2016 NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATS - BRISTOL RESULTS
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SUNDAY - JOHNSON JR., LANGDON AND LINE CLAIM WINS AT NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS
Tommy Johnson Jr. raced to his first Funny Car victory of the season and 13th of his career Sunday at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.
Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel) and Jason Line (Pro Stock) were also winners of their respective categories at the 11th of 24 events on the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.
Johnson Jr. posted a 4.038-second pass at 313.22 mph at the controls of his Make-A-Wish Foundation Dodge Charger R/T to defeat teammate and two-time 2016 winner Matt Hagan’s 4.030 at 317.57 in his Mopar Express Lane / Rocky Boots Dodge Charger R/T in the final round. Johnson Jr., a two-time Bristol winner, is currently seventh in the points standings.
“We’re just slow starters, but we’re strong finishers,” said Johnson Jr., who has one win in two final round appearances this year. “The guys kept working hard and have kept their heads down. We got hot in Epping with a runner-up finish and we are on a roll now and we’re looking good.”
Johnson Jr. raced past two-time world champ Cruz Pedregon, Gainesville, Fla., winner Robert Hight and Las Vegas winner Alexis DeJoria in the earlier rounds. The win secured Johnson Jr. the seventh spot in the specialty Traxxas Nitro Shootout event. The eighth and final spot of the lucrative bonus event held at the prestigious Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis on Labor Day weekend is decided by a fan vote.
Hagan, a two-time world champion with back-to-back wins earlier this season, outlasted two-time 2016 winner Tim Wilkerson, Houston winner Courtney Force and points leader Ron Capps en route to meeting Johnson Jr. in the final. Hagan moved up two spots to sit fourth in the points standings.
In Top Fuel, Langdon, making his first final round appearance of the year, raced to a 3.838 at 322.19 in his Red Fuel Powered by Schumacher / Sandvik Coromant dragster to defeat teammate and eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher’s 3.934 at 310.70 in the final round. Langdon, who won this event in 2014, claimed his 12th career victory and moved up to sixth in the points standings.
“We really did struggle at the beginning of the year,” said Langdon, the 2013 Top Fuel world champion. “Everybody at Don Schumacher Racing came together and everybody there helped out; it’s a big team. I have to thank all the other crews and our Red Fuel crew. This is a big win for us and we are excited.”
Langdon, who secured the sixth spot in the Top Fuel Traxxas Nitro Shootout bonus event, beat Gainesville runner-up Terry McMillen, two-time 2016 winner Brittany Force and points leader Doug Kalitta to make his way to the final round.
Schumacher, who powered his U.S. Army dragster to a runner-up finish last weekend in Englishtown, N.J., drove by J.R. Todd, two-time 2016 winner Steve Torrence and reigning world champ Antron Brown to make his second consecutive final round appearance. Schumacher is fifth in points.
In Pro Stock, Line powered his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro to his sixth victory of the season and 43rd of his career by outlasting teammate Greg Anderson in the final round. Line sprinted to a 6.668 at 207.59 to better Anderson’s 6.694 at 207.62 in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro. Line, who won this event in 2006, was the No. 1 qualifier. This was his 10th final round appearance of the year and the victory extends his points lead.
“It’s been amazing,” said Line, who has raced to every final round this season except one. “I am so thrilled to be up here, you just can’t imagine. I am living my dream. The fact that I am getting to do this and have been so successful this year is awesome.”
Line won on a single in the first round when Dave River’s car had a mechanical problem and he couldn’t make the call, had a bye in the second round and sprinted past 2014 top rookie Drew Skillman in semi-finals to meet Anderson in the final.
Anderson, a five-time 2016 winner who sits second in the points standings, outlasted John Gaydosh Jr., Shane Gray and five-time world champ Jeg Coughlin in the earlier rounds.
The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues with the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, June 23-26, in Norwalk, Ohio.
CASTELLANA WINS PRO MOD AT NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS
Mike Castellana raced to victory Sunday in the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series portion of the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. This weekend’s Pro Mod racing at Bristol Dragway is presented by the Real Pro Mod Association. This is the fifth of 10 Pro Mod events on the 2016 season.
