2013 NHRA - CHICAGO RESULTS
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SUNDAY - SCHUMACHER, HAGAN, COUGHLIN AND RAY EARN VICTORIES AT ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS
Tony Schumacher raced to the Top Fuel victory in spectacular fashion Sunday as his U.S. Army dragster’s 8,000-horsepower engine exploded in a huge fireball when he crossed the finish line in the final round of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals.
Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock) and Michael Ray (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event.
Schumacher’s fiery finish stopped the clocks in 3.930 seconds at 269.29 mph, but it was quick enough to hold off a determined Clay Millican, whose Parts Plus dragster trailed and the veteran driver remained winless in six career final round appearances. It was the third win of the season and the 72nd overall for local favorite Schumacher, a longtime Chicagoland area resident.
Schumacher powered past David Grubnic, Khalid alBalooshi and defending world champ Antron Brown to advance to the final round. In the final, Millican was actually ahead of Schumacher near mid-track, but Schumacher’s machine surged forward, the engine eventually expiring just as he crossed the finish line first.
“It’s always great to have a hometown win here in Chicago,” said Schumacher of his fourth victory at Route 66 Raceway, located just south of Chicago. "It was a great day for Don Schumacher Racing with another double-up [Matt Hagan’s Funny Car win]. This is 37 times that we’ve done that, and it was personally gratifying with all the family and friends I had here this weekend.”
Going into the final with Millican, he was very aware of his record against drivers who are seeking their first wins.
“When you look back in Top Fuel history, whenever anybody gets their first win, it’s against me,” said Schumacher, who regained the series lead with the victory. “Between Shawn Langdon, J.R. Todd, and everybody else, that is what has happened. But I told myself today that this is not going to be an ongoing trait. We’re going to stop it right here and now. I don’t care when or if Clay wins a race, but just not today. Not here at my home track where we have a chance to extend our points lead, which is going to be very valuable when we get down to Indy [the last race of the regular season].”
In Funny Car, Hagan extended his series lead with his third win of the season as he edged final round opponent John Force at the finish line. Hagan’s Magneti Marelli/Rocky Boots Dodge Charger posted a 4.605 at 315.34, while Force’s Castrol GTX Ford Mustang finished just behind in 4.113 at 304.80.
“It’s so hard to get these wins, so I feel great to be here,” said Hagan, who had to knock of championship title contender Johnny Gray, defending world champ Jack Beckman and Bob Tasca III in earlier rounds.
“I don’t think you could put together a tougher line-up,” Hagan continued. “We’re doing good things right now and we want to keep it up, but I want to stay humble. This is such a humbling sport. Things can change fast, so we’re just gonna keep doing what we’ve been doing.”
It was Force’s third consecutive final round appearance and the 15-time world champ has surged from 10th to third place in the last three races. Hagan said his adrenaline was overflowing for that final round with the NHRA icon.
“John [Force] is tough so we knew we had to run well and that 4.06 in the final was stout,” said Hagan, who leads second place Cruz Pedregon by 106 points. “[Crew chief] Dickie [Venebles] and the crew have done a great job with this car. I just had to hang on and get it to the finish line.”
In Pro Stock, Coughlin raced to his second win of the season and fifth at Route 66 Raceway when he drove his JEGS.com/Mopar Dodge Avenger away from final round opponent Greg Anderson. Coughlin covered the distance in 6.603 at 209.85 while Anderson’s Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro lost traction near mid-track and slowed.
“When I let out the clutch, the car didn’t feel the best that it had all day, and by the time I got into second and third gear I was just cracking the whip on the thing as hard as I could,” said Coughlin, who moved into second place in the standings with the win. “I didn’t know that Greg was struggling next to me, but to see that win light come on in my lane and to have such a huge win here feels amazing.”
Coughlin outran Bristol winner Rodger Brogdon, Jason Line and teammate and Epping winner Allen Johnson to get to the final. He says getting the victory here put a big yellow and black bow on an outstanding weekend for the entire JEGS operation.
“It certainly didn’t hurt taking out one of the Summit cars [Anderson] in the final,” said Coughlin of his 54th career victory. “But I think that the big exclamation point is that this was the weekend of the JEGS Allstars, which is a huge, huge deal for the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and all the Sportsman racers. We put a lot of effort into this weekend, and I think that’s been a little bit of the ingredient that has contributed to our success at this track.”
Ray earned his second win of the season and third of his career in Pro Stock Motorcycle by defeating former teammate Matt Smith in the final round. Ray used a near-perfect reaction time and powered his Soeverign-Star Racing Buell to a 6.986 at 191.29 to hold off Smith’s charging Viper Motorcycle Company Buell, which finished in 6.992 at 190.22.
