2017 NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS - EVENT RESULTS
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SUNDAY - FORCE, ENDERS HEADLINE FEMALE DOMINATED NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS RACE DAY
Drag racing nearly had a historical trifecta during the finals of the professional categories at the NHRA New England Nationals in Epping, NH.
Brittany Force (Top Fuel) and Erica Enders (Pro Stock) won at the ninth event of the 24-race NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Matt Hagan (Funny Car) broke up the triple play as he defeated Courtney Force in the final round.
Force drove the Monster Energy-sponsored dragster to her first victory of the season by stopping defending series champion Antron Brown in the final round.
"We've really been struggling for a while," Force said. "We seemed to figure it out in Topeka last weekend. I knew we had a good car; our Monster car was back. I knew our first win was right around the corner."
Force, who entered Sunday's final eliminations as the second seed, knocked off Steve Chrisman, Troy Coughlin Jr., and Shawn Langdon to reach her second final round of the season.
Force ran a 3.716 second elapsed time at 328.62 miles per hour pass to drive around Brown, who absorbed his second runner-up finish of the season.
The victory was the 252nd overall win for John Force Racing
Enders, who last won an NHRA Pro Stock event in October 2015, hit the jackpot with a nearly perfect weekend.
Enders led qualifying on the first day but was knocked down by Tanner Gray during the Q-4 session. On Sunday, she had the last word in beating the rookie driver in the final round.
"Last year was nothing short of a challenge for us," Enders said. "We stayed together [as a team]. I have the most unique team. They have my back, and I will tell you one hundred percent that's the reason why I am able to drive the way I drive."
Enders, competing in her second consecutive final round, was slightly quicker on the starting line en route to a 6.534, 213.16 victory.
Hagan captured his third victory of the season and played the spoiler for Force's remarkable weekend which started with a massive engine explosion, and a broken car in Friday's evening session.
Hagan, the fastest drag racer in the world, entered Sunday's eliminations as the No. 4 qualifier. He saved his best run of race day for last with a 3.897, 332.59 performance to easily outdistance Force's 3.927, 332.34 effort.
"I tried to stay in my routine all day," Hagan admitted. "I knew we had a great car, and we came into here trying to run just like we were back in Topeka. We didn't go down the track initially, so Dickie [Venables, crew chief] reeled it back in and we made two good laps on Saturday building a lot of confidence for Sunday."
For the second day in a row, NHRA officials announced a sellout; the first Sunday sellout since the 2016 Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals.
The NHRA travels to Englishtown, New Jersey next weekend for the Summernationals. Bobby Bennett
SATURDAY - HIGHT, PRITCHETT, GRAY HEAD INTO NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS FINALS AS NO. 1 QUALIFIERS
Robert Hight claimed his first No. 1 qualifier of the 2017 season, during the final day of qualifying at the NHRA New England Nationals in Epping, New Hampshire.
Also scoring No. 1 qualifier was Leah Pritchett (Top Fuel) and Tanner Gray (Pro Stock).
Hight, during Saturday's Q-3 session, thundered past teammate Courtney Force with a 3.822 elapsed time at 334.65 miles per hour.
"It's good to be back with Jimmy Prock, we used to do this a lot when I first got together with him," Hight said. "I've got a really good car, and this is the best way to start a four-in-a-row stretch."
Force, who was quickest on Friday, settled into second with a 3.842. Defending NHRA Funny Car champion Ron Capps was third with a 3.863.
Pritchett, the Top Fuel point leader, overtook Brittany Force as the qualifying leader during the Q-3 session with a track record 3.673 second elapsed time at 328.86 miles per hour. Force ended qualifying as the second quickest with a 3.686. Tony Schumacher was third with a 3.703.
"This whole weekend has been about teamwork," Pritchett explained. "Tomorrow is not going to be about A-to-B runs; this track will be killer tomorrow."
Gray, 18, of Mooresville, NC., drove his Gray Motorsports Camaro to the No. 1 qualifying position with a 6.501 elapsed time at 212.09 miles per hour to unseat two-time champion Erica Enders atop the Pro Stock field.
"That’s probably the closest to perfect I’ve ever been," Gray said. "I think that the whole team has a pretty stout rhythm. Can’t really ask for much better at all. I’m really excited, but at the end of the day #1 qualifier doesn’t mean much. If you don’t have the yellow hat at the end of race day, then you didn’t do anything."