Castellana won in his Al-Anabi Racing ’69 Chevy Camaro when Bob Rahaim crossed the centerline in his late model TLC Waste Disposal Services Chevy Corvette. Castellana claimed his first victory of 2016 and sixth win of his career.
“My crew did an awesome job this weekend and we got a little lucky in the finals,” said Castellana, who won his first race since the 2014 season-opener in Gainesville, Fla. “That’s all it takes. It feels great. We never gave up. My team, they kept pushing. We struggled a little bit, but now we’re back and hopefully we can stay.”
Castellana qualified third and outlasted Doug Winters, Chip King and recent Englishtown, N.J., winner Troy Coughlin to make his first final round appearance of the season. Castellana jumped to sixth in the points standings.
Bob Rahaim, who was the No. 1 qualifier, sprinted past Steven Whiteley, local favorite Von Smith and Michael Biehle in the earlier rounds. Rahaim is fourth in the points standings.
Two-time 2016 winner Rickie Smith is still first in the points standings. Smith is followed by Coughlin and Steve Matusek in second and third, respectively.
The NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series continues with the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, June 23-26, in Norwalk, Ohio.
Final finish order (1-16) at the 16th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway. The race is the fifth of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.
PRO MODIFIED:
1. Mike Castellana; 2. Bob Rahaim; 3. Michael Biehle; 4. Troy Coughlin; 5. Chip King; 6. Rickie Smith; 7. Von Smith; 8. Steve Matusek; 9. Danny Rowe; 10. Mike Janis; 11. Doug Winters; 12. Gerry Capano; 13. Mike Knowles; 14. Steven Whiteley; 15. Jim Whiteley; 16. Dan Stevenson.
Sunday's final results from the 16th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway. The race is the fifth of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.
Pro Modified -- Mike Castellana, Chevy Corvette, def. Bob Rahaim, Corvette, Foul - Centerline.
Final round-by-round results from the 16th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, the fifth of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.
PRO MODIFIED:
ROUND ONE -- Steve Matusek, Chevy Camaro, 9.471, 93.51 def. Danny Rowe, Chevy Corvette, Foul - Red Light; Von Smith, Corvette, 5.922, 243.50 def. Mike Janis, Camaro, 5.992, 243.72; Chip King, Dodge Daytona, 13.832, no speed def. Dan Stevenson, Camaro, Foul - Centerline; Rickie Smith, Camaro, 5.987, 244.60 def. Jim Whiteley, Chevy Chevelle, 13.286, 96.97; Michael Biehle, Ford Mustang, 5.942, 250.83 def. Mike Knowles, Mustang, 8.813, 106.70; Mike Castellana, Corvette, 5.947, 243.77 def. Doug Winters, Chevelle, 6.022, 240.64; Troy Coughlin, Corvette, 5.990, 218.02 def. Gerry Capano, Corvette, 6.052, 232.91; Bob Rahaim, Corvette, 5.926, 243.33 def. Steven Whiteley, Cadillac CTS-V, 10.549, 103.74;
QUARTERFINALS -- Rahaim, 5.896, 245.85 def. V. Smith, 5.982, 244.43; Castellana, 5.966, 243.99 def. King, 5.953, 243.41; Biehle, 5.897, 253.04 def. R. Smith, 5.964, 244.92; Coughlin, 5.867, 244.78 def. Matusek, Broke;
SEMIFINALS -- Rahaim, 5.907, 244.38 def. Biehle, 5.938, 251.81; Castellana, 5.953, 243.41 def. Coughlin, 8.397, 110.76;
FINAL -- Castellana, def. Rahaim, Foul - Centerline.
SATURDAY - TORRENCE, CAPPS AND LINE NO. 1 QUALIFIERS AT THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS
Steve Torrence claimed the No. 1 qualifying position in Top Fuel on Saturday at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.
Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Jason Line (Pro Stock) also were No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories at the 11th of 24 events on the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.
Torrence posted a 3.745-second pass at 324.12 mph in his Capco Contractors / Torrence Racing dragster to secure his sixth No. 1 qualifier of the year and 11th of his career. Torrence raced to victory in Englishtown, N.J., last weekend as the No. 1 qualifier and posted a runner-up finish the weekend before in Epping, N.H. He has two wins this year and will hope to earn his second Thunder Valley victory tomorrow. He will meet Terry Haddock in the opening round of Sunday’s eliminations scheduled to begin at noon.
