Jim Head appeared to be gaining an advantage in his semi-final run against Jeff Arend during the NHRA Summernationals at Heartland Park Topeka.

That all changed at half-track when the blower exploded on Head’s engine. The violent explosion blew the body off Head’s Funny Car and shredded it into pieces.

Head’s problems magnified as he had flames blowing in his face from the damaged engine and could not stop the car. The car eventually stopped just past the finish line as it coasted into Arend’s lane and rammed into the back of Arend’s wheelie bar and body. Fortunately, neither driver was hurt in the incident.

Robert Hight continued on his impressive three race hot streak and  dominated the Funny Car field to get his third win in as many races during the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Summer Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka.  Tony Schumacher took home the win in Top Fuel and Mike Edwards secured a victory in Pro Stock.

In the final round of Funny Car, Hight in his Auto Club Ford Mustang, was able to hold off the DHL Toyota Camry driven by Jeff Arend for his 17th career victory during his 4.104-second, 303.50 mph pass to the losing effort of 4.150-seconds at 300.80 mph by Arend.  Hight started the day as the No. 1 qualifier and used to his advantage as he defeated a tough field of competitors including rival Ron Capps.  With the win Hight, the 2009 Full Throttle Series World Funny Car Champion, closes within 49 points of current points leader and his team owner John Force.

Final round-by-round results from the 22nd annual O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals presented by Castrol GTX at Heartland Park Topeka, the ninth of 23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series:

Sunday's final results from the 22nd annual O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals presented by Castrol GTX at Heartland Park Topeka. The race is the ninth of 23 in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series:

First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the 22nd annual O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals presented by Castrol GTX at Heartland Park Topeka, the ninth of 23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.  Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.

Together they account for 11 world championships and over 75 national event victories. On Saturday evening during the ADRL U.S. Drags III in Richmond, Va., they met in the final round for what some could categorize as the ultimate doorslammer race.

Shannon Jenkins, the most successful nitrous doorslammer racer in drag racing history, lined up alongside of Rickie Smith, a doorslammer legend in both legal and outlaw drag racing.

Jenkins beat Smith in a clash of the titans.

Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani, the son of Qatar’s Emir, has many titles in his everyday life.

On Saturday in Richmond, Va., the member of Qatar’s royal family added another – the American Drag Racing League [ADRL] U.S. Drags III Pro Extreme champion.

Al Thani earned his first ADRL crown defeating a dominant Joshua Hernandez in the final round.

Robert Hight continued his torrid May by qualifying No. 1 at the 22nd annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Summer Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka.

The other No. 1 qualifiers at the ninth of 23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season were Antron Brown (Top Fuel) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock).

Gary White knows revenge can drive a man. On Saturday afternoon in Richmond, Va., revenge drove him to the Extreme Ten-Five winner’s circle at the ADRL U.S. Drags at Virginia Motorsports Park. The victory marked his second career ADRL national event championship.

White, who drives an inline-six powered Scion, avenged a final round loss to Todd Moyer at the last event in Valdosta, Ga., by winning the rematch.