NHRA NORTHWEST NATIONALS - SEATTLE RESULTS
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SUNDAY - JOHNSON JR., TODD AND MCGAHA RACE TO VICTORIES AT SEATTLE
Tommy Johnson Jr. picked up the win in Funny Car Sunday at the NHRA Northwest Nationals, denying teammate Jack Beckman’s bid to sweep the NHRA Western Swing.
J.R. Todd (Top Fuel) and Chris McGaha (Pro Stock) also took home victories in their respective categories at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event near Seattle, the final of three events in the NHRA Western Swing.
Johnson Jr. took out the 2012 world champ in the semifinals after red-hot Beckman’s record-setting machine, which was riding a two-race winning streak, dropped a cylinder at the hit of the throttle. Johnson Jr. moved on to the final where he recorded a performance of 4.073 seconds at 308.00 mph and used a holeshot victory to defeat Del Worsham. The win was Johnson Jr.’s second of the season and 12th of his career (10th in Funny Car). With the result, Johnson Jr. becomes the third driver to win an event in both Top Fuel and Funny Car at Pacific Raceways.
“We’ve got the most consistent car,” said Johnson Jr, driver of the Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T, who raced past Paul Lee, Chad Head and Beckman in the first three rounds. “The last seven races including this one, we have been to four finals. We’ve got a really good car and team. We struggled early in the season with stupid stuff that bit us. Everybody has stepped up to the plate lately and it is showing.”
Worsham, one of the three drivers to have a Top Fuel and Funny Car win at Seattle, was appearing in his third final of the season in the DHL Toyota Camry. He defeated John Hale, Tim Wilkerson and John Force en route to the final. Worsham is fifth in points.
Beckman’s semifinal appearance cut series leader Matt Hagan’s advantage to only five points. Johnson Jr. moved to third, 114 behind the defending world champ.
In Top Fuel, Todd piloted his Red Line Oil dragster to a 3.820 at 322.04, defeating Shawn Langdon in the final. The win was Todd’s first of the season, first at Seattle and eighth of his career. He moves to sixth in points with two races remaining before the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
“It’s still so surreal that I’m driving for Connie Kalitta,” said Todd, who is in his second season with Kalitta Motorsports. “He’s done so much for the sport as a driver, owner and crew chief. I’m the luckiest guy out here. This is Connie’s personal toy and he takes a lot of pride in this car. I just love to be able to bring him trophies.”
Langdon advanced to his second final of the season after winning the season-opener at Pomona, Calif. The 2013 world champ was steady on Sunday, beating Antron Brown, Richie Crampton and Larry Dixon to advance to the final in his Knuckle Sandwich/Toyota dragster. Langdon moves to seventh in points.
Tony Schumacher remained in the series lead in Top Fuel, and holds an 87-point lead over Brown. Schumacher lost in the second round to Steve Torrence.
McGaha earned the victory in Pro Stock from the No. 1 qualifying position, defeating Jeg Coughlin in the final with a 6.507 at 212.59 in a battle between Chevy Camaros. McGaha picked up his first career win just last weekend at Sonoma, Calif., and ends the Western Swing with two wins in the three races.
“The fact that we’ve gotten on a roll here, it does give us a legitimate chance at the championship,” said McGaha. “I’ve seen guys in the past maybe peak too early. I don’t know if we’ve peaked too early or not. I don’t really care at this point either... I have 100 percent confidence in my crew chief [Brian “Lump” Self] and I always have.”
Coughlin was appearing in his first final of the season. The five-time world champ is running a limited schedule for Elite Motorsports this season. As the No. 2 qualifier, Coughlin eliminated Aaron Strong, Erica Enders and Allen Johnson to reach the final.
With the victory, McGaha moves to third in points and also secured a berth in the Countdown to the Championship. Greg Anderson, who lost in the second round to Shane Gray, continues to lead the points, and holds a 51-point lead over defending world champ Enders.
In addition to McGaha, Funny Car’s Beckman was the only other driver this weekend who earned a spot in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s six-race playoffs that begins Sept. 18-20 at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, N.C.