Enders, who led Friday's session, fell to second with a 6.513, 213.16 performance. Bo Butner was third with a 6.515 second best.
For the second consecutive year, NHRA officials announced a sellout for Saturday's racing. The NHRA New England Nationals is the ninth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.
Eliminations at the fifth annual NHRA New England Nationals begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday at New England Dragway. Catch the action on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) at 4:30 p.m. ET. Bobby Bennett
Sunday's first-round pairings for eliminations for the fifth annual NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway, the ninth 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, 3.673 seconds, 328.86 mph vs. Bye; 2. Brittany Force, 3.686, 331.36 vs. 15. Steven Chrisman, 6.847, 104.55; 3. Tony Schumacher, 3.703, 327.03 vs. 14. Smax Smith, 5.257, 148.80; 4. Antron Brown, 3.721, 328.70 vs. 13. Shawn Reed, 4.067, 237.46; 5. Terry McMillen, 3.723, 327.19 vs. 12. Scott Palmer, 3.822, 316.15; 6. Shawn Langdon, 3.724, 327.98 vs. 11. Dom Lagana, 3.799, 321.19; 7. Clay Millican, 3.727, 324.83 vs. 10. Troy Coughlin Jr., 3.775, 324.12; 8. Steve Torrence, 3.731, 327.66 vs. 9. Doug Kalitta, 3.732, 327.03.
Funny Car -- 1. Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 3.822, 336.74 vs. 16. Mike Smith, Dodge Stratus, 6.237, 111.25; 2. Courtney Force, Camaro, 3.842, 331.53 vs. 15. Jim Campbell, Dodge Charger, 4.562, 194.58; 3. Ron Capps, Charger, 3.863, 328.30 vs. 14. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Solara, 4.123, 281.66; 4. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.874, 333.66 vs. 13. John Force, Camaro, 3.965, 323.43; 5. Jack Beckman, Charger, 3.878, 330.23 vs. 12. Del Worsham, Toyota Camry, 3.940, 329.50; 6. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.892, 323.43 vs. 11. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 3.923, 331.36; 7. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 3.893, 324.59 vs. 10. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.901, 328.46; 8. J.R. Todd, Camry, 3.900, 327.66 vs. 9. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 3.900, 325.77.
Pro Stock -- 1. Tanner Gray, Chevy Camaro, 6.501, 212.09 vs. 14. Val Smeland, Camaro, 6.788, 192.74; 2. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.513, 213.16 vs. 13. Shane Tucker, Camaro, 6.712, 202.52; 3. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.515, 212.13 vs. 12. Alan Prusiensky, Dodge Dart, 6.644, 207.59; 4. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.517, 212.59 vs. 11. John Gaydosh Jr, Chevrolet Camaro, 6.624, 208.62; 5. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.526, 212.03 vs. 10. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.594, 210.67; 6. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.530, 212.59 vs. 9. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.552, 211.73; 7. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.533, 212.09 vs. 8. Allen Johnson, Dart, 6.551, 211.43.
FRIDAY - B. FORCE, C. FORCE AND ENDERS LEAD QUALIFYING FRIDAY AT EPPING
Brittany Force raced to the Top Fuel qualifying lead Friday night at the fifth annual NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway.
Courtney Force (Funny Car) and Erica Enders (Pro Stock) are also provisional qualifying leaders at the ninth of 24 events on the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule. If all three women maintain qualifying leads it would be the first time in NHRA history that all three No. 1 qualifiers are female.
Brittany Force set both ends of the track record when she piloted her Monster Energy dragster to a 3.686-second run at 331.36 mph during the second qualifying session.
“It has been a tough season for our team since the Phoenix race, but we have been fighting our way back, which makes today pretty special,” said Force, who was runner-up at the Phoenix event earlier this season. “Having the top time is definitely an exciting feeling, but we need to hold onto that spot heading into race day. All we care about is winning on Sunday so that is what we are aiming for.”
Top Fuel points leader Leah Pritchett qualified second with a 3.696 at 328.78 in her Dodge Demon / Penzoil dragster. Terry McMillen qualified third with a 3.73 at 319.52 in his Amalie Motor Oil Xtermigator dragster during his second qualifying run.
