2015 NHRA TOYOTA NATIONALS - LAS VEGAS RESULTS
 |
SUNDAY - BROWN AND ENDERS CLAIM NHRA MELLO YELLO SERIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES; KALITTA, HIGHT, ENDERS AND HINES RACE TO TOYOTA NATIONALS VICTORIES AT LAS VEGAS
Antron Brown and Erica Enders won NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championship titles in their respective categories Sunday at the NHRA Toyota Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Brown claimed his second Top Fuel world championship when he advanced one round farther than rival Tony Schumacher during eliminations. Enders secured her second straight world championship crown when she won in the quarterfinals and rival Greg Anderson lost in the same round. Enders then raced to victory, her ninth of the season and fourth in a row at LVMS. Brown lost in the semifinals.
In other racing, Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) joined Enders as event winners at the penultimate playoff race in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship.
Brown, who also won the Top Fuel world championship in 2012, remains the only African-American to win a major U.S. auto racing championship title. He opened the playoffs with three consecutive wins to put his team in position to clinch the title early, with one race remaining. He nearly claimed his eighth victory of the season today, but he lost a photo-finish to veteran racer Kalitta in the semis.
“We were greedy. We really wanted to have the Toyota Wally (trophy) next to that big Wally, but, hey, we’ll take the big one any day,” said Brown, whose Matco Tools team pocketed $500,000 for the championship title. “I just lost a race to Doug Kalitta by five-ten-thousandths of a second. It’s probably the closest race of all year. That’s how competitive this class has gotten, and that’s what makes this so big and makes it worth it when you can go out there and win a championship like our team has.”
Meanwhile, Enders joined Angelle Sampey as the only women in NHRA history who have successfully defended a world championship title. Sampey won three consecutive Pro Stock Motorcycle crowns from 2000-2002.
Enders claimed her fourth consecutive victory at LVMS and 21st career victory by outrunning rookie Bo Butner in the final round. Enders Elite Motorsports Chevy Camaro posted a 6.595 at 208.97 to finish in front of Butner’s Speed Dawg Shift Knobs Camaro, which trailed with a 6.610 at 209.33.
“My guys are so incredible,” said Enders, who earned $250,000 for the championship and another $50,000 for taking the event victory. “It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you get the right people around you. To do it in front of all my sponsors and family here this weekend it is incredible. To cap off a second world championship here at Vegas is just crazy.”
Kalitta took his third win of the season by outrunning Larry Dixon's C&J Energy Services dragster in the Top Fuel final. Dixon’s dragster lost traction early and Kalitta’s Mac Tools dragster roared by, but then shut off early and coasted across the finish line for his 38th career victory.
“It was a good day for us,” said Kalitta, who moved from 10th to sixth in the points standings with the win. “As we were going rounds, once we got past Antron cause that was an incredibly close race, I was feeling good for the finals. Not sure what happened there in the final. It was a lucky win for us, but we’ll take it. It’s Vegas and anything can happen.”
In Funny Car, Hight earned his second win of the season and 36th of his career, powering his Auto Club Chevy Camaro past top qualifier Tommy Johnson Jr.’s Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T. With the win, Hight moved past Don “The Snake” Prudhomme and Cruz Pedregon on NHRA’s all-time Funny Car wins list. He moved from eighth to sixth in Funny Car points.
“It’s really a bummer to me to not be in the points chase this late in the year,” said Hight, who is now a five-time winner at LVMS. “We’re not used to that. It drives you because you want to be there. It makes you dig deep so we’re not in the same position next year. We got a win out of it. Del Worsham’s a good friend of mine. I’m pulling for him to win the championship, but Auto Club pays me to win races, and luckily, we got the job done today.”
Johnson’s strong effort this weekend put him in the championship conversation in Funny Car, albeit 97 points back in third place behind leader Del Worsham and second place Jack Beckman. Worsham and Beckman lost in the second round and Worsham leads by 38 points heading to the season-finale at Pomona.
Hines earned his fourth Pro Stock Motorcycle victory of the season and third in the Countdown, powering his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson past Jerry Savoie’s White Alligator Racing Suzuki in a final round with major title implications. With the win, Hines increased his series lead to 46 over the hard-charging Savoie. The championship in the two-wheel class will be decided at the Auto Club NHRA Finals in two weeks.
