Daily coverage:
NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals - Reading, Pa.
The latest results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals, Reading, Pa., the nineteenth stop on the 2004 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series
by Bobby Bennett
Photos by Chris Simmons

SUNDAY - SCHUMACHER CLINCHES NHRA POWERADE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP; TIES RECORD FOR WINS IN A SEASON IN TOP FUEL AT LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS; Scelzi, Line and Savoie also earn victories in their categories at Maple Grove Raceway

Top Fuel -- Tony Schumacher, 4.475 seconds, 329.99 mph def. Bob Vandergriff, 8.206 seconds, 99.48 mph.

(10-10-2004) – Tony Schumacher won his second NHRA POWERade Series Top Fuel world championship Sunday and in the process raced to victory in the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.

Gary Scelzi, Jason Line and Angelle Savoie also were winners in their respective categories at the $1.7 million race, the 21st of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

Schumacher clinched the $400,000 NHRA POWERade Top Fuel season title with a second round win over rival Brandon Bernstein, then later tied the record for most victories in a season in his category by outrunning veteran driver Bob Vandergriff in the final round.

Schumacher took his ninth win of the season and 20th of his career by clocking a 4.475 second run at 329.99 mph in the U.S. Army dragster, while Vandergriff’s machine lost traction at mid-track and limped to the finish in 8.206 at 99.48. With the victory, he tied Scelzi (2000) and Larry Dixon (2002) for most Top Fuel wins in a season.

Funny Car -- Gary Scelzi, Dodge Stratus, 4.853, 308.28 def. John Force, Ford Mustang, 11.507, 86.39.

"What an unbelievable day," Schumacher said. "To win the POWERade world championship and tie the record for wins in a season on the same day, it's awesome. I was joking with some people that I should just retire after today because how will I be able to top this?”

Scelzi’s second victory of the season delayed John Force from clinching a record 13th NHRA world championship in Funny Car. Scelzi’s Hemi Oakley Dodge Stratus R/T covered the distance in 4.853 at 308.23, while Force’s Castrol GTX Start Up Ford Mustang lost traction at the start and posted an 11.507 at 86.39.

"I don't think anyone expected us to win that race including me," Scelzi said. "They had the car to beat and he was ready to win it all but when you're running those kind of numbers like he was, stuff in the mid-4.7s, you're right on the edge. We just ran as quick as we could safely. We didn't want to be stupid in the final just in case he smoked the tires. (Crew chief) Mike Neff played it smart and we won. Look for that name, Mike Neff, to keep getting headlines. He's young and he's good. I'm glad he's my guy."

Force, who leads Del Worsham by 260 points following the runner-up finish, needs only to qualify at the next event to secure the season championship title.

Pro Stock -- Jason Line, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.669, 206.23 def. Greg Anderson, Grand Am, 6.681, 206.67.

Line scored his fourth win of the season and in the process denied his boss, category champion Greg Anderson, an opportunity to break the NHRA record for pro victories in a season (13) he currently holds with Force.

In the quickest side-by-side Pro Stock race in NHRA history, Line drove his KB Framers Pontiac Grand Am to a track record 6.669 at 206.23 to edge Anderson’s Summit Racing Grand Am, which clocked a 6.681 at a track record speed of 206.67.

"No one can ever accuse us of not racing," Line said. "There are no orders on this team. That just shows what a classy guy Greg is. He's a great champion and a true drag racer. He never said a word except, 'good luck,' even though we all know how much he wants to set that record.”

Line, also a leading candidate for the Auto Club Road to the Future Award which recognizes NHRA’s top rookie performer for the season, hopes the victory will increase his status in the eyes of more than 100 of the nation’s top auto racing journalists who vote for it. Other top candidates for the award include Eric Medlen in Funny Car and Morgan Lucas in Top Fuel.

"Hopefully, this win gives our Rookie of the Year effort a big shot in the arm,” Line said. “I don't know how it can be anything but a good thing for us. I mean, I just beat Greg Anderson, which is something most people haven't been able to do in the last two years. That has to count for a lot."

Angelle Savoie beat teammate Antron Brown in the quickest Pro Stock Bike race in history, to take her third win of the season and 34th of her career. In a battle of identically prepared U.S. Army Suzukis, Savoie clocked a track record time of 7.018 at 191.29, while Brown trailed with a 7.047 at 184.35.

Pro Stock Bike -- Angelle Savoie, Suzuki, 7.018, 191.29 def. Antron Brown, Suzuki, 7.047, 184.35.

