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Schumacher sets national E.T. record en route to victory

(10-5-2003) - Tony Schumacher established a national elapsed time record en route to his fourth Top Fuel victory of the season Sunday at the rain-delayed Lucas Oil Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.

Tim Wilkerson, Warren Johnson and Michael Phillips also won their respective categories at the $1.8 million race, the 18th of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

Schumacher set the record in his U.S. Army dragster at 4.441 seconds during his second round victory over Doug Herbert. Schumacher had ran a 4.465-second lap at the originally scheduled event three weeks ago.

Schumacher then covered the quarter-mile at 4.584 at 315.56 mph in the final to outrun Jim Head, who fell short with his pass of 4.603 at 322.65. He earned the maximum POWERade points available at an NHRA event, 138, by being the No. 1 qualifier, setting the national record and winning the event. It was Schumacher's 11th career victory and Head's first final round appearance since his runner up finish at Memphis, Tenn., in 1999.

"I can't believe we won, especially the way the car was shaking in the final round," said Schumacher, the 1999 NHRA Top Fuel champion. "This was a crazy event, with the weather and a lot of the top guys going out in the early rounds, and everything else. But we have a team that I have faith in, and their skills are obvious with the victory and the national record. I knew we could set that record. That was a great final round though. To do what we did, having to run on different weekends, only getting one qualifying pass here this weekend and win the race. (Crew chief) Alan Johnson is a genius, but it takes a whole team and we have won three out of the last four, so I think we're on to something.

"We crashed the car we ran a 4.46 with here a few weeks ago. But to bring another car out that is different, then run even better, that's just awesome. That means we have a tune-up that is not just a great weather tune-up but we can run in the heat, the cool, and all kinds of variable conditions."

Schumacher drove past Doug Kalitta, Herbert, and Clay Millican to set up his final round match with Head.

Top Fuel points leader Larry Dixon moved closer to his second consecutive NHRA POWERade Top Fuel championship behind the wheel of the Miller Lite dragster, despite losing in the second round of eliminations. His closest competitor in the POWERade standings, Doug Kalitta and the Mac Tools team, broke at the starting line in the opening round and did not make a run. Dixon extended his lead to 348 points. If Dixon finishes next week's event at Dallas with a 277-point lead or greater, he will have clinched the championship with two races remaining on the 2003 schedule.

Wilkerson blasted down the track in 4.869 at 317.94 in his Levi, Ray & Shoup Pontiac Firebird to earn his third career Funny Car victory and second of the season. Wilkerson easily defeated Cruz Pedregon who lost traction almost immediately in his Advance Auto Parts Pontiac Firebird and rolled through the lights in 11.909 at 81.05.

"I was hoping Cruz's luck would run out in the final because he had been lucky all day long," said Wilkerson, who also won the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis over Labor Day weekend. "Cruz had a great first round run and that was impressive, but I knew we could go in there and do what we had to do. I always think I have a shot. People always ask me who I am running, and to be honest, I don't know and I don't care. Because all we're doing is running the race track."

Veteran Pro Stock racer Warren Johnson notched his 92nd career victory in his GM Performance Pontiac Grand Am when his final round opponent, Troy Coughlin, left the starting line early and fouled out in his Jeg's Mail Order Chevy Cavalier. Johnson, the winningest driver in NHRA Pro Stock history, had not been victorious at Maple Grove Raceway since 1995.

"That is a long dry spell," said Johnson. "I looked up from the track when I was about in third gear and I saw the win light and thought that looked pretty good. We both actually left the starting line early, but he just left first. You have to realize that both those Coughlin boys (Troy and Jeg) are awfully good on the starting line. You have to take your best shot and hope it comes out right."

"As far as the championship goes, I know I can't finish first or second in the standings," said Johnson. "But I knew if I beat Jeg in the opening round, I could move closer to third and could help (his son) Kurt (Johnson) out from letting Jeg catch him."
Current Pro Stock points leader Greg Anderson lost in the semifinals to Coughlin, but with closest rival K. Johnson failing to qualify, Anderson extended his lead in the standings to 354 points.