“Most people know that I rode for Matt last year and we do have a little bit of a rivalry,” Ray said. “When I moved to Star I think it was the best decision I’ve ever made. I’ve won two races so far and it was especially nice to beat my old crew chief. This was definitely a bit of redemption.”
Ray used a string of mid-6.9 second runs to defeat Epping winner John Hall, teammate Scotty Pollacheck and Hector Arana Sr. to advance to the final round.
“After I won in Englishtown we wanted to keep the momentum going,” said Ray, who moved to second in the series standings with the victory. “Then we went to Epping and I got beat on a holeshot. I told myself coming in here that I’d either be red or perfect and I was solid on the tree all weekend.”
The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues July 4-7 with the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Norwalk, Ohio.
SATURDAY - CAPPS RECORDS FIRST THREE-SECOND FUNNY CAR RUN IN ROUTE 66 RACEWAY HISTORY TO LEAD NHRA MELLO YELLO SERIES QUALIFYING
Ron Capps led a parade of three-second Funny Car runs and claimed the No. 1 qualifying position Saturday at the O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries.
Morgan Lucas (Top Fuel), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also will lead their categories into Sunday’s 11 a.m. eliminations as the No. 1 qualifiers at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event.
Capps posted the first three-second Funny Car run in Route 66 Raceway’s history and it proved to be quick enough to hold on to the top spot. His track record performance of 3.988 seconds at 320.28 mph in his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger earned him his first No. 1 qualifying position of the season, 15th of his career and first at this track.
“I really didn’t think it would hold since we ran so early in the session,” said Capps, who will face Bob Bode in the opening round as he looks to earn his second win of the season and second victory at the state-of-the-art track just south of Chicago. “It was a great run. I thought (Matt) Hagan or (Jack) Beckman would go quicker than that, but we’ll take it. I’ve been hit or miss at this place, so maybe we can get one tomorrow. It’s great for the fans to have two night sessions. Funny Cars racing at night; it doesn’t get a lot better than that.”
There were four three-second runs in the final qualifying session. In addition to Capps’ run, Bob Tasca III (3.988, second), defending world champ Beckman (3.983, third) and Del Worsham (3.999, fourth) all broke the four-second barrier.
Saturday’s top qualifier, John Force, posted a career-best time of 4.010 at 316.67 in his Castrol GTX Ford Mustang that was good enough for fifth best. Epping winner Courtney Force was not qualified going into the final session, but she powered her Traxxas Mustang to a performance of 4.042 at 315.78 to qualify in seventh place.
In Top Fuel, Lucas claimed his first No. 1 qualifying position of the season with a track record time of 3.737 at a speed of 322.19. It was Lucas’ ninth No. 1 of his career and he will face Terry McMillen in the opening round of eliminations as Lucas looks for his first victory at this event.
“This was really big for our team,” Lucas said. “I was thinking while I was sitting in the car before the run that I would be happy with anything in the 3.7s because of the way we had been running lately and also because our car doesn’t always respond well to night time tune-ups. Afterwards, we had to see if it would stick. And when Tony [Schumacher] made his run, I was sweating it out, especially when [announcer] Alan Reinhart paused before giving out the last digit. We’ve made a ton of changes to our car, and hopefully things are starting to turn around for us. I have to thank everyone on our team for all their hard work and great efforts.”
Hometown favorite and three-time Route 66 winner Schumacher was second in his U.S. Army dragster with a 3.738 at 324.12 and will open against Australian David Grubnic, while Bob Vandergriff will start third in his C&J Energy Services dragster with a 3.742 at 324.28 and will meet rookie Brittany Force.
In Pro Stock, Edwards used a track record performance of 6.542 at 210.64 to claim his category-leading 10th No. 1 qualifying position of the season and 51st of his career. A two-time winner at Route 66 Raceway, Edwards will face local favorite Steve Spiess in the first round.
“We made some good calls and made another good run and it was a great job by all my guys,” said Edwards of his fourth No. 1 at Route 66 Raceway. “It was a phenomenal job by the guys at the engine shop. We came here with a totally different combination and it looks like it runs really good. It’s so hard to do that in this class and to continue to do it. I can’t believe that’s 51 number ones for me.”
Defending world champ Allen Johnson was second in his Team Mopar Dodge Avenger with a 6.556 at 209.56 and will meet Steve Kent in the first round, while four-time Chicago winner Jeg Coughlin qualified third in his JEGS.com/Mopar Avenger and will race Bristol winner Rodger Brogdon in the opener.
Smith rode his Viper Motorcycle Company Buell to a 6.908 at 193.82 to claim his second No. 1 of the season and 20th of his career in Pro Stock Motorcycle. The 2007 world champ in the two-wheel category will meet defending world champ Eddie Krawiec in a high-profile first round match.