“It feels great and I did win here a few years ago and it’s always Father’s Day when we race and this year I have my dad with me so that adds a lot to it,” said Torrence, who won at Bristol in 2013. “To be able to share success with him while he’s here, with the way the car is running and with the team, the moral is at an all-time high. We’re going to try to repeat and go all the way.”
Three-time 2016 winner Doug Kalitta qualified in the No. 2 spot with a 3.767 at 323.97 in his Mac Tools dragster. Kalitta, a three-time Bristol winner, will battle Kyle Wurtzel in the opening round. Brittany Force, who has two wins in 2016, is third in her Monster Energy dragster. She will face Chris Karamesines.
Reigning world champ Antron Brown is fourth in his Matco Tools dragster and will race Scott Palmer in the first round while Phoenix winner Leah Pritchett is fifth and will meet Aussie Richie Crampton.
In Funny Car, Capps raced to his third consecutive No. 1 qualifying position with a track-record time of 3.884 at 323.66 in his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T. Capps, who has won the last two races and three so far this year, has 21 top qualifiers in his career and will be gunning for his fourth Thunder Valley Nationals victory on Sunday. He will race Jim Campbell to open eliminations.
“We wipe it clean every night and we wipe it clean every race,” said Capps, who with a win tomorrow could become the first driver since John Force in 1996 to win three consecutive Funny Car races from the No. 1 spot. Capps would also tie his former team owner, NHRA legend Don “The Snake” Prudhomme on the all-time wins list at 49 career victories.
“We’re glad we can continue on to the next race,” Capps continued. “The streak, starting in Epping, then going to completely different weather conditions and track conditions in Englishtown, and then here, again completely different, just shows the versatility that (crew chief Rahn) Tobler has. Then the NAPA guys continually give him a car without nuts or bolts loose and nothing strange. It’s a fun car to drive right now.”
Reigning world champ Del Worsham sits second with a 3.888 at 329.42 in his DHL Toyota Camry. Worsham, a two-time Bristol winner, will meet Jeff Diehl in Sunday’s first round. Robert Hight, who won in Gainesville, Fla., is third in his Auto Club Chevy Camaro and he will battle John Hale in the opening round of eliminations.
Matt Hagan, a two-time 2016 winner, qualified third and is matched up with Dave Richards while Houston winner Courtney Force is fifth and will race Cruz Pedregon.
In Pro Stock, Line pushed his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro to a 6.652 at 208.01 to earn his fourth consecutive No. 1 qualifier and sixth of the year. Line, who has 47 top qualifiers in his career, won this event 10 years ago. The five-time 2016 winner and points leader will face Dave River in the first round.
“I wasn’t expecting to run that quick, so that was a really good run,” said Line, a two-time world champion. “I was pretty excited about that. It’s a lot of fun. This is not going to last forever and I’ll spare you of the ‘They’re Gaining on Us’ speech, but that was a really good run. We were missing something on the previous runs and I think we figured out why. It feels good and we should have three really fast (Ken Black Racing) hot rods for tomorrow.”
Line’s Ken Black Racing teammate Greg Anderson qualified second with a 6.675 at 206.95 in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro. Anderson, a two-time Bristol winner, is second in points with five wins and two runners-up this season. He will meet John Gaydosh Jr. in the opening round of eliminations.
Bo Butner, the third and final member of the KB Racing team, is third and will battle V. Gaines in the first round. Drew Skillman is fourth and will race five-time world champ Jeg Coughlin Sunday morning while Vincent Nobile is fifth and will go heads-up with teammate and back-to-back world champ Erica Enders.
Sunday's first-round pairings for eliminations for the 16th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, the 11th 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. Steve Torrence, 3.745 seconds, 324.12 mph vs. 16. Terry Haddock, broke; 2. Doug Kalitta, 3.767, 323.97 vs. 15. Kyle Wurtzel, 5.564, 195.25; 3. Brittany Force, 3.773, 323.04 vs. 14. Chris Karamesines, 4.253, 216.13; 4. Antron Brown, 3.774, 317.34 vs. 13. Scott Palmer, 4.082, 237.21; 5. Leah Pritchett, 3.799, 323.35 vs. 12. Richie Crampton, 3.947, 280.84; 6. Shawn Langdon, 3.802, 323.12 vs. 11. Terry McMillen, 3.918, 299.66; 7. Clay Millican, 3.805, 318.39 vs. 10. Pat Dakin, 3.867, 314.02; 8. Tony Schumacher, 3.808, 322.42 vs. 9. J.R. Todd, 3.825, 319.60.