The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues Aug. 20-23 with the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd (Minn.) International Raceway.
SATURDAY - BECKMAN, CRAMPTON AND MCGAHA EARN TOP QUALIFYING POSITIONS
Jack Beckman ran the quickest Funny Car pass in NHRA history for the second consecutive weekend, claiming the No. 1 qualifying position at the NHRA Northwest Nationals.
Richie Crampton (Top Fuel) and Chris McGaha (Pro Stock) will also start in the top spots in their respective categories at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event near Seattle, the final of three events in the NHRA Western Swing.
Beckman piloted his Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T to a jaw-dropping track record performance of 3.912 seconds at 322.88 mph to claim his third No. 1 of the season and 13th of his career.Beckman can certify the performance as an NHRA national record by posting another elapsed time within one percent of the 3.912 during the remainder of the weekend. The current national record of 3.921 seconds was set by Beckman last weekend in Sonoma, Calif. He will meet Terry Haddock in the first round of Sunday’s 11 a.m. eliminations.
“It’s just a wonderful feeling,” said Beckman, who can become the second Funny Car driver and eighth driver overall to sweep the NHRA Western Swing with a victory on Sunday. “When you are a kid you dream for that moment of greatness but the reality is very few get to do it at the top level. I’ve had a lot of success in my career and a lot of phenomenal crew chiefs.”
Del Worsham qualified second in the DHL Toyota Camry with a 3.984 at 298.54 and will face John Hale in round one. John Force qualified third and faces a matchup with Jeff Diehl. Alexis DeJoria and Courtney Force will face off in the first round in a critical matchup that has Countdown to the Championship playoff implications. DeJoria currently sits in the 10th and final clinching spot, while Force is 11th with just three races remaining before the cutoff.
In Top Fuel, Crampton ran a track record 3.727 at 323.50 in his Lucas Oil dragster to claim his first No. 1 starting spot of the season and second of his career. Crampton, the defending Auto Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award winner, is looking for his fourth win of the season and sixth of his career.
“We started the year and had some rough points, but we’re trying to peak at the right time and finish the Western Swing strong,” said Crampton, who will open eliminations against Ron Smith. “We’ll see what happens tomorrow, but we can’t do much better than we did today. We’ve struggled, but it’s a credit to Aaron [Brooks, crew chief] and the rest of the Lucas team. They put in the hours to get it right.”
Tony Schumacher qualified second in the U.S. Army dragster with a 3.737 at 288.33. He will battle Jenna Haddock in the first round. Schumacher and Haddock have matched up four times in the past with Haddock winning her first career round of competition against the eight-time and defending world champ.Dave Connolly, Friday’s top qualifier, will race as the No. 3 seed in a pairing with Terry McMillen. Brittany Force had a strong day in qualifying, earning the No. 4 spot and a first round matchup with Troy Buff. Defending race winner Doug Kalitta struggled during all four sessions and will face No. 5 seed Larry Dixon in the first round.
McGaha claimed the No. 1 qualifier in Pro Stock following his 6.501 at 212.86 in his Harlow Sammons Racing Chevy Camaro. McGaha tied the elapsed time of Friday’s top qualifier Jeg Coughlin but secured the top spot via his faster speed. This is McGaha’s fifth No. 1 qualifier of the season, second-in-a-row and seventh of his career. McGaha, who claimed his first career victory last weekend at Sonoma, will race Joey Grose in the first round.
“I honestly thought somebody would go faster than us just then, even though I knew we made a good run,” McGaha said. “We swung, so I was just sure that somebody else who went fast yesterday was going to swing for it, too. Maybe we really did mess up bad yesterday; maybe we could have run a .49. It’s hard to say at this point. [However], we have lots of momentum and confidence going right now.”
Coughlin qualified second with a 6.501 at 212.59 in the Stockseth Racing/Elite Motorsports/JEGS.com Chevy Camaro. The five-time world champ is racing a limited schedule this season and will face local favorite Aaron Strong in the first round. Jonathan Gray will start third and race Deric Kramer. Four-time world champ and four-time season winner Greg Anderson qualified fourth, securing a first round pairing with V Gaines. Defending world champ Erica Enders qualified seventh and will face Bo Butner.