“We’ve had top speed on every run, but we needed the 60-foot times to go with it,” Smith said. “This track is so good that we were bogging the bike, but I made a lot of changes to both my bike and (wife) Angie’s bike for the last run, and we ended up 1 and 2 for that session.
Smith was proud that he helped wife Angie make the second-quickest run of the final session and qualify in the top half of the field, in the fifth position.
“This track has a lot of teeth, and you need to get after it,” Smith continued. “You need to make a lot of changes, like gear and fuel, to take advantage of it. John [Hall, teammate] won last weekend, and I’ve been running really good lately, so we decided to work on Angie’s bike and try to see if we can get her in the top 10. She has a fast bike, and she made a good run that time. I’m excited about our whole deal.”
After opening Friday as the leader, Scotty Pollacheck dropped to second on his Sovereign Star Buell with a 6.929 at 191.24 and he will face Andrew Hines in the opening round. Hector Arana Sr. qualified third on his Lucas Oil Buell with a 6.930 at 193.32 and he will race 71-year-old Joe DeSantis in the first round.
Sunday's first-round eliminations pairings for the 16th annual O'Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries at Route 66 Raceway, the 12th 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. Morgan Lucas, 3.737 seconds, 322.27 mph vs. 16. Terry McMillen, 3.863, 316.60; 2. Tony Schumacher, 3.738, 326.08 vs. 15. David Grubnic, 3.852, 316.82; 3. Bob Vandergriff, 3.742, 324.28 vs. 14. Brittany Force, 3.849, 317.49; 4. Clay Millican, 3.750, 323.81 vs. 13. Leah Pruett, 3.834, 316.08; 5. Doug Kalitta, 3.753, 328.22 vs. 12. Larry Dixon, 3.832, 317.87; 6. Spencer Massey, 3.758, 324.28 vs. 11. Antron Brown, 3.805, 314.97; 7. Brandon Bernstein, 3.761, 327.82 vs. 10. Khalid alBalooshi, 3.798, 326.32; 8. Steve Torrence, 3.784, 326.24 vs. 9. Shawn Langdon, 3.787, 325.92. Did Not Qualify: 17. T.J. Zizzo, 3.866, 319.90; 18. Sidnei Frigo, 3.873, 312.50; 19. Pat Dakin, 3.873, 308.07; 20. Tim Cullinan, 3.910, 301.40; 21. Luigi Novelli, 4.021, 256.99; 22. Chris Karamesines, broke.
Funny Car -- 1. Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 3.988, 320.28 vs. 16. Bob Bode, Chevy Impala, 4.141, 295.85; 2. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.988, 316.97 vs. 15. Jeff Arend, Charger, 4.134, 297.16; 3. Jack Beckman, Charger, 3.993, 319.52 vs. 14. Alexis DeJoria, Toyota Camry, 4.124, 306.88; 4. Del Worsham, Camry, 3.999, 318.99 vs. 13. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.094, 299.53; 5. John Force, Mustang, 4.010, 316.67 vs. 12. Tony Pedregon, Camry, 4.093, 304.67; 6. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.040, 317.19 vs. 11. Johnny Gray, Charger, 4.064, 310.70; 7. Courtney Force, Mustang, 4.042, 315.78 vs. 10. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.060, 306.74; 8. Robert Hight, Mustang, 4.052, 315.71 vs. 9. Chad Head, Camry, 4.053, 312.21. Did Not Qualify: 17. Justin Schriefer, 4.379, 277.94; 18. Terry Haddock, 4.498, 279.85; 19. Todd Lesenko, 5.041, 155.52; 20. Dale Creasy Jr., 6.836, 283.25.