Funny Car -- 1. Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 3.884, 323.66 vs. 16. Jim Campbell, Toyota Camry, 6.992, 89.20; 2. Del Worsham, Camry, 3.888, 329.42 vs. 15. John Hale, Charger, 6.589, 98.90; 3. Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 3.897, 321.27 vs. 14. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Solara, 5.476, 135.33; 4. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.914, 327.51 vs. 13. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 4.236, 266.16; 5. Courtney Force, Camaro, 3.938, 322.81 vs. 12. Dave Richards, Mustang, 4.197, 266.53; 6. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 3.948, 320.51 vs. 11. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.167, 258.47; 7. Chad Head, Camry, 3.955, 320.36 vs. 10. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 3.999, 314.83; 8. John Force, Camaro, 3.956, 320.43 vs. 9. Jack Beckman, Charger, 3.976, 318.84.
Pro Stock -- 1. Jason Line, Chevy Camaro, 6.652, 208.01 vs. 14. Dave River, Chevy Cobalt, 18.977, 201.10; 2. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.675, 206.95 vs. 13. John Gaydosh Jr, Chevrolet Camaro, 6.801, 202.85; 3. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.689, 209.26 vs. 12. Jeg Coughlin, Dodge Dart, 6.755, 204.57; 4. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.695, 206.70 vs. 11. V. Gaines, Dart, 6.755, 205.35; 5. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.700, 206.54 vs. 10. Erica Enders, Dart, 6.746, 205.10; 6. Allen Johnson, Dart, 6.708, 206.51 vs. 9. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.741, 205.04; 7. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.713, 206.61 vs. 8. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.713, 205.60.
RAHAIM RACES TO NO. 1 QUALIFIER AND ROUND ONE PRO MOD VICTORY AT BRISTOL
Bob Rahaim powered to the No. 1 qualifying position and a first round victory Saturday in the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series portion of the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. This weekend’s Pro Mod racing at Bristol Dragway is presented by the Real Pro Mod Association. This is the fifth of 10 Pro Mod events on the 2016 season.
Rahaim pushed his late model TLC Waste Disposal Services Chevy Corvette to a 5.796-second pass at 246.48 mph to earn the second No. 1 qualifier of his career and first of the season. He went on to defeat Steven Whiteley in his late model Y-Not Racing / J&A Service Cadillac CTS in first round. Rahaim, who has one victory and one runner-up finish in his career, will meet local favorite Von Smith in the quarterfinals on Sunday.
“I’m just thankful for the help that I get and the people surrounding me,” said Rahaim. “The track got super hot out there, which was real tricky, but we were second low in the round. The guys made the right call again and we’re going into Sunday’s second round, so we’re really excited. We’re just going to take them one at a time and not look too far down the line.”
Reigning world champ and recent Englishtown, N.J., winner Troy Coughlin qualified second and raced past Gary Capano in the first round. Coughlin will meet Steve Matusek in the second round. Matusek defeated Danny Rowe in round one.
Mike Castellana qualified No. 3 and outlasted Doug Winters in the first round of eliminations. Castellana will face Chip King, who beat Daniel Stevenson in the opener.
Two-time world champ and points leader Rickie Smith qualified fifth and outlasted Jim Whiteley in the first round. In round two Smith will meet Michael Biehle, who defeated Mike Knowles in the first round.
The quarterfinals of the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series portion of the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway is scheduled to begin at approximately 1:15 p.m.
First round of results from the 16th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, the fifth of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.
