2017 NHRA MILE HIGH NATIONALS - EVENT RESULTS
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SUNDAY - HIGHT, BROWN, SKILLMAN AND KRAWIEC NOTCH VICTORIES AT MOPAR MILE-HIGH NHRA NATIONALS
Robert Hight powered to the Funny Car victory Sunday at the 38th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway.
Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Drew Skillman (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also victorious in their respective categories at the 14th of 24 events on the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.
Hight earned the victory with a 3.995-second pass at 317.57 mph in his Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro against Tommy Johnson Jr. who ran a 4.099 pass at 297.16 in his Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T during the final round. He earned his first victory of the season and the 38th of his career. Hight’s win also marked the 13th consecutive season in which he has earned at least one victory.
“We definitely struggled through the first few rounds and we were lucky to get those round wins, but I have a great team who figured things out and helped get me to the winner’s circle,” Hight said. “It’s definitely a long-time coming and we hadn’t had much luck, but today we had some luck and we hope this continues throughout the Western Swing.”
Hight qualified third and defeated Todd Simpson, Jack Beckman and Cruz Pedregon before reaching his third final round of 2017. Johnson Jr. qualified 12th and took down points leader Ron Capps, Jonnie Lindberg and Jim Campbell en route to his third final round of the year and second in a row.
Hight jumped up to third in the standings with the victory, while Ron Capps and Matt Hagan retain their position in the top two.
Brown knocked off teammate and No. 1 qualifier Leah Pritchett in the final round with a pass of 3.792 at 319.82. After having lost his three previous final round appearances, Brown now has three victories on the season and 64 in his career.
“This race definitely put us through a marathon this weekend, but seeing those win lights makes it all worthwhile,” Brown said. “Next year when we come out we know the bar will be raised even more at this track with all of this information all of these drivers learned this weekend, but we feel like we have a good idea how to get things done here in Denver.”
Brown surpassed Leah Pritchett to take the second spot in the Top Fuel standings, while Steve Torrence remains in first after a quarterfinal appearance this weekend.
In Pro Stock, Skillman drove to victory with a 6.916 run at 198.15 in his Ray Skillman Chevrolet Camaro to defeat points leader Bo Butner in the final. He has won back-to-back events and now has five career victories.
Skillman was the No. 1 qualifier and maintained that success with round wins over Richie Stevens and Jason Line on the way to his second consecutive victory this season. Butner qualified in the ninth spot and took down Allen Johnson, Vincent Nobile and Erica Enders before reaching his sixth final round of the season, tied for the most in the category.
“Our car kept running the same numbers, which is the sign of a good car and a great team,” Skillman said. “We have finally figured out a way to put it all together, and as long as we stay aggressive as a team we know we can win.”
Skillman sits in seventh in the standings as he became the first Pro Stock driver to win back-to-back races in 2017, while Bo Butner stays in first following his runner-up showing. Greg Anderson and Tanner Gray round out the top three in the points standings.
Krawiec finished atop the Pro Stock Motorcycle field with a 7.145 pass at 188.28 in his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson to defeat Matt Smith in the final round. After notching his 35th career No. 1 qualifier on Saturday, he earned his second victory of the season and 38th of his career.
After qualifying in the top spot, Krawiec defeated David Hope, Joey Gladstone and Scotty Pollacheck as he locked down his third final round appearance this season. Smith had qualified third and beat Angie Smith, Andrew Hines and Jerry Savoie as he secured his second final round appearance in 2017.
“We’ve gotten off to a slow start since we had to switch bikes, so we were behind in terms of figuring out the strengths of this new bike and how it works,” Krawiec said. “We really like where we are at currently, and we’re going to try and keep this momentum going on the West Coast.”
Krawiec remains in second following his second victory in seven events, while LE Tonglet is still atop the standings despite a quarterfinal exit.
The 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season continues with the Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway July 28-30.
SATURDAY - PRITCHETT, C. FORCE, SKILLMAN AND KRAWIEC SECURE TOP QUALIFYING POSITIONS IN DENVER
Leah Pritchett powered to the Top Fuel No. 1 qualifying position Saturday at the 38th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway.
Courtney Force (Funny Car), Drew Skillman (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories at the 14th of 24 events on the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.