Courtney Force set the Funny Car track elapsed time record with a run of 3.842 at 331.53 after her Advance Auto Parts Chevy Camaro experienced an engine explosion at the finish line of the first qualifying session.
“Our first qualifying pass was a great run, but we had a huge explosion which was a first for me,” Courtney Force said. “We are going to figure out the problem, get it fixed up and be ready to go into qualifying for tomorrow. I’m ready for a new day.”
Robert Hight set the New England Dragway speed record at 336.74 during his first qualifying pass of 3.849, putting him in the No. 2 spot. Rhode Island native Bob Tasca III notched a career-best 3.892 pass at 323.43, which was the quickest Funny Car run in the second qualifying session.
Two-time Pro Stock champion Enders holds the Pro Stock top spot after running a 6.513 at 213.03 in her Elite Motorsports Chevy Camaro during the second session. Enders is chasing her first No. 1 qualifier since the Las Vegas fall event in 2015.
“On the first run we blew up the motor which is certainly not the way you want to start off a four-race swing, but we headed back to the pit and got the engine swapped for the second run,” Enders said. “It feels great to be back where I feel like we belong and where we have worked so hard to get to. I’m really proud of what we have accomplished.”
Rookie Tanner Gray currently sits at second with a 6.518 at 212.03 in his Gray Motorsports Chevy Camaro as he chases his third victory of the season. Points leader Bo Butner is currently qualified fifth with a pass of 6.538 at 212.13.
Qualifying at the fifth annual NHRA New England Nationals continues at 1:30 and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday at New England Dragway.
Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the fifth annual NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway, ninth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Brittany Force, 3.686 seconds, 331.36 mph; 2. Leah Pritchett, 3.696, 328.78; 3. Terry McMillen, 3.730, 319.52; 4. Doug Kalitta, 3.732, 326.71; 5. Antron Brown, 3.744, 309.98; 6. Steve Torrence, 3.750, 326.08; 7. Dom Lagana, 3.806, 315.86; 8. Scott Palmer, 3.836, 289.82; 9. Troy Coughlin Jr., 3.860, 257.87; 10. Shawn Reed, 4.590, 166.52; 11. Tony Schumacher, 4.956, 142.70; 12. Smax Smith, 5.257, 148.80; 13. Shawn Langdon, 6.178, 105.45; 14. Steven Chrisman, 6.847, 104.55; 15. Clay Millican, 8.161, 82.36.
Funny Car -- 1. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.842, 331.53; 2. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.849, 336.74; 3. Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 3.878, 330.23; 4. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.892, 323.43; 5. J.R. Todd, Toyota Camry, 3.900, 327.66; 6. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 3.922, 325.77; 7. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 3.923, 331.36; 8. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.930, 323.74; 9. Del Worsham, Camry, 3.940, 329.50; 10. John Force, Camaro, 3.965, 323.43; 11. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Solara, 4.123, 281.66; 12. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.323, 198.70; 13. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.789, 162.78; 14. Mike Smith, Dodge Stratus, 6.237, 111.25; 15. Jim Campbell, Charger, 7.512, 87.68; 16. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 8.052, 82.51.
Pro Stock -- 1. Erica Enders, Chevy Camaro, 6.513, 213.03; 2. Tanner Gray, Camaro, 6.518, 212.03; 3. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.519, 212.13; 4. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.526, 211.53; 5. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.531, 211.69; 6. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.532, 212.03; 7. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.533, 211.59; 8. Allen Johnson, Dodge Dart, 6.551, 211.43; 9. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.564, 211.23; 10. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.594, 210.24; 11. John Gaydosh Jr, Chevrolet Camaro, 6.624, 208.62; 12. Alan Prusiensky, Dart, 6.644, 207.59; 13. Shane Tucker, Camaro, 6.712, 202.52; 14. Val Smeland, Camaro, 6.788, 192.74.
