2019 NHRA SPRING NATIONALS - EVENT RESULTS
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SUNDAY - TEAM FORCE SWEEPS NITRO TITLES AT MOPAR EXPRESS LANE NHRA SPRINGNATIONALS PRESENTED BY PENNZOIL
John Force Racing made a statement this weekend at the 32nd annual Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals presented by Pennzoil when it claimed both nitro category victories with Brittany Force winning in Top Fuel and Robert Hight winning in Funny Car on Sunday at Houston Raceway powered by Pennzoil.
That statement? The crews at JFR are ready to play ball this year during the 2019 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
B. Force entered race day qualified No. 1 with hopes to repeat her win at Houston from a year ago. On her way to victory, she took out Top Fuel racers Cameron Ferre, Doug Kalitta, Clay Millican and finally three-time world champion Antron Brown in the final with her lap of 3.749-seconds at 302.14 mph in her Advance Auto Parts dragster.
“All of John Force Racing was on a mission this morning,” B. Force said. “My dad and I were No. 1, the first time father and daughter have ever qualified No. 1 at an event. That’s something very special my dad and I will share. We were looking for a win but to be able to do it with Robert Hight by my side in that Auto Club car, that’s pretty awesome.”
In the Funny Car ranks, Hight picked up his third victory of the 2019 season in his AAA Texas Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car and his third career win at Houston. He defeated Jonnie Lindberg, 2018 Funny Car champ J.R. Todd, JFR owner and No. 1 qualifier John Force and finally Matt Hagan in the final with a lap of 3.941 at 310.84.
“I’m proud of [my team], never disbelieved in them,” Hight said. “That’s why we have three wins already this season because they’re so good. Down at the other end, they said, ‘How do you keep your team in check?’ Really, it’s the other way around. They keep me in check. I’ve never seen a more focused group of individuals. They keep their heads down, work hard, don’t do a lot of talking and we got the job done.
“Brittany and I, this is the third time we’ve got to double-up. We seem to do really well together in these circumstances. It was really cool to be down there when she made the [turn off] and throw a bunch of Mello Yello on her car.”
Houston marks the third JFR team double-up win in the nitro categories, all earned by B. Force and Hight. The first win came in 2016 in Gainesville and the second in 2017 in Dallas, the year the pair both went on to win championships in their respective categories.
The Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will have a weekend off before traveling to zMAX Dragway near Charlotte, N.C. for the NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, April 26-28.
SATURDAY - BRITTANY, JOHN ARE FORCES TO BE RECKONED WITH AT NHRA SPRINGNATIONALS
For the first time in NHRA history, a father and daughter will start race day at the top of both nitro categories for the 32nd annual Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals presented by Pennzoil at Houston Raceway powered by Pennzoil. That duo is none other than 16-time Funny Car champion John Force and the 2017 Top Fuel champion, Brittany Force.
The J. Force and B. Force combo are the first father and child pair to ever qualify No. 1 together at an NHRA event. J. Force’s No. 1 earned him his 156th career top spot while B. Force picked up her 12th.
The duo has also never won on the same race day. For many years, John Force Racing was a Funny Car powerhouse but when B. Force made her NHRA professional debut in 2013, she chose to enter the Top Fuel rankings. Until 2019 when rookie Austin Prock joined JFR, B. Force was the sole Top Fuel pilot. She has shared a winner’s circle with her teammate Robert Hight but never her father.
“My dad and I haven’t done anything yet side-by-side but really, I’m looking for a win with him this season,” B. Force said. “It’s a father-daughter year so we’re looking to end up in that winner’s circle together.”
“This sport brings me together with my children,” J. Force said. “That’s what I love about NHRA drag racing. We’re one big family. But to have a moment with her, that her and I can share together, you really become a lot closer, believe it or not.
“They were all really close, the girls, with their mom. But as I raced, like I did with Ashley (Force-Hood), then with Courtney (Force) and now with Brittany, you get closer. So, something like this, it’ll give us a moment of just looking at each other and me being proud of her. I’ve earned a lot of these (No. 1 qualifier) hats, not so many lately but these guys, (crew chiefs, Brian) Corradi and (Danny) Hood, they’re really doing a good job. They give me a hot rod that runs like that. Tomorrow’s a whole new ball game. Tomorrow we have to get after this thing. So tonight we can share the moment and tomorrow we come out here to Houston to entertain the fans.”