Sunday's first-round pairings for eliminations for the 28th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways, the 16th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.
Top Fuel -- 1. Richie Crampton, 3.727 seconds, 324.59 mph vs. 16. Ron Smith, 4.189, 257.24; 2. Tony Schumacher, 3.737, 320.74 vs. 15. Jenna Haddock, 4.033, 280.37; 3. Dave Connolly, 3.751, 327.19 vs. 14. Terry McMillen, 3.845, 315.12; 4. Brittany Force, 3.760, 325.14 vs. 13. Troy Buff, 3.821, 315.78; 5. Larry Dixon, 3.766, 321.73 vs. 12. Doug Kalitta, 3.818, 319.75; 6. J.R. Todd, 3.770, 326.48 vs. 11. Clay Millican, 3.806, 319.45; 7. Spencer Massey, 3.772, 328.30 vs. 10. Steve Torrence, 3.800, 322.19; 8. Antron Brown, 3.772, 316.15 vs. 9. Shawn Langdon, 3.773, 320.13.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Steven Chrisman, 4.352, 220.40.
Funny Car -- 1. Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 3.912, 322.88 vs. 16. Terry Haddock, Toyota Solara, 6.910, 92.67; 2. Del Worsham, Toyota Camry, 3.984, 310.98 vs. 15. John Hale, Charger, 6.170, 160.90; 3. John Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.996, 318.32 vs. 14. Jeff Diehl, Solara, 4.756, 159.82; 4. Robert Hight, Chevrolet Camaro, 4.000, 318.69 vs. 13. Chad Head, Camry, 4.436, 298.93; 5. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.014, 313.37 vs. 12. Paul Lee, Charger, 4.095, 302.35; 6. Courtney Force, Camaro, 4.017, 316.97 vs. 11. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 4.088, 299.20; 7. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 4.017, 312.42 vs. 10. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.062, 299.33; 8. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.025, 315.42 vs. 9. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.059, 307.58.
Pro Stock -- 1. Chris McGaha, Chevy Camaro, 6.501, 212.86 vs. 16. Joey Grose, Camaro, 6.641, 208.68; 2. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.501, 212.59 vs. 15. Aaron Strong, Camaro, 6.618, 208.81; 3. Jonathan Gray, Camaro, 6.502, 212.13 vs. 14. Deric Kramer, Dodge Dart, 6.559, 211.26; 4. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.503, 212.76 vs. 13. V. Gaines, Dart, 6.552, 211.79; 5. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.504, 212.90 vs. 12. Matt Hartford, Pontiac GXP, 6.543, 211.00; 6. Allen Johnson, Dart, 6.508, 212.59 vs. 11. Larry Morgan, Camaro, 6.523, 212.56; 7. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.509, 212.69 vs. 10. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.518, 212.39; 8. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.509, 212.33 vs. 9. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.515, 212.19.
FRIDAY - ECKMAN, CONNOLLY AND COUGHLIN LEAD QUALIFYING FRIDAY AT SEATTLE
Jack Beckman continued his hot streak in Funny Car by racing to the qualifying lead Friday at the NHRA Northwest Nationals.
Dave Connolly (Top Fuel) and Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock) also were quickest in their categories at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event near Seattle, the final of three events in the NHRA Western Swing.Beckman completed the first three-second Funny Car run in Pacific Raceways history with a 3.997 at 314.17 in his Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T during the final session of the day. Beckman, who qualified No. 1 at Seattle in 2013, won the previous two events at Denver and Sonoma and is looking to become the second Funny Car driver and eighth professional driver overall to sweep the NHRA Western Swing.
“I just keep riding the wave and it keeps lasting longer and longer,” said Beckman, the 2012 world champ. “I did not do a good job first session. Our car was wicked fast early. I let it get out of the groove and it smoked the tires. Crew Chief Jimmy Prock backed the car down a little bit because we didn’t have the advantage of running last in the second session.”