“The biggest thing was that final round battle between one and two in points,” Hines said. “We’ve been running neck and neck all weekend long. I was in damage control all day and I was lucky enough to turn on a few win lights. That final might’ve looked pressure packed, but I was calm and confident. I knew I needed a good race. The team was able to make the motorcycle go quicker in the final and we got the win.”
The 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship concludes Nov. 12-15 with the Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona (Calif.).
SATURDAY - BROWN, ENDERS IN POSITION TO SECURE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES SUNDAY IN LAS VEGAS
Top Fuel driver Antron Brown and Pro Stock racer Erica Enders are in position to earn world championship titles Sunday as both drivers raced to No. 1 qualifying positions Saturday at the NHRA Toyota Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Tommy Johnson Jr. (Funny Car) and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also will lead their categories into tomorrow’s 11 a.m. eliminations as No. 1 qualifiers at the penultimate race in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
Brown scored his sixth No. 1 qualifying position of the season and the 43rd of his career with a track record time of 3.722 seconds at 326.95 mph at the controls of his 10,000-horsepower Matco Tools dragster. He holds a 142 point lead over second place Tony Schumacher and needs to advance one round farther than Schumacher to finish the event tomorrow with a lead of 151 points or more to secure his second title. He will meet rookie contender Jenna Haddock in round one.
“We did what we needed to do in qualifying and now we’re just focused on winning that first round,” Brown said. “We have to be flawless tomorrow. We know we’re in a good spot for the championship, but we’re not going to worry about that and just keep racing hard until we see that big trophy come our way.”
Enders earned her sixth No. 1 qualifying position of the season and 18th of her career with her track record performance of 6.559 at 210.28 in her Elite Motorsports Chevy Camaro. She increased her points lead to 162 over Greg Anderson, who qualified second in his Camaro. Like Brown, her magic number is a lead over second place of at least 151 to clinch the series title.
“We made two really good passes so we were just trying to get ready for tomorrow,” said Enders, who will race Deric Kramer in the opening round. “It was good to make more consistent passes. I am pumped going into tomorrow and we’ll see what happens. Tomorrow is going to take consistency. Every round is tough and there are no gimmies in Pro Stock. Las Vegas has been really good to me in the past and I want to continue that trend tomorrow. I want to win the race and that’s my first goal tomorrow.”
Johnson continued to keep his championship hopes alive in Funny Car by taking the No. 1 qualifying position with a track record time of 3.931 at 320.43 in his Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T. He will meet Bob Bode in the opener.
Series leader Del Worsham qualified sixth and will face defending world champ Matt Hagan and Jack Beckman qualified fourth and will meet Tony Pedregon. Worsham holds a 38 point advantage over Beckman.
Johnson says he thought one of the two leaders in front of him would take advantage of cooling conditions as the session moved into the darkness Saturday and run quicker than his track record time. He knows that he needs to be ready to take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself tomorrow. Johnson trimmed his deficit to Worsham to 137 with his qualifying performance this weekend.
“I think first round will be a lot of focus on what everybody else is doing,” Johnson said. “You know, go out and do your job and try to win your round but really pay attention to what is happening to the other cars. The have-fun attitude might go out the window if they both lost first round. It would be very serious. You know, ‘Go get it. We’ve got to win this race,’ because that’s our chance, the door’s open. If they go a couple rounds, let’s go win a race. That’s about all that’s left. It will be interesting to see. Their outcome will probably have more to do with how I’m looking at things and what we’re doing.”
Savoie continued his playoff hot streak in Pro Stock Motorcycle, riding his White Alligator Suzuki to his third No. 1 qualifying position of the season with a track record time of 6.852 at 196.30. He will face Fred Camarena in the opening round of eliminations as he continues to chase series points leader Andrew Hines, who qualified second on his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson.
“Tim [Kulungian, crew chief] is smart,” said Savoie, who is now only 26 points back of Hines. “He’s a numbers guy. He has a way of getting the bike in that window. We were trying to go a [6.84]. I am proud to be here and if you go about second guessing yourself you will drive yourself crazy. If I get the number one (world championship) spot it will be good. If I don’t get it then it’s been a great season. I won’t beat myself up over it.”
