2015 NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS - CHARLOTTE RESULTS
 |
SUNDAY - BECKMAN, BROWN, MORGAN AND HINES RACE TO VICTORIES AT NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS
Jack Beckman ended a 54-race winless streak by racing to the Funny Car victory Sunday at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway.
Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Larry Morgan (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners at the unique event that features NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series teams racing in a four-lane configuration.
Beckman powered his 10,000-horsepower machine to the quickest run of the weekend to take the victory over rival finalists Del Worsham, Chad Head and Tommy Johnson Jr. Beckman pulled away from the pack with a final round performance of 3.983 seconds at 308.78 mph at the controls of his Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T.
Beckman’s last victory came in St. Louis in 2012. It was his second win at this event, third win at this track and 16th career victory.
"I can't guarantee we'll win another race this season,” said Beckman, the 2012 Funny Car world champion. “I think we will, but I can't say for 100 percent. But, I know for sure we'll be better than we were today. Jimmy [Prock, crew chief] and the team will be even better the rest of the year because they're getting better every race. All the little things are coming together and now the car is doing what they hope it will.”
Beckman moved to seventh in points with the win. He also won in earlier quads, beating Ron Capps, Johnson Jr. and Paul Lee in the opening round and then defeating Johnson Jr., John Force and Robert Hight in the second round.
Worsham moved into the series points lead with his second runner-up finish of the season.
In Top Fuel, Brown claimed his second consecutive victory at this event when he defeated Steve Torrence, Richie Crampton and Clay Millican. Brown crossed the finish line first in his Matco Tools dragster with a 3.749 at 319.90, to take his 48th career victory. By joining Beckman in the winner’s circle the duo gave team owner Don Schumacher his 44th multiple-title event.
"It's been an incredible run at this race," Brown said. "You have to dig deep to win races like this. We've had a long road with a new combination. We've had some gremlins, but in the final we laid down the gauntlet to bring the win home. It was also huge for the bossman [Don Schumacher] to double up. I hope we can keep that streak going for him."
Brown won his opening round quad against Dave Connolly, J.R. Todd and Shawn Langdon with a 3.771 second run and then earned a wild pedal-fest victory in the second round over Torrence, Doug Kalitta and Connolly.
Brown moved into the series points lead with the victory, ahead of reigning world champ Tony Schumacher and third-place Langdon.
Veteran driver Morgan ended a 120-race drought from winner’s circle in Pro Stock when he held off Greg Anderson, Vincent Nobile and Jonathan Gray in the final round. He drove his FireAde Chevy Camaro to a career-best 6.464 at 214.52 in the winning effort.
"I knew I was still good enough to let the clutch out,” said Morgan of his 11th career victory, and his first win since Las Vegas in October of 2009. “I knew I could still drive. I just needed to get the right financial backing and hook up with Johnny Gray to get some horsepower. Jerry Haas built me a new car in 30 days, and a lot of other great people helped me get to the winner's circle today. I've surrounded myself with good people, and that's how you win. It wasn't just one guy who won today, it was a team effort."
Morgan advanced with a second place finish in the opening round against Jason Line, Rodger Brogdon and John Gaydosh. He finished first in the second round match against Vincent Nobile, defending event winner Jimmy Alund and Line.
Line moved into the points lead and Morgan jumped from ninth to seventh in the standings with his win.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, reigning world champ Hines claimed his first win of the season and 39th of his career by outrunning Eddie Krawiec, Scotty Pollacheck and Hector Arana Jr. Hines claimed his second Four-Wide victory and his fourth at this track with a winning performance of 6.805 at 196.30 on his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson.
"We got on the dyno last week and tried a few things," Hines said. "We followed through and my V-Rod got us to the final round. We just went out and did what our team does best.”
Hines won his first round quad over Mike Berry, Brian Pretzel and Karen Stoffer and also finished first in the second round quad by outrunning Scotty Pollacheck, Berry and Matt Smith.
Krawiec moved into the series lead with his second consecutive runner-up finish of the season and Hines is second overall in the series standings.
The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues April 10-12 with the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Nevada.
SATURDAY - C. FORCE, TODD, MCGAHA AND ARANA JR. QUALIFY NO. 1 AT FOUR WIDE-NATIONALS
Courtney Force powered to the No. 1 qualifying position in Funny Car on her final attempt Saturday at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway.
