2018 NHRA HEARTLAND NATIONALS - EVENT RESULTS
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MONDAY - C. FORCE, MILLICAN AND KRAMER VICTORIOUS AT HEARTLAND NATIONALS
Courtney Force captured her first career back-to-back Funny Car victories Monday afternoon at the 30th annual Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties at Heartland Motorsports Park. The event was postponed until Monday after weather delayed the track activity until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, which allowed for only two rounds of eliminations for Top Fuel and Funny Car, and one round for Pro Stock.
Clay Millican (Top Fuel) and Deric Kramer (Pro Stock) were also victorious in their respective categories at the eighth of 24 events on the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule. All three drivers were the No. 1 qualifiers at the event.
Force powered her Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro to a pass of 3.928-seconds at 329.83 mph to defeat defending world champion and teammate Robert Hight in the final round. She was the No. 1 qualifier for the event. Force locked-in her third win of the season and 11th of her career.
“Coming off a back-to-back win is just insane,” Force stated. “I got on the radio and told my guys that they’re unbelievable and that it’s so much fun to drive this race car. Coming out to a track where the conditions have changed a lot, I have to give credit to my crew chiefs Brian Corradi and Dan Hood.”
Force defeated Richard Townsend, Matt Hagan and J.R. Todd before entering her third final round this season. Hight drove past Cruz Pedregon, Tommy Johnson Jr. and Shawn Langdon before entering his fourth career final round at Heartland Motorsports Park.
Millican clinched his second career national event title after he piloted his Strutmasters/Great Clips dragster to a 3.727 at 332.59 pass to defeat Terry McMillen in the finals. This was the first time that Millican and McMillen had faced each other in a final round. Millican secured his 10th career final round and first at the Menards Heartland NHRA Nationals presented by Minties.
“The car has been really good,” Millican said. “Pretty much didn’t matter what I did because that car was going to win today. It’s just awesome with all of the work [crew chief] David Grubnic has put in. He found some consistency which is what I’ve been saying all along."
Millican defeated Terry Totten, Doug Kalitta and eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher prior to entering his first final round of the season. McMillen raced past Mike Salinas, Billy Torrence and Steve Torrence before entering his fifth career final round.
In Pro Stock, Kramer drove to his first career victory in his American Ethanol Chevrolet Camaro with a pass of 6.615 at 209.36 to defeat two-time world champion Erica Enders in the final round. Prior to entering the event, he had 13 career round wins. He is the 67th different Pro Stock driver to win in NHRA history.
“I’ve been working a long time for this,” Kramer stated. “The first win leaves me a little speechless but I’m already looking for the next one. Always great as a driver to do your part and I’ve certainly been doing that all weekend.”
Kramer faced Will Hatcher, Matt Hartford and Jason Line to enter his second final round of his career. Enders took down Mark Hogan, Tanner Gray and Greg Anderson before her third final round this season.
The Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues May 31st – June 3rd at the JEGS Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill.
SUNDAY - NO. 1 QUALIFIERS MILLICAN, C. FORCE AND KRAMER ADVANCE ON RAIN-SHORTENED ELIMINATIONS
The Mello Yello Drag Racing Series eliminations at the 30th annual Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals were postponed by NHRA officials due to inclement weather conditions following an eight-hour rain delay at the start of the day.
Racing in the Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock categories as well as the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series eliminations will be completed on Monday.
The remaining Top Fuel drivers in competition are Clay Millican, Tony Schumacher, Steve Torrence, and Terry McMillen.
Millican, the No. 1 qualifier at the event, took down Terry Totten and Doug Kalitta en route to the semifinals, as he prepares for the eight-time Top Fuel champion Schumacher on Monday.
“We will have to come in and start from scratch but we have lane choice in the morning and the weather is what it is,” Millican said. “It was rewarding to turn on the win lights, get to another semifinal, and hopefully get to more win lights tomorrow.”
Torrence will face McMillen with eliminations resume in the other match-up.
The four remaining Funny Car drivers are No. 1 qualifier Courtney Force, J.R. Todd, Shawn Langdon, and defending Funny Car champion Robert Hight. Todd, who has two wins this season will face Force, the current points leader.
“It was a completely different day of racing when you compare the conditions from qualifying,” Force said. “We had to wait around eight hours and then had to pedal it in the first round. I actually had to pedal it a couple times but we were able to get that win light in the first round. We lost lane choice for the second round against (Matt) Hagan but man, my team laid down a solid number. We gave it all we had and put it all out there with this Advance Auto Parts Camaro.”