Michael Phillips scored his first Pro Stock Bike win in eight years and the second of his career when he rode his Calmes Motorsports Suzuki to the finish line in 7.133 at 189.07 to hold off three-time series champ Angelle Savoie and her numbers of 7.165 at 188.07.
Phillips, who lives in Baton Rouge, La., almost didn't attend the event at all.

"I didn't get here until 10 a.m. Saturday morning," said Phillips. " I was trying to buy a new truck on Friday, and the sales guys were taking so long, that I told my brother I wasn't going to go. He told me I was, but I didn't want to make that long drive alone. One of my buddies came by the house and I told him the situation and he told me to give him 15 minutes. He went home, grabbed some clothes, went over and closed up his barber shop, and jumped in the truck and made the drive with me.

"I called my old boss Harry Lartigue after the first round because I was having some clutch problems. Everybody thinks there is a lot of animosity between him and I, but that isn't right. We just both wanted to do things our way. He gave me a pretty good tune-up over the phone today though. Angelle and I go back a ways. When she was first coming out to the track in 1995, I would help her out and teach her things. She knew I was always good on the tree and she knew I was going to be on my game today."

The NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series will move event will be the 18th annual O'Reilly Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex outside of Dallas.

Sunday's final results from the 19th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway. The $1.8 million race is the 18th of 23 in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel -- Tony Schumacher, 4.584 seconds, 315.56 mph def. Jim Head, 4.603 seconds, 322.65 mph.

Funny Car -- Tim Wilkerson, Pontiac Firebird, 4.869, 317.94 def. Cruz Pedregon, Firebird, 11.909, 81.05.

Pro Stock -- Warren Johnson, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.755, 204.76 def. Troy Coughlin, Chevy Cavalier, foul.

Pro Stock Bike -- Michael Phillips, Suzuki, 7.133, 189.07 def. Angelle Savoie, Suzuki, 7.165, 188.07.

Top Alcohol Dragster -- Michael Gunderson, 5.534, 259.51 def. Mike Kosky, 5.659, 204.66.

Top Alcohol Funny Car -- Frank Manzo, Pontiac Firebird, 7.493, 147.81 def. Bruce Mullins, Firebird, broke.

Competition Eliminator -- Michael Hardee, Pontiac Grand Am, 8.634, 145.55 def. Allyn Armstrong, Opel GT, 10.115, 99.53.

Super Stock -- Herbie Null Jr., Chevy Camaro, 9.723, 131.38 def. Byron Worner, Camaro, 10.164, 131.97.

Stock Eliminator -- Marion Stephenson, Oldsmobile Cutlass, 12.729, 99.59 def. John Gray Jr., Chevy Nova, 11.264, 114.33.

Super Comp -- Robbie Hudlow, Dragster, 8.906, 167.74 def. Thomas Stalba Jr., Dragster, 8.929, 161.48.

Super Gas -- Thomas Stalba Jr, Chevy Corvette, 9.924, 153.82 def. Jeff Brooks, Henry J, 9.956, 155.79.

Final round-by-round results from the 19th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, the 18th of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series -

TOP FUEL:

ROUND ONE -- Doug Herbert, 4.592, 288.33 def. Darrell Russell, 8.239, 139.57; Jim Head, 4.649, 295.08 def. Rhonda Hartman-Smith, 11.397, 96.33; Scott Kalitta, 4.526, 322.65 def. Bruce Litton, 4.692, 307.58; Paul Romine, 4.524, 313.66 def. David Baca, 4.623, 315.86; Tony Schumacher, 9.470, 102.80 def. Doug Kalitta, broke; Clay Millican, 7.626, 198.85 def. Cory McClenathan, 8.152, 191.00; Scott Weis, 6.412, 282.24 def. Kenny Bernstein, 6.794, 253.71; Larry Dixon, 12.004, 75.00 def. Luigi Novelli, foul;

QUARTERFINALS -- Head, 4.550, 310.34 def. Weis, broke; Romine, 5.264, 217.56 def. Dixon, 11.596, 78.34; Schumacher, 4.441, 332.34 def. Herbert, 4.686, 256.41; Millican, 4.542, 323.12 def. S. Kalitta, 8.273, 88.01;

SEMIFINALS -- Head, 4.622, 322.81 def. Romine, 4.678, 314.39; Schumacher, 4.449, 331.04 def. Millican, 4.951, 220.80;

FINAL -- Schumacher, 4.584, 315.56 def. Head, 4.603, 322.65.

FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE -- Tim Wilkerson, Pontiac Firebird, 4.833, 319.75 def. Jack Wyatt, Chevy Camaro, broke; Dean Skuza, Firebird, 4.888, 304.25 def. Ron Capps, Camaro, 4.898, 319.07; Terry Haddock, Firebird, 4.973, 308.35 def. John Force, Ford Mustang, 5.440, 189.07; Phil Burkart, Firebird, 4.836, 302.96 def. Frank Pedregon, Firebird, 5.488, 193.93; Gary Densham, Mustang, 4.859, 270.21 def. Cory Lee, Firebird, 11.201, 61.83; Dale Creasy Jr., Firebird, 4.904, 309.42 def. Tony Pedregon, Mustang, 5.186, 278.12; Cruz Pedregon, Firebird, 4.796, 320.43 def. Gary Scelzi, Dodge Stratus, 4.840, 318.32; Del Worsham, Firebird, 5.172, 278.00 def. Tommy Johnson Jr., Camaro, 5.195, 283.07;

QUARTERFINALS -- Wilkerson, 4.822, 317.64 def. Creasy Jr., 9.337, 86.63; Skuza, 4.866, 307.44 def. Burkart, 4.929, 294.82; C. Pedregon, 5.804, 220.04 def. Haddock, 6.731, 157.72; Densham, 4.875, 317.79 def. Worsham, 5.350, 194.46;

SEMIFINALS -- C. Pedregon, 5.738, 174.08 def. Skuza, 6.802, 138.23; Wilkerson, 4.804, 320.74 def. Densham, 6.480, 138.77;

FINAL -- Wilkerson, 4.869, 317.94 def. C. Pedregon, 11.909, 81.05.

PRO STOCK:

ROUND ONE -- Darrell Alderman, Dodge Stratus, 10.835, 82.69 def. Bruce Allen, Pontiac Grand Am, foul; George Marnell, Grand Am, 6.846, 202.70 def. Dave Connolly, Chevy Cavalier, foul; Mike Edwards, Grand Am, 6.758, 203.89 def. Allen Johnson, Stratus, foul; Troy Coughlin, Cavalier, 6.757, 203.40 def. Gene Wilson, Stratus, 9.220, 97.59; Warren Johnson, Grand Am, 6.715, 204.60 def. Jeg Coughlin, Cavalier, 6.760, 203.40; Greg Anderson, Grand Am, 6.711, 205.79 def. Ron Krisher, Cavalier, 6.809, 203.03; Larry Morgan, Stratus, 6.727, 204.88 def. Scott Geoffrion, Ford Escort, 6.786, 203.65; Jim Yates, Grand Am, 6.760, 202.64 def. Kenny Koretsky, Cavalier, 7.487, 138.05;

QUARTERFINALS -- T. Coughlin, 6.738, 203.83 def. Edwards, foul; Morgan, 6.730, 204.76 def. Marnell, 11.253, 79.03; W. Johnson, 6.724, 203.71 def. Yates, 6.753, 204.20; Anderson, 6.707, 205.66 def. Alderman, 6.763, 203.49;

SEMIFINALS -- W. Johnson, 6.742, 204.73 def. Morgan, foul; T. Coughlin, 6.738, 203.34 def. Anderson, 6.722, 205.54;

FINAL -- W. Johnson, 6.755, 204.76 def. T. Coughlin, foul.

PRO STOCK BIKE:

ROUND ONE -- Geno Scali, Suzuki, 7.075, 185.69 def. GT Tonglet, Harley-Davidson, 7.120, 190.46; Reggie Showers, Suzuki, 7.130, 185.10 def. Antron Brown, Suzuki, 7.237, 183.82; Blaine Hale, Suzuki, 7.178, 185.64 def. Craig Treble, Suzuki, 7.183, 184.45; Fred Collis, Suzuki, 7.078, 187.55 def. Todd Doege, Kawasaki, broke; Angelle Savoie, Suzuki, 7.071, 188.12 def. Tommy Grimes Jr, Suzuki, 7.357, 179.73; Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 7.148, 193.05 def. Mike Berry, Suzuki, 7.152, 187.11; Michael Phillips, Suzuki, 7.125, 189.04 def. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, foul; Shawn Gann, Suzuki, 7.106, 187.13 def. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, foul;