J.R. Todd (Top Fuel), Chris McGaha (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were No. 1 qualifiers at the unique event which features NHRA Mello Yello Series teams racing in a four-lane configuration.
Force moved from the 16th spot to first with the quickest Funny Car run of the weekend at the controls of her 10,000-horsepower Traxxas Chevy Camaro SS. She covered the distance in 4.011 seconds at 312.35 mph to take her second No. 1 of the season and ninth of her career.
Force said she was relieved to get the top spot after struggling on her first run of the weekend. Friday’s racing was cancelled due to rain and NHRA pro teams only had today’s two runs to qualify for Sunday’s 1 p.m. eliminations.
She will race Chad Head, Dale Creasy Jr. and Del Worsham in the first round as she seeks her first zMAX Dragway victory.
“Going from zero to hero is great, but it’s really my crew chief (Ron Douglas) and my team,” Force said. “It’s lucky that we went straight from 16 to 1, but we still have a lot to work on and I am looking forward to tomorrow.”
Her father, John Force, qualified second in his special edition all-white Chevrolet Camaro SS and he will face off against Alexis DeJoria, Robert Hight and Tony Pedregon. Series points leader Matt Hagan, who won the first two races of the season in his Mopar/Rocky Boots Dodge Charger, qualified fourth and he will pair up with Gainesville runner-up John Hale, Cruz Pedregon and Tim Wilkerson.
In Top Fuel, Todd powered to his first No. 1 of the season and seventh of his career with a track record time of 3.713 at 309.63 in his Red Line Oil dragster.
"That was my career best, but the crazy thing is that the car didn't make it to the finish line under power," Todd said. "I think we could have run a 3.70-flat or maybe even a 3.69. I really hope we get three shots tomorrow, but tomorrow is all about win lights."
He will race defending race winner Antron Brown, category newcomer Dave Connolly and current points leader Shawn Langdon in a stacked first round quad.
"This is a driver's game for sure," Todd added. "You've got Shawn Langdon who is leading the points. They didn't get down the track, but they could run 3.69. All three of them are capable of putting up big numbers so we've got to be prepared."
Veteran independent racer Pat Dakin, whose last NHRA national event victory came in 1973, qualified second in his Commercial Metal Fabricators dragster with a career-best 3.715 at 318.84 and he will race Brittany Force, Richie Crampton and Chris Karamesines. Tony Schumacher qualified third and will meet Clay Millican, Leah Pritchett and Larry Dixon, who returned to action after his scary crash in Gainesville to qualify 11th with a 3.829 at 314.75 in his C&J Engergy/Casedhole dragster.
McGaha took his second consecutive top qualifying position in Pro Stock with a performance of 6.474 at 213.70 in his Harlow Sammons of Odessa Chevy Camaro. The Texas racer will face Shane Gray, Buddy Perkinson and Erica Enders-Stevens in the opening round.
"We started off pretty well in Pomona and Phoenix, but we really stumbled upon what we were looking for in the semis in Phoenix, when we almost crashed," McGaha said. "We actually stepped on the car the hardest we've ever stepped on it and maybe that's why it almost crossed the center line. We found a few things when that happened, and it's led to all of our [recent] performance gain.”
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Arana Jr. set the pace with a track record run of 6.794 at 196.22 on his Lucas Oil Buell. It was his first No. 1 of the season and 17th of his career. He will race Jim Underdahl, Chaz Kennedy and Katie Sullivan in the first round.
"I woke up and looked at the weather, and we were all in shock when we saw that [the corrected altitude] was 600 feet below sea level," Arana said. "Normally, 500 feet above is good. We knew we had to do everything we could to get the power to the track, so we took our best guess. We've got new fuel, a new track surface, and conditions we've never seen before, but we managed to hit it and go right down the track. I honestly had a feeling we would run good today."
First-round pairings for Sunday's professional eliminations at the sixth annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway, the fourth 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. J.R. Todd, 3.713 seconds, 309.84 mph vs. 16. Shawn Langdon, 5.089, 275.56 vs. 8. Antron Brown, 3.792, 318.62 vs. 9. Dave Connolly, 3.807, 317.05; 2. Pat Dakin, 3.715, 318.84 vs. 15. Chris Karamesines, 4.343, 185.72 vs. 7. Richie Crampton, 3.771, 327.03 vs. 10. Brittany Force, 3.826, 318.32; 3. Tony Schumacher, 3.726, 328.94 vs. 14. Leah Pritchett, 4.130, 305.70 vs. 6. Clay Millican, 3.768, 315.05 vs. 11. Larry Dixon, 3.829, 314.75; 4. Spencer Massey, 3.730, 326.32 vs. 13. Ike Maier, 4.020, 303.84 vs. 5. Doug Kalitta, 3.736, 325.06 vs. 12. Steve Torrence, 3.837, 321.35. Did Not Qualify: 17. Terry McMillen, 10.498, 87.29.