J. Force secured the No. 1 qualifying position in his PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil / BlueDEF Chevy Camaro SS with his 3.888-second lap at 319.29 mph on Friday. B. Force earned her No. 1 spot on Friday as well when she set a new track record at Houston Raceway powered by Pennzoil with her time of 3.661 at 332.18 in her Advance Auto Parts dragster.
“We’re coming in strong this weekend,” B. Force stated. “We had a good weekend in Vegas. We’re coming in strong to Houston. We won this thing last year and the plan is to come out and win this thing tomorrow on race day. Setting both ends of the track record last night was awesome. A 3.66 on the board was a pretty incredible run by (crew chiefs) David Grubnic, Mac Savage and the Advance Auto Parts team. We’re looking for a long day tomorrow and tomorrow is when it really begins.”
In the E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod Drag Racing Series Presented by J&A Service division, Jose Gonzalez picked up the No. 1 qualifier with a lap of 5.731 at 257.43. The Pro Mod class is running the second race of its 12 race circuit.
Eliminations will begin at Houston Raceway powered by Pennzoil on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. CT.
Sunday's first-round pairings for eliminations for the 32nd annual Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals presented by Pennzoil at Houston Raceway Park powered by Pennzoil, the fifth 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. Brittany Force, 3.661 seconds, 332.18 mph vs. 16. Cameron Ferre, 4.028, 291.89; 2. Steve Torrence, 3.703, 324.67 vs. 15. Kebin Kinsley, 3.837, 313.29; 3. Leah Pritchett, 3.709, 326.79 vs. 14. Shawn Reed, 3.796, 323.43; 4. Clay Millican, 3.718, 318.84 vs. 13. Richie Crampton, 3.780, 317.19; 5. Billy Torrence, 3.720, 325.22 vs. 12. Scott Palmer, 3.771, 321.81; 6. Mike Salinas, 3.723, 320.89 vs. 11. Antron Brown, 3.753, 326.56; 7. Austin Prock, 3.727, 325.92 vs. 10. Jordan Vandergriff, 3.733, 324.67; 8. Doug Kalitta, 3.727, 316.45 vs. 9. Terry McMillen, 3.732, 323.04.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Jim Maroney, 4.054, 288.21.
Funny Car -- 1. John Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.888, 319.29 vs. 16. Terry Haddock, Ford Mustang, 4.182, 294.69; 2. Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 3.893, 319.29 vs. 15. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Camry, 4.118, 293.98; 3. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.895, 321.12 vs. 14. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 4.095, 301.20; 4. J.R. Todd, Camry, 3.903, 326.08 vs. 13. Jim Campbell, Charger, 4.037, 311.92; 5. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.908, 314.17 vs. 12. Jonnie Lindberg, Mustang, 4.005, 305.49; 6. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.916, 318.47 vs. 11. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 3.959, 312.13; 7. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.929, 324.67 vs. 10. Shawn Langdon, Camry, 3.948, 315.19; 8. Jack Beckman, Charger, 3.932, 311.34 vs. 9. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 3.940, 316.90.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Todd Simpson, 5.169, 149.56.
FRIDAY - FATHER, DAUGHTER EARN PROVISIONAL TOP SPOTS AT MOPAR EXPRESS LANE NHRA SPRINGNATIONALS PRESENTED BY PENNZOIL
Brittany Force arrived to the 32nd annual Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals presented by Pennzoil ready to defend her 2018 win and she’s off to a good start after earning the provisional No. 1 qualifying position at Houston Raceway powered by Pennzoil on Friday.
B. Force isn’t the only Force family member off to a good start in Houston. Her father and 16-time Funny Car world champion John Force currently sits No. 1 in the Funny Car division.
The father-daughter duo has never been low qualifier at the same event. They will try to hold onto these titles on Saturday when nitro qualifying continues.
B. Force and her Advance Auto Parts dragster team were No. 1 for both qualifying sessions on Friday for the start of the weekend but it was her pass of 3.661-seconds at 332.18 mph that secured a new Houston Raceway track record.
“That’s an amazing pass for this team,” B. Force stated. It took us awhile to find our stride and really, we’ve been turning a corner these last few races. In Vegas, we almost had it, we were runner-up. Then to come out here and go No. 1 Friday is awesome. But really, ultimately, we’re looking for a win.”
J. Force and his PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil / BlueDEF Chevy Camaro SS team picked up the Funny Car No. 1 spot with their 3.888 pass at 319.29.