"What an awesome weekend for the Army team," Savoie said. "Anytime me and Antron get to race with the trophy on the line it's all good. Last time we raced for it all was in Sonoma and I got to paint his fingernails because he lost the bet. This time everyone better bring their cameras to Las Vegas because he has to wear a little Angelle shirt all weekend long. You'd think he'd learn. I only wish we'd been three thousandths of a second quicker and we would have set the national record."

Mega NHRA team owner Don Schumacher accomplished a first in NHRA history by claiming event victories in three pro categories.

"We're committed to making this sport as good as it can be," he said while he celebrated in winner's circle with his three winning drivers -- son Tony, Scelzi and Savoie. "If I'm the one that brings it to the next level, then so be it. We've got a lot of great cars in our organization and we've had a chance to win three classes at the same race twice before, but to finally get it done is phenomenal."

The NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series continues with the fourth annual ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals, Oct. 28-31, at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Sportsman Finals

Top Alcohol Dragster -- Morgan Lucas, 5.273, 264.39 def. Ashley Force, 5.298, 270.43.

Top Alcohol Funny Car -- Frank Manzo, Pontiac Firebird, 5.560, 260.41 def. Bob Newberry, Chevy Camaro, 5.555, 257.24.

Competition Eliminator -- Tony Stephenson, Chevy Cavalier, 8.053, 166.15 def. Chris Bozic, Dragster, 7.435, 189.66.

Super Stock -- Michael Iacono, Chevy Camaro, 10.044, 131.48 def. Bob Letellier, Pontiac Trans Am, 11.024, 122.30.

Stock Eliminator -- Tex Miller, Ford Mustang, 11.066, 117.77 def. Brian Van Poppel, Chevy Camaro, 11.341, 115.61.

Super Gas -- Bob Phillips, Dodge Neon, 9.918, 160.56 def. George Stack, Chevy Monte Carlo, 9.909, 159.72.

Final round-by-round results from the 20th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, the 21st of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series -

TOP FUEL:

ROUND ONE -- Rhonda Hartman-Smith, 4.632, 310.05 def. Larry Dixon, 7.803, 98.66; Bob Vandergriff, 5.577, 283.19 def. Cory McClenathan, 9.980, 75.29; Doug Herbert, 4.575, 324.98 def. Morgan Lucas, 4.848, 228.61; Brandon Bernstein, 4.565, 327.59 def. John Smith, 8.472, 113.35; Tony Schumacher, 4.482, 329.34 def. Scott Weis, 4.648, 317.57; Scott Kalitta, 4.563, 320.13 def. Todd Paton, 10.085, 91.27; David Grubnic, 4.540, 324.51 def. Bobby Lagana Jr., 8.196, 97.89; Doug Kalitta, 4.504, 329.83 def. Mitch King, 13.178, 62.92;

QUARTERFINALS -- S. Kalitta, 4.497, 321.27 def. Herbert, 4.654, 303.57; Vandergriff, 4.611, 295.66 def. Grubnic, broke; Hartman-Smith, 4.658, 310.77 def. D. Kalitta, 8.562, 98.29; Schumacher, 4.467, 324.36 def. Bernstein, 7.753, 102.32;

SEMIFINALS -- Vandergriff, 5.056, 283.43 def. S. Kalitta, 6.530, 141.80; Schumacher, 4.500, 328.54 def. Hartman-Smith, 8.513, 101.76;

FINAL -- Schumacher, 4.475, 329.99 def. Vandergriff, 8.206, 99.48.

FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE -- Del Worsham, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.841, 319.29 def. Johnny Gray, Dodge Stratus, 4.943, 293.86; Tim Wilkerson, Monte Carlo, 4.848, 317.72 def. Tommy Johnson Jr., Monte Carlo, 11.592, 93.15; Gary Scelzi, Stratus, 4.807, 305.63 def. Whit Bazemore, Stratus, 7.678, 109.24; Eric Medlen, Ford Mustang, 4.840, 310.13 def. Jim Head, Toyota Celica, 5.060, 254.71; John Force, Mustang, 4.728, 326.24 def. Jerry Toliver, Celica, 11.950, 76.39; Gary Densham, Mustang, 4.769, 321.96 def. Phil Burkart, Monte Carlo, 14.156, 78.43; Tony Pedregon, Monte Carlo, 4.830, 315.71 def. Cruz Pedregon, Monte Carlo, 6.417, 143.64; Ron Capps, Monte Carlo, 4.836, 311.56 def. Jeff Arend, Chevy Corvette, 5.193, 221.63;

QUARTERFINALS -- Worsham, 6.094, 279.44 def. Capps, 6.223, 216.41; T. Pedregon, 4.808, 319.90 def. Medlen, 4.798, 323.81; Force, 4.762, 325.77 def. Wilkerson, 4.792, 321.73; Scelzi, 4.851, 314.68 def. Densham, 15.726, 40.22;

SEMIFINALS -- Scelzi, 4.837, 315.34 def. T. Pedregon, 4.844, 311.13; Force, 4.765, 327.82 def. Worsham, 8.654, 105.02;

FINAL -- Scelzi, 4.853, 308.28 def. Force, 11.507, 86.39.