PRO MODIFIED:
ROUND ONE -- Steve Matusek, Chevy Camaro, 9.471, 93.51 def. Danny Rowe, Chevy Corvette, Foul - Red Light; Von Smith, Corvette, 5.922, 243.50 def. Mike Janis, Camaro, 5.992, 243.72; Chip King, Dodge Daytona, 13.832, no speed def. Dan Stevenson, Camaro, Foul - Centerline; Rickie Smith, Camaro, 5.987, 244.60 def. Jim Whiteley, Chevy Chevelle, 13.286, 96.97; Michael Biehle, Ford Mustang, 5.942, 250.83 def. Mike Knowles, Mustang, 8.813, 106.70; Mike Castellana, Corvette, 5.947, 243.77 def. Doug Winters, Chevelle, 6.022, 240.64; Troy Coughlin, Corvette, 5.990, 218.02 def. Gerry Capano, Corvette, 6.052, 232.91; Bob Rahaim, Corvette, 5.926, 243.33 def. Steven Whiteley, Cadillac CTS-V, 10.549, 103.74;
Final order after 3 rounds of qualifying in Pro Modified at the 16th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, the fifth of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.
Psn---Num-Driver, Home Town, Car Type---------------Qual-ET--Qual-Spd-Top Spd
1 360 Bob Rahaim, Grosse Pointe MI, '15 Corvette 5.796 246.48 246.48
2 1 Troy Coughlin, Delaware OH, '15 Corvette 5.831 251.44 251.72
3 44 Mike Castellana, Muttontown NY, '15 Corvette 5.886 244.52 244.52
4 318 Michael Biehle, North Vernon IN, '67 Mustang 5.890 251.06 251.06
5 4 Rickie Smith, King NC, '15 Camaro 5.893 245.36 245.36
6 213 Chip King, Semora NC, '69 Daytona 5.899 241.37 241.80
7 5450 Steve Matusek, Olathe KS, '68 Camaro 5.908 244.43 244.43
8 2377 Von Smith, Kingston TN, '16 Corvette 5.917 243.28 244.25
9 2 Mike Janis, Lancaster NY, '13 Camaro 5.937 225.18 241.24
10 7 Danny Rowe, Laguna Hills CA, '15 Corvette 5.948 244.12 244.12
11 303 Dan Stevenson, Bolingbrook IL, '16 Camaro 5.980 252.05 252.05
12 5087 Jim Whiteley, Grand Junction CO, '69 Chevelle 5.993 241.45 241.45
13 5011 Mike Knowles, Grand Junction CO, '67 Mustang 6.018 237.46 237.59
14 2105 Doug Winters, Pleasant Garden NC, '69 Chevelle 6.019 239.19 239.19
15 1109 Gerry Capano, Greenville DE, '63 Corvette 6.030 237.25 237.25
16 5200 Steven Whiteley, Grand Junction CO, '14 CTS-V 6.047 239.82 239.82
------------ Not Qualified ------------
17 327 Khalid alBalooshi, Marina Del Ray QA, '68 Cam 6.049 241.07 241.07
18 10 Pete Farber, Baldwinville MA, '69 Daytona 6.070 239.65 239.65
19 6967 Jim Bell, Edmonton AB, '69 Camaro 6.072 217.74 223.43
20 701 Clint Satterfield, Albuquerque NM, '68 Firebi 6.103 241.37 241.37
21 5012 Kenny Lang, Grande Pointe MB, '69 Camaro 6.128 238.51 238.51
22 6 Bill Glidden, Whiteland IN, '14 Camaro 6.515 177.63 177.63
23 1262 Chuck Little, Atkinson NH, '63 Corvette 7.247 146.30 146.30
CAPPS, TORRENCE AND LINE RACE TO QUALIFYING LEADS FRIDAY AT THUNDER VALLEY NATS
Ron Capps raced to the Funny Car qualifying lead on Friday at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.
Steve Torrence (Top Fuel) and Jason Line (Pro Stock) also were qualifying leaders in their respective categories at the 11th event of 24 on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
Capps powered his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T to the provisional top spot with a track record 3.880-second pass at 323.66 mph. Capps is riding a wave of momentum after posting back-to-back victories as the No. 1 qualifier in both Epping, N.H., and Englishtown, N.J. He has 20 top qualifiers in his career and is a three-time NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals winner.
“It’s been great, but let’s not get carried away,” said Capps, the Funny Car points leader, about possibly winning three consecutive races. “You’re going to a different track and you hope that you can keep it up. As a driver, you hope that your crew and crew chief can keep it up because it’s been so much fun. We had an issue in the first run today and it put us back a little bit. I shut it off a little early and it could’ve been worse, but they bounced back. That (second run) was breathtaking.”