Pro Stock -- 1. Mike Edwards, Chevy Camaro, 6.542, 210.64 vs. 16. Steve Spiess, Chevy Cobalt, 6.674, 206.20; 2. Allen Johnson, Dodge Avenger, 6.556, 209.56 vs. 15. Steve Kent, Camaro, 6.637, 208.30; 3. Jeg Coughlin, Avenger, 6.565, 209.92 vs. 14. Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 6.634, 202.09; 4. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.569, 209.30 vs. 13. V. Gaines, Avenger, 6.633, 208.68; 5. Erica Enders-Stevens, Camaro, 6.581, 209.75 vs. 12. Rickie Jones, Camaro, 6.625, 208.30; 6. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.584, 209.33 vs. 11. Mark Martino, Pontiac GXP, 6.609, 208.75; 7. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.589, 208.88 vs. 10. Larry Morgan, Ford Mustang, 6.604, 207.62; 8. Vincent Nobile, Avenger, 6.599, 209.01 vs. 9. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.602, 208.04. Did Not Qualify: 17. Mark Hogan, 6.734, 205.60; 18. Dave River, 6.818, 203.46.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.908, 193.82 vs. 16. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 7.038, 188.99; 2. Scotty Pollacheck, Buell, 6.929, 191.24 vs. 15. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 7.037, 189.39; 3. Hector Arana, Buell, 6.930, 193.32 vs. 14. Joe DeSantis, Suzuki, 7.033, 190.46; 4. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.946, 192.44 vs. 13. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.007, 190.00; 5. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.948, 192.06 vs. 12. Shawn Gann, Buell, 7.005, 190.06; 6. Adam Arana, Buell, 6.966, 191.35 vs. 11. Mike Berry, Buell, 7.001, 190.46; 7. John Hall, Buell, 6.980, 192.60 vs. 10. Michael Ray, Buell, 6.988, 192.06; 8. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 6.981, 192.00 vs. 9. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.985, 190.62. Did Not Qualify: 17. Jim Underdahl, 7.047, 191.73; 18. Michael Phillips, 7.109, 188.54; 19. Wesley Wells, 7.206, 183.54.
SATURDAY
PRO
(SESSION 3)
TOP FUEL
1 34 Morgan Lucas, Indianapolis IN, Hadman-TFX 3.737@ 322.19 322.27
2 2 Tony Schumacher, Chicago IL, DSR-TFX 3.738 324.12 326.08
3 8 Bob Vandergriff, Alpharetta GA, Hadman-TFX 3.742 324.28 324.28
4 255 Clay Millican, Drummonds TN, Hadman-BAE 3.750 323.81 323.81
5 22 Doug Kalitta, Ypsilanti MI, Hadman-AJPE 3.753 328.22& 328.22
6 3 Spencer Massey, Ft. Worth TX, DSR-TFX 3.758 324.28 324.28
7 5 Brandon Bernstein, Indianapolis IN, Hadman-TFX 3.761 327.82 327.82
8 475 Steve Torrence, Kilgore TX, Hadman-TFX 3.784 326.24 326.24
9 4 Shawn Langdon, Indianapolis IN, Hadman-TFX 3.787 323.97 325.92
10 99 Khalid alBalooshi, Los Angeles CA, Hadman-TFX 3.798 326.32 326.32
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
FUNNY CAR
1 28 Ron Capps, Carlsbad CA, '10 Charger 3.988@ 320.28& 320.28
2 77 Bob Tasca III, Cranston RI, '13 Mustang 3.988 316.97 316.97
3 1 Jack Beckman, Norco CA, '13 Charger 3.993 319.52 319.52
4 750 Del Worsham, Chino CA, '13 Camry 3.999 318.99 318.99
5 9 John Force, Yorba Linda CA, '13 Mustang 4.010 310.77 316.67
6 2814 Matt Hagan, Christiansburg VA, '13 Charger 4.040 317.19 317.19
7 5 Courtney Force, Yorba Linda CA, '13 Mustang 4.042 315.78 315.78
8 7 Robert Hight, Yorba Linda CA, '13 Mustang 4.052 308.92 315.71
9 3111 Chad Head, Columbus OH, '12 Camry 4.053 312.21 312.21
10 8 Tim Wilkerson, Springfield IL, '13 Mustang 4.060 306.74 306.74
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
PRO STOCK
1 6 Mike Edwards, Coweta OK, '13 Camaro 6.542@ 210.64& 210.64
2 1 Allen Johnson, Greeneville TN, '13 Avenger 6.556 209.56 209.56
3 25 Jeg Coughlin, Delaware OH, '13 Avenger 6.565 209.92 209.92
4 5 Greg Anderson, Mooresville NC, '13 Camaro 6.569 209.30 209.30
5 4 Erica Enders-Stevens, New Orleans LA, '13 Cama 6.581 209.75 209.75
6 2 Jason Line, Mooresville NC, '13 Camaro 6.584 209.33 209.33
7 11 Shane Gray, Denver NC, '13 Camaro 6.589 208.88 208.88
8 3 Vincent Nobile, Dix Hills NY, '13 Avenger 6.599 209.01 209.01