Recent Chicago winner Tommy Johnson Jr. sits second with a 4.036 at 308.00 in the Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T while Atlanta winner Tim Wilkerson is third with a 4.038 at 311.85 in the Levi, Ray & Shoup Shelby Ford Mustang. Two-time and defending world champ and current points leader Matt Hagan is fourth. Alexis DeJoria escaped injury when her Patron XO Cafe Incendio Toyota Camry suffered a spectacular explosion during the second session.
In Top Fuel, Connolly claimed the top spot with a track record performance of 3.751 at 327.19 in his C&J Energy Services dragster. Connolly, who is in his first season in Top Fuel following a lengthy career in Pro Stock, is two sessions away from claiming his first No. 1 qualifying position in the category and ninth of his career.
“When I went through, I didn’t know the boys had set it up to run that fast,” said Connolly. “I thought a .78 would be a good run out there and when the .75 popped up I was in shock. With the caliber of cars behind us I definitely didn’t think it would stand.”
Eight-time and defending Top Fuel world champ Tony Schumacher sits second in the U.S. Army dragster with a 3.761 at 320.74. Three-time season winner Richie Crampton is third with a 3.765 at 320.43 in the Lucas Oil dragster. Defending race winner Doug Kalitta is 12th with two sessions remaining.Coughlin shot to the qualifying lead in Pro Stock following his track record 6.501 at 212.59 in the Stockseth Racing/Elite Motorsports/JEGS.com Chevy Camaro. Coughlin, a five-time Pro Stock world champ, is running a limited schedule this season as teammate to defending world champ Erica Enders.
“It feels fantastic to be back out on the track, and to be sitting on top [of the field] after day one here feels very special,” said Coughlin. “With the weather tomorrow morning expected to be cooler, our 6.50 likely doesn’t stand a chance of staying up on top. We’ll sleep on that and be proud of our efforts today, but know that we’re [going to] come out and swing hard tomorrow.”
Jonathan Gray, the runner-up in Sonoma last weekend, is currently qualified second with a 6.505 at 212.13 in the Gray Manufacturing Chevy Camaro. Four-time world champ Greg Anderson sits third while 2012 world champ Allen Johnson is fourth. Defending world champ Enders is sixth.
Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 28th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways, 16th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Dave Connolly, 3.751 seconds, 327.19 mph; 2. Tony Schumacher, 3.761, 320.74; 3. Richie Crampton, 3.765, 320.43; 4. Antron Brown, 3.772, 314.39; 5. Shawn Langdon, 3.773, 316.52; 6. Spencer Massey, 3.793, 317.05; 7. Steve Torrence, 3.803, 308.07; 8. J.R. Todd, 3.808, 320.43; 9. Brittany Force, 3.809, 320.13; 10. Larry Dixon, 3.840, 311.41; 11. Troy Buff, 3.846, 293.28; 12. Doug Kalitta, 3.870, 308.50.
Not Qualified: 13. Terry McMillen, 3.940, 286.07; 14. Jenna Haddock, 4.099, 223.28; 15. Steven Chrisman, 4.468, 186.72; 16. Clay Millican, 4.730, 154.81; 17. Ron Smith, 5.906, 113.52.
Funny Car -- 1. Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 3.997, 314.17; 2. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.036, 308.00; 3. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 4.038, 311.85; 4. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.059, 307.58; 5. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 4.063, 306.40; 6. Del Worsham, Toyota Camry, 4.067, 310.98; 7. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.084, 305.91; 8. John Force, Camaro, 4.084, 304.74; 9. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 4.088, 299.20; 10. Robert Hight, Chevrolet Camaro, 4.093, 310.91; 11. Paul Lee, Charger, 4.095, 294.95; 12. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.102, 297.42.
Not Qualified: 13. Chad Head, 4.148, 298.93; 14. John Hale, 4.933, 160.90.
Pro Stock -- 1. Jeg Coughlin, Chevy Camaro, 6.501, 212.59; 2. Jonathan Gray, Camaro, 6.505, 212.13; 3. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.507, 212.76; 4. Allen Johnson, Dodge Dart, 6.508, 212.59; 5. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.509, 212.06; 6. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.511, 212.69; 7. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.512, 212.63; 8. Larry Morgan, Camaro, 6.523, 212.46; 9. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.523, 212.39; 10. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.529, 212.49; 11. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.539, 211.73; 12. V. Gaines, Dart, 6.560, 211.36.