Sunday's first-round pairings for eliminations for the 15th annual NHRA Toyota Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the 23rd 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. Antron Brown, 3.722 seconds, 326.95 mph vs. 16. Jenna Haddock, 3.952, 251.11; 2. Larry Dixon, 3.733, 328.30 vs. 15. Leah Pritchett, 3.916, 312.57; 3. Billy Torrence, 3.733, 327.19 vs. 14. Noah Stutz, 3.847, 317.94; 4. Steve Torrence, 3.745, 324.51 vs. 13. Doug Kalitta, 3.839, 318.09; 5. Richie Crampton, 3.752, 317.94 vs. 12. Troy Buff, 3.828, 314.68; 6. Shawn Langdon, 3.768, 332.67 vs. 11. Clay Millican, 3.822, 315.64; 7. J.R. Todd, 3.770, 327.51 vs. 10. Tony Schumacher, 3.779, 323.81; 8. Brittany Force, 3.773, 323.74 vs. 9. Dave Connolly, 3.773, 325.06. Did Not Qualify: 17. Chris Karamesines, 3.994, 301.27; 18. Terry McMillen, 3.996, 305.98; 19. Tim Boychuk, broke.
Funny Car -- 1. Tommy Johnson Jr., Dodge Charger, 3.931, 320.43 vs. 16. Bob Bode, Toyota Solara, 4.136, 303.03; 2. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.933, 325.77 vs. 15. Paul Lee, Charger, 4.076, 315.27; 3. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.937, 322.81 vs. 14. Gary Densham, Charger, 4.050, 311.41; 4. Jack Beckman, Charger, 3.940, 324.28 vs. 13. Tony Pedregon, Toyota Camry, 4.031, 302.48; 5. Ron Capps, Charger, 3.967, 323.12 vs. 12. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.017, 310.05; 6. Del Worsham, Camry, 3.969, 325.92 vs. 11. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.010, 322.58; 7. Chad Head, Camry, 3.976, 310.77 vs. 10. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 3.992, 317.94; 8. John Force, Camaro, 3.980, 321.50 vs. 9. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 3.984, 319.22. Did Not Qualify: 17. John Bojec, 4.140, 303.78; 18. Terry Haddock, 4.271, 266.37; 19. Brandon Welch, 4.306, 291.51; 20. John Hale, 4.415, 289.82; 21. Jeff Arend, 4.792, 182.90; 22. Tim Gibbons, 4.830, 192.63.
Pro Stock -- 1. Erica Enders, Chevy Camaro, 6.559, 210.28 vs. 16. Deric Kramer, Dodge Dart, 6.678, 207.05; 2. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.584, 209.56 vs. 15. Matt Hartford, Pontiac GXP, 6.667, 207.08; 3. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.591, 209.43 vs. 14. V. Gaines, Dart, 6.647, 207.94; 4. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.593, 209.39 vs. 13. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.636, 207.46; 5. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.594, 209.49 vs. 12. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.619, 208.59; 6. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.600, 209.04 vs. 11. Larry Morgan, Camaro, 6.611, 209.33; 7. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.601, 209.56 vs. 10. Allen Johnson, Dart, 6.607, 208.88; 8. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.601, 208.81 vs. 9. Jonathan Gray, Camaro, 6.605, 208.62. Did Not Qualify: 17. Joey Grose, 6.682, 207.02; 18. Alan Prusiensky, 6.727, 205.54.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.852, 196.02 vs. 16. Freddie Camarena, Suzuki, 7.030, 191.70; 2. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.909, 194.55 vs. 15. Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 6.982, 193.49; 3. Michael Ray, Buell, 6.913, 193.63 vs. 14. Mike Berry, Buell, 6.981, 191.02; 4. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.922, 194.27 vs. 13. Shawn Gann, Buell, 6.978, 191.73; 5. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 6.930, 194.88 vs. 12. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.976, 194.13; 6. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.937, 193.29 vs. 11. Hector Arana, Buell, 6.974, 193.16; 7. Scotty Pollacheck, Buell, 6.951, 192.19 vs. 10. Matt Smith, Victory, 6.972, 191.40; 8. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.960, 192.30 vs. 9. Chip Ellis, Buell, 6.962, 192.77. Did Not Qualify: 17. Joe DeSantis, 7.050, 189.92; 18. Angie Smith, 7.074, 188.60; 19. Redell Harris, 7.078, 187.94; 20. Eddie Reed, 7.099, 187.52; 21. Kalle Lyren, 7.100, 189.28; 22. Robert Karlsson, 7.110, 189.39; 23. Katie Sullivan, 7.112, 188.46; 24. Luke Crowley, 7.134, 189.36; 25. Rhett Lougheed, 7.215, 186.82; 26. Melissa Surber, 7.246, 185.59; 27. Lance Bonham, 7.357, 185.21; 28. Cory Reed, 10.762, 185.72; 29. Brian Pretzel, broke.