Del Worsham is second with a 3.888 at a track record speed of 329.42 in his DHL Toyota Camry. Worsham, the defending Funny Car world champion, is a two-time Bristol winner. In third is Robert Hight, who won earlier this season in Gainesville, Fla. Hight powered to a 3.897 at 321.27 in his Auto Club Chevy Camaro SS.
Hagan, who won back-to-back races before Epping, is fourth in his Mopar Express Lane / Rocky Boots Dodge Charger R/T while Houston winner, Courtney Force, is fifth in her Traxxas Chevy Camaro SS.
Torrence, who has appeared in the last two final rounds and sprinted to victory last weekend in Englishtown, posted a 3.745 at 324.12 at the controls of his Capco Contractors / Torrence Racing dragster to take the Top Fuel qualifying lead. Torrence, who also qualified No. 1 last weekend, has five top qualifiers in 2016 and 10 in his career. The 2013 Bristol winner has two wins in four final round appearances this season.
“The car has been exceptional and I say this week-in and week-out but my team has given me the best car that I’ve ever had,” said Torrence, who is third in points. “When you get in the seat, you know that the thing is capable of outrunning anybody that you come up against. Setting low E.T. each session is a huge confidence boost for me as a driver and a testament to how hard these guys have worked. We’ve made 16 laps in the last two weeks and they’re still ready to go, energetic and full of drive. That’s what it takes to have the caliber of a team that can go win a championship.”
Top Fuel points leader Doug Kalitta is second in his Mac Tools dragster with a 3.767 at 323.97. Kalitta, who won three consecutive races before Epping, is a three-time winner at Thunder Valley. Two-time 2016 event winner, Brittany Force, is second in her Monster Energy dragster with a 3.773 at 323.04.
Defending world champion Antron Brown is fourth and is followed by Phoenix winner Leah Pritchett in fifth and Shawn Langdon in sixth.
In Pro Stock, points leader Line sprinted to the lead with a 6.680 at 206.92 in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro. Line, who won in Bristol one decade ago, has raced to nine final rounds and tallied five victories this year. He has powered to the No. 1 qualifier at three consecutive races, has five top qualifiers so far this season and 46 in his career.
“Not as dominant tonight, obviously, and a lot of cars were fast tonight,” said Line. “Fortunate enough to be fast enough to be up here so we feel good about that. I felt like we should’ve gone quicker than that (in the second session) but we didn’t make a great run. Neither one of our runs were really great but it was good enough. I’m not going to whine about it – it was good enough to be No. 1.”
Line is followed by his Summit Racing Equipment teammate Greg Anderson in the No. 2 spot. Anderson, who is second in points with five wins and two runner-up finishes this season, posted a 6.692 at 206.26 in his Chevy Camaro. Anderson is a two-time Bristol winner.
Bo Butner is third in his Jim Butner Auto Chevy Camaro and is followed by Vincent Nobile in fourth and Epping, N.H., runner-up Allen Johnson in fifth.
The final two qualifying sessions of the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals will be held on Saturday, June 18, at 1 and 3:30 p.m. and will set the field for Sunday’s 11 a.m. eliminations at Bristol Dragway.
Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 16th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, 11th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Steve Torrence, 3.745 seconds, 324.12 mph; 2. Doug Kalitta, 3.767, 323.97; 3. Brittany Force, 3.773, 323.04; 4. Antron Brown, 3.774, 317.34; 5. Leah Pritchett, 3.799, 323.35; 6. Shawn Langdon, 3.802, 323.12; 7. Clay Millican, 3.805, 318.39; 8. J.R. Todd, 3.852, 315.64; 9. Pat Dakin, 3.867, 314.02; 10. Terry McMillen, 3.918, 299.66; 11. Scott Palmer, 4.082, 237.21; 12. Tony Schumacher, 4.091, 217.91. Not Qualified: 13. Richie Crampton, 4.305, 187.23; 14. Kyle Wurtzel, 4.318, 195.25; 15. Terry Haddock, 10.901, 35.79.