QUARTERFINALS -- Scali, 7.960, 127.31 def. Gann, foul; Phillips, 7.165, 188.70 def. Hale, 7.228, 184.02; Collis, 7.116, 186.38 def. Showers, 7.176, 178.52; Savoie, 7.098, 188.60 def. Hines, foul;

SEMIFINALS -- Phillips, 7.127, 189.90 def. Collis, foul; Savoie, 7.056, 189.79 def. Scali, 7.111, 187.76;

FINAL -- Phillips, 7.133, 189.07 def. Savoie, 7.165, 188.07.

SATURDAY - Schumacher, Densham, Anderson and Collis earn No. 1’S at Maple Grove

(10-4-2003)– Tony Schumacher earned his sixth career No. 1 qualifying position Friday at the rain-delayed Lucas Oil Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.

Gary Densham, Greg Anderson and Fred Collis also were the No. 1 qualifiers of their respective categories at the $1.8 million race, the 19th of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

Schumacher sped down the quarter-mile in a track record time 4.465 seconds at 328.78 mph in the U.S. Army dragster to set the pace for the 16-car Top Fuel field. Schumacher needs to run 4.510 or better during eliminations and he will establish the national record for time and earn an additional 20 POWERade points. In the opening round of eliminations Schumacher will face Doug Kalitta.

“I have never gone into the first round of eliminations feeling more comfortable than I do now,” said Schumacher, the 1999 Top Fuel champion. “I couldn’t be happier that I am meeting Doug in the first round. Let’s be honest, catching Doug in the standings is all that is really left this year. To catch him we would need a miracle, but we might as well try for it and make these last few races interesting. It’s almost impossible for us to catch him but taking him out tomorrow, then winning the race, would be a start.

Densham blasted down the track in his Castrol Syntec Ford Mustang in 4.749 at 327.27 to earn his third Funny Car No. 1 qualifying position of the season.

“We would have liked to have had a second run tonight so we could have aimed for the national (elapsed time) record,” said Densham. “(Crew chief) Jimmy (Prock) looks at everything completely different than a lot of other people, but it really looks good.”

Current points leader Tony Pedregon qualified in the No. 4 spot, while championship contender Whit Bazemore failed to qualify for the event, giving Pedregon an opportunity to close in on his first NHRA POWERade Funny Car championship.

“It’s not over yet,” said Pedregon. “(Whit Bazemore and Schumacher Racing) certainly aren’t conceding anything. They’ll be back. We have to guard against getting complacent. We still have work to do. We have to go out and do our job on Sunday and maximize the opportunity we have.”
After moving atop the Funny Car standings for the first time in his career following his victory at Memphis, Tenn., Bazemore lost in the first round last week at Chicago (an event Pedregon won) and then failed to qualify for this event.

“We’ve made it harder for ourselves, but we are still certainly capable of winning the championship. We’re very, very motivated and we’re going to do what we can to make it happen. (My team) is going out there with nothing else on our mind but to (win the title). It’s up to us to make it happen.”

Current Pro Stock points leader Anderson used a track record performance of 6.743 at 204.39 for his category-leading 11th No. 1 spot this year in his Vegas General Construction Pontiac Grand Am. Anderson has nine victories on the season, two shy of the all-time Pro stock single season win mark. Anderson moved closer to his first NHRA POWERade Pro Stock championship when his closest competitor in the standings, Kurt Johnson, failed to qualify.

“It’s been a fantastic year,” said Anderson. “It seems that I really haven’t had a bad event all year. There is no way anyone could predict the season I have been having. I wish the battle for the championship came down to the final round of the last event of the year between Kurt and I, but it doesn’t look like that is going to happen and I don’t know if my heart could take it. It seems I can go to the next couple of races and loosen up a little bit."
Collis rode his Area 51 Motorsports Suzuki to the top of the Pro Stock Bike order for the second time of his career when he shut the clocks off at 7.117 at 186.79.

“Being No. 1 is always good,” said Collis. “We have to make it all count tomorrow. The rain we saw today, and the fact that we only were able to get in one run, didn’t change our strategy at all. We act like every run we make is a final round. We were planning on improving on that run, regardless of the weather.”