Langdon will face off against Hight on Monday.
Pro Stock competitors completed one round of eliminations on Sunday, as No. 1 qualifier Deric Kramer prepares for Matt Hartford in the second round.
“It was fun running my old car with Will [Hatcher] driving in the other lane,” Kramer said. “I’m excited to be running on Monday because I think we’ve got a real shot at this in our American Ethanol Camaro.”
Richard Freeman, Jason Line, Erica Enders, Tanner Gray, Greg Anderson, and Drew Skillman are the other remaining Pro Stock racers in competition this weekend.
Mello Yello Drag Racing Series action at the Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties will continue at 10:00 a.m. on Monday starting with the Top Fuel class.
SATURDAY - MILLICAN, C. FORCE AND KRAMER SECURE TOP QUALIFYING SPOTS AT TOPEKA
Qualifying concluded Saturday as Clay Millican drove to the Top Fuel No. 1 qualifier at the 30th annual Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series race at Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka, Kan.
Courtney Force (Funny Car) and Deric Kramer (Pro Stock) are also No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories at the eighth of 24 events on the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.
Millican earned the top spot with a run of 3.739-seconds at 331.12 mph in his Strutmasters / Great Clips dragster during the third qualifying pass of the weekend and first of the day. He secured his fourth No. 1 qualifier this season, the 14th of his career, and he now sets his sights on his second career Top Fuel victory.
“When I drove by the scoreboard I couldn’t believe we had such a great run, but we are all excited to have jumped from the number 16 qualifier to the top of the board,” Millican said. “I’m giddy because our cars are running such high speeds but that was just a crazy run altogether.”
Millican will take on Terry Totten in the first round of eliminations on Sunday. Points leader Steve Torrence qualified second with a 3.747 at 328.30 and is set to meet Terry Haddock in competition.
Force remained atop the Funny Car category with a run of 3.911-seconds at 321.73 mph in her Advance Auto Parts Chevy Camaro SS recorded during her second qualifying pass on Friday. The current Funny Car points leader locked down her fifth No. 1 qualifier of the 2018 campaign and third consecutive.
“My mindset didn’t change much despite that solid pass we had from yesterday, but we knew a lot of cars could improve their times and jump past us so we just kept pushing today,” Force said. “It’s great to kick off the weekend here at Heartland Motorsports Park in the top spot, but we are hoping for a great day tomorrow.”
Force is set to face off against Richard Townsend when eliminations get underway. Jonnie Lindberg sits at second with a 3.962 at 316.23 and will meet Jim Campbell in round one Sunday.
In Pro Stock, Kramer, behind the wheel of his American Ethanol Chevrolet Camaro, took over the No. 1 qualifying position after driving to a 6.613 at 208.42 pass during the final pair of Pro Stock qualifying. He now has two top qualifying spots on the season, after also leading the pack in Phoenix.
“We didn’t expect to go to the top spot going into that final run,” Kramer said. “I want to thank all of our sponsors for helping us get here, and we are excited to see what we can do when we get underway tomorrow.”
Kramer matches up with Will Hatcher in the first round. Erica Enders slots into the second spot after a 6.616 at 207.69 run in the final round of qualifying as she prepares for Mark Hogan in the first round.
Eliminations begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday.
Sunday's first-round pairings for eliminations for the 30th annual Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties at Heartland Motorsports Park, the eighth 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. Clay Millican, 3.739 seconds, 331.12 mph vs. 16. Terry Totten, 4.227, 246.35; 2. Steve Torrence, 3.747, 328.30 vs. 15. Terry Haddock, 4.098, 256.94; 3. Billy Torrence, 3.762, 331.36 vs. 14. Kebin Kinsley, 4.019, 271.52; 4. Tony Schumacher, 3.771, 331.12 vs. 13. Bill Litton, 3.915, 305.08; 5. Leah Pritchett, 3.776, 324.51 vs. 12. Antron Brown, 3.832, 322.96; 6. Terry McMillen, 3.792, 321.65 vs. 11. Mike Salinas, 3.813, 318.32; 7. Brittany Force, 3.792, 305.42 vs. 10. Richie Crampton, 3.811, 321.65; 8. Doug Kalitta, 3.798, 321.81 vs. 9. Scott Palmer, 3.806, 326.87.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Audrey Worm, 4.983, 147.09.