PRO STOCK:

ROUND ONE -- Allen Johnson, Dodge Stratus, 6.731, 204.32 def. Jeg Coughlin, Chevy Cavalier, 6.709, 204.63; Dave Connolly, Cavalier, 6.752, 204.88 def. Steve Johns, Cavalier, 6.703, 206.13; V. Gaines, Stratus, 6.743, 205.13 def. Ron Krisher, Cavalier, 6.742, 204.01; Mike Edwards, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.704, 205.38 def. Bruce Allen, Grand Am, 6.745, 204.20; Jason Line, Grand Am, 6.705, 206.01 def. Mark Pawuk, Grand Am, 6.766, 203.55; Kenny Koretsky, Stratus, 6.723, 205.51 def. Mark Whisnant, Cavalier, 6.715, 205.07; Greg Anderson, Grand Am, 6.716, 206.07 def. Kurt Johnson, Cavalier, 6.820, 204.08; Rickie Smith, Cavalier, 6.746, 204.85 def. Larry Morgan, Stratus, 6.734, 204.79;

QUARTERFINALS -- Koretsky, 6.708, 206.20 def. Smith, 6.761, 204.29; Anderson, 6.697, 206.04 def. A. Johnson, 6.729, 204.17; Line, 6.719, 205.41 def. Connolly, 6.738, 204.82; Gaines, 6.731, 204.66 def. Edwards, 6.681, 205.69;

SEMIFINALS -- Line, 6.689, 205.60 def. Koretsky, 6.679, 206.39; Anderson, 6.689, 206.48 def. Gaines, 6.718, 204.91;

FINAL -- Line, 6.669, 206.23 def. Anderson, 6.681, 206.67.

PRO STOCK BIKE:

ROUND ONE -- Antron Brown, Suzuki, 7.063, 188.33 def. Kurt Matte, Suzuki, 7.255, 187.99; Angelle Savoie, Suzuki, 7.035, 190.14 def. Mike Berry, Suzuki, 7.222, 183.62; Chip Hunter, Suzuki, 7.259, 178.47 def. Chip Ellis, 7.576, 179.73; Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.125, 191.59 def. Shawn Gann, Suzuki, 7.143, 187.11; Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 7.168, 187.21 def. GT Tonglet, Harley-Davidson, 7.897, 127.94; Geno Scali, Suzuki, 7.081, 189.02 def. Michael Phillips, Suzuki, 7.123, 188.33; Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.143, 181.89 def. Paul Gast, Suzuki, foul; Craig Treble, Suzuki, 7.149, 185.77 def. Matt Smith, Suzuki, 7.144, 185.56;

QUARTERFINALS -- Hines, 7.140, 187.99 def. Stoffer, 7.199, 178.61; Johnson, 7.178, 186.90 def. Hunter, foul; Brown, 7.099, 185.97 def. Treble, 7.132, 186.90; Savoie, 7.061, 188.52 def. Scali, foul;

SEMIFINALS -- Brown, 7.075, 185.46 def. Johnson, 7.126, 187.18; Savoie, 7.053, 190.19 def. Hines, 7.149, 191.05;

FINAL -- Savoie, 7.018, 191.29 def. Brown, 7.047, 184.35.

a d v e r t i s e m e n t

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SATURDAY -Kalitta, Medlen, Anderson and Brown Earn Top Qualifying Honors

Doug Kalitta is the quickest Top Fueler headed into Sunday's eliminations.

(10-9-2004) - Doug Kalitta raced to his sixth No. 1 qualifying position of the season Saturday at the 20th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.

Eric Medlen, Greg Anderson and Antron Brown also will lead their respective categories into Sunday's 11 a.m. (ET) eliminations at the $1.7 million race, the 21st of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

Kalitta powered his Mac Tools dragster to a qualifying best run of 4.460 seconds at 330.88 mph for his 22nd career top qualifying award. It was the seventh quickest Top Fuel run in NHRA history.

"It's very cool to lock-up the No. 1 qualifier deal for the Budweiser Shootout," Kalitta said of the lucrative bonus event for qualified Top Fuel drivers that will be held in two weeks in Las Vegas. "It's great to be No. 1 here in Reading also and to see our team cars one, two, three on the ladder. We've never done that before."