Funny Car -- 1. Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 3.884, 323.66; 2. Del Worsham, Toyota Camry, 3.888, 329.42; 3. Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 3.897, 321.27; 4. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.914, 327.51; 5. Courtney Force, Camaro, 3.938, 322.81; . Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 3.948, 320.51; 7. Chad Head, Camry, 3.955, 320.36; 8. John Force, Camaro, 3.956, 320.05; 9. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 4.016, 308.21; 10. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.068, 309.91; 11. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 4.424, 202.24; 12. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 5.817, 116.70. Not Qualified: 13. Dave Richards, broke; 14. Jim Campbell, broke; 15. John Hale, broke.
Pro Stock -- 1. Jason Line, Chevy Camaro, 6.680, 206.92; 2. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.692, 206.26; 3. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.699, 205.51; 4. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.700, 205.85; 5. Allen Johnson, Dodge Dart, 6.708, 205.47; 6. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.710, 205.76; 7. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.713, 205.51; 8. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.740, 204.82; 9. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.741, 204.79; 10. Erica Enders, Dart, 6.749, 204.91; 11. Jeg Coughlin, Dart, 6.760, 203.55; 12. V. Gaines, Dart, 6.781, 204.17. Not Qualified: 13. Dave River, 6.816, 201.10; 14. John Gaydosh Jr, 6.838, 201.22.
RAHAIM SPRINTS TO PRO MOD QUALIYING LEAD AT THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS
Bob Rahaim powered to the qualifying lead Friday in the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series portion of the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. This weekend’s Pro Mod racing at Bristol Dragway is presented by the Real Pro Mod Association. This is the fifth of 10 Pro Mod events on the 2016 season.
Rahaim, who has one No. 1 qualifier in his career, pushed his late model TLC Waste Disposal Services Chevy Corvette to a 5.796-second pass at 246.48 mph to take the qualifying lead. Rahaim has one victory and one runner-up finish in his career.
Troy Coughlin, a two-time and defending world champion, raced to the No. 2 spot with a 5.831 at 251.44 in his late model JEGS Mail Order Chevy Corvette. Coughlin is coming off a victory last weekend in Englishtown, N.J.
In third is Mike Castellana with a 5.886 at 244.52 in his ’69 Chevy Camaro. Castellana was followed by Michael Biehle in fourth.
Rickie Smith, a two-time Pro Mod world champion with two victories so far this season, is fifth. Smith won at Thunder Valley last year and also in 2013.
The final qualifying session for the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series portion of the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals will be held Saturday, June 18, at 12:15 p.m. Round one of eliminations is later on Saturday at 2:45 p.m.
Friday's results after the first two of three rounds of qualifying for the 16th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, fifth of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Saturday's first round of eliminations.
Pro Modified -- 1. Bob Rahaim, Chevy Corvette, 5.796, 246.48; 2. Troy Coughlin, Corvette, 5.831, 251.72; 3. Mike Castellana, Corvette, 5.886, 244.52; 4. Michael Biehle, Ford Mustang, 5.890, 251.06; 5. Rickie Smith, Chevy Camaro, 5.893, 245.36; 6. Chip King, Dodge Daytona, 5.899, 241.80; 7. Steve Matusek, Camaro, 5.908, 244.43; 8. Von Smith, Corvette, 5.917, 243.28; 9. Mike Janis, Camaro, 5.937, 241.24; 10. Danny Rowe, Corvette, 5.949, 243.06; 11. Dan Stevenson, Camaro, 5.980, 252.05; 12. Jim Whiteley, Chevy Chevelle, 5.993, 241.45; 13. Mike Knowles, Mustang, 6.018, 237.59; 14. Gerry Capano, Corvette, 6.030, 237.25; 15. Steven Whiteley, Cadillac CTS-V, 6.047, 239.82; 16. Khalid alBalooshi, Camaro, 6.049, 241.07. Not Qualified: 17. Doug Winters, 6.054, 237.00; 18. Pete Farber, 6.070, 239.65; 19. Jim Bell, 6.072, 217.74; 20. Clint Satterfield, 6.103, 241.37; 21. Kenny Lang, 6.128, 238.51; 22. Chuck Little, 7.247, 146.30; 23. Bill Glidden, 7.453, 130.62.