Funny Car -- 1. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.911, 321.73 vs. 16. Richard Townsend, Toyota Camry, 4.247, 254.14; 2. Jonnie Lindberg, Ford Mustang, 3.962, 316.23 vs. 15. Jim Campbell, Dodge Charger, 4.185, 297.02; 3. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 3.980, 314.68 vs. 14. Robert Hight, Camaro, 4.163, 259.96; 4. J.R. Todd, Camry, 3.996, 320.89 vs. 13. Dale Creasy Jr., Dodge Stratus, 4.088, 309.70; 5. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.006, 315.93 vs. 12. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.086, 304.53; 6. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.008, 313.00 vs. 11. John Force, Camaro, 4.053, 314.97; 7. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.021, 317.79 vs. 10. Shawn Langdon, Camry, 4.052, 314.31; 8. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.028, 315.78 vs. 9. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.048, 311.56.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Todd Simpson, 4.617, 197.94; 18. Shane Westerfield, 5.357, 140.58.
Pro Stock -- 1. Deric Kramer, Chevy Camaro, 6.613, 208.42 vs. 16. Will Hatcher, Dodge Dart, 7.649, 140.99; 2. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.616, 207.69 vs. 15. Mark Hogan, Pontiac GXP, 6.887, 201.10; 3. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.620, 208.94 vs. 14. Alan Prusiensky, Dart, 6.717, 205.16; 4. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.626, 208.10 vs. 13. Richard Freeman, Camaro, 6.682, 206.07; 5. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.627, 208.04 vs. 12. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.655, 207.18; 6. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.629, 208.01 vs. 11. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.649, 208.26; 7. Tanner Gray, Camaro, 6.632, 208.17 vs. 10. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.645, 207.85; 8. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.633, 207.37 vs. 9. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.635, 207.30.
FRIDAY - TORRENCE, C. FORCE AND ENDERS EARN PROVISIONAL NO. 1 QUALIFIERS AT TOPEKA
The 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season continued Friday as Courtney Force powered to the Funny Car qualifying lead at the 30th annual Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties at Heartland Motorsports Park.
Steve Torrence (Top Fuel) and Erica Enders (Pro Stock) are also provisional qualifying leaders in their respective categories at the eighth of 24 events on the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.
Force is atop the Funny Car category with a run of 3.911-seconds at 321.73 mph in her Advance Auto Parts Chevy Camaro SS recorded during her second qualifying pass of the day. The current Funny Car points leader is chasing the top position in Topeka as she aims for her fifth No. 1 qualifier of the 2018 campaign and third consecutive.
“We had a decent run in the first qualifying round but I knew we had more with this crew tuning my car and we were able to get that top spot back,” Force said. “It’s definitely a big deal to be running consistently, but there are still plenty of runs tomorrow where we will have to hold onto that number one position.”
Jonnie Lindberg is currently qualified second after a 3.962 at 316.23 run in his Head Racing Ford Mustang Funny Car, while Cruz Pedregon slotted into third.
Torrence is the current No. 1 qualifier in Top Fuel with a run of 3.770 at 325.92 in his Capco Contractors dragster during the final qualifying pass of the day and his father Billy qualified second after his 3.796 at 320.97 run in his dragster.
“To go up there and put the Capco cars on top at the end of the day was really as good of a finish to a Friday as I could have imagined,” Torrence said. “Any day you can put your whole team in the top of the qualifying board makes you really proud and it’s just a great way to cap off the day.”
In Pro Stock, Enders currently holds the top spot after driving to a 6.625 at 207.59 pass in her Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro during the second round of qualifying. The two-time world champion is chasing the first No. 1 qualifying position of the season and first since 2015.
“The more time I have with this car the more comfortable I get, and I’m really just thrilled to have a car that is competitive that you are able to drive to the winner’s circle on Sunday,” Enders said. “I can hear the confidence back in my crew chief’s voice which gives me a ton of confidence every time I hit the track.”
Vincent Nobile sits at second with a run of 6.629 at 208.01 in his Mountain View Tire Chevy Camaro, as defending event winner Tanner Gray rounds out the top three.
Qualifying continues at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 30th annual Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties at Heartland Motorsports Park, eighth 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, 3.770 seconds, 325.92 mph; 2. Billy Torrence, 3.796, 320.97; 3. Doug Kalitta, 3.798, 321.81; 4. Terry McMillen, 3.809, 320.89; 5. Tony Schumacher, 3.836, 324.51; 6. Antron Brown, 3.840, 319.45; 7. Leah Pritchett, 3.840, 286.07; 8. Brittany Force, 3.852, 277.03; 9. Scott Palmer, 3.855, 321.50; 10. Richie Crampton, 3.875, 318.32; 11. Bill Litton, 3.915, 305.08; 12. Mike Salinas, 3.929, 260.56; 13. Kebin Kinsley, 4.019, 271.52; 14. Terry Haddock, 4.098, 256.94; 15. Terry Totten, 4.227, 246.35; 16. Clay Millican, 4.470, 176.03.