BROWN, JOHNSON JR., ENDERS AND SAVOIE TAKE FRIDAY QUALIFYING LEADS
Top Fuel points leader Antron Brown raced to the qualifying lead Friday at the NHRA Toyota Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Tommy Johnson Jr. (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were qualifying leaders in their respective categories at the penultimate playoff event in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship.
Brown, who entered this event with a 132-point lead over Tony Schumacher as he tries to claim a second world championship crown, powered his Matco Tools dragster to a track record time of 3.722 seconds at 326.95 mph.
“We know what’s on the line,” said Brown, the 2012 Top Fuel world champ. “We know how good Tony’s team is. Back in 2012 we had problems at this race and in the first round at Pomona and those guys cut down a 136 point lead and had a chance to win the championship in the final round at Pomona. We are trying to do everything possible to get this done and right now that Matco Tools dragster is running on a rail and we are going to ride that wave and take it as far as it will go.”
After opening qualifying with a 3.82, Brown said he and his team knew they needed to step it up in the evening session.
“You had to bring the kitchen sink, and you had to go in the basement and even get some of the water in the bottles to make that car run great,” Brown said. “We literally had to put everything in it to make it go. The first run showed it to us. We thought we could go out there and go a high 3.7, and it went a 3.82, so we knew the track was really good. Tonight, we just didn’t want to miss it. We wanted to end up in the top three. We ran that 3.72, and we were like, ‘OK, we should be in the top three now.’ Luckily, it held up for No. 1, and we’re in the spot where we want to be at right now, and we’re controlling our own destiny by running the way that we are.”
Eight-time world champ Schumacher is qualified seventh in the 16-car order in his U.S. Army dragster with a 3.794 at 323.81. Richie Crampton, who sits third in points and is the tour’s most recent winner, sits sixth in the Lucas Oil dragster with a 3.774 at 308.35. Five-time LVMS winner Larry Dixon sits second with a 3.733 at 328.30 in his C&J Energy Services dragster.
Johnson sped to a track record time of 3.931 at 320.43 in his Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger to lead Funny Car qualifying. Johnson entered the event in third place in points behind series leader Del Worsham and second-place Jack Beckman. Worsham sits seventh in the qualifying order and Beckman is ninth after two sessions.
“My plan was for them to not qualify and then us be No. 1 and win it,” Johnson said, with a laugh, when asked how he was approaching this weekend. “No, you have your back up against the wall a little bit. It’s quite a few points to gain in two races, but anything can happen, and we have a team that is capable of gaining those points. We came in here with a carefree attitude. Everybody’s kind of counted you out of it, and alright, that’s fine. Let’s go race. Let’s go have some fun the last two races and try to get two trophies and see what happens. That was my attitude. I think that’s the team’s attitude. We’re very relaxed this weekend. Everybody’s having fun, and John [Collins, crew chief] is making really great calls, and I think it’s maybe due to we don’t’ have the stress the other guys have. We’re just going out and racing and having fun."
Johnson entered this event 147 points back of leaders Worsham and Beckman, who are separated by only 38 points. While he would be considered a longshot for the series title by the Vegas bookmakers, he and his team still believe.
“As much as everybody wants to say, ‘Oh, we’re good. No stress for the championship,’ there is stress,” Johnson said. “I guess we have some because there is a shot, but at the same time, it’s not a very feasible shot, so we don’t have much stress, and it’s been more fun, I can tell you that. This weekend has been a lot more fun than the last couple with the stress. I kind of like it. If I was ever to win a championship, I would want it coming from behind and trying to catch ’em because I don’t know that I would want to be out front having ’em coming after me.”
