2019 NHRA VIRGINIA NATIONALS - EVENT RESULTS
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SUNDAY - S. TORRENCE, CAPPS, BUTNER AND HINES WIN AT THE VIRGINIA NHRA NATIONALS
Defending Top Fuel world champion Steve Torrence secured his second consecutive victory at the Virginia NHRA Nationals and third of the season Sunday evening at Virginia Motorsports Park.
Ron Capps (Funny Car), Bo Butner (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also winners in their respective categories at the eighth of 24 events during the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
S. Torrence walked away Sunday with his 30th Top Fuel victory in his Capco Contractors dragster with his run of 3.881-seconds at 319.82 mph to defeat Antron Brown’s 3.899 at 309.49 in the final round. This was the 10th time the pair had met in the finals. Brown won the first five and S. Torrence has clinched the last five victories.
S. Torrence secured round wins against Todd Paton, Scott Palmer, and his father Billy Torrence en route to his 45th career final round.
“Hands down and hats off to the whole Capco team,” S. Torrence stated. “Those guys gave me the best race car of the day. We were the guys that went down the track four times in a row. All I had to do was not run over anything or anybody and they gave me the best car ever. Richard Hogan (crew chief) and Bobby Lagana (crew chief) they make the right calls when the pressure is on and when the heat is out there. In cowboy terms, I rode the two best horses out there.”
Brown defeated teammate Leah Pritchett, Brittany Force and Mike Salinas.
Capps secured his second consecutive Funny Car Wally in his NAPA Brakes Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat to defeat the defending world champion J.R. Todd in the finals. This win marks Capps’ 62nd Funny Car win and 63rd overall along with his 30th victory with crew chief Rahn Tobler since 2012.
Capps beat Jim Campbell, Robert Hight and teammate Tommy Johnson Jr. to reach the final round, earning his first career win at Richmond Motorsports Park.
“Just go up there and not make a mistake was my mindset today,” Capps said. “Tobler told me in the trailer prior to the final round, ‘I don’t know why it smoked the tires all day. Everybody has had problems and we’re just going to put it like we did first round when it went 3.99.’ I rolled it in there and obviously it went a bit slower but that’s what he went up there to do. Vintage Rahn Tobler.”
Todd beat Bob Tasca III, teammate Shawn Langdon and Jonnie Lindberg to reach the finals.
Butner locked-in his fourth win this season when his pass of 6.599 at 209.01 in his Jim Butner Auto Chevrolet Camaro took down Greg Anderson. This is Butner’s fourth victory this season, first at the facility and 11th of his career. Anderson was the last driver in 2004 to secure four victories within the first five events of the season.
Butner also went to the final round of the SAMTech.Edu Factory Stock Showdown where he fell short to Drew Skillman on a holeshot.
“It’s been an amazing season and a good call to come back,” Butner stated. “We made a very good run in the final. Greg and I both made mediocre runs up until that point. The track was great. It’s very smooth and the Franklins did a great job with this place and it would be nice if we came back here a couple of times. It was fun running two cars multiple rounds today. It was a good day and I can’t complain.”
Butner defeated Wally Stroupe, Chris McGaha and Jeg Coughlin Jr. on his way to his 24th career final round.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Hines, the No. 1 qualifier, earned his third straight victory, fourth overall of 2019 and 52nd in his career after going 6.845 at 195.68 on his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Street Rod to defeat teammate Eddie Krawiec in the final round. The last Pro Stock Motorcycle rider to win four of the first five events to start the season was Hines’ brother, Matt Hines, in 1998.
“We have developed a very good hot weather tune up for our Street Rods and that’s saying a lot,” Hines said. “We typically tend to not look forward to the middle of the season because that’s where our performance tends to fall off and people make up ground on us. Today we were able to take what we’ve learned the last couple of weeks between Charlotte when it got hot and Atlanta when it was really hot. We don’t ever go up there (the starting line) with the same tune up, ever. It was a little bit of picking on it here and there which has led to us finding the window where we need to be.”
The category points leader defeated Jiana Salinas, Ryan Oehler and defending world champion Matt Smith to reach the final round. Krawiec took down Kelly Clontz, Karen Stoffer and Hector Arana Jr. en route to his 25th final round against Hines.