9 445 Greg Stanfield, Bossier City LA, '13 Camaro 6.602 208.04 208.04
10 10 Larry Morgan, Newark OH, '12 Mustang 6.604 207.62 207.62
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE
1 6 Matt Smith, King NC, Buell XB9R 6.908 192.11 193.82
2 7 Scotty Pollacheck, Medford OR, Buell XB12R 6.929 191.24 191.24
3 4 Hector Arana, Milltown IN, Buell XB9R 6.930 193.32 193.32
4 3 Hector Arana Jr, Milltown IN, Buell XB9R 6.946 192.44 192.44
5 77 Angie Smith, King NC, Buell XB9R 6.948 188.15 192.06
6 301 Adam Arana, Milltown IN, Buell XB9R 6.966 188.60 191.35
7 1528 John Hall, Hamden CT, Buell XB9R 6.980 192.60 192.60
8 9 LE Tonglet, Metairie LA, Suzuki GSXR 6.981 192.00 192.00
9 401 Jerry Savoie, Cut Off LA, Suzuki TL1000 6.985 190.46 190.62
10 8 Michael Ray, New Braunfels TX, Buell XB9R 6.988 192.06 192.06
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
(SESSION 2)
TOP FUEL
1 22 Doug Kalitta, Ypsilanti MI, Hadman-AJPE 3.753@ 328.22& 328.22
2 3 Spencer Massey, Ft. Worth TX, DSR-TFX 3.758 324.28 324.28
3 2 Tony Schumacher, Chicago IL, DSR-TFX 3.761 326.08 326.08
4 4 Shawn Langdon, Indianapolis IN, Hadman-TFX 3.787 323.97 325.92
5 255 Clay Millican, Drummonds TN, Hadman-BAE 3.789 320.81 320.81
6 5 Brandon Bernstein, Indianapolis IN, Hadman-TFX 3.794 323.04 323.12
7 99 Khalid alBalooshi, Los Angeles CA, Hadman-TFX 3.798 326.32 326.32
8 34 Morgan Lucas, Indianapolis IN, Hadman-TFX 3.798 322.27 322.27
9 1 Antron Brown, Indianapolis IN, DSR-TFX 3.805 314.97 314.97
10 475 Steve Torrence, Kilgore TX, Hadman-TFX 3.815 323.04 323.81
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
FUNNY CAR
1 9 John Force, Yorba Linda CA, '13 Mustang 4.021@ 316.67 316.67
2 2814 Matt Hagan, Christiansburg VA, '13 Charger 4.040 317.19& 317.19
3 77 Bob Tasca III, Cranston RI, '13 Mustang 4.040 306.74 306.74
4 1 Jack Beckman, Norco CA, '13 Charger 4.043 313.15 313.15
5 7 Robert Hight, Yorba Linda CA, '13 Mustang 4.052 308.92 315.71
6 3111 Chad Head, Columbus OH, '12 Camry 4.053 312.21 312.21
7 750 Del Worsham, Chino CA, '13 Camry 4.054 313.73 313.73
8 8 Tim Wilkerson, Springfield IL, '13 Mustang 4.060 306.74 306.74
9 6 Johnny Gray, Artesia NM, '13 Charger 4.064 310.70 310.70
10 28 Ron Capps, Carlsbad CA, '10 Charger 4.069 311.27 311.27
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
PRO STOCK
1 6 Mike Edwards, Coweta OK, '13 Camaro 6.570@ 210.05 210.05
2 4 Erica Enders-Stevens, New Orleans LA, '13 Cama 6.592 208.75 208.75
3 25 Jeg Coughlin, Delaware OH, '13 Avenger 6.598 209.52 209.52
4 11 Shane Gray, Denver NC, '13 Camaro 6.609 208.42 208.55
5 2 Jason Line, Mooresville NC, '13 Camaro 6.611 209.20 209.20
6 1 Allen Johnson, Greeneville TN, '13 Avenger 6.614 208.68 208.68
7 3 Vincent Nobile, Dix Hills NY, '13 Avenger 6.615 208.33 208.33
8 300 Mark Martino, Stoney Creek ON, '10 GXP 6.618 208.23 208.23
9 5 Greg Anderson, Mooresville NC, '13 Camaro 6.621 208.23 208.23
10 7 V. Gaines, Lakewood CO, '13 Avenger 6.633 208.68 208.68
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE
1 7 Scotty Pollacheck, Medford OR, Buell XB12R 6.929 191.24 191.24
2 4 Hector Arana, Milltown IN, Buell XB9R 6.930 193.32 193.32
3 6 Matt Smith, King NC, Buell XB9R 6.937 193.82 193.82
4 3 Hector Arana Jr, Milltown IN, Buell XB9R 6.946 192.44 192.44
5 301 Adam Arana, Milltown IN, Buell XB9R 6.969 191.35 191.35
6 1528 John Hall, Hamden CT, Buell XB9R 6.980 192.60 192.60
7 9 LE Tonglet, Metairie LA, Suzuki GSXR 6.981 192.00 192.00
8 401 Jerry Savoie, Cut Off LA, Suzuki TL1000 6.985 190.46 190.46
9 8 Michael Ray, New Braunfels TX, Buell XB9R 6.988 192.06 192.06
10 77 Angie Smith, King NC, Buell XB9R 7.025 187.29 192.06
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
SPORTSMAN
(FINAL SESSION)
TAD
1 530 TA/D Alan Bradshaw, Odessa TX, Doucette-BAE 5.227 273.11 273.11
2 1 B/AD Jim Whiteley, Grand Junction CO, Nielso 5.285 270.59 272.01
