2009 NHRA NORTHWEST NATIONALS - SAME DAY COVERAGE
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SUNDAY QUALIFYING - TONY PEDREGON SECURES THIRD NO. 1 OF THE SEASON
Larry Dixon, Allen Johnson also take pole positions at Pacific Raceways
Two-time NHRA Full Throttle Series champion Tony Pedregon capped off an impressive two days of qualifying with a 4.174-second pass at 291.13 mph on Saturday at the 22nd annual NHRA Northwest Nationals to earn his third No. 1 of the season in Funny Car.
The other No. 1 qualifiers at the 14th race in the 24-race NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season were Larry Dixon (Top Fuel) and Allen Johnson (Pro Stock). Also during qualifying, Jason Line became the fifth driver overall – and third in Pro Stock – to clinch his berth in the NHRA Playoffs, the Countdown to 1.
Pedregon, currently in third place behind Ron Capps and Ashley Force Hood, was the overnight leader and he improved on a 4.182 from Friday night with the 4.174 in the first session on Saturday.
“It was a great effort in qualifying and it really reminds me of our Chicago race (which he won from the pole) so my expectations are the same as they were in Chicago,” said Pedregon, who drives the Q Horsepower Chevy Impala. “I would be disappointed with anything less than winning the race.”
Meanwhile, Capps, who had two aborted qualifying runs on Friday in his NAPA Dodge Charger, moved up to the No. 6 position with a 4.245 and he will open eliminations with a one-point lead (999 to 998) over Ashley Force Hood who qualified eighth (4.262, 285.35).
Funny Car features some heavyweight first-round matchups, including Capps vs. Cruz Pedregon and John Force vs. Del Worsham. Tony Pedregon opens with Grant Downing and Force Hood will meet veteran Gary Densham.
In Top Fuel, second-place Larry Dixon’s 3.891 at 302.21 from Friday in the Al-Anabi dragster held up through both rounds of qualifying Saturday for his fourth No. 1 qualifier this season. Dixon will open eliminations with a desperate foe in Joe Hartley, who’s currently in 11th place and fighting for the 10th and final playoff berth with five races left in the regular season.
“There are no gimmes. You have to go up there and earn your place,” Dixon said. “I like that, you have to be sharp, you have to get off the starting line and you have to get your car down the track. You’re racing against someone who will keep you honest, especially Joe Hartley, they’re fighting for top 10 so they’re not a slacker car and they’ve beaten us before.”
The No. 1 qualifier in Pro Stock, Allen Johnson, set both ends of the Pacific Raceways track record in his Mopar Dodge Stratus with his 6.571 at 210.21 in the early session Saturday.
“I think our entire team feels as good as we’ve felt our entire racing careers,” said Johnson, who’s coming off of a win at Denver and has been to three straight final rounds at Pacific Raceways. “We’ve had fun here. We’ve done awful well here, just seems like (Pacific Raceways) plays into our hands.”
Sunday’s final eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
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First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the 22nd annual NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways, the 14th of 24 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.
Top Fuel -- 1. Larry Dixon, 3.891 seconds, 302.21 mph vs. 16. Joe Hartley, 20.028, 46.92; 2. Morgan Lucas, 3.909, 299.33 vs. 15. Steven Chrisman, 8.755, 220.62; 3. Spencer Massey, 3.914,
303.64 vs. 14. Ron Smith, 4.490, 261.67; 4. Cory McClenathan, 3.915, 297.16 vs. 13. Troy Buff, 4.048, 531.28; 5. Shawn Langdon, 3.920, 303.43 vs. 12. Doug Kalitta, 4.035, 289.57; 6. J.R. Todd, 3.921, 297.94 vs. 11. Terry Haddock, 4.011, 297.16; 7. Clay Millican, 3.934, 302.08 vs. 10. Antron Brown, 3.952, 305.84; 8. Tony Schumacher, 3.937, 303.98 vs. 9. Brandon Bernstein, 3.938, 304.25.
Funny Car -- 1. Tony Pedregon, Chevy Impala, 4.174, 294.43 vs. 16. Grant Downing, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.533, 132.00; 2. Mike Neff, Ford Mustang, 4.216, 290.26 vs. 15. Jeff Arend, Toyota Solara, 4.384, 277.49; 3. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 4.216, 286.32 vs. 14. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.370, 273.66; 4. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.228, 285.23 vs. 13. Jerry Toliver, Monte Carlo, 4.309, 276.80; 5. John Force, Mustang, 4.229, 290.13 vs. 12. Del Worsham, Solara, 4.307, 284.33; 6. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.245, 274.94 vs. 11. Cruz Pedregon, Solara, 4.292, 279.04; 7. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.260, 287.78 vs. 10. Robert Hight, Mustang, 4.273, 286.13; 8. Ashley Force Hood, Mustang, 4.262, 285.35 vs. 9. Gary Densham, Impala, 4.262, 280.60.
