at 201.31 in his Vegas General Construction Pontiac Grand Am to defeat Kurt Johnson's ACDelco Chevy Cavalier, which clocked a 6.908 at 200.08.

Anderson, who has now won three in a row at The Strip, increased his points lead to 92 over runner-up Johnson.

"Just to be mentioned in the same sentence with some of the guys that have dominated this class over the years like Bob Glidden, Lee Shepherd and Warren Johnson is just unreal for me to believe," Anderson said. "Our car worked better this weekend than it ever has before. It really loves this track. This is just a great place for us to win here in front of my team owner (Ken Black). It's certainly great for job security."

The next NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event is the 17th annual O'Reilly Spring Nationals presented by Pennzoil, April 15-18 at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas

Sunday's final results from the fifth annual NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals at The
Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The $1.8 million race is the fourth of 23 in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel -- Tony Schumacher, 4.525 seconds, 331.53 mph def. Larry Dixon, 4.571 seconds, 323.97 mph.

Funny Car -- Phil Burkart, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.029, 264.03 def. Whit Bazemore, Dodge Stratus, 5.452, 189.50.

Pro Stock -- Greg Anderson, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.849, 201.31 def. Kurt Johnson, Chevy Cavalier, 6.908, 200.08.

Final round-by-round results from the fifth annual NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the fourth of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series -

TOP FUEL:

ROUND ONE -- Tony Schumacher, 4.526, 323.58 def. Scott Weis, 5.225, 205.38; David Grubnic, 4.646, 320.89 def. Brady Kalivoda, 11.108, 76.12; Larry Dixon, 4.521, 328.94 def. David Baca, 4.631, 316.60; Doug Herbert, 4.601, 320.05 def. Darrell Russell, 5.052, 227.31; Cory McClenathan, 4.554, 318.92 def. John Smith, 4.668, 318.09; Doug Kalitta, 4.524, 323.12 def. Mike Strasburg, 6.887, 121.10; Brandon Bernstein, 4.578, 321.88 def. Scott Palmer, 5.916, 160.59; Scott Kalitta, 4.618, 290.19 def. Steven Chrisman, 18.777, 61.24;

QUARTERFINALS -- Bernstein, 4.598, 318.54 def. Grubnic, 5.565, 160.82; Herbert, 6.451, 126.15 def. McClenathan, broke; Schumacher, 5.095, 283.55 def. S. Kalitta, 5.582, 168.87; Dixon, 4.562, 322.88 def. D. Kalitta, 5.216, 225.52;

SEMIFINALS -- Schumacher, 4.666, 297.55 def. Herbert, 5.512, 171.62; Dixon, 4.754, 297.35 def. Bernstein, 5.762, 160.67;

FINAL -- Schumacher, 4.525, 331.53 def. Dixon, 4.571, 323.97.

FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE -- Phil Burkart, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.849, 318.09 def. Tim Wilkerson, Monte Carlo, 4.997, 280.49; Ron Capps, Monte Carlo, 5.842, 165.90 def. Tony Bartone, Pontiac Firebird, 6.061, 198.85; Tony Pedregon, Chevy Camaro, 4.850, 308.64 def. Jim Head, Toyota Celica, 5.112, 294.31; Gary Densham, Ford Mustang, 4.812, 325.14 def. Bob Gilbertson, Firebird, 4.948, 318.09; Gary Scelzi, Dodge Stratus, 4.837, 322.04 def. Terry Haddock, Camaro, 5.043, 292.77; Eric Medlen, Mustang, 4.838, 307.23 def. Jerry Toliver, Celica, 7.966, 102.84; Whit Bazemore, Stratus, 4.841, 319.52 def. Del Worsham, Monte Carlo, 5.676, 194.63; John Force, Mustang, 4.830, 325.14 def. Cruz Pedregon, Monte Carlo, 4.898, 283.31;

QUARTERFINALS -- Medlen, 4.869, 315.34 def. Capps, 5.990, 160.86; Burkart, 4.887, 310.48 def. Scelzi, 6.652, 138.10; Bazemore, 4.836, 319.22 def. Densham, 4.884, 315.71; Force, 4.941, 252.90 def. T. Pedregon, 5.335, 212.83;

SEMIFINALS -- Burkart, 4.893, 295.98 def. Force, 6.269, 158.11; Bazemore, 4.882, 316.15 def. Medlen, 4.864, 317.42;

FINAL -- Burkart, 5.029, 264.03 def. Bazemore, 5.452, 189.50.