3 1900 A/FD Dan Page, Hampstead NH, Page-BAE 5.311 263.05 263.05
4 2 TA/D Chris Demke, Tujunga CA, Uyehara-BAE 5.322 270.37 270.37
5 7 TA/D Ken Perry, Markham ON, Spitzer-Perr 5.365 263.98 265.85
6 323 TA/D Brandon Booher, Urbana IL, Spitzer-BAE 5.369 269.03 269.03
7 589 A/FD Gord Gingles, Winnipeg MB, Monden-BAE 5.377 267.27 267.27
8 318 TA/D Dave Hirata, Lowell IN, McKinney-HMS 5.392 265.48 265.48
9 33 TA/D Jared Dreher, Clinton IN, McKinney-BAE 5.397 257.48 261.62
10 64 B/AD Ray Martin, Anchorage AK, Hadman-BAE 5.402 264.65 264.65
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
TAFC
1 2 Tony Bartone, Long Island City NY, '09 Mustang 5.568 263.41 263.41
2 10 Shane Westerfield, Anaheim CA, '11 Monte Carlo 5.579 257.28 258.07
3 301 Fred Hagen, Des Plaines IL, '10 Mustang 5.585 260.61 260.61
4 35 Cassie Simonton, Brooklyn Park MN, '13 Monte C 5.593 256.06 256.06
5 4 Annie Whiteley, Grand Junction CO, '10 Mustang 5.607 257.48 257.48
6 8 Chris Foster, Davenport IA, '11 Mustang 5.635 257.97 257.97
7 9 Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina CA, '11 Monte C 5.642 258.02 258.02
8 500 Dale Brand, Sully IA, '10 Monte Carlo 5.656 257.14 257.14
9 37 Andy Bohl, Racine WI, '08 Mustang 5.658 256.21 256.21
10 16 Dan Pomponio, Berlin NJ, '10 Monte Carlo 5.661 255.68 255.68
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
 |
FRIDAY- FORCE, SCHUMACHER, EDWARDS AND POLLACHECK LEAD FRIDAY CHICAGO QUALIFYING
John Force kept his recent hot streak going Friday at Route 66 Raceway by powering to the qualifying lead in Funny Car at the O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries.
Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and Scotty Pollacheck (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were qualifying leaders in their categories at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event.
Force, who won at Bristol, Tenn. two weeks ago and was the top qualifier and finished runner-up at Epping, N.H. last weekend, was the quickest in the 8,000-horsepower category during a rain-shortened day of qualifying at the state-of-the-art dragstrip just south of Chicago. NHRA officials were forced to cancel one of the day's two scheduled qualifying sessions due to early afternoon rain showers.
Still riding the momentum from his success at the past two events, Force covered the distance in 4.035 seconds at 314.02 mph in his Castrol GTX Ford Mustang to lead the qualifying order.
“Anytime you come to Chicago you usually have killer conditions and after old [rookie Chad] Head went out there and ran 4.05 we knew it was there,” said Force, a three-time winner at this track who has moved from 10th to fifth place in the series standings in the last two weeks . “Anytime you run good you’re excited and I ain’t had a car that runs like this for a while. Mike Neff [crew chief] and the crew did a great job.”
If the performance holds through Saturday’s final two qualifying sessions (4:15 and 7:15 p.m.) it will be the 143rd No. 1 qualifying position of the 15-time champ’s legendary career. Sunday’s eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m.
Force says with the right conditions Route 66 Raceway’s first three-second run in the Funny Car category might be possible. Matt Hagan holds the track record at 4.022 seconds.
“Now, tomorrow, we’ll push it because we made a good run tonight,” Force said. “Then, you might see a three.”
Series leader Hagan was second with a 4.040 at 317.19 in his Magneti Marelli/Mopar/Rocky Boots Dodge Charger and defending world champ Jack Beckman qualified third in his Valvoline/MTS Charger with a 4.043 at 313.15.
Hometown favorite Schumacher, from nearby Long Grove, Ill., led Top Fuel qualifying with a performance of 3.772 at 325.45 in his U.S. Army dragster, edging out Doug Kalitta for the top spot by virtue of his faster speed. Kalitta qualified second with an identical time at a slower speed of 322.34 in his Mac Tools dragster.