Rookie driver Eric Medlen, racing at Maple Grove for the first time, collected his second qualifying award of the season in Funny Car with a final pass of 4.741 at 324.12 in his Castrol Syntec Ford Mustang.

With his qualifying performance, Kalitta now trails Tony Schumacher, who qualified fourth in the U.S. Army dragster, by 270 points in the championship chase. Schumacher needs to add just seven points to his series lead tomorrow to claim his second NHRA POWERade world championship.

David Grubnic was second and Scott Kalitta was third in the 16-car Top Fuel lineup. This was the first time that all three cars owned by Connie Kalitta finished as the top three qualifiers at the same race.

"It's a good start but we need to take all these strong Fridays and Saturdays we've been having and make things happen on Sunday," Kalitta added. "The championship deal is all but over. We're looking at second place. But there's no reason to think we can't win a few of these remaining races starting right here in Reading. We certainly have the car to do it."

Rookie driver Medlen, racing at Maple Grove for the first time, collected his second qualifying award of the season in Funny Car with a final pass of 4.741 at 324.12 in his Castrol Syntec Ford Mustang.

"The credit goes to John (Force), he's the one that created all this mess," said Medlen, a top candidate for the Auto Club Road to the Future Award, which recognizes the season's top rookie. "The car has been running good the last couple of races. Not that we were looking for No. 1, but we knew that we were capable of it. All we want is to get those Castrol Fords up there and at the end of the day as long as one of them is up there we will all hold our hands above our head."

Greg Anderson vaulted to the top of the field for the second year in a row at Maple Grove.

Force, the category points leader who could also clinch an NHRA POWERade series title tomorrow if he can increase his lead by 37 points, will start from the number two position. Ron Capps, who led qualifying until the final round, is third.

Anderson, who has already clinched the season championship in Pro Stock, vaulted to the top of the field for the second year in a row at Maple Grove powering his Summit Racing Pontiac Grand Am to a track record time of 6.693 at 205.57. It's his 15th qualifying award of the season (ties him with Warren Johnson for most single-season qualifying awards) and 32nd of his career. Should Anderson win the race tomorrow he will set the record for the most single-season victories in NHRA history.

Antron Brown took home the Pro Stock Bike top qualifying award and set a personal-best time with a 7.057 at 187.57 on his U.S. Army Suzuki..

"It's another accomplishment (the track record), but it feels good," Anderson said. "It's hard right now to get a leg up on these guys, to get low E.T., to win races, to qualify No. 1. It's nothing like it was early in the season when almost all we had to do was show up and go down the track and we had the pole. Times have changed. We gotta fight and claw for every thousandth we can get."

Two other cars posted sub-6.7 second performances: Anderson teammate Jason Line was second, while local favorite Ken Kortesky, from Richboro, Pa., was third.

"It's gonna be great racing tomorrow," Anderson continued. "I feel great about getting the (No. 1 spot) and tying the record, but it doesn't do too much for tomorrow. We're gonna have to find a way to get even better."

Brown took home the Pro Stock Bike top qualifying award and set a personal-best time with a 7.057 at 187.57 on his U.S. Army Suzuki. It's the seventh race in a row that he has qualified first or second.

"Ever since St. Louis this year we found a combination that finally worked with our bike real well," said Brown of his third No. 1 effort of the season and ninth of his career. "I give tribute to the guys back in the shop. They've been working hard. We've always had the power, it was about getting it to the ground. I have a brand new motorcycle. We just had to get the consistency going. Now that we have the combination, we've just been fine-tweaking it from race to race."

Angelle Savoie, Brown's teammate with the U.S. Army, qualified second, and Andrew Hines is third on the Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson.

First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the 20th annual
Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, the 21st of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday.

Top Fuel -- 1. Doug Kalitta, 4.460 seconds, 330.88 mph vs. 16. Mitch King, 11.404, 68.62; 2. David Grubnic, 4.481, 326.16 vs. 15. Bobby Lagana Jr., 5.260, 260.71; 3. Scott Kalitta, 4.495, 321.65 vs. 14. Todd Paton, 5.115, 222.95; 4. Tony Schumacher, 4.516, 324.12 vs. 13. Scott Weis, 4.665, 318.62; 5. Brandon Bernstein, 4.545, 327.03 vs. 12. John Smith, 4.659, 311.56; 6. Morgan Lucas, 4.559, 322.81 vs. 11. Doug Herbert, 4.652, 305.01; 7. Cory McClenathan, 4.573, 322.50 vs. 10. Bob Vandergriff, 4.640, 310.98; 8. Larry Dixon, 4.581, 319.90 vs. 9. Rhonda Hartman-Smith, 4.610, 317.34.