SATURDAY - MILLICAN, J. FORCE, LINE AND HINES NO. 1 QUALIFIERS AT THE VIRGINIA NHRA NATIONALS
Clay Millican locked-in his first Top Fuel No. 1 qualifier of the 2019 season Saturday afternoon following setting the track E.T. record during the first round of qualifying at the second annual Virginia NHRA National at Virginia Motorsports Park.
John Force (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories at the eighth of 24 events during the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
Millican claimed his 21st career No. 1 qualifier after his pass of 3.749 at 325.30 set the track E.T. record Friday evening in his Parts Plus / Strutmasters.com dragster. He will be chasing his first win of the season and fourth of his career when he lines up against Dan Mercier Sunday morning for the first round of eliminations.
“From the guy that qualified 12 times last year and only won twice, qualifying No. 1 doesn’t mean you’re going to win,” Millican stated. “Mike (Kloebler, crew chief) said we need to turn on win lights and that’s our game plan. This car has made a lot of No. 1 qualifiers, but our goal is to go consistently down the racetrack and turn on win lights. I’m not going to lie; qualifying No. 1 is pretty cool.”
J. Force’s pass from Friday evening of 3.899 at 321.88 in his PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil / Heculiner Chevrolet Camaro set the track E.T. record and remained strong through Saturday’s qualifying efforts. He secured his second No. 1 qualifier of the season and 157th of his career.
“I’ve got to give credit to Daniel Hood (crew chief), Brian Corradi (crew chief) and the entire team that make it happen,” Force said. “They gave me a good car. It was a little warm but that gives us our race day tune up and we’re ready. I still say to the (Franklin) family that bought this track that this is the best surface and that .89 broke the track record. I want to thank them and that is very important.”
Pro Stock three-time world champion Line’s pass from Friday evening of 6.563 at 210.11 in his Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro stood strong through qualifying on Saturday. This is his first No. 1 qualifying position of the season, first since Las Vegas 1 2017 and 54th of his career.
“I’ve got a really good race car right now,” Line stated. “I feel good about it. It’s really nice to get a green hat and I didn’t even know they still gave them out. We did test during the break so we’re not any worse off but it really was good for us. We didn’t make any mistakes, learned a lot and I feel like tomorrow we will have a great race day.”
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, the Harley-Davidson team leads the category securing the first two positions. Hines clinched his second No. 1 qualifying position of the 2019 season and 44th of his career with his run of 6.812 at 196.42 on his Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Street Rod. Eddie Krawiec sits in the No. 2 position following his pass of 6.822 at 197.51.
“Our team does a great job in the heat,” Hines said. “We are learning our setup in this hot weather. Typically, I don’t look forward to the middle of the season because that is typically when our struggles start to happen for our team. It seems like we are hitting our stride right now in this 90-degree weather. We will take it as it comes.”
In the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service, Khalid AlBalooshi claimed his first No. 1 qualifier of the season, racing to a pass of 5.774 at 257.28 in his Chevrolet Camaro that made its second appearance.
Eliminations at the Virginia NHRA Nationals begin at 12 PM E.T at Virginia Motorsports Park.
Sunday's first-round pairings for eliminations for the Second annual Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia 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, 3.749 seconds, 325.30 mph vs. 16. Dan Mercier, 4.124, 287.60; 2. Mike Salinas, 3.754, 323.04 vs. 15. Cameron Ferre, 3.998, 293.92; 3. Brittany Force, 3.772, 319.98 vs. 14. Audrey Worm, 3.968, 297.55; 4. Steve Torrence, 3.773, 321.81 vs. 13. Todd Paton, 3.926, 309.63; 5. Doug Kalitta, 3.783, 323.81 vs. 12. Scott Palmer, 3.886, 321.65; 6. Leah Pritchett, 3.793, 321.58 vs. 11. Antron Brown, 3.839, 320.97; 7. Richie Crampton, 3.796, 314.83 vs. 10. Austin Prock, 3.824, 324.83; 8. Terry McMillen, 3.811, 320.51 vs. 9. Billy Torrence, 3.812, 319.75.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Ike Maier, 4.265, 266.69; 18. Lex Joon, 4.643, 164.55.