Pritchett set an elapsed time track record with a 3.733-second pass at 326.24 mph in her Papa John’s dragster during the fourth and final qualifying session. She has four No. 1 qualifiers this year and five in her second full year of Top Fuel action.
“We were definitely swinging for the fence and definitely did not expect a 3.733 but we stayed centered and we were able to get it right,” Pritchett said. “We know what works for this car, and we just need to stay consistent like we were earlier in the season.”
Kalitta is second in the Top Fuel category with a run of 3.767 at 323.97 in his Mac Tools dragster during his second pass on Friday. Steve Torrence sits third in the qualifying after a 3.775 run at 323.97 in his Capco Contractors dragster, also during his second pass on Friday.
C. Force set both ends of the track record after a 3.889-second pass at 328.30 mph in her Advance Auto Parts Chevy Camaro during the first qualifying session on Friday. She locked down her sixth No. 1 qualifier of the season as she chases her first win of 2017.
“It feels great being in the No. 1 qualifying spot, it’s pretty impressive what my team can do in these difficult conditions,” Force said. “We are looking for a long race day tomorrow to pick up some points and climb up the standings a bit.”
John Force landed second in Funny Car qualifying with a 3.899 run at 301.87 in his Peak Performance Chevy Camaro. Teammate Robert Hight rounded out the top three in qualifying after a 3.905 pass at 318.17 in his Auto Club of Southern California Chevy Camaro.
In Pro Stock, Skillman holds on to the top spot after driving to a 6.924 at 198.29 during his second and final pass of the day. He earned his first No. 1 qualifier of the season following his first victory of 2017 in Chicago.
“Denver is always very consistent, and our testing proved to be good so we know we have a great race car for Sunday,” Skillman said. “We are definitely confident after three strong runs, we all feel good and ready to get going tomorrow.”
Erica Enders is second in qualifying with a run of 6.930 at 198.85 in her Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro. Vincent Nobile is in the third spot with a 6.939 pass at 199.05 in his Mountain View Tire Chevrolet Camaro.
Krawiec finished atop the Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying order with a run of 7.178 at 187.29 on his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson in his lone pass on Friday. He notched his 35th career No. 1 qualifier and the second of this season.
“We came out strong this morning, and this last session we had better air and a better track but we weren’t able to improve on our time,” Krawiec said. “We know where we need to go, and we can definitely turn things around before tomorrow so we make sure to maintain this level of success.”
Hector Arana Jr. is in the No. 2 slot after a 7.179 at 186.28 on his Lucas Oil Buell, while Matt Smith sits at third with a 7.183 at 186.20 on his Magnum Victory Gunner.
Eliminations begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday.
Sunday's first-round pairings for eliminations for the 38th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway, the 14th 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. Leah Pritchett, 3.733 seconds, 326.24 mph vs. 16. Troy Coughlin Jr., 5.695, 115.26; 2. Doug Kalitta, 3.767, 324.28 vs. 15. Greg Carrillo, 5.248, 143.00; 3. Steve Torrence, 3.775, 325.30 vs. 14. Rob Passey, 4.950, 158.91; 4. Tony Schumacher, 3.776, 326.63 vs. 13. Steven Chrisman, 4.811, 169.76; 5. Shawn Langdon, 3.781, 322.96 vs. 12. Terry Haddock, 4.224, 275.56; 6. Brittany Force, 3.782, 320.43 vs. 11. Terry McMillen, 4.022, 293.92; 7. Antron Brown, 3.793, 317.79 vs. 10. Scott Palmer, 3.903, 291.63; 8. Clay Millican, 3.795, 316.82 vs. 9. Bob Vandergriff, 3.858, 316.45.
Funny Car -- 1. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.889, 328.30 vs. 16. Jim Campbell, Dodge Charger, 5.316, 133.38; 2. John Force, Camaro, 3.899, 301.87 vs. 15. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.942, 160.10; 3. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.905, 318.17 vs. 14. Todd Simpson, Charger, 4.342, 248.07; 4. Jonnie Lindberg, Toyota Camry, 3.946, 319.98 vs. 13. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Solara, 4.252, 301.40; 5. Ron Capps, Charger, 3.965, 313.73 vs. 12. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.058, 304.87; 6. Jack Beckman, Charger, 3.978, 319.60 vs. 11. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 4.010, 322.65; 7. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 3.981, 301.00 vs. 10. Del Worsham, Camry, 3.997, 312.71; 8. J.R. Todd, Camry, 3.986, 319.60 vs. 9. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 3.989, 319.82.