Professional eliminations begin Sunday at 11 a.m.

First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the 19th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, the 18th of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

Top Fuel -- 1. Tony Schumacher, 4.465 seconds, 328.78 mph vs. 16. Doug Kalitta, 4.737, 315.19; 2. Kenny Bernstein, 4.537, 328.86 vs. 15. Scott Weis, 4.700, 314.90; 3. Larry Dixon, 4.550, 322.11 vs. 14. Luigi Novelli, 4.685, 318.39; 4. Scott Kalitta, 4.557, 329.75 vs. 13. Bruce Litton, 4.669, 311.99; 5. Cory McClenathan, 4.558, 321.19 vs. 12. Clay Millican, 4.651, 314.90; 6. Paul Romine, 4.564, 310.13 vs. 11. David Baca, 4.609, 311.99; 7. Jim Head, 4.577, 319.52 vs. 10. Rhonda Hartman-Smith, 4.602, 305.22; 8. Darrell Russell, 4.593, 315.78 vs. 9. Doug Herbert, 4.593, 300.20.

Funny Car -- 1. Gary Densham, Ford Mustang, 4.749, 327.27 vs. 16. Cory Lee, Pontiac Firebird, 5.078, 308.71; 2. John Force, Mustang, 4.787, 318.99 vs. 15. Terry Haddock, Firebird, 4.974, 310.20; 3. Dean Skuza, Firebird, 4.794, 309.20 vs. 14. Ron Capps, Chevy Camaro, 4.943, 314.53; 4. Tony Pedregon, Mustang, 4.803, 316.67 vs. 13. Dale Creasy Jr., Firebird, 4.942, 304.94; 5. Tim Wilkerson, Firebird, 4.811, 319.75 vs. 12. Jack Wyatt, Camaro, 4.917, 297.22; 6. Phil Burkart, Firebird, 4.813, 320.43 vs. 11. Frank Pedregon, Firebird, 4.903, 300.53; 7. Cruz Pedregon, Firebird, 4.819, 313.73 vs. 10. Gary Scelzi, Dodge Stratus, 4.883, 318.47; 8. Tommy Johnson Jr., Camaro, 4.834, 314.09 vs. 9. Del Worsham, Firebird, 4.876, 312.13.

Pro Stock -- 1. Greg Anderson, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.743, 204.39 vs. 16. Ron Krisher, Chevy Cavalier, 6.802, 203.06; 2. Larry Morgan, Dodge Stratus, 6.758, 204.29 vs. 15. Scott Geoffrion, Ford Escort, 6.793, 203.19; 3. Jeg Coughlin, Cavalier, 6.760, 203.03 vs. 14. Warren Johnson, Grand Am, 6.792, 203.80; 4. Troy Coughlin, Cavalier, 6.770, 202.21 vs. 13. Gene Wilson, Stratus, 6.784, 203.31; 5. Allen Johnson, Stratus, 6.773, 203.09 vs. 12. Mike Edwards, Grand Am, 6.783, 202.30; 6. Kenny Koretsky, Cavalier, 6.780, 202.85 vs. 11. Jim Yates, Grand Am, 6.782, 202.55; 7. George Marnell, Grand Am, 6.780, 202.70 vs. 10. Dave Connolly, Cavalier, 6.782, 202.61; 8. Darrell Alderman, Stratus, 6.781, 202.94 vs. 9. Bruce Allen, Grand Am, 6.782, 202.82.

Pro Stock Bike -- 1. Fred Collis, Suzuki, 7.117, 186.79 vs. 16. Todd Doege, Kawasaki, 7.297, 188.10; 2. Angelle Savoie, Suzuki, 7.125, 182.95 vs. 15. Tommy Grimes Jr, Suzuki, 7.290, 183.49; 3. Shawn Gann, Suzuki, 7.135, 186.46 vs. 14. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.287, 181.84; 4. Craig Treble, Suzuki, 7.170, 185.43 vs. 13. Blaine Hale, Suzuki, 7.242, 185.31; 5. Michael Phillips, Suzuki, 7.174, 187.50 vs. 12. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.237, 185.28; 6. Geno Scali, Suzuki, 7.175, 182.62 vs. 11. GT Tonglet, Harley-Davidson, 7.225, 184.37; 7. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 7.182, 189.52 vs. 10. Mike Berry, Suzuki, 7.225, 186.00; 8. Reggie Showers, Suzuki, 7.189, 185.15 vs. 9. Antron Brown, Suzuki, 7.190, 185.31.