Pro Stock -- 1. Allen Johnson, Dodge Stratus, 6.571, 210.21 vs. 16. Danny Gruninger, Stratus, 15.686, 153.09; 2. Mike Edwards, Pontiac GXP, 6.576, 210.05 vs. 15. Ben Watson, Pontiac GTO, 6.723, 205.51; 3. Greg Anderson, GXP, 6.582, 210.18 vs. 14. Kurt Johnson, Chevy Cobalt, 6.707, 208.26; 4. Jason Line, GXP, 6.597, 209.85 vs. 13. V. Gaines, Stratus, 6.675, 207.59; 5. Jeg Coughlin, Cobalt, 6.607, 209.85 vs. 12. Larry Morgan, Stratus, 6.671, 206.89; 6. Ron Krisher, Cobalt, 6.613, 208.62 vs. 11. Rodger Brogdon, GXP, 6.662, 208.75; 7. Greg Stanfield, GXP, 6.616, 209.01 vs. 10. Warren Johnson, GXP, 6.658, 209.49; 8. Johnny Gray, Stratus, 6.645, 207.88 vs. 9. Rickie Jones, Stratus, 6.654, 207.85.
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FRIDAY QUALIFYING - TONY PEDREGON EARNS PROVISIONAL NO. 1 IN FUNNY CAR DURING DIFFICULT SESSION IN HOT CONDITIONS
Dixon, Edwards round out provisional No. 1s on Day 1 at NHRA Northwest Nationals
Two-time NHRA Full Throttle Series champion Tony Pedregon delivered the run of the day, a 4.182-second pass at 289.63 mph, to assume the provisional No. 1 qualifying position in Funny Car at the 22nd annual NHRA Northwest Nationals Friday.
The other provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the 14th race in the 24-race NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season were Larry Dixon (Top Fuel) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock).
Pedregon ran in the final pair of the second qualifying session with Bob Tasca (4.228, 282.48) and each got down the track – they qualified 1-2 – but they were among the only Funny Cars to do so on what proved to be a difficult track to solve for most of the Funny Car crew chiefs.
"We just took advantage of (the track). I’m glad we didn’t gauge by what the other guys were doing," said Pedregon, who drives the Q Horsepower Chevy Impala. "I think (crew chief) Dickie (Venables) stuck to his game plan."
Pedregon currently sits third in the points this season, 54 behind 
co-leaders Ashley Force Hood (No. 7, 4.320) and Ron Capps, the latter of whom wasn’t able to get his car down the track in either qualifying pass on Friday.
"I’m surprised (about Ron and) the other drivers (in the night session). Maybe the first session had some issues, it usually takes one run, the first run on Friday is usually a little temperamental (but) I was surprised (so many cars had trouble with) the second session," Pedregon said.
In Top Fuel, second-place Larry Dixon and the Al-Anabi dragster team was best in both rounds of qualifying, capping off the first day with a Top Fuel-best 3.891 at 302.21 for what would be his fourth No. 1 qualifier this season.
"Me, I just like to be in the top three or four cars and know that you have a good hot rod for Sunday," said Dixon, who’s qualified in the top 5 at 10 of the first 13 races. "Membership has its privileges. If you can get in the top three or four, then you have a good drawing, you can get a good pair, go later in the round after some rubber’s been put down and you get lane choice obviously."
The provisional No. 1 in Pro Stock is Mike Edwards, whose 6.606 at 208.94 in the first round of qualifying held up in the evening session. The second place driver of the A.R.T. Pontiac is looking to add to his NHRA-best seven No. 1 qualifying passes this season.
"It’s been an awesome season. It’s a joy to come out here and race this season," Edwards said. "It’s by far my best season ever. My hat’s off to all my guys."
Qualifying resumes Saturday with Rounds 3 and 4 before the fields are set for Sunday’s final eliminations.
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Results Friday after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 22nd annual NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways, 14th of 24 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Larry Dixon, 3.891 seconds, 302.21 mph; 2. Morgan Lucas, 3.909, 299.33; 3. Spencer Massey, 3.914, 303.64; 4. Cory McClenathan, 3.915, 297.16; 5. J.R. Todd, 3.921, 294.56; 6. Clay Millican, 3.934, 302.08; 7. Tony Schumacher, 3.937, 303.98; 8. Brandon Bernstein, 3.938, 304.25; 9. Antron Brown, 3.952, 305.84; 10. Shawn Langdon, 3.976, 297.68; 11. Doug Kalitta, 4.035, 289.57; 12. Troy Buff, 4.048, 280.31. Not Qualified: 13. Steven Chrisman, 4.283, 220.62; 14. Terry Haddock, 4.858, 154.74; 15. Ron Smith, 5.696, 107.10; 16. Joe Hartley, 12.433, 46.92.