PRO STOCK:

ROUND ONE -- Dave Connolly, Chevy Cavalier, 6.941, 198.50 def. Steve Johns, Cavalier, 6.941, 200.00; Mark Pawuk, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.938, 199.05 def. Rickie Smith, Cavalier, foul; Larry Morgan, Dodge Stratus, 6.910, 200.14 def. Kenny Koretsky, Stratus, 6.949, 198.76; Vince Fourcade, Ford Escort, 6.912, 199.05 def. Warren Johnson, Grand Am, 6.919, 200.38; Jason Line, Grand Am, 6.877, 200.50 def. JR Carr, Cavalier, 6.976, 198.23; Kurt Johnson, Cavalier, 6.870, 200.32 def. Bruce Allen, Grand Am, 8.567, 114.63; Greg Anderson, Grand Am, 6.838, 200.95 def. V. Gaines, Cavalier, 6.936, 199.61; Jeg Coughlin, Cavalier, 6.931, 198.93 def. Allen Johnson, Stratus, 6.905, 199.82;

QUARTERFINALS -- Morgan, 6.912, 200.08 def. Fourcade, 6.937, 199.23; Line, 6.885, 200.56 def. Pawuk, 6.967, 198.85; K. Johnson, 6.882, 200.02 def. J. Coughlin, 6.896, 200.44; Anderson, 6.839, 201.40 def. Connolly, 6.927, 198.85;

SEMIFINALS -- K. Johnson, 6.912, 200.17 def. Line, 6.900, 200.38; Anderson, 6.846, 201.16 def. Morgan, 6.946, 199.52;

FINAL -- Anderson, 6.849, 201.31 def. K. Johnson, 6.908, 200.08.

SATURDAY - KALITTA, PEDREGON AND ANDERSON TAKE NO. 1 QUALIFYING POSITIONS AT NHRA SUMMITRACING.COM NATIONALS

Scott Kalitta raced to his first No. 1 qualifying position in more than four years.

(4-3-2004) -- Scott Kalitta raced to his first No. 1 qualifying position in more than four years Saturday, leading a parade of track record performances that included the fastest speed in history at the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The 16-car fields for all three pro categories were set on two rounds of qualifying after rain washed out Friday's racing.

Tony Pedregon and Greg Anderson also were No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories at the $1.8 million race, the fourth of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

Kalitta, a two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion, captured his 18th career No. 1 and first since 1999 by posting a track record time of 4.472 seconds at 333.74 mph in his Jesse James/Mac Tools dragster.

Doug Kalitta took bragging rights in the speed department by clocking a 335.57. He needs a 332.22 to back it up for a record.

"I was concentrating on staging, trying to get an advantage of a few thousandths and it turned out to be a very smooth run," Kalitta said. "It's been frustrating doing poorly the first few races this year. We needed this. It's good for team morale."

His cousin Doug took bragging rights in the speed department by clocking a 335.57 mph run his Mac Tools dragster, the fastest speed in NHRA history. To certify the speed as an NHRA national record, Doug needs to record a speed of 332.22 mph during Sunday's 11 a.m. eliminations.

"It's a big deal to the Mac Tools guys," Doug said . "The conditions were good and so is the facility, so I am happy we could pull off a fast (speed)."

Pedregon, who won both races and clinched the championship at this track one year ago, continued his Vegas hot streak with a track record time of 4.747 at 321.88 in his Quaker State Chevy Camaro.