Not Qualified: 17. Audrey Worm, 4.983, 147.09.
Funny Car -- 1. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.911, 321.73; 2. Jonnie Lindberg, Ford Mustang, 3.962, 316.23; 3. Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Camry, 3.983, 314.68; 4. J.R. Todd, Camry, 3.996, 320.89; 5. Tommy Johnson Jr., Dodge Charger, 4.008, 313.00; 6. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.028, 315.78; 7. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.048, 311.56; 8. Shawn Langdon, Camry, 4.052, 314.31; 9. John Force, Camaro, 4.053, 314.97; 10. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.058, 313.80; 11. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.086, 304.53; 12. Dale Creasy Jr., Dodge Stratus, 4.088, 309.70; 13. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.095, 305.70; 14. Robert Hight, Camaro, 4.163, 259.96; 15. Richard Townsend, Camry, 4.247, 248.16; 16. Todd Simpson, Charger, 4.617, 196.47.
Not Qualified: 17. Jim Campbell, 4.659, 191.32; 18. Shane Westerfield, 5.357, 140.58.
Pro Stock -- 1. Erica Enders, Chevy Camaro, 6.625, 207.59; 2. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.629, 208.01; 3. Tanner Gray, Camaro, 6.640, 207.30; 4. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.641, 206.42; 5. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.642, 207.30; 6. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.645, 207.88; 7. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.649, 207.37; 8. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.653, 207.85; 9. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.656, 206.39; 10. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.663, 206.26; 11. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.671, 206.54; 12. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.671, 206.54; 13. Richard Freeman, Camaro, 6.714, 205.98; 14. Alan Prusiensky, Dodge Dart, 6.717, 205.16; 15. Mark Hogan, Pontiac GXP, 7.033, 172.17; 16. Will Hatcher, Dart, 9.684, 97.85.
FRIDAY SPORTSMAN RESULTS
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER (SESSION ONE)
1 1 B/AD Joey Severance, Woodburn OR, Hadman-NRE 5.303 272.28 272.28
2 5 A/FD Jackie Fricke, Flemington NJ, McKinney- 5.330 272.34 272.34
3 2 B/AD Shawn Cowie, Surrey BC, Hadman-BAE 5.380 265.38 265.38
4 52 B/AD James Stevens, Gothenburg NE, CNE-MBR 5.391 269.46 269.46
5 3 A/FD Megan Meyer, Olathe KS, Copeland-BAE 5.424 268.92 268.92
6 530 A/FD Alan Bradshaw, Odessa TX, Doucette-BAE 5.428 265.74 265.74
7 4824 A/FD Shane Conway, Spring TX, McKinney-CRE 5.430 264.23 264.23
8 8 A/FD Robin Samsel, Marion IN, MLR-BAE 5.432 264.60 264.60
9 330V A/FD Jerry Powell, Atlanta IN, Canode-BAE 5.441 255.58 255.58
10 5488 A/FD Rachel Meyer, Spring Hill KS, Meyer-BAE 5.487 269.13 269.13
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TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR (SESSION ONE)
1 10 Jay Payne, Claremont CA, '18 Camaro 5.611 264.03 264.03
2 6180 Jirka Kaplan, Calgary AB, '16 Camaro 5.681 257.28 257.28
3 433 Bryan Brown, Gainesville TX, '16 Camaro 5.686 254.76 254.76
4 7 Kris Hool, Evansville WY, '16 Camaro 5.779 255.82 255.82
5 468 Jeff Jones, Weatherford TX, '17 Camaro 5.785 252.47 252.47
6 3 Doug Gordon, Paso Robles CA, '15 Camaro 5.861 258.57 258.57
7 1 Shane Westerfield, Anaheim CA, '16 Camaro 6.511 158.82 158.82