Pro Stock -- 1. Drew Skillman, Chevy Camaro, 6.924, 198.29 vs. 14. Richie Stevens, Dodge Dart, 7.070, 194.49; 2. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.930, 198.85 vs. 13. Alan Prusiensky, Dart, 7.024, 196.53; 3. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.939, 199.05 vs. 12. Deric Kramer, Dart, 7.013, 196.90; 4. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.945, 197.97 vs. 11. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.988, 198.09; 5. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.951, 198.88 vs. 10. Tanner Gray, Camaro, 6.977, 198.26; 6. Allen Johnson, Dart, 6.959, 198.35 vs. 9. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.975, 197.86; 7. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.968, 196.53 vs. 8. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.972, 197.02.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 7.178, 187.29 vs. 16. David Hope, Buell, 7.372, 180.81; 2. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 7.179, 186.98 vs. 15. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.362, 180.36; 3. Matt Smith, Victory, 7.183, 186.33 vs. 14. Angie Smith, Buell, 7.303, 183.00; 4. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 7.187, 185.13 vs. 13. Melissa Surber, Buell, 7.285, 183.79; 5. Scotty Pollacheck, Suzuki, 7.187, 184.25 vs. 12. Mike Berry, Buell, 7.282, 182.70; 6. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 7.193, 188.15 vs. 11. Angelle Sampey, Victory, 7.278, 182.16; 7. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 7.206, 183.37 vs. 10. Cory Reed, Victory, 7.275, 181.37; 8. Joey Gladstone, Suzuki, 7.223, 184.90 vs. 9. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.262, 183.69.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Lance Bonham, 7.477, 178.87; 18. Andie Rawlings, 8.105, 165.56.
FRIDAY - C. FORCE, KALITTA, SKILLMAN AND KRAWIEC PRELIMINARY LEADERS AT MILE-HIGH NHRA NATIONALS
Courtney Force powered to the Funny Car qualifying lead Friday night at the 38th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway.
Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Drew Skillman (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also provisional qualifying leaders in their respective categories at the 14th of 24 events on the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.
Force set both ends of the track record after a 3.889-second pass at 328.30 mph in her Advance Auto Parts Chevy Camaro during the first qualifying session. She is aiming for her sixth No. 1 qualifier of the season and is currently chasing her first win of 2017.
“It’s important to make a solid pass early at a track like this, but the coolest part is my team taking full advantage of the great conditions that we had today,” Force said. “I’m really proud of my guys and I know we are going to put in the effort to try and have another great run tomorrow.”
John Force landed second in Funny Car qualifying with a 3.899 at 301.87 in his Peak Performance Chevy Camaro. Robert Hight rounded out the top three in preliminary qualifying, securing a 3.973 at 315.56 in his Auto Club of Southern California Chevy Camaro.
Kalitta leads the Top Fuel category with an elapsed time track record run of 3.767 at 323.97 in his Mac Tools dragster during his second pass of the day. He is searching for his second No. 1 qualifier on the year and 49th of his career.
“I was confident coming into the day, but knew nothing would be easy at a track like this,” Kalitta said. “I tip my hat to my guys after not even making a run in the first round to having the type of run we were able to have in the second qualifying session.”
Steve Torrence sits second in the preliminary qualifying after a 3.775 run at 323.97 in his Capco Contractors dragster, while Tony Schumacher is third with a 3.776 pass at 326.63 in his U.S. Army dragster.
In Pro Stock, Skillman currently holds the top spot after driving to a 6.925 run at 197.94 in his Ray Skillman Chevrolet Camaro during the only Pro Stock session of the day due to inclement weather. He is looking for his first No. 1 qualifier of the season following his first victory in 2017 in Chicago.