FRIDAY - SPORTSMAN QUALIFYING
SUPER STOCK (FINAL)
1 1340 SS/AM Scott Gove, Dennysville ME, '93 Daytona 7.894 9.00 -1.106
2 1027 GT/TC Marc LaBrecque, W. Springfield MA, '00 S- 10.114 11.10 -0.986
3 133 SS/TA Bob Bruneau, Bristol CT, '00 S-10 8.915 9.90 -0.985
4 1394 GT/FA Louis Gill, Val Belaire PQ, '92 Cavalier 9.275 10.25 -0.975
5 1540 FSS/F David Collette, Perryville MD, '11 Challe 9.243 10.20 -0.957
6 1543 SS/HA Angelo Ditocco, Mahopic NY, '98 350 9.658 10.60 -0.942
7 75 GT/JA Mike Cotten, Cave Creek AZ, '70 Barracuda 9.874 10.80 -0.926
8 1164 SS/DA Bruce Riley, Lake Echo NS, '71 Chevelle 9.279 10.20 -0.921
9 1473 GT/L Ray Scardelli, Manalapan NJ, '97 Probe 9.934 10.85 -0.916
10 1030 GT/EA Guy DesJardins, St. Bruno PQ, '67 Camaro 9.194 10.10 -0.906
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STOCK (FINAL)
1 1677 FS/AA Carl Tasca, Cranston RI, '16 Mustang 8.254 9.40 -1.146
2 15 FS/D Stephen Smyth, Uxbridge MA, '09 Dodge 9.497 10.60 -1.103
3 1013 A/SA David Ficacci, Whippany NJ, '69 Camaro 9.930 11.00 -1.070
4 1009 G/SA Jeremy Keans, Bridgewater NS, '86 Camaro 10.962 12.00 -1.038
5 1759 FS/A Anthony Bongiovanni, Hopatcong NJ, '10 Mu 8.664 9.70 -1.036
6 1340 A/SA Scott Gove, Dennysville ME, '69 Camaro 9.973 11.00 -1.027
7 1232 G/SA Billy Harper, Brimfield MA, '69 Nova 10.973 12.00 -1.027
8 16 A/SA Jim Boudreau, Tewksbury MA, '69 Camaro 9.982 11.00 -1.018
9 77 F/SA Mike Cotten, Cave Creek AZ, '73 Duster 10.859 11.85 -0.991
10 1824 B/SA Trevor Ervin, Nerepis NB, '70 Nova 10.262 11.25 -0.988
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TOP SPORTSMAN (FINAL)
1 172X Cedric Beaulieu, Lac Etchemin PQ, '92 LeBaron 6.324 227.08 227.08
2 1357 John Benoit, Montpelier VT, '16 Corvette 6.335 218.34 218.34
3 1092 Dennis Gaboriault, Millbury MA, '07 Mustang 6.470 216.03 216.03
4 1691 Daniel Hill, Thomaston CT, '69 Camaro 6.616 207.59 207.59
5 119K Frederick Perkins, Higganum CT, '57 Bel Air 6.704 204.45 204.45
6 189 Dave Miller, Canterbury CT, '00 S-10 6.826 200.71 200.71
7 105B Wayne Horton, Smithfield RI, '07 GTO 6.917 198.64 198.64
8 1546 Eric Cabral, Manchester NH, '10 GXP 6.993 197.22 197.22
9 1982 Arnold Agar, Canaan CT, '57 Bel Air 7.004 201.19 201.70
10 1433 Dave Testa, Seekonk MA, '63 Corvette 7.264 188.57 188.91
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TOP DRAGSTER (SESSION TWO)
1 115A Scott Hall, Ledyard CT, Dan Page-Buick 6.094 222.66 222.66
2 7 Alan Kenny, Kutztown PA, Page-Stinnett 6.164 220.51 220.51
3 119K Fred Perkins, Plainville CT, Maddox-540 6.201 222.91 222.91
4 146B Rick Jamieson, Sheffield MA, Racetech-Chevy 6.461 209.01 209.01
5 1124 Doug Forbes, Douglas NB, S&W-Chevy 6.519 213.33 213.33
6 17 Paul Neal, Everett MA, Dan Page-GM 6.622 200.35 200.35
7 213A Anthony Bertozzi, Ashland VA, Racetech-Chevy 6.634 195.59 195.59
8 138 Al Staffieri, Tewksbury MA, Dan Page-Chevy 6.643 199.64 199.64
9 1057 Bob Vojtila, Southington CT, Dan Page-Chevy 6.653 202.48 202.48
10 110 Mike Sullivan, Peabody MA, Dan Page-Chevy 6.677 199.85 199.85
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