8 63 Chris Marshall, McMinnville OR, '17 Camaro 7.113 145.45 145.45
9 4 Annie Whiteley, Grand Junction CO, '15 Camaro 7.627 126.26 126.26
10 440 Steve Burck, Corpus Christi TX, '17 Camaro 8.519 106.83 106.83
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SUPER STOCK (FINAL)
1 332 GT/HA Marion Stephenson, Williamsport IN, '06 C 9.609 10.50 -0.891
2 554 GT/PA Ron Roddel, Sioux Falls SD, '02 Grand Am 10.661 11.55 -0.889
3 56 GT/DA Robert Cruzen, Cleveland OK, '06 Cobalt 9.122 10.00 -0.878
4 4373 SS/CS Ashton Hudson, Dallas TX, '98 Escort 9.436 10.30 -0.864
5 5600 SS/AS Michael Mans, Rogers MN, '00 Firebird 8.739 9.60 -0.861
6 4147 GT/IA Rob Cruzen Jr., Cleveland OK, '02 Cavalier 9.792 10.65 -0.858
7 4701 SS/KA Jason Stoll, Frederick OK, '88 Firebird 10.407 11.25 -0.843
8 445 GT/IA Aaron Stanfield, Bossier City LA, '87 Cam 9.811 10.65 -0.839
9 5214 SS/HA Doug Engels, Watertown SD, '66 Corvette 9.763 10.60 -0.837
10 4444 SS/KA Norman Marsden, Santo TX, '66 Nova 10.418 11.25 -0.832
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STOCK (FINAL SESSION)
1 5181 FS/D Chris Kemmerer, Wichita KS, '10 Challenger 9.676 10.60 -0.924
2 3321 B/SA Marion Stephenson, Williamsport IN, '15 C 10.326 11.25 -0.924
3 541 FS/D Larry DeForrest, Ramsey MN, '10 Mustang 9.681 10.60 -0.919
4 4274 C/SA Jacob Pitt, Mansfield TX, '69 Barracuda 10.513 11.40 -0.887
5 5016 H/SA Steve Scherschligt, Tea SD, '73 Satellite 11.281 12.15 -0.869
6 5654 C/SA Carson Pedigo, Andover KS, '70 Chevelle 10.541 11.40 -0.859
7 5072 E/S Paul Merolla, Papillion NE, '66 Chevy II 10.796 11.65 -0.854
8 5243 M/SA Dale Findell, Cambridge MN, '79 Aspen 12.013 12.85 -0.837
9 5989 F/SA Jamey Picht, Oakdale MN, '72 Gran Sport 11.030 11.85 -0.820
10 339L C/SA Randi Lyn Shipp, Floyds Knobs IN, '67 Fir 10.591 11.40 -0.809
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TOP DRAGSTER (SESSION TWO)
1 572 Jimmy Sackuvich, Raymore MO, Spitzer-PLR 6.011 241.02 241.02
2 9 Danny Nelson, Batesville AR, RaceCraft-Chevy 6.157 227.88 227.88
3 437 Jenifer White, Conroe TX, Spitzer-GM 6.173 223.47 223.47
4 51 Les Feist, Clearwater MN, Miller-PAR 6.175 227.54 227.54
5 479W Wynette Hudgins, Clyde TX, Spitzer-Chevy 6.175 222.58 222.58
6 47 Darian Boesch, Kenner LA, Pro Fab-Chevy 6.182 223.28 223.28
7 491C Mario Boesch, Kenner LA, Miller-Chevy 6.198 224.36 224.36
8 445 Aaron Stanfield, Bossier City LA, Miller-Chevy 6.206 220.19 220.19
9 5226 Afton Swanson, Denver IA, Spitzer-Chevy 6.218 215.00 221.82
10 4059 Jim Thorp, Mertzon TX, Spitzer-Chevy 6.221 222.66 222.66
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TOP SPORTSMAN (SESSION TWO)
1 514 Phil Unruh, McPherson KS, '18 Corvette 6.469 226.35 226.35
2 4695 Allen Firestone, Velma OK, '16 Camaro 6.619 210.50 210.50
3 5074 Jim White, Haysville KS, '09 Cobalt 6.664 209.14 209.14
4 4059 Jim Thorp, Mertzon TX, '18 Camaro 6.820 210.70 210.70
5 5578 Rich Smith, Wentzville MO, '68 Camaro 6.825 203.34 203.34
6 5464 J.J. Heber, Centennial CO, '06 Mustang 6.853 201.10 201.10
7 53 Jeremiah Vandeventer, Juanita NE, '96 Mustang 6.884 203.00 203.00
8 518 Monte Green, Haxtun CO, '07 Fusion 6.895 201.73 202.15
9 5416 Rod Moore, Rushville MO, '01 S-10 6.901 201.88 201.88
10 D712 Phil Dion, Paradise Valley AZ, '17 Corvette 6.911 202.15 202.15
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