“We were actually a bit conservative on the run because we knew we had to make it down the track just in case we have rain tomorrow,” Schumacher said. “But if we don’t have any problems with the weather, the conditions could be even better on Saturday because it will be a couple of degrees cooler. I’m sure that a 3.77 won’t hold for No. 1 tomorrow. But having run the 3.77 on our first pass, that gives us the luxury of going all out on Saturday, and that’s what we plan to do.”
Top Fuel series leader Shawn Langdon qualified third in his Al-Anabi Racing dragster with a 3.789 at 325.92 and Brandon Bernstein, who sat out the last two events recovering from back surgery, was fourth in his ProtectTheHarvest.com/MAV TV dragster with a 3.794 at 323.04.
In Pro Stock, series leader Edwards is in position to earn his 10th No. 1 of the season and 51st of his career as he drove his Interstate Batteries/I Am Second Chevy Camaro to a quick pass of 6.602 at 208.68.
“We made a nice run and feel like we might have been a little bit soft in some areas,” Edwards said. “We didn’t know how many runs we were going to get so we just wanted to get down the track. The conditions will be better tomorrow so we’ll see a lot of changes. I think it will be quite a bit better.”
Defending world champ Allen Johnson was second in his Team Mopar Dodge Avenger with a 6.614 at 208.68 and his teammate, four-time Chicago winner Jeg Coughlin, was third overall in his JEGS.com/Mopar Avenger with a 6.615 at 209.36.
Defending event Pro Stock winner Erica Enders-Stevens, who made history at this event last year by becoming the first female to win an NHRA Pro Stock race, qualified fourth in her Cagnazzi Racing Camaro with a 6.620 at 207.75.
If Pollacheck’s leading time of 6.929 at 191.24 on his Sovereign Star Racing Buell holds he will earn his first career No. 1 qualifying position in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
“We hope that will hold up because we really need a good weekend especially after last week,” said Pollacheck, who qualified fourth at Epping but was upset in the first round by No. 13 qualifier Steve Johnson. “Michael [Ray, teammate] has had a great bike, but we’ve had some gremlins with mine. Hopefully we have them exterminated. I think we do have some left over. That wasn’t a perfect run, so maybe tomorrow we can run quicker.”
Hector Arana Sr. qualified second on his Lucas Oil Buell with a 6.930 at 193.32 and Matt Smith was third on his Viper Motorcycle Company Buell with a 6.937 at 193.82.
PRO
(SESSION 1)
TOP FUEL
1 2 Tony Schumacher, Chicago IL, DSR-TFX 3.772 325.45 325.45
2 22 Doug Kalitta, Ypsilanti MI, Hadman-AJPE 3.772 322.34 322.34
3 4 Shawn Langdon, Indianapolis IN, Hadman-TFX 3.789 325.92 325.92
4 5 Brandon Bernstein, Indianapolis IN, Hadman-TFX 3.794 323.04 323.04
5 3 Spencer Massey, Ft. Worth TX, DSR-TFX 3.795 319.98 319.98
6 99 Khalid alBalooshi, Los Angeles CA, Hadman-TFX 3.798 326.32 326.32
7 34 Morgan Lucas, Indianapolis IN, Hadman-TFX 3.798 322.27 322.27
8 8 Bob Vandergriff, Alpharetta GA, Hadman-TFX 3.827 315.56 315.56
9 91 Larry Dixon, Indianapolis IN, McKinney-TFX 3.832 317.87 317.87
10 745 Brittany Force, Yorba Linda CA, McKinney-JFR 3.849 317.49 317.49
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FUNNY CAR
1 9 John Force, Yorba Linda CA, '13 Mustang 4.035 314.02 314.02
2 2814 Matt Hagan, Christiansburg VA, '13 Charger 4.040 317.19 317.19
3 1 Jack Beckman, Norco CA, '13 Charger 4.043 313.15 313.15
4 3111 Chad Head, Columbus OH, '13 Camry 4.053 312.21 312.21
5 7 Robert Hight, Yorba Linda CA, '13 Mustang 4.055 315.71 315.71
6 8 Tim Wilkerson, Springfield IL, '13 Mustang 4.060 306.74 306.74