“My daughter Brittany. I thought the .88 was impressive in a Funny Car,” J. Force said. “But that .66 was real impressive. That team, they know what they’re doing and my group, they’re having to put up with me. So, we’ll see what happens. My hot rod does the running for me.”
J. Force is already in a better position than he was a year ago in Houston, when the drag racing veteran failed to qualify for the event. J. Force is in search of his eighth win at Houston while his daughter looks for her second.
Racing action at the Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals presented by Pennzoil will continue on Saturday with nitro qualifying beginning at 2:30 p.m. CT.
Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 32nd annual Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals presented by Pennzoil at Houston Raceway Park powered by Pennzoil, fifth 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, 3.661 seconds, 332.18 mph; 2. Steve Torrence, 3.703, 324.67; 3. Leah Pritchett, 3.720, 326.40; 4. Doug Kalitta, 3.727, 316.45; 5. Terry McMillen, 3.732, 323.04; 6. Mike Salinas, 3.735, 321.27; 7. Austin Prock, 3.745, 322.42; 8. Jordan Vandergriff, 3.746, 317.72; 9. Billy Torrence, 3.754, 323.58; 10. Scott Palmer, 3.771, 321.81; 11. Richie Crampton, 3.780, 317.19; 12. Antron Brown, 3.782, 320.74; 13. Clay Millican, 3.805, 310.70; 14. Shawn Reed, 4.024, 236.63; 15. Cameron Ferre, 4.028, 291.89; 16. Jim Maroney, 4.054, 288.21. Not Qualified: 17. Kebin Kinsley, 5.132, 163.26.
Funny Car -- 1. John Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.888, 319.29; 2. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 3.895, 321.12; 3. J.R. Todd, Toyota Camry, 3.903, 326.08; 4. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.916, 318.47; 5. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.929, 324.67; 6. Jack Beckman, Charger, 3.932, 311.34; 7. Ron Capps, Charger, 3.940, 317.94; 8. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 3.958, 317.34; 9. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 3.978, 303.30; 10. Shawn Langdon, Camry, 3.979, 314.68; 11. Jim Campbell, Charger, 4.037, 311.92; 12. Jonnie Lindberg, Mustang, 4.090, 309.27; 13. Jeff Diehl, Camry, 4.118, 293.98; 14. Terry Haddock, Mustang, 4.182, 294.69; 15. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.810, 168.43; 16. Todd Simpson, Charger, 5.169, 149.56. Not Qualified: 17. Robert Hight, 5.342, 158.26.
FRIDAY SPORTSMAN RESULTS
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER (SESSION TWO)
1 3 A/FD Megan Meyer, Olathe KS, Copeland-BAE 5.118 284.75 284.75
2 4 A/FD Troy Coughlin Jr., Delaware OH, Hadman- 5.220 276.58 276.58
3 9 A/FD Julie Nataas, Santa Barbara CA, Copelan 5.276 278.23 278.23
4 33 A/FD Robin Samsel, Marion IN, MLR-BAE 5.321 269.62 269.62
5 4824 A/FD Shane Conway, Spring TX, McKinney-CRE 5.347 269.35 270.16
6 4934 A/FD Steve Collier, Benton LA, Copeland-BAE 5.364 273.33 273.33
7 610 A/FD Mitch Myers, Hermiston OR, Kalitta-BAE 5.371 275.67 275.67
8 357 A/FD Mike Bucher, Columbia Station OH, McKin 5.435 275.73 275.73
9 589 A/FD Gord Gingles, Winnipeg MB, Monden-BAE 5.499 254.57 254.57
10 417 TA/D Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia TX, TMS-Font 5.779 228.65 228.65
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TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR (SESSION TWO)
1 9 Brian Hough, Junction City OR, '15 Camaro 5.488 267.37 267.37