Funny Car -- 1. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 4.011, 312.35 vs. 16. Dale Creasy Jr., Chevy Impala, 5.087, 172.01 vs. 8. Chad Head, Toyota Camry, 4.077, 303.91 vs. 9. Del Worsham, Camry, 4.101, 305.63; 2. John Force, Camaro, 4.040, 310.84 vs. 15. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 4.839, 218.55 vs. 7. Robert Hight, Chevrolet Camaro, 4.061, 308.07 vs. 10. Tony Pedregon, Camry, 4.123, 300.53; 3. Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 4.051, 308.78 vs. 14. Paul Lee, Charger, 4.634, 184.40 vs. 6. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.059, 304.67 vs. 11. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.132, 251.20; 4. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.055, 306.60 vs. 13. John Hale, Charger, 4.317, 296.63 vs. 5. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.055, 300.06 vs. 12. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 4.167, 305.42. Did Not Qualify: 17. Jeff Diehl, 7.463, 103.78; 18. Bob Tasca III, 12.969, 63.65.
Pro Stock -- 1. Chris McGaha, Chevy Camaro, 6.474, 213.70 vs. 16. Erica Enders-Stevens, Camaro, broke vs. 8. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.525, 211.99 vs. 9. Buddy Perkinson, Dodge Avenger, 6.528, 212.49; 2. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.481, 214.18 vs. 15. John Gaydosh Jr, Pontiac GXP, 6.858, 176.07 vs. 7. Larry Morgan, Camaro, 6.523, 213.16 vs. 10. Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 6.532, 213.84; 3. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.487, 213.57 vs. 14. Mark Hogan, GXP, 6.741, 206.73 vs. 6. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.517, 213.47 vs. 11. Jimmy Alund, GXP, 6.536, 212.76; 4. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.502, 213.64 vs. 13. V. Gaines, Dodge Dart, 6.683, 206.48 vs. 5. Allen Johnson, Dart, 6.513, 213.77 vs. 12. Jonathan Gray, Camaro, 6.545, 212.26.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.794, 198.03 vs. 16. Katie Sullivan, Suzuki, 6.966, 192.91; 2. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.826, 194.77 vs. 15. Mike Berry, Buell, 6.956, 191.51; 3. Angelle Sampey, Buell, 6.853, 187.11 vs. 14. Matt Smith, Victory, 6.953, 190.92; 4. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 6.861, 195.03 vs. 13. Shawn Gann, Buell, 6.949, 193.49; 5. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.870, 192.55 vs. 12. Freddie Camarena, Suzuki, 6.925, 197.77; 6. Hector Arana, Buell, 6.907, 195.62 vs. 11. Scotty Pollacheck, Buell, 6.924, 189.42; 7. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.913, 193.46 vs. 10. Brian Pretzel, Buell, 6.924, 190.70; 8. Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 6.914, 195.53 vs. 9. Chaz Kennedy, Buell, 6.924, 192.25. Did Not Qualify: 17. Jeremy Teasley, 6.982, 193.54; 18. Jerry Savoie, 6.988, 192.80; 19. Angie Smith, 7.129, 184.30; 20. Steve Johnson, 7.155, 189.02; 21. Roy Olsen, 7.261, 182.16.