Funny Car -- 1. Eric Medlen, Ford Mustang, 4.741, 324.12 vs. 16. Jim Head, Toyota Celica, 4.926, 304.87; 2. John Force, Mustang, 4.754, 323.81 vs. 15. Jerry Toliver, Celica, 4.912, 306.95; 3. Ron Capps, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.777, 321.04 vs. 14. Jeff Arend, Chevy Corvette, 4.881, 314.61; 4. Gary Densham, Mustang, 4.796, 323.74 vs. 13. Phil Burkart, Monte Carlo, 4.877, 309.49; 5. Gary Scelzi, Dodge Stratus, 4.796, 318.77 vs. 12. Whit Bazemore,
Stratus, 4.871, 312.42; 6. Del Worsham, Monte Carlo, 4.800, 319.82 vs. 11. Johnny Gray, Stratus, 4.853, 315.78; 7. Tim Wilkerson, Monte Carlo, 4.813, 315.34 vs. 10. Tommy Johnson Jr., Monte Carlo, 4.841, 315.49; 8. Cruz Pedregon, Monte Carlo, 4.819, 318.62 vs. 9. Tony Pedregon, Monte Carlo, 4.836, 315.86.

Pro Stock -- 1. Greg Anderson, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.693, 205.57 vs. 16. Kurt Johnson, Chevy Cavalier, 6.757, 204.32; 2. Jason Line, Grand Am, 6.695, 205.54 vs. 15. Mark Pawuk, Grand Am, 6.751, 203.61; 3. Kenny Koretsky, Dodge Stratus, 6.697, 205.51 vs. 14. Mark Whisnant, Cavalier, 6.745, 204.20; 4. Mike Edwards, Grand Am, 6.707, 204.73 vs. 13. Bruce Allen, Grand Am, 6.744, 204.23; 5. V. Gaines, Stratus, 6.710, 204.82 vs. 12. Ron Krisher, Cavalier, 6.742, 204.73; 6. Larry Morgan, Stratus, 6.710, 205.29 vs. 11. Rickie Smith, Cavalier, 6.741, 204.48; 7. Steve Johns, Cavalier, 6.715, 205.22 vs. 10. Dave Connolly, Cavalier, 6.728, 204.76; 8. Allen Johnson, Stratus, 6.717, 204.08 vs. 9. Jeg Coughlin, Cavalier, 6.719, 205.32.

Pro Stock Bike -- 1. Antron Brown, Suzuki, 7.057, 187.57 vs. 16. Kurt Matte, Suzuki, 7.221, 185.49; 2. Angelle Savoie, Suzuki, 7.072, 188.67 vs. 15. Mike Berry, Suzuki, 7.201, 184.04; 3. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 7.089, 193.57 vs. 14. GT Tonglet, Harley-Davidson, 7.179, 187.96; 4. Chip Ellis, 7.123, 183.34 vs. 13. Chip Hunter, Suzuki, 7.170, 185.79; 5. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.124, 187.50 vs. 12. Shawn Gann, Suzuki, 7.158, 186.61; 6. Karen
Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.125, 186.48 vs. 11. Paul Gast, Suzuki, 7.151, 186.43; 7. Geno Scali, Suzuki, 7.134, 187.50 vs. 10. Michael Phillips, Suzuki, 7.146, 187.89; 8. Craig Treble, Suzuki, 7.139, 185.64 vs. 9. Matt Smith, Suzuki, 7.144, 185.49.

FRIDAY - KALITTA, CAPPS, KORETSKY AND HINES QUALIFYING LEADERS AT LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS

Doug Kalitta, who entered the weekend in second place in the category point standings, powered his Mac Tools dragster to a leading run of 4.498 seconds at 326.95 mph.

(10-8-2004) - Doug Kalitta raced to the qualifying lead in Top Fuel Friday at the 20th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.

Ron Capps, Kenny Koretsky and Andrew Hines also were qualifying leaders in their respective categories at the $1.7 million race, the 21st of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

Kalitta, who entered the weekend in second place in the category point standings, powered his Mac Tools dragster to a leading run of 4.498 seconds at 326.95 mph to pace the field.

Ron Capps, who is looking for his first No. 1 qualifying award of the season in Funny Car, steered the green Skoal Racing Chevy Monte Carlo to a 4.796 at 318.47.

"Our car really ties in well to this place," Kalitta said. "Conditions are usually cool and it seems like a real good track with even lanes. If I knew how, I would make every track just like this one."