2 3 Annie Whiteley, Grand Junction CO, '19 Camaro 5.509 267.85 268.22
3 8 Jay Payne, Claremont CA, '18 Camaro 5.606 259.21 259.21
4 440 Steve Burck, Corpus Christi TX, '17 Camaro 5.619 261.37 261.37
5 433 Bryan Brown, Gainesville TX, '16 Camaro 5.659 262.18 262.18
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SUPER STOCK (FINAL)
1 46 GT/GA Craig Gualtiere, Amarillo TX, '05 Cavalier 9.407 10.40 -0.993
2 445 GT/IA Aaron Stanfield, Bossier City LA, '87 Cam 9.686 10.65 -0.964
3 4006 GT/JA Dale Hulquist, Crosby TX, '98 Grand Am 9.858 10.80 -0.942
4 400N GT/OA Norvell Bowers, Sulphur Springs TX, '83 F 10.554 11.45 -0.896
5 4411 FSS/E Phillip Giles, Flatonia TX, '14 Camaro 9.192 10.05 -0.858
6 4549 GT/HA Korey Mawhee, Frisco TX, '95 Achieva 9.658 10.50 -0.842
7 3 FGT/E Pete Peery, Bowie TX, '91 Calais 9.175 10.00 -0.825
8 4274 FGT/H Jacob Pitt, Arlington TX, '03 Stratus 9.530 10.35 -0.820
9 442E SS/F Jarrod Granier, Labadieville LA, '66 Nova 9.531 10.35 -0.819
10 4749 GT/M Stan Holt, Houston TX, '66 Nova 10.195 10.95 -0.755
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STOCK (FINAL)
1 477D D/SA David Buckner, Montgomery TX, '09 Challen 10.433 11.55 -1.117
2 4705 C/SA Bobby Brannon, Bossier City LA, '15 Camaro10.306 11.40 -1.094
3 429 FS/C Brian Massingill, Houston TX, '15 Camaro 9.219 10.30 -1.081
4 4022 E/SA Jeff Teuton, Houma LA, '10 Challenger 10.663 11.70 -1.037
5 4771 B/SA Sammy Pizzolato, Houma LA, '69 Corvette 10.281 11.25 -0.969
6 4312 FS/D Paul Candies, Des Allemands LA, '13 Musta 9.635 10.60 -0.965
7 4274 C/SA Jacob Pitt, Arlington TX, '69 Barracuda 10.452 11.40 -0.948
8 464Q G/SA Austin Williams, Waxahachie TX, '72 Duster11.059 12.00 -0.941
9 4783 J/S Rusty Hall, Angleton TX, '92 Mustang 11.414 12.35 -0.936
10 4648 I/SA Kent LaPorte, Lafayette LA, '91 Camaro 11.366 12.30 -0.934
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SUPER COMP (RD 1 WINNERS)
1 4081 S/C Justin Frost, Fort Worth TX, TNT-Chevy 8.901 8.90 0.001
2 467K S/C Keisha Moline, Waxahachie TX, Miller-Chevy 8.906 8.90 0.006
3 4360 S/C Ross Laris, Raceland LA, American-Chevy 8.910 8.90 0.010
4 438D S/C Dwight Allen, Waco TX, Cameron-Chevy 8.911 8.90 0.011
5 4014 S/C Trene Cressonie, Raceland LA, Mullis-Chevy 8.911 8.90 0.011
6 44 S/C Veron Rowland, Blanchard OK, Monden-Chevy 8.912 8.90 0.012
7 435E S/C David Dale, Clute TX, Undercover-Chevy 8.922 8.90 0.022
8 4072 S/C Chase Murray, Orange TX, Miller-Chevy 8.924 8.90 0.024
9 T475 S/C Bryan Turner, San Marcos TX, Mullis-Chevy 8.928 8.90 0.028
10 480 S/C Steve Evans, Moore OK, Monden-Chevy 8.929 8.90 0.029
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SUPER GAS (RD 1 WINNERS)
RESULTS NOT AVAILABLE YET
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TOP DRAGSTER (FINAL)
1 5 Ross Laris, Raceland LA, Racecraft-Chevy 6.106 228.85 228.85
2 4369 Holden Laris, Raceland LA, Racecraft-APD 6.126 231.16 231.68
3 33 Danny Nelson, Batesville AR, Racecraft-Chevy 6.135 234.74 234.74
4 46 Bill Swan, Carrollton TX, Monden-Chevy 6.137 224.25 225.37
5 4059 Jim Thorp, Mertzon TX, Spitzer-Chevy 6.157 225.52 227.88
6 497B Rusty Baxter, Beckville TX, Racecraft-Chevy 6.167 221.13 221.13
7 444B Wayne Landry, St. Bernard LA, American-PAR 6.170 225.52 225.52
8 401 David Johns, Floresville TX, Spitzer-Chevy 6.173 226.16 226.16
9 479W Wynette Hudgins, Clyde TX, Spitzer-Chevy 6.185 224.62 226.09
10 4 Aaron Stanfield, Bossier LA, Miller-Stan 6.203 220.76 220.76
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