SATURDAY SPORTSMAN RESULTS
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER (SESSION ONE)
1 6 TA/D Duane Shields, Boulder City NV, Hadman- 5.273 272.23 272.23
2 489 A/FD Chase Copeland, Gainesville TX, McKinne 5.279 267.53 267.53
3 194D A/FD Mia Tedesco, Murrysville PA, McKinney-T 5.285 270.75 270.75
4 596 A/FD Randy Meyer, Spring Hill KS, Meyer-BAE 5.312 273.16 273.16
5 215 TA/D Jake Allen, Jacksonville FL, McKinney-B 5.313 262.18 262.18
6 15 B/AD Wayne Morris, Lincoln University PA, Ya 5.342 269.51 269.51
7 31 B/AD Marty Thacker, Robinson IL, Spitzer-TFX 5.350 271.19 271.19
8 4 A/FD Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville PA, Hadma 5.354 275.17 275.17
9 104 A/FD Corey Michalek, New York NY, McKinney-B 5.357 266.11 266.11
10 704 A/FD Bill Litton, La Jolla CA, DSR-AJPE 5.401 263.92 263.92
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
SUPER STOCK
1 3254 FSS/F Jeff Myers, Decatur IN, '15 Camaro 9.163 10.20 -1.037
2 28 GT/FA Marion Stephenson, Williamsport IN, '90 S 9.764 10.80 -1.036
3 243 FSS/B Roy Hill, Sophia NC, '12 Mustang 8.176 9.20 -1.024
4 1027 GT/TC Marc LaBrecque, W. Springfield MA, '00 S- 10.079 11.10 -1.021
5 1325 GT/HA Bob Bagley, Warsaw VA, '02 Camaro 10.043 11.05 -1.007
6 1227 GT/HA Michael Volkman, Campobello SC, '00 Sebri 10.060 11.05 -0.990
7 3255 GT/CA Tom Beasley, Scott Depot WV, '09 Cobalt 9.412 10.40 -0.988
8 3028 GT/BA Jerry Silveus, Van Buren OH, '05 Cavalier 9.269 10.25 -0.981
9 2446 SS/GA Robbie Shaw, Bowdon GA, '99 Firebird 9.593 10.55 -0.957
10 24 GT/HA David Rampy, Piedmont AL, '87 Camaro 10.098 11.05 -0.952
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
STOCK
1 210 B/SA Ryan Hardison, Bayboro NC, '69 Mustang 10.122 11.25 -1.128
2 1967 I/SA Jim Marshall, Indian Land SC, '78 Nova 11.238 12.30 -1.062
3 33 FS/E Bo Butner, Floyd Knobs IN, '14 Mustang 9.888 10.95 -1.062
4 1587 FS/A Don Fezell, DuBois PA, '08 Mustang 8.655 9.70 -1.045
5 339L C/SA Randi Lyn Shipp, Floyds Knobs IN, '67 Fir 10.359 11.40 -1.041
6 2928 B/SA Steven Rowe, Ernul NC, '94 Firebird 10.217 11.25 -1.033
7 4 D/SA Greg Rowe, Bridgeton NC, '97 Firebird 10.519 11.55 -1.031
8 3469 FS/A Chuck Watson, Grosse Ile MI, '14 Mustang 8.686 9.70 -1.014
9 286 B/SA Jeff Adkinson, Damascus GA, '69 Camaro 10.264 11.25 -0.986
10 2032 B/SA Jack Zimmerman, Clemmons NC, '71 Challeng 10.270 11.25 -0.980
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
TOP DRAGSTER
1 103D Joe DeGuara, Nesconcest NY, Bos-Chevy 6.179 222.88 222.88
2 330 Lynn Ellison, Central City KY, M&M-Chevy 6.460 212.09 212.09
3 2008 Robert Houston, Spruce Pine NC, RaceeTech-Chevy 6.481 210.31 210.31
4 2912 Scott Duggins, Inman SC, Maddox-Chevy 6.534 195.62 195.62
5 2271 Casey Spradlin, Ranburne AL, Pro Fab-Chevy 6.549 207.91 207.91
6 2095 Jeff Burns, Mt. Juliet TN, M&M-Chevy 6.589 204.08 204.08
7 105H Bill Russell, Russell MA, Spitzer-Chevy 6.664 200.44 200.44
8 26 Larry Roberts, Laurens SC, RaceTech-Chevy 6.674 200.95 200.95
9 2686 Mike Laws, Orlando FL, Undercover-Chevy 6.691 197.39 197.39
10 2124 Jeff Strickland, Red Bay AL, American-Chevy 6.723 198.85 198.85
FRIDAY RESULTS - RAIN CANCELS FRIDAY’S RACING AT NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS
Persistent rain showers forced NHRA officials to cancel Friday’s racing at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. Rain started in the morning and scattered showers and mist fell throughout the day at zMAX Dragway.
Racing is scheduled to begin on Saturday with sportsman qualifying and time trials at 8 a.m. Two NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying sessions are scheduled for Saturday at 1:15 and 4:15 p.m. Sunday’s eliminations are scheduled for 1 p.m.