Tony Schumacher, who needs to add four points to his series lead to clinch his second NHRA Top Fuel world championship title, was second in the U.S. Army dragster with a 4.528 at 323.89, while Australian David Grubnic was third with a 4.554 at 326.08 in the Red Line Oil dragster.

If Kalitta holds on to the top spot it will be his sixth No. 1 effort of the season.

"I was really happy to run the 49 in font of a nice crowd like we had out here tonight," Kalitta said. "It got the crowd going pretty good. The run was nice and straight and the cool weather had to help a bit. We got the good run in today and hopefully it will hold up for tomorrow. There are a lot of strong cars and you never know what will happen."

Capps, who is looking for his first No. 1 qualifying award of the season in Funny Car, steered the green Skoal Racing Chevy Monte Carlo to a 4.796 at 318.47.

Kenny Koretsky, from Richboro, Pa., went to the top of the Pro Stock field running a track record 6.697 at 205.16 in his Nitrofish Wear Dodge Stratus.

"Obviously it's been a tough year for the green Skoal team," Capps said. "We're fighting just to get in the top 10 at this point. But there's only three races left in the year and the guys are like, 'you know what, let's just win a few and end on a high note.' Everyone is just relaxed and getting back to why they love drag racing and just having fun."

Gary Densham was second in the Auto Club Ford Mustang with a 4.800 at 319.07, while Del Worsham was third in his Checker Schuck's Kragen Monte Carlo with a 4.800 at 318.99.

John Force, who can clinch his 13th NHRA POWERade Funny Car world championship at this event if he can add 40 points to his series lead, was fourth in the Castrol GTX Start Up Mustang with a 4.828 at 286.50.

Capps, who has qualified in the top five only two times this season (third at Las Vegas, fifth at Englishtown, N.J.), hopes his run is the beginning of something good after enduring a season filled with two DNQs and 15 first round losses.

"We DNQ'd in Chicago but we were on the same run as that one right there until something broke on the bottom half of the motor," he continued. "But the guys didn't get down, they went to work and fixed the problem and now here we are. It's only one day and one run but the looks on everybody's faces in this pit makes this one feel pretty damn good."

Koretsky, from Richboro, Pa., went to the top of the Pro Stock field running a track record 6.697 at 205.16 in his Nitrofish Wear Dodge Stratus.

Andrew Hines leads the Pro Stock Bike class with a 7.101 at 189.50 on his Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines Harley Davidson.

"We're real excited," said Koretsky, who is in search of his first career No. 1 qualifying award. "We can hold it all weekend. Larry Morgan put a new motor in the car. Eddie did a great job with the car. That's why we're so fast.

"Anything can happen tomorrow with two more runs. For me, I'm just so happy to be out here and qualifying well. If we keep the pole position, that's great. Everyone knows that we can do it out here. We just need some luck on race day."

Hines leads the Pro Stock Bike class with a 7.101 at 189.50 on his Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines Harley Davidson.

"We have a little bit of room for improvement," Hines said. "The V-Rod wasn't quite up to par getting off the line. We were hitting a lot of bumps down at the end of the track. The bikes were really affected by that. All in all, the bike ran decent. It wasn't horrible. It was quick enough just to barely snag that No. 1 spot by a thousandth. So we're happy with our performance."

Qualifying continues Saturday at 11 a.m.

Results Friday after qualifying for the 20th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, 21st of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.

Top Fuel -- 1. Doug Kalitta, 4.498 seconds, 326.95 mph; 2. Tony Schumacher, 4.528, 323.89; 3. David Grubnic, 4.554, 326.08; 4. Morgan Lucas, 4.559, 322.81; 5. Scott Kalitta, 4.559, 321.65; 6. Larry Dixon, 4.581, 318.47; 7. Brandon Bernstein, 4.616, 321.65; 8. Rhonda
Hartman-Smith, 4.650, 311.77; 9. Bob Vandergriff, 4.653, 294.95; 10. John Smith, 4.659, 311.56; 11. Doug Herbert, 4.661, 304.74; 12. Scott Weis, 4.665, 318.62; 13. Cory McClenathan, 4.701, 321.58; 14. Todd Paton, 5.238, 206.83; 15. Bobby Lagana Jr., 5.260, 260.71; 16. Mitch King, 11.404, 68.62.