Funny Car -- 1. John Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.899, 321.88 vs. 16. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Camry, 5.619, 125.54; 2. Tommy Johnson Jr., Dodge Charger, 3.922, 323.58 vs. 15. Terry Haddock, Ford Mustang, 4.170, 296.96; 3. Ron Capps, Charger, 3.927, 321.50 vs. 14. Jim Campbell, Charger, 4.085, 309.34; 4. J.R. Todd, Camry, 3.961, 318.47 vs. 13. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.045, 316.23; 5. Shawn Langdon, Camry, 3.964, 316.45 vs. 12. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.029, 310.05; 6. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.967, 326.32 vs. 11. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 4.017, 309.77; 7. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.991, 321.27 vs. 10. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.005, 320.28; 8. Jonnie Lindberg, Mustang, 4.001, 322.04 vs. 9. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 4.003, 315.27.
Pro Stock -- 1. Jason Line, Chevy Camaro, 6.563, 210.11 vs. 16. Val Smeland, Camaro, 6.957, 200.65; 2. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.569, 210.37 vs. 15. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Camaro, 6.841, 201.55; 3. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.573, 210.54 vs. 14. Wally Stroupe, Camaro, 6.763, 204.08; 4. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.573, 208.59 vs. 13. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.680, 208.75; 5. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.578, 209.56 vs. 12. Shane Tucker, Camaro, 6.649, 207.34; 6. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.578, 209.30 vs. 11. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.603, 208.97; 7. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.578, 208.30 vs. 10. Fernando Cuadra, Camaro, 6.598, 210.83; 8. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.583, 209.20 vs. 9. Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 6.587, 208.14.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Alan Prusiensky, 7.978, 128.63.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.812, 196.42 vs. 16. Jianna Salinas, Suzuki, 7.338, 189.84; 2. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.822, 197.51 vs. 15. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 7.020, 191.62; 3. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.826, 197.36 vs. 14. Cory Reed, EBR, 6.962, 193.99; 4. Matt Smith, EBR, 6.840, 198.32 vs. 13. Scotty Pollacheck, EBR, 6.944, 193.46; 5.
Angelle Sampey, Harley-Davidson, 6.854, 195.22 vs. 12. John Hall, Suzuki, 6.914, 195.59; 6. Hector Arana, EBR, 6.875, 195.93 vs. 11. Joey Gladstone, EBR, 6.899, 194.02; 7. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.879, 195.65 vs. 10. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.898, 193.82; 8. Angie Smith, EBR, 6.889, 196.07 vs. 9. Ryan Oehler, Buell, 6.893, 196.22.
FRIDAY - J. FORCE, MILLICAN, LINE AND M.SMITH PROVISIONAL NO. 1 QUALIFIERS AT THE VIRGINIA NHRA NATIONALS
The 16-time Funny Car world champion John Force paced the Funny Car category Friday evening to the provisional qualifying lead at the second annual Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park.
Clay Millican (Top Fuel), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also provisional qualifying leaders in their respective categories at the eighth of 24 events during the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
J. Force is chasing his second No. 1 qualifier of the season and 157th of his career after he set the track E.T. record of 3.899-seconds at 321.88 mph in his PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil / Heculiner Chevrolet Camaro SS took the top spot during the second qualifying session.
“I just want to thank my crew chiefs because they’re saying that this is the smoothest track surface on the circuit and this is what we live for,” J. Force stated. “I do appreciate all that the (Franklin) family has invested here. I’ve got low E.T. so far but that won’t last tomorrow. The kids now know what’s out there. I’m learning every day how to race against these guys. I’m having to reinvent myself is what I’m having to do.”
Millican is looking for his first No. 1 qualifier of the season and 20th of his career following setting the track record E.T. of 3.749 at 325.30 in his Parts Plus / Strutmaster.com dragster. Mike Salinas follows in the second spot with his run of 3.754 at 323.04 as Brittany Force rounds out the top three.