"This is by far one of the best moments of my career because we did it on our own, me and Dickie (Venables, crew chief), just a couple of guys who wanted to come out here and give it a try on our own," Pedregon said of his 26th career No. 1 effort. "Maybe there was some doubt that we could do it, but we put a great group together and this was a direct result of teamwork. This is a great facility and we had optimum conditions and we ran extremely well. We went up there with low E.T. in mind and that's what we got."

Anderson earned his ninth consecutive No. 1 qualifying effort in Pro Stock and fourth of the season with a track record run of 6.812 at 202.03.

Anderson earned his ninth consecutive No. 1 qualifying effort in Pro Stock and fourth of the season with a track record run of 6.812 at 202.03 in his Vegas General Construction Pontiac Grand Am. Anderson had to rally to take his 21st career No. 1 after a piece of debris interfered with the timing system on his first session attempt, resulting in no time or speed.

"You come up for a one-shot deal and anything can happen, it wasn't very comforting," Anderson said. "But we did what we had to do and I am real proud of my guys. It really feels good to come out here and run like this in front of your team owner (Ken Black), friends and family."

First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the fifth annual NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the fourth of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday.

Top Fuel -- 1. Scott Kalitta, 4.472 seconds, 333.74 mph vs. 16. Steven Chrisman, 5.187, 277.09; 2. Brandon Bernstein, 4.479, 333.66 vs. 15. Scott Palmer, 4.998, 227.27; 3. Doug Kalitta, 4.483, 335.57 vs. 14. Mike Strasburg, 4.778, 300.60; 4. Cory McClenathan, 4.550, 322.34 vs. 13. John Smith, 4.686, 309.56; 5. Darrell Russell, 4.561, 321.58 vs. 12. Doug Herbert, 4.681, 313.66; 6. Larry Dixon, 4.564, 325.53 vs. 11. David Baca, 4.641, 308.14; 7. David Grubnic, 4.591, 327.82 vs. 10. Brady Kalivoda, 4.636, 306.67; 8. Scott Weis, 4.613, 287.72 vs. 9. Tony Schumacher, 4.625, 303.09.

Funny Car -- 1. Tony Pedregon, Chevy Camaro, 4.747, 321.88 vs. 16. Jim Head, Toyota Celica, 5.180, 302.35; 2. Gary Densham, Ford Mustang, 4.753, 327.27 vs. 15. Bob Gilbertson, Pontiac Firebird, 5.049, 306.95; 3. Ron Capps, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.779, 324.75 vs. 14. Tony Bartone, Firebird, 4.987, 295.72; 4. Gary Scelzi, Dodge Stratus, 4.788, 284.09 vs. 13. Terry Haddock, Camaro, 4.984, 298.01; 5. Tim Wilkerson, Monte Carlo, 4.803, 323.58 vs. 12. Phil Burkart, Monte Carlo, 4.881, 316.08; 6. Jerry Toliver, Celica, 4.810, 320.89 vs. 11. Eric Medlen, Mustang, 4.874, 312.57; 7. Del Worsham, Monte Carlo, 4.823, 323.74 vs. 10. Whit Bazemore, Stratus, 4.850, 313.80; 8. Cruz Pedregon, Monte Carlo, 4.833, 314.68 vs. 9. John Force, Mustang, 4.833, 304.12.

Pro Stock -- 1. Greg Anderson, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.812, 202.03 vs. 16. V. Gaines, Chevy Cavalier, 6.907, 200.23; 2. Jason Line, Grand Am, 6.835, 201.49 vs. 15. JR Carr, Cavalier, 6.901, 199.79; 3. Kurt Johnson, Cavalier, 6.857, 201.46 vs. 14. Bruce Allen, Grand Am, 6.898, 199.67; 4. Warren Johnson, Grand Am, 6.864, 201.16 vs. 13. Vince Fourcade, Ford Escort, 6.898, 199.85; 5. Larry Morgan, Dodge Stratus, 6.877, 200.68 vs. 12. Kenny Koretsky, Stratus, 6.896, 199.85; 6. Allen Johnson, Stratus, 6.881, 200.02 vs. 11. Jeg Coughlin, Cavalier, 6.896, 200.20; 7. Mark Pawuk, Grand Am, 6.882, 199.46 vs. 10. Rickie Smith, Cavalier, 6.896, 200.35; 8. Steve Johns, Cavalier, 6.888, 200.95 vs. 9. Dave Connolly, Cavalier, 6.895, 199.29.