Funny Car -- 1. Tony Pedregon, Chevy Impala, 4.182, 289.63; 2. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 4.228, 285.23; 3. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.260, 285.65; 4. Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Solara, 4.292, 279.04; 5. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 4.312, 276.18; 6. Robert Hight, Mustang, 4.320, 276.75; 7. Ashley Force Hood, Mustang, 4.320, 249.26; 8. Jeff Arend, Solara, 4.384, 273.50; 9. Mike Neff, Mustang, 4.479, 205.38; 10. Del Worsham, Solara, 5.027, 155.13; 11. Jerry Toliver, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.531, 130.85; 12. Grant Downing, Monte Carlo, 5.533, 132.00. Not Qualified: 13. Jack Beckman, 5.577, 132.13; 14. Gary Densham, 6.132, 112.64; 15. John Force, 6.224, 108.59; 16. Ron Capps, 6.953, 91.15.
Pro Stock -- 1. Mike Edwards, Pontiac GXP, 6.606, 209.49; 2. Allen Johnson, Dodge Stratus, 6.611, 209.59; 3. Jason Line, GXP, 6.627, 208.84; 4. Greg Anderson, GXP, 6.633, 209.43; 5. Johnny Gray, Stratus, 6.645, 207.82; 6. Greg Stanfield, GXP, 6.654, 208.07; 7. V. Gaines, Stratus, 6.675, 207.27; 8. Ron Krisher, Chevy Cobalt, 6.683, 207.34; 9. Rickie Jones, Stratus, 6.692, 207.21; 10. Rodger Brogdon, GXP, 6.699, 207.50; 11. Warren Johnson, GXP, 6.707, 207.62; 12. Kurt Johnson, Cobalt, 6.717, 207.27. Not Qualified: 13. Larry Morgan, 6.718, 205.76; 14. Ben Watson, 6.733, 204.39; 15. Danny Gruninger, 7.042, 165.25; 16. Jeg Coughlin, 12.987, 82.24.
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PREVIEW - FORCE HOOD RETURNS TO SEATTLE AN EXPERIENCED POINT LEADER
Ashley Force Hood remembers the out of control feeling she experienced at Pacific Raceways in 2007 as her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang lurched sideways near mid-track during eliminations. The car impacted the guardwall, blasted a streak of fire and spun around so hard that the carbon fiber body flipped off the chassis. She escaped from the incident without physical injury. However, she emerged with an edge in the mental category as a more experienced driver of the 7,000 horsepower Funny Car.
She will enter the 22nd annual NHRA Northwest Nationals, July 17-19 at the multipurpose motorsports facility near Seattle as the series points leader (currently tied with Ron Capps), riding high from a victory at Houston and runner-up finishes at Atlanta, Topeka, Chicago, Englishtown and last weekend at Denver. That’s quite impressive for a young woman who has literally taken the once male dominated category by storm.
Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Tony Bartone (Funny Car); and Jason Line (Pro Stock) are the defending winners of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event, which will be televised on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD.
For Force Hood, the crash at Pacific Raceways must seem like it was two decades ago. But she says it actually was somewhat of a turning point in her career.
“It [the crash at Pacific Raceways] was actually a good thing for me,” Force Hood said. “Obviously you never want to be in a wreck; you never want to hurt your race car or obviously yourself. But I learned more from that one run than a hundred good runs because I was able to take that experience, and the next time I was in a situation similar to that, react off of it, you know, knowing what happened in the past and knowing how far I could push the car and knowing where I was on the track and what was going on. And obviously I still have a long way to go, but I know that each different experience I’m in, like it kind of gets built up in the back of your mind because you’re not thinking these runs through. When you’re in that car, it’s happening so quickly, your body is just reacting.”
In addition to her five final rounds this season, Force Hood has also claimed four No. 1 qualifying positions and sports an elimination record of 25-12. She is looking forward to continuing her momentum at Pacific Raceways during the Western Swing.
“It’s an exciting time of year for me,” Force Hood said. “We want that much more to do well in front of our West Coast people and a lot of our sponsors from this side of the country, a lot of our family and friends that will come out to these events, so there’s kind of that excitement in the air and knowing that right around the corner, you know, the Countdown [to 1] is going to begin, and Indy is coming up. So we are trying to stay focused and not let ourselves get in any kind of a lull.”
She knows that tough competitors like Tony Pedregon, co-points leader Capps, Del Worsham, Jack Beckman and Bob Tasca – all five joining her as event winners this season -- are lurking around the corner, working hard to get another victory and claim the points lead.
“With every final we have gone to and every race that we have done well at, we have tried to not get too far ahead of ourselves and know that it could change very instantly and just keep working at it and keep trying to go a round every weekend and try to be consistent,” she said. “Hopefully at the end of the summer, we can still be up high in the points.”
In Top Fuel, Antron Brown has claimed three victories and holds the series lead over hard-charging challengers Larry Dixon and Tony Schumacher. Schumacher is a four-time winner at Pacific Raceways, while Dixon claimed his only Seattle win in 2003, when he swept the Western Swing. Cory McClenathan and Brandon Bernstein are also past winners of the event.
Jeg Coughlin, Mike Edwards and Line have been the major headliners in Pro Stock competition this season. All three are past winners at Pacific Raceways. Denver winner Allen Johnson, who won at Seattle in 2006, will try to continue his momentum in the Western Swing.
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