Line finished atop the qualifying order in Pro Stock with a 6.563 at 210.11 in his Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro. He is in pursuit of first No. 1 qualifier of the 2019 season and 54th of his career. KB Racing teammates Greg Anderson and Bo Butner are in the second and third positions, respectively.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, defending world champion M. Smith leads the category after a run of 6.844 at 197.91 on his Elite Performance / DENSO Auto Parts / Stockseth EBR. He is in pursuit of his second No. 1 qualifying position of the season and 33rd of his career.
Qualifying continues at the Virginia NHRA Nationals at 12:45 PM E.T. and 3:45 PM E.T. on Saturday.
Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the Second annual Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia 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. Clay Millican, 3.749 seconds, 325.30 mph; 2. Mike Salinas, 3.754, 323.04; 3. Brittany Force, 3.772, 319.98; 4. Steve Torrence, 3.773, 321.81; 5. Doug Kalitta, 3.783, 323.81; 6. Leah Pritchett, 3.793, 321.58; 7. Richie Crampton, 3.796, 314.83; 8. Terry McMillen, 3.811, 320.51; 9. Billy Torrence, 3.812, 319.75; 10. Austin Prock, 3.824, 324.83; 11. Antron Brown, 3.843, 317.94; 12. Scott Palmer, 3.886, 321.65; 13. Dan Mercier, 4.124, 287.60; 14. Cameron Ferre, 4.303, 199.37; 15. Audrey Worm, 4.752, 165.07; 16. Lex Joon, 5.107, 138.76. Not Qualified: 17. Ike Maier, 5.740, 117.26.
Funny Car -- 1. John Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.899, 321.88; 2. Tommy Johnson Jr., Dodge Charger, 3.922, 323.58; 3. Ron Capps, Charger, 3.927, 321.50; 4. Shawn Langdon, Toyota Camry, 3.964, 316.45; 5. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.967, 326.32; 6. J.R. Todd, Camry, 3.978, 316.38; 7. Jonnie Lindberg, Ford Mustang, 4.001, 322.04; 8. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.001, 320.51; 9. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 4.003, 315.27; 10. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.005, 320.28; 11. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 4.017, 309.77; 12. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.029, 310.05; 13. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.045, 316.23; 14. Jim Campbell, Charger, 4.085, 309.34; 15. Jeff Diehl, Camry, 5.619, 125.54.
Pro Stock -- 1. Jason Line, Chevy Camaro, 6.563, 210.11; 2. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.578, 209.56; 3. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.580, 210.01; 4. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.584, 210.01; 5. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.588, 209.10; 6. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.595, 209.30; 7. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.596, 209.17; 8. Fernando Cuadra, Camaro, 6.604, 209.46; 9. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.609, 208.46; 10. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.610, 208.30; 11. Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 6.613, 209.26; 12. Shane Tucker, Camaro, 6.655, 206.35; 13. Wally Stroupe, Camaro, 6.780, 203.58; 14. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Camaro, 6.854, 200.47; 15. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 12.449, 75.54; 16. Alan Prusiensky, Dodge Dart, 13.748, 87.09. Not Qualified: 17. Val Smeland, 14.907, 56.66.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Matt Smith, EBR, 6.844, 197.91; 2. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.850, 195.56; 3. Angelle Sampey, Harley-Davidson, 6.873, 193.02; 4. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.874, 195.42; 5. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.878, 192.77; 6. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.879, 195.65; 7. Ryan Oehler, Buell, 6.893, 196.22; 8. Joey Gladstone, EBR, 6.967, 192.77; 9. Cory Reed, EBR, 6.969, 192.44; 10. John Hall, Suzuki, 6.978, 192.91; 11. Hector Arana, EBR, 6.981, 193.38; 12. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.985, 191.24; 13. Angie Smith, EBR, 6.986, 188.91; 14. Scotty Pollacheck, EBR, 6.988, 189.87; 15. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 7.020, 191.62; 16. Jianna Salinas, Suzuki, 11.085, 73.14.