Not Qualified: 13. Matt Hartford, 6.572, 211.00; 14. Deric Kramer, 6.579, 209.59; 15. Aaron Strong, 6.624, 208.62; 16. Joey Grose, 6.649, 208.65.
FRIDAY RESULTS
SPORTSMAN
COMP (SECOND SESSION)
1 10 C/TA Tony Mandella, Eastvale CA, '01 S-10 8.338 8.94 -0.602
2 6618 B/AA Dale Giroux, Canyon Creek AB, '13 Camaro 6.940 7.52 -0.580
3 799 C/A Steve Graham, S.San Francisco CA, '12 GXP 7.296 7.87 -0.574
4 6857 A/EA Ralph Van Paepeghem, Garden Valley ID, '3 7.284 7.82 -0.536
5 600 B/SMA Jeff Lane, North Bend WA, '10 Cobalt 8.005 8.54 -0.535
6 6060 G/D Brian Hyerstay, Eugene OR, Frameworks-VW 9.118 9.65 -0.532
7 5125 A/EA Bruce Schmiedl, Regina SK, '32 Bantam 7.299 7.82 -0.521
8 6431 A/AP Terry Spargo, Delta BC, '02 Cavalier 6.624 7.13 -0.506
9 6005 C/AA Dave Richardson, Langley BC, '09 GXP 7.395 7.87 -0.475
10 7474 B/SMA Justin Lamb, Henderson NV, '08 Cobalt 8.073 8.54 -0.467
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SUPER STOCK (SESSION TWO)
1 65 SS/NA Troy Olsonawski, Federal Way WA, '66 Mali 11.204 12.15 -0.946
2 670 GT/AA Alan Falcone, Olympia WA, '05 Cavalier 9.207 10.10 -0.893
3 6009 GT/TA Bob Marshall, Olds AB, '02 S-10 9.726 10.55 -0.824
4 6827 SS/DA Jim Isherwood, Mission BC, '67 Belvedere 9.377 10.20 -0.823
5 69 GT/EA Tom Gaynor, Battle Ground WA, '05 Cavalier 9.830 10.65 -0.820
6 6383 SS/JA Shawn Blair, Everson WA, '68 Dart 10.191 11.00 -0.809
7 626 SS/H Dave Barcelon, Bremerton WA, '67 Nova 9.698 10.50 -0.802
8 6566 SS/EA Mike Nottingham, New Westminister BC, '67 9.548 10.35 -0.802
9 639 SS/JA Christopher Cour, Brush Prairie WA, '94 C 10.239 11.00 -0.761
10 6676 SS/DA Jackie Alley, Eagle ID, '69 Camaro 9.449 10.20 -0.751
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STOCK
1 7980 A/SA Steve Wann, Modesto CA, '62 Fury 9.942 11.00 -1.058
2 608S U/SA Steven Horton, Port Orchard WA, '73 Maver 13.838 14.85 -1.012
3 1426 D/SA Jerry Hatch, Lubec ME, '71 Duster 10.550 11.55 -1.000
4 6842 B/SA Dan Cyr, Portland OR, '69 Camaro 10.259 11.25 -0.991
5 6471 H/SA Bill Edgeworth, Tacoma WA, '78 Firebird 11.178 12.15 -0.972
6 1781 FS/F Dan Fletcher, Churchville NY, '15 Camaro 10.228 11.20 -0.972
7 6231 M/SA Kelly Thomas, Auburn WA, '94 Ram 11.892 12.85 -0.958
8 6340 G/SA Jim Storms, Renton WA, '70 Challenger 11.045 12.00 -0.955
9 6711 B/SA Tommy Gaynor, Vancouver WA, '96 Corvette 10.329 11.25 -0.921
10 610 J/SA Pete Kost, Sunmer WA, '77 Cutlass 11.530 12.45 -0.920
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