Hey Man, you might need that...

(4-3-2004) - Shawn Jones' Funny Car pitched a body during the first round of qualifying for Top Alcohol Funny Car. (James Drew Photo)

FRIDAY - PERSISTENT RAIN SHOWERS CANCEL FRIDAY QUALIFYING AT NHRA SUMMITRACING.COM NATIONALS

(4-3-2004) -- Persistent rain showers forced NHRA officials to cancel Friday's qualifying for the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The $1.8 million race is the fourth of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

Saturday's professional sessions (11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.) will run as scheduled, pending weather conditions. Final eliminations are set for Sunday at 11 a.m.

The value of tickets purchased for Friday can be applied to ticket purchases for Saturday or Sunday this weekend, the fall event here in October or this race next season.

Daily coverage of the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals

As news breaks, we'll pass it on to you.

(4-2-2004) - WHAT: Fifth annual NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals, the fourth of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Professional competitors in three categories earn points leading to 2004 NHRA POWERade championships.

Sportsman competitors in six categories earn points leading to '04 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series championships.

WHERE: The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas. Track is located approximately 15 miles north of downtown Las Vegas off Interstate 15.

WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, April 1-4.

PURSE: Cash and contingency awards of more than $1.8 million.

SCHEDULE: THURSDAY, April 1 -- Sportsman qualifying and time trials, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, April 2 -- Sportsman qualifying and eliminations begin at 8 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 3 and 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, April 3 -- Sportsman eliminations begin at 8 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, April 4 -- Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION: Saturday, April 3, ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 10 p.m. (ET).

Sunday, April 4, ESPN2 will televise two hours of final eliminations at 11 p.m. (ET).

2003 EVENT
WINNERS: Larry Dixon, Top Fuel; Tony Pedregon, Funny Car; Greg Anderson, Pro Stock.

TRACK RECORDS: Top Fuel -- 4.499 seconds by Doug Kalitta, April '03; 332.75 mph by Larry Dixon, April '03
Funny Car -- 4.748 seconds by Whit Bazemore, Oct. '01; 326.56 mph by Gary Densham, April '03
Pro Stock -- 6.837 seconds by Greg Anderson, Oct. '03; 201.73 mph by Kurt Johnson, April '03

NATIONAL RECORDS: Top Fuel -- 4.441 seconds (Oct. '03, Reading, Pa.) by Tony Schumacher; 333.25 mph (Nov. '03, Pomona, Calif.) by Doug Kalitta
Funny Car -- 4.721 seconds (May '03, Joliet, Ill.) by John Force; 329.18 mph (Sept. '03, Joliet, Ill.) by Gary Scelzi
Pro Stock -- 6.670 seconds, 207.18 mph (May '03, Englishtown, N.J.) by Greg Anderson

TICKETS: For tickets call Las Vegas Motor Speedway at (702) 644-4444, or visit LVMS.com, or tickets.com.

GENERAL ADMISSION (includes pit pass) - Thursday: Adult, $16; Junior (6-12 years), free. Friday: Adult, $27; Junior (6-12 years), $11. Saturday: Adult, $42; Junior (6-12 years), $11. Sunday: Adult, $53; Junior (6-12 years) $16. Children five years and under admitted free to general admission and pit areas each day.

RESERVED SEATS (includes pit pass) - Friday: Adult, $37; Junior (6-12 years), $21; Child (Five and under), $11. Saturday: Adult, $53; Junior (6-12 years), $21; Child (Five and under), $11. Sunday: Adult, $63; Junior (6-12 years) $27; Child (Five and under), $11.