SATURDAY - NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals in Reading postponed until week after Chicago

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

(9-13-2003) - The 19th annual Lucas Oil Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway have been postponed due to inclement weather. The race will continue Oct. 3-5.

One round of professional qualifying was completed Friday and those runs will count towards the rescheduled event. Qualifying will continue on Saturday, Oct. 4 with two professional qualifying sessions and final eliminations will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5.

"The professional and alcohol cars one got in one run and it would be unfair to those teams in the points chase trying to compete for a championship to race tomorrow," said Graham Light, senior vice president of racing operations. "With the volume of activity we have to complete, it would be almost impossible to fit it into one day. The forecast also looks unfavorable with rain off and on tomorrow.

"We'll go to Memphis next weekend and Chicago after that and hope the weather will cooperate to give a fair shot to the race teams in early October when we come back to Reading."

The qualifying leaders for the professional categories are Tony Schumacher in Top Fuel, Tony Pedregon in Funny Car, Jeg Coughlin in Pro Stock and Shawn Gann in Pro Stock Bike.

"We're fortunate to be doing as well as we have been, especially in the last dozen or so runs," said Schumacher. " We are very focused on next year and trying to learn as much as we can about the car so we can compete for the 2004 POWERade championship. But you know what? It rained out in Indy two weeks ago and we came back last week to win the race. So, maybe the rainout will produce similar results. Even if we have to work twice as hard, it would be worth it if we can come away with another victory."

The next NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event is the 16th O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals, Sept. 18-21, at Memphis Motorsports Park in Millington, Tenn.

FRIDAY - Whoah Baby! Schumacher records quickest-ever Top Fuel run

Tony Schumacher blasted his U.S. Army dragster to a run of 4.465 seconds at 328.78 mph to lead the Top Fuel order.

(9-12-2003) -- Tony Schumacher raced to the quickest run in NHRA history to lead Top Fuel qualifying Friday at the Lucas Oil Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.

Tony Pedregon, Jeg Coughlin and Shawn Gann also led their respective categories at the $1.8 million race, the 18th of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

Schumacher blasted his U.S. Army dragster to a run of 4.465 seconds at 328.78 mph to lead the Top Fuel order. Schumacher must record a run of 4.509 or quicker this weekend to certify the run as a national record, which earns 20 bonus points. The professional categories had just one round of qualifying because of heavy rain delays.

"It was a great run," Schumacher said. "That was as perfect as anyone has seen. I think it is absolutely possible to back it up for the national record.

"Every bone in my body cracked, it was such a great run. We didn't change much from our setup in Indy when we ran the 4.499, but the air here just helped us."

Pedregon powered his Castrol Syntec Ford Mustang to a performance of 4.803 at 316.67 to lead Funny Car qualifying.

"I'm sure glad we got that session in," Pedregon said. "Not to mention to be able to run the quick time of the round. This run comes at a good time for us. We've struggled at the last five races losing in the first round four times. Last year, this is about the time we started to make our run. This is a real morale booster."

Coughlin led the Pro Stock order with a pass of 6.760 at 203.03 in his Jeg's Mail Order Chevy Cavalier.

Tony Pedregon edged out his brother Cruz for the top spot in Funny Cars.

"We're excited to be the (top qualifier)," Coughlin said. "After watching several of the early cars get loose in third and fourth gear, we felt we had a very aggressive tune up. It struck the tires in third gear, but I drove through it and when the 6.76 came up on the board we were happy to be low."

Gann paced the Pro Stock Bike field with a run of 7.135 at 183.34 on his Mac Tools Suzuki.

"It was almost a perfect run," Gann said. "The 60-foot time wasn't as good as we'd like, but it was a really nice pass. It was rolling."

Qualifying continues with two sessions on Saturday at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations start at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

Results Friday after qualifying for the 19th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, 18th of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.