“We worked really hard these past few days and changed a lot on the car to get it ready for tonight and it obviously showed with the results tonight,” Skillman said. “I have some work to do and know there’s some improvement with my driving, but we have to come out with the same mindset tomorrow and see what happens.”
Erica Enders is second in preliminary qualifying with a 6.944 at 198.17 in her Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro. Greg Anderson is in the third spot with a 6.958 run at 196.70 in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro.
Krawiec finished atop the Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying order after posting time of a 7.178 at 185.66 in his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson during his only pass of the day. He is aiming for his 35th career No. 1 qualifier and the second of this season.
“We definitely left a little out there, mainly because we underestimated the track and the amount of power we needed for a good run,” Krawiec said. “I do think we have room to improve and we know which direction to go, we just have to learn how to run on air like this on a track this unique.”
Hector Arana Jr. is in the No. 2 slot after a 7.191 at 186.36 in his Lucas Oil Buell during his second pass of the day, while Jerry Savoie sits at third with a 7.206 at 183.37 in his White Alligator Racing Suzuki.
Qualifying continues at 4:00 and 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Friday's results after the first day of qualifying for the 38th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway, 14th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Doug Kalitta, 3.767 seconds, 323.97 mph; 2. Steve Torrence, 3.775, 323.97; 3. Tony Schumacher, 3.776, 326.63; 4. Brittany Force, 3.782, 318.84; 5. Shawn Langdon, 3.795, 313.37; 6. Leah Pritchett, 3.801, 318.09; 7. Clay Millican, 3.910, 251.44; 8. Bob Vandergriff, 3.913, 274.16; 9. Antron Brown, 3.941, 308.50; 10. Terry McMillen, 4.022, 293.92; 11. Scott Palmer, 4.082, 230.53; 12. Terry Haddock, 4.224, 275.56; 13. Troy Coughlin Jr., 6.287, 111.69; 14. Greg Carrillo, 7.483, 108.78.
Funny Car -- 1. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.889, 328.30; 2. John Force, Camaro, 3.899, 301.87; 3. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.973, 315.56; 4. Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Camry, 3.981, 300.06; 5. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 3.989, 319.82; 6. Jonnie Lindberg, Camry, 3.993, 319.98; 7. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 4.010, 322.65; 8. Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 4.016, 303.37; 9. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.024, 319.60; 10. J.R. Todd, Camry, 4.078, 308.35; 11. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.266, 219.47; 12. Del Worsham, Camry, 4.320, 232.07; 13. Todd Simpson, Charger, 4.342, 248.07; 14. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Solara, 4.398, 295.79; 15. Jim Campbell, Charger, 5.316, 133.38; 16. Matt Hagan, Charger, 5.544, 113.27.
Pro Stock -- 1. Drew Skillman, Chevy Camaro, 6.925, 197.94; 2. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.944, 198.17; 3. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.958, 196.70; 4. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.959, 198.06; 5. Allen Johnson, Dodge Dart, 6.959, 197.48; 6. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.966, 197.65; 7. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.968, 196.13; 8. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.981, 196.87; 9. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.984, 196.10; 10. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 7.004, 196.33; 11. Alan Prusiensky, Dart, 7.080, 194.60; 12. Deric Kramer, Dart, 7.494, 181.62; 13. Richie Stevens, Dart, 7.648, 141.53; 14. Tanner Gray, Camaro, 12.716, 69.10.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 7.178, 185.66; 2. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 7.191, 186.36; 3. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 7.206, 183.37; 4. Matt Smith, Victory, 7.217, 185.49; 5. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 7.225, 185.89; 6. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 7.229, 183.32; 7. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.270, 183.05; 8. Cory Reed, Victory, 7.275, 181.37; 9. Joey Gladstone, Suzuki, 7.276, 183.92; 10. Scotty Pollacheck, Suzuki, 7.294, 181.28; 11. Melissa Surber, Buell, 7.387, 183.79; 12. David Hope, Buell, 7.410, 179.92; 13. Mike Berry, Buell, 7.444, 177.63; 14. Lance Bonham, Buell, 7.477, 178.31; 15. Andie Rawlings, Suzuki, 8.162, 165.56; 16. Angelle Sampey, Victory, 10.283, 79.50.
Not Qualified: 17. Angie Smith, 11.113, 75.25.