Series points leader Enders led Pro Stock qualifying by setting both ends of the track record with a 6.559 at 210.28 in her Elite Motorsports Chevy Camaro. Enders is in position this weekend to earn her second consecutive world championship title. She entered the event with a 154-point lead over four-time world champ Greg Anderson. Anderson qualified third in his Summit Racing Camaro.
“We are trying not to take this race any differently than we do any other race of the season and not get ahead of ourselves,” Enders said. “It’s still our job to win races. I have the best team in the world and one of the baddest hot rods around.
“This is so much different than last year’s points battle. I think I aged 10 years in Pomona. I’m enjoying this a little more.”
Another factor in Enders’ favor is her stellar record at this facility, where in the past two seasons she has earned three consecutive national event titles and taken two all-star titles in the K&N Horsepower Challenge.
“It’s an exciting position to be in because we have 18 consecutive round wins here,” Enders said. “My guys perform great here and have a great handle on this race track.”
Louisiana alligator farmer Savoie continued his surge to the top of the points standings in Pro Stock Motorcycle by making the quickest runs in both Friday qualifying sessions. He posted a performance of 6.876 at 194.21 on his White Alligator Racing Suzuki to lead the 30 bikes entered in the event. He trailed series leader Andrew Hines by 31 points entering this event.
“My mindset coming here was to take it round by round,” Savoie said. “I don’t want to get too focused on the championship or a points chase. Your mind gets too cluttered. My crew chief [Tim Kulungian] has a good handle on this thing. To come out here to be No. 1 on Friday I feel that God has blessed us.”
Savoie has made up major ground in the points standings since winning at Indianapolis from the No. 6 points position to end the regular season. Since then he has posted two No. 1 qualifying positions and won two weeks ago at Dallas. He trimmed a few more points off Hines’ lead today.
“I have the baddest Pro Stock Motorcycle engine on the planet,” Savoie said. “Tim works really hard. He’s took seven days off in the last year. The guy is a guru and I love him. We just keep plugging away.”
Qualifying continues Saturday with sessions at 12:15 and 3:45 p.m. Sunday’s eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m.
Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 15th annual NHRA Toyota Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 23rd of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Antron Brown, 3.722 seconds, 326.95 mph; 2. Larry Dixon, 3.733, 328.30; 3. Billy Torrence, 3.733, 327.19; 4. Steve Torrence, 3.745, 322.11; 5. Shawn Langdon, 3.768, 332.67; 6. Richie Crampton, 3.774, 308.35; 7. Tony Schumacher, 3.794, 323.81; 8. Clay Millican, 3.822, 315.64; 9. Troy Buff, 3.828, 314.68; 10. Noah Stutz, 3.870, 317.94; 11. Dave Connolly, 3.871, 267.69; 12. Doug Kalitta, 3.940, 309.91. Not Qualified: 13. Brittany Force, 4.724, 155.45; 14. Leah Pritchett, 4.734, 160.44; 15. J.R. Todd, 4.784, 151.97; 16. Terry McMillen, 6.663, 103.78; 17. Jenna Haddock, 7.419, 92.45; 18. Chris Karamesines, 10.446, 82.75.
Funny Car -- 1. Tommy Johnson Jr., Dodge Charger, 3.931, 320.43; 2. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.933, 325.77; 3. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.937, 322.81; 4. Chad Head, Toyota Camry, 3.976, 310.77; 5. John Force, Camaro, 3.980, 321.50; 6. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 3.984, 319.22; 7. Del Worsham, Camry, 3.999, 322.19; 8. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.010, 322.58; 9. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.011, 316.30; 10. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 4.013, 317.94; 11. Gary Densham, Charger, 4.050, 311.41; 12. Paul Lee, Charger, 4.080, 310.91. Not Qualified: 13. Cruz Pedregon, 4.109, 292.14; 14. Ron Capps, 4.145, 242.71; 15. John Bojec, 4.156, 298.67; 16. John Hale, 4.191, 289.82; 17. Tim Gibbons, 4.650, 192.63; 18. Terry Haddock, 5.107, 156.06; 19. Brandon Welch, 5.398, 143.54; 20. Tony Pedregon, 7.989, 78.61; 21. Jeff Arend, broke; 22. Bob Bode, broke.