FRIDAY SPORTSMAN -
FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN (SESSION TWO)
1 6 Randy Taylor, Artesia NM, '19 Camaro 7.956 171.95 171.95
2 10 Scott Libersher, Wilmington IL, '19 Camaro 7.985 171.47 171.47
3 1991 Pete Gasko Jr., Monroe Twp NJ, '18 Camaro 7.986 171.99 171.99
4 402 David Janac, Caldwell TX, '18 Camaro 7.997 170.19 170.19
5 3 Arthur Kohn, Richmond TX, '19 Camaro 8.004 170.99 170.99
6 373 Bill Skillman, Greenwood IN, '14 Mustang 8.008 170.49 170.49
7 3909 Drew Skillman, Greenwood IN, '18 Mustang 8.013 170.67 170.67
8 5 Kevin Skinner, Grove City OH, '19 Mustang 8.015 168.96 168.96
9 3361 Bo Butner, Floyds Knobs IN, '19 Mustang 8.017 172.76 172.76
10 9 David Barton, Reading PA, '17 Camaro 8.038 173.03 173.03
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SUPER STOCK (FINAL)
1 1426 SS/AH Bucky Hess, Bunker Hill WV, '68 Barracuda 8.493 9.60 -1.107
2 28 GT/IA Marion Stephenson, Williamsport IN, '06 C 9.548 10.65 -1.102
3 1968 SS/AH Steve Comella, Webster NY, '68 Dart 8.643 9.60 -0.957
4 1990 FSS/D David Barton, Robesonia PA, '14 Mustang 8.992 9.90 -0.908
5 201 GT/IA Herbie Null Jr., Greencastle PA, '87 Cama 9.751 10.65 -0.899
6 1748 SS/IA Byron Worner, Duncannon PA, '94 Camaro 9.840 10.70 -0.860
7 1759 FSS/C Anthony Bongiovanni, Hopatcong NJ, '14 Mu 8.798 9.65 -0.852
8 8 SS/JA Bryan Worner, Duncannon PA, '90 Camaro 10.149 11.00 -0.851
9 1005 FSS/F David Thomas, W. Chester PA, '11 Challeng 9.357 10.20 -0.843
10 138 SS/IA Wendell Howes, Rothesay NB, '68 Barracuda 9.869 10.70 -0.831
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STOCK (FINAL)
1 3321 B/SA Marion Stephenson, Williamsport IN, '15 C 10.199 11.25 -1.051
2 243 FS/B Roy Hill, Sophia NC, '12 Mustang 8.981 10.00 -1.019
3 1049 G/SA Ron Infantino, Paramus NJ, '69 Camaro 11.104 12.00 -0.896
4 1525 H/SA Daniel Lynch, Clifton Park NY, '69 Camaro 11.263 12.15 -0.887
5 148K A/SA Karl Martel, Dover DE, '69 Camaro 10.113 11.00 -0.887
6 3909 FS/A Drew Skillman, Greenwood IN, '12 Mustang 8.828 9.70 -0.872
7 339L D/SA Randi Lyn Shipp, Floyds Knobs IN, '67 Fir 10.680 11.55 -0.870
8 13 B/SA Allison Doll, Douglas MA, '98 Firebird 10.392 11.25 -0.858
9 1129 E/SA Victor Guilmino, Martinsburg WV, '71 Must 10.846 11.70 -0.854
10 1128 C/SA Wallace Dent, Charlotte Hall MD, '98 Cama 10.551 11.40 -0.849
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TOP DRAGSTER (SESSION ONE)
1 213A Anthony Bertozzi, Ashland VA, Race Tech-Chevy 6.144 223.28 223.28
2 2114 Steve Furr, Harrisburg NC, American-Chevy 6.145 227.88 228.38
3 3 Alan Kenny, Kutztown PA, Page-Stin 6.236 220.48 220.48
4 2008 Robert Houston, Spruce Pine NC, Race Tech-Chevy 6.237 221.38 221.38
5 2149 Bruce Mullins, Fredericksburg VA, American-Che 6.238 224.55 224.55
6 2708 Lauren Freer, Mooresville NC, Miller-Nesb 6.276 218.23 218.23
7 2185 Greg Gallagher, Deltona FL, Undercover-Chevy 6.294 215.68 215.68
8 214B William Brown III, Chesapeake VA, Race Tech-Ch 6.337 213.30 213.30
9 1266 Craig Michaud, Danvers MA, Dan Page-Chevy 6.339 214.08 216.45
10 126G Greg Kelley, Hainesport NJ, S&W-Chevy 6.391 209.01 213.47
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