Top Fuel -- 1. Tony Schumacher, 4.465 seconds, 328.78 mph; 2. Kenny Bernstein, 4.537, 327.35; 3. Larry Dixon, 4.550, 322.11; 4. Paul Romine, 4.564, 310.13; 5. Cory McClenathan, 4.581, 310.98; 6. Darrell Russell, 4.593, 315.78; 7. Doug Herbert, 4.593, 300.20; 8. Rhonda Hartman-Smith, 4.602, 305.22; 9. David Baca, 4.609, 311.99; 10. Clay Millican, 4.651, 314.90; 11. Jim Head, 4.652, 319.22; 12. Luigi Novelli, 4.685, 318.39; 13. Bruce Litton, 4.727, 306.60; 14. John Smith, 5.094, 214.66; 15. Rit Pustari, 5.218, 259.41; 16. Scott Kalitta, 6.484, 120.16.

Funny Car -- 1. Tony Pedregon, Ford Mustang, 4.803, 316.67; 2. Cruz Pedregon, Pontiac Firebird, 4.819, 313.73; 3. John Force, Mustang, 4.826, 318.99; 4. Tim Wilkerson, Firebird, 4.828, 311.56; 5. Gary Densham, Mustang, 4.848, 316.75; 6. Phil Burkart, Firebird, 4.902, 309.34; 7. Frank Pedregon, Firebird, 4.903, 300.53; 8. Dale Creasy Jr., Firebird, 4.942, 304.94; 9. Dean Skuza, Firebird, 4.945, 295.79; 10. Cory Lee, Firebird, 5.078, 308.71; 11. Del Worsham, Firebird, 5.218, 293.28; 12. Jack Wyatt, Chevy Camaro, 5.673, 180.50; 13. Terry Haddock, Camaro, 5.790, 169.98; 14. Whit Bazemore, Dodge Stratus, 7.126, 114.10; 15. Bob Gilbertson, Firebird, 7.149, 136.25; 16. Tommy Johnson Jr., Camaro, 7.317, 116.97.

Pro Stock -- 1. Jeg Coughlin, Chevy Cavalier, 6.760, 203.03; 2. Greg Anderson, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.781, 203.65; 3. Ron Krisher, Cavalier, 6.802, 203.06; 4. Mike Edwards, Grand Am, 6.803, 201.91; 5. Larry Morgan, Dodge Stratus, 6.807, 202.82; 6. Darrell Alderman, Stratus, 6.813, 202.00; 7. Allen Johnson, Stratus, 6.814, 202.18; 8. Gene Wilson, Stratus, 6.822, 202.42; 9. Taylor Lastor, Cavalier, 6.839, 202.45; 10. Jim Yates, Grand Am, 6.839, 201.55; 11. Ben Watson, Cavalier, 6.842, 200.77; 12. Tom Martino, Grand Am, 6.845, 200.86; 13. Scott Geoffrion, Ford Escort, 6.848, 202.00; 14. Greg Stanfield, Dodge Neon, 6.861, 201.43; 15. Warren Johnson, Grand Am, 6.888, 199.91; 16. V. Gaines, Cavalier, 6.894, 201.10.

Pro Stock Bike -- 1. Shawn Gann, Suzuki, 7.135, 183.34; 2. Fred Collis, Suzuki, 7.152, 185.95; 3. Craig Treble, Suzuki, 7.170, 185.43; 4. Michael Phillips, Suzuki, 7.174, 187.50; 5. Geno Scali, Suzuki, 7.175, 182.62; 6. Antron Brown, Suzuki, 7.190, 185.31; 7. GT Tonglet, Harley-Davidson, 7.225, 177.00; 8. Blaine Hale, Suzuki, 7.242, 185.31; 9. Reggie Showers, Suzuki, 7.250, 185.03; 10. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.287, 181.84; 11. Todd Doege, Kawasaki, 7.297, 188.10; 12. Matthew Smith, Suzuki, 7.300, 178.59; 13. Tommy Grimes Jr, Suzuki, 7.332, 176.74; 14. Connie Cohen, Suzuki, 7.389, 166.93; 15. Ryan Schnitz, Kawasaki, 7.390, 178.07; 16. Josh Helvie, Kawasaki, 7.407, 181.15.