Pro Stock -- 1. Erica Enders, Chevy Camaro, 6.559, 210.28; 2. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.594, 208.71; 3. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.596, 209.07; 4. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.600, 209.07; 5. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.601, 208.81; 6. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.603, 209.17; 7. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.603, 209.04; 8. Jonathan Gray, Camaro, 6.605, 208.59; 9. Allen Johnson, Dodge Dart, 6.607, 208.42; 10. Larry Morgan, Camaro, 6.611, 209.17; 11. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.619, 208.59; 12. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.625, 208.65. Not Qualified: 13. V. Gaines, 6.645, 207.69; 14. Kenny Delco, 6.652, 206.89; 15. Deric Kramer, 6.681, 207.05; 16. Joey Grose, 6.688, 206.86; 17. Matt Hartford, 6.688, 206.54; 18. Alan Prusiensky, 6.928, 195.39.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.876, 194.21; 2. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.929, 192.93; 3. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 6.930, 193.35; 4. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.936, 192.33; 5. Michael Ray, Buell, 6.955, 192.91; 6. Matt Smith, Victory, 6.972, 191.40; 7. Hector Arana, Buell, 6.974, 192.52; 8. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.974, 191.92; 9. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.976, 192.74; 10. Scotty Pollacheck, Buell, 6.990, 190.89; 11. Chip Ellis, Buell, 6.996, 192.25; 12. Shawn Gann, Buell, 7.004, 190.24. Not Qualified: 13. Mike Berry, 7.004, 189.68; 14. Steve Johnson, 7.024, 190.06; 15. Jim Underdahl, 7.037, 192.91; 16. Cory Reed, 7.050, 186.02; 17. Angie Smith, 7.077, 185.15; 18. Freddie Camarena, 7.085, 191.10; 19. Melissa Surber, 7.141, 185.59; 20. Robert Karlsson, 7.151, 189.39; 21. Eddie Reed, 7.155, 185.72; 22. Kalle Lyren, 7.157, 184.93; 23. Katie Sullivan, 7.172, 188.46; 24. Redell Harris, 7.202, 184.30; 25. Rhett Lougheed, 7.238, 184.50; 26. Brian Pretzel, 7.256, 181.89; 27. Lance Bonham, 7.340, 184.19; 28. Luke Crowley, 7.483, 188.10; 29. Joe DeSantis, 9.008, 96.86.
THURSDAY QUALIFYING - SKINNER CLAIMS FINAL FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN OF 2015
After Bo Butner and Ford had dominated the first three of the four 2015 Factory Stock Showdown events, Kevin Skinner ensured that the Ford dominance continued, this time with a fresh face, as he grabbed a win over Mopar stalwart Dave Barton in the final round during the Toyota NHRA Nationals at the Strip in Las Vegas.
Skinner strapped a holeshot on Barton and never looked back as he took the win light with an 8.594 elapsed time at 155.27.
Butner, who was undefeated in the Factory Showdown headed into this weekend, fell in the semis to Barton.
Comp Eliminator completed two sessions on Thursday and at the end of the day, Ray Skillman jumped out front in his B/Econo Altered Mustang with a 7.652 elapsed time, -0.628 under his index.
Tony Hewes continued the Ford domination in qualifying as he drove his Super Stock/F Automatic '69 Mustang to the top spot with a 9.467 elapsed time for -1.173 under her index.
Chris Holbrook's FS/XX Mustang was the top runner in Stock as he posted an 8.710, -1.190 effort.