Funny Car -- 1. Ron Capps, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.796, 318.47; 2. Gary Densham, Ford Mustang, 4.800, 319.07; 3. Del Worsham, Monte Carlo, 4.800, 318.99; 4. Eric Medlen, Mustang, 4.821, 318.24; 5. John Force, Mustang, 4.828, 315.86; 6. Tim Wilkerson, Monte Carlo, 4.861, 315.34; 7. Gary Scelzi, Dodge Stratus, 4.864, 317.34; 8. Cruz Pedregon, Monte Carlo, 4.875, 309.56; 9. Jeff Arend, Chevy Corvette, 4.881, 309.13; 10. Tony Pedregon, Monte Carlo, 4.886, 303.57; 11. Tommy Johnson Jr., Monte Carlo, 4.908, 308.71; 12. Whit Bazemore, Stratus, 4.910, 312.42; 13. Jerry Toliver, Toyota Celica, 4.912, 306.95; 14. Phil Burkart, Monte Carlo, 4.920, 307.93; 15. Johnny Gray, Stratus, 4.922, 313.00; 16. Jim Head, Celica, 4.926, 304.87.

Pro Stock -- 1. Kenny Koretsky, Dodge Stratus, 6.697, 205.51; 2. Mike Edwards, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.707, 204.70; 3. Larry Morgan, Stratus, 6.710, 205.29; 4. Jason Line, Grand Am, 6.714, 205.13; 5. Greg Anderson, Grand Am, 6.715, 204.98; 6. Steve Johns, Chevy Cavalier, 6.716, 205.04; 7. V. Gaines, Stratus, 6.730, 204.42; 8. Dave Connolly, Cavalier, 6.731, 204.76; 9. Rickie Smith, Cavalier, 6.741, 204.48; 10. Ron Krisher, Cavalier, 6.746, 204.73; 11. Allen Johnson, Stratus, 6.750, 203.55; 12. Bruce Allen, Grand Am, 6.751, 204.05; 13. Mark Pawuk, Grand Am, 6.751, 203.61; 14. Mark Whisnant, Cavalier, 6.759, 204.20; 15. Bob Benza, Grand Am, 6.765, 203.49; 16. Jeg Coughlin, Cavalier, 6.774, 205.32.

Pro Stock Bike -- 1. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 7.101, 189.50; 2. Angelle Savoie, Suzuki, 7.102, 183.92; 3. Antron Brown, Suzuki, 7.115, 183.99; 4. Chip Ellis, 7.123, 183.34; 5. Craig Treble, Suzuki, 7.141, 185.64; 6. Matt Smith, Suzuki, 7.144, 185.49; 7. Geno Scali, Suzuki, 7.156, 187.50; 8. Michael Phillips, Suzuki, 7.166, 187.89; 9. Chip Hunter, Suzuki, 7.170, 185.79; 10. Shawn Gann, Suzuki, 7.178, 186.18; 11. GT Tonglet, Harley-Davidson, 7.179, 185.97; 12. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.199, 187.16; 13. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.218, 182.28; 14. Paul Gast, Suzuki, 7.220, 184.25; 15. Joe DeSantis, Suzuki, 7.231, 183.52; 16. Kurt Matte, Suzuki, 7.241, 185.10.

SATURDAY -LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS POSTPONED

(9-17-2004) - Two days of heavy rain showers from the remnants of Hurricane Ivan completely saturated the grounds of Maple Grove Raceway Saturday, including the racer pit areas and spectator parking lots, forcing NHRA officials to postpone the 20th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals until Oct. 8-10.

Two rounds of professional qualifying for all four categories will be held on Oct. 8 at 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and two more qualifying sessions are set for Oct. 9 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Eliminations will begin at 11 a.m. on Oct. 10.

The completed qualifying session for Pro Stock and Pro Stock Bike will be carried over until the rescheduled event. Andrew Hines leads Pro Stock Bike with a 7.137 at 186.51 on a Harley-Davidson, while Ron Krisher is atop the 16-car Pro Stock field with a 6.850 at 201.37 in a Chevy Cavalier.

The NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series moves on to the Texas Motorplex near Dallas for the O’Reilly Fall Nationals next weekend (Sept. 23-26) before heading to Chicago for the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals (Sept. 30-Oct. 3) at Route 66 Raceway.

FRIDAY - KRISHER AND HINES LEAD QUALIFYING IN RAIN-SHORTENED DAY AT LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS

Ron Krisher raced to the top spot in Pro Stock by clocking a 6.850 at 201.37 in his Valvoline Chevy Cavalier. Krisher, who has earned 13 No. 1 positions during his career, has not held the top spot since Dallas 2002..

(9-16-2004) - Ron Krisher and Andrew Hines were leaders Friday during a rain-shortened day of qualifying at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.