Qualifying continues on Friday at 8 AM, PST. - Bobby Bennett
COMP ELIMINATOR (AFTER TWO SESSIONS)
1 390 B/EA Ray Skillman, Greenwood IN, '14 Mustang 7.652 8.28 -0.628
2 51 A/SMA Todd Patterson, Augusta KS, '10 Cobalt 7.952 8.56 -0.608
3 54 C/AA Jim Greenheck, Schofield WI, '12 Camaro 7.366 7.97 -0.604
4 7474 B/SMA Justin Lamb, Henderson NV, '08 Cobalt 8.051 8.63 -0.579
5 1781 C/EA Dan Fletcher, Churchville NY, '08 Cobalt 8.161 8.73 -0.569
6 115 B/SR Joe Santangelo, Marlborough CT, '34 Chevy 7.912 8.47 -0.558
7 1052 D/AA Arnie Martel, Tewksbury MA, '15 Camaro 7.725 8.28 -0.555
8 4337 B/ND Craig Bourgeois, Metarie LA, Hasse-Chevy 7.008 7.56 -0.552
9 1 A/EA David Rampy, Piedmont AL, '32 Bantam 7.377 7.92 -0.543
10 358 L/A David Billingsley, Decatur IL, '14 Camaro 8.885 9.42 -0.535
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
SUPER STOCK (FINAL SESSION)
1 796 SS/FA Tony Hewes, Reno NV, '69 Mustang 9.467 10.64 -1.173
2 3903 FSS/E Ray Skillman, Greenwood IN, '10 Mustang 9.080 10.23 -1.150
3 428 FSS/F Kevin Helms, Schriever LA, '11 Challenger 9.247 10.38 -1.133
4 5250 FSS/E Todd Patterson, Augusta KS, '14 Camaro 9.099 10.23 -1.131
5 74 GT/AA Robert Cruzen, Cleveland OK, '06 Cobalt 9.158 10.28 -1.122
6 243 FSS/B Roy Hill, Sophia NC, '12 Mustang 8.267 9.36 -1.093
7 601 SS/BS Cody Lane, North Bend WA, '05 Cavalier 8.743 9.82 -1.077
8 3 SS/CM Phil Unruh, McPherson KS, '10 Cobalt 8.604 9.67 -1.066
9 554 GT/LA Ron Roddel, Sioux Falls SD, '02 Grand Am 10.698 11.75 -1.052
10 5150 GT/AA Jason DeForrest, Andover MN, '05 Cavalier 9.240 10.28 -1.040
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
STOCK ELIMINATOR (FINAL SESSION)
1 3334 FS/XX Chris Holbrook, Livonia MI, '14 Mustang 8.710 9.90 -1.190
2 385 FS/XX Bruno Massel, Woodridge IL, '15 Camaro 8.728 9.90 -1.172
3 3805 FS/XX Kevin Skinner, Grove City OH, '14 Mustang 8.731 9.90 -1.169
4 7702 U/SA BJ Graham, Tempe AZ, '75 Mavrick 13.954 15.11 -1.156
5 1990 FS/X David Barton, Robesonia PA, '15 Challenger 8.999 10.15 -1.151
6 627 U/SA Brian Seaburg, Belfair WA, '72 Comet 13.999 15.11 -1.111
7 159 FS/E Vic Cagnazzi, Mooresville NC, '15 Camaro 10.039 11.14 -1.101
8 5942 FS/C Ryan Montford, Wichita KS, '13 Camaro 9.393 10.48 -1.087
9 57 FS/H Larry DeForrest, Ramsey MN, '10 Mustang 10.624 11.70 -1.076
10 33 FS/X Bo Butner, Floyds Knobs IN, '14 Mustang 9.097 10.15 -1.053
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
FACTORY STOCK (FINAL SESSION)
FS/X 1990 David Barton, Robesonia PA, '15 Challenger 9.011 10.15 -1.139
FS/X 33 Bo Butner, Floyds Knobs IN, '14 Mustang 9.182 10.15 -0.968
FS/X 3285 Joseph Welch, Plymouth MI, '15 Camaro 9.499 10.15 -0.651
FS/XX 3334 Chris Holbrook, Livonia MI, '14 Mustang 8.710 9.90 -1.190
FS/XX 385 Bruno Massel, Woodridge IL, '15 Camaro 8.728 9.90 -1.172
FS/XX 3805 Kevin Skinner, Grove City OH, '14 Mustang 8.797 9.90 -1.103
FS/XX 6070 Gary Coe, Portland OR, '13 Mustang 9.368 9.90 -0.532
FS/XX 3469 Chuck Watson, Grosse Ile MI, '14 Mustang 11.921 9.90 2.021