Persistent rain showers forced NHRA officials to postpone a majority of racing action including both sessions in Top Fuel and Funny Car and one of two planned sessions for Pro Stock and Pro Stock Bike. Eight Pro Stock competitors weren’t able to make a pass in their only session due to wet weather conditions.

The $1.7 million race is the 19th of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

Rain showers moved into the southeastern Pennsylvania area at 3 p.m. and continued intermittently for the rest of the afternoon before NHRA officials pulled the plug on the day around 8:45 p.m.

Weather permitting, qualifying will continue Saturday with pro sessions set for 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Eliminations are scheduled for Sunday at 11 a.m.

Krisher raced to the top spot in Pro Stock by clocking a 6.850 at 201.37 in his Valvoline Chevy Cavalier. Krisher, who has earned 13 No. 1 positions during his career, has not held the top spot since Dallas 2002.

"This was a brand new motor and that was our first run with it so we're pretty happy," Krisher said. "Believe it or not, I really do wish the top cars had gotten a chance to run every bit as much as they would have liked to have run because I wanted to see how we would have stacked up against them. This motor isn't showing us that it's just a little bit better than the old one; it's showing us that it's a lot better.”

Six-time NHRA champion Warren Johnson was second with a 6.852 at 200.89 in a his GM Performance Parts Pontiac Grand Am, while Mike Edwards drove his Young Life Grand Am to the third spot overall with a 6.855 at 200.59.

Hines paced Pro Stock Bike with a 7.137 at 186.51 on his Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson. If Hines maintains the position through tomorrow’s qualifying it will be his eighth No. 1 effort of the season..

Hines paced Pro Stock Bike with a 7.137 at 186.51 on his Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson. If Hines maintains the position through tomorrow’s qualifying it will be his eighth No. 1 effort of the season.

"We really felt like we had to get the bike down the track because we didn't know what would happen with the weather," Hines said. "So we just went out there and laid one down just like we did at the last race in Indy. Hey, every point we earn, even the ones in qualifying, mean a lot when there's only a few races left on the schedule.

"The guys found some horsepower in the last two weeks and the goal was to shoot for a number close to the sixes (six-second range) but the moisture in the air out here put that dream down in a hurry. The good news on the day was that everyone in the field got to make a run."

Antron Brown was second with a 7.207 at 183.99 on his U.S. Army Suzuki, while defending series champion Geno Scali was third, posting a 7.212 at 185.10 on his Trim-Tex Suzuki.

Friday's qualifying results for the 20th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, 19th of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.

Pro Stock -- 1. Ron Krisher, Chevy Cavalier, 6.850, 201.37; 2. Warren Johnson, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.852, 200.89; 3. Mike Edwards, Grand Am, 6.855, 200.59; 4. Rickie Smith, Cavalier, 6.856, 201.25; 5. Jim Yates, Grand Am, 6.866, 200.38; 6. Mark Whisnant, Cavalier, 6.877, 200.00; 7. JR Carr, Cavalier, 6.903, 198.67; 8. Bob Benza, Grand Am, 6.904, 199.35; 9. Ben Watson, Cavalier, 6.905, 199.88; 10. Dave Northrop, Cavalier, 6.925, 199.94; 11. Mark Pawuk, Grand Am, 6.928, 198.15; 12. David Strouse Jr., Cavalier, 7.023, 196.67; 13. Fernando Cuadra, Cavalier, 7.609, 137.15; 14. Allen Johnson, Dodge Stratus, 7.617, 125.54; 15. V. Gaines, Stratus, 7.729, 123.80; 16. Bill Shorts, Cavalier, 11.903, 64.59.

Pro Stock Bike -- 1. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 7.137, 186.51; 2. Antron Brown, Suzuki, 7.207, 183.99; 3. Geno Scali, Suzuki, 7.212, 185.10; 4. Shawn Gann, Suzuki, 7.223, 185.74; 5. Chip Ellis, 7.224, 183.34; 6. Matt Smith, Suzuki, 7.227, 182.75; 7. GT Tonglet, Harley-Davidson, 7.236, 185.97; 8. Michael Phillips, Suzuki, 7.240, 187.89; 9. Angelle Savoie, Suzuki, 7.243, 183.92; 10. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.251, 183.07; 11. Tommy Grimes, Suzuki, 7.269, 183.10; 12. Chip Hunter, Suzuki, 7.286, 181.03; 13. Blaine Hale, Suzuki, 7.288, 183.44; 14. Lloyd Straus, Suzuki, 7.306, 179.49; 15. Paul Gast, Suzuki, 7.324, 182.11; 16. Joe DeSantis, Suzuki, 7.327, 181.28.