7 6 Johnny Gray, Artesia NM, '13 Charger 4.064 310.70 310.70
8 28 Ron Capps, Carlsbad CA, '10 Charger 4.069 311.27 311.27
9 72 Tony Pedregon, Brownsburg IN, '13 Camry 4.093 304.67 304.67
10 4 Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg IN, '13 Camry 4.094 299.53 299.53
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
PRO STOCK
1 6 Mike Edwards, Coweta OK, '13 Camaro 6.602 208.68 208.68
2 1 Allen Johnson, Greeneville TN, '13 Avenger 6.614 208.68 208.68
3 25 Jeg Coughlin, Delaware OH, '13 Avenger 6.615 209.36 209.36
4 4 Erica Enders-Stevens, New Orleans LA, '13 Cama 6.620 207.75 207.75
5 5 Greg Anderson, Mooresville NC, '13 Camaro 6.636 208.17 208.17
6 2 Jason Line, Mooresville NC, '13 Camaro 6.637 208.30 208.30
7 3 Vincent Nobile, Dix Hills NY, '13 Avenger 6.642 208.23 208.23
8 11 Shane Gray, Denver NC, '13 Camaro 6.643 208.55 208.55
9 7 V. Gaines, Lakewood CO, '13 Avenger 6.645 208.52 208.52
10 41 Rodger Brogdon, Tomball TX, '13 Camaro 6.666 199.46 199.46
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE
1 7 Scotty Pollacheck, Medford OR, Buell XB12R 6.929 191.24 191.24
2 4 Hector Arana, Milltown IN, Buell XB9R 6.930 193.32 193.32
3 6 Matt Smith, King NC, Buell XB9R 6.937 193.82 193.82
4 3 Hector Arana Jr, Milltown IN, Buell XB9R 6.946 192.44 192.44
5 301 Adam Arana, Milltown IN, Buell XB9R 6.979 191.27 191.27
6 1528 John Hall, Hamden CT, Buell XB9R 6.980 192.60 192.60
7 9 LE Tonglet, Metairie LA, Suzuki GSXR 6.981 192.00 192.00
8 8 Michael Ray, New Braunfels TX, Buell XB9R 6.988 192.06 192.06
9 573 Mike Berry, Littleton CO, Buell XB9R 7.028 190.46 190.46
10 77 Angie Smith, King NC, Buell XB9R 7.051 192.06 192.06
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
SPORTSMAN
(FINAL SESSION)
COMP ELIMINATOR
1 41 BB/A Clark Smiley, Denver City TX, '09 GXP 7.320 7.99 -0.670
2 32 G/EA Jason Coan, Kokomo IN, '32 Bantam 8.094 8.76 -0.666
3 205 CC/A Rick Hord, Kissimmee FL, '10 GXP 6.879 7.54 -0.661
4 199K H/EA Kyle Cultrera, Eliot ME, '32 Bantam 8.962 9.61 -0.648
5 557 A/DA Mark Kirkman, Monmouth IL, BOS 6.477 7.11 -0.633
6 7 I/SM Mike DePalma, Glendale AZ, '89 Trans Am 8.897 9.53 -0.633
7 13 G/EA Steve Szupka, Willow Grove PA, '32 Bantam 8.129 8.76 -0.631
8 21 E/EA Glen Treadwell, Sorrento FL, '23-T Ford 8.320 8.94 -0.620
9 1 DD/AT Bruno Massel, Woodridge IL, '10 Cobalt 7.000 7.62 -0.620
10 394 B/ED Greg Kamplain, Brownsburg IN, Spitzer-Che 6.856 7.47 -0.614
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SUPER COMP
1 38 S/C Samantha Kenny, Kutztown PA, Undercover-C 8.900 8.90 0.000
2 6938 S/C Tom Gresham, Gresham OR, Yancer-Chevy 8.902 8.90 0.002
3 3633 S/C Brian Folk, Durand IL, Folkster-Chevy 8.906 8.90 0.006
4 3930 S/C Greg Kamplain, Brownsburg IN, Spitzer-Che 8.906 8.90 0.006
5 3387 S/C Jeff Beckman, Dublin OH, Don Davis-Chevy 8.906 8.90 0.006
6 4548 S/C Britt Cummings, Hammond LA, Phantom-Chevy 8.910 8.90 0.010
7 3700 S/C Philip Smida II, Canfield OH, Worthy-Chevy 8.911 8.90 0.011
8 T522 S/C Shawn Anderson, Eau Claire WI, American-C 8.912 8.90 0.012
9 12 S/C Jason Kenny, Kutztown PA, Dan Page-Chevy 8.915 8.90 0.015
10 10 S/C Jeff Lopez, Bedford TX, TNT-Chevy 8.915 8.90 0.015
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SUPER GAS
1 4588 S/G Buddy Wood, Sulphur OK, '67 Camaro 9.902 9.90 0.002
2 14 S/G Chick Ross, Milford NH, '67 Camaro 9.903 9.90 0.003
3 5152 S/G Al Gavlovsky, Bemidji MN, '63 Corvette 9.907 9.90 0.007
4 7613 S/G Kevin Kleineweber, Phoenix AZ, '02 Davis 9.908 9.90 0.008
5 55 S/G Trevor Larson, Starbuck MN, '04 Corvette 9.913 9.90 0.013
6 3978 S/G William Baily, Milwaukee WI, '92 Camaro 9.915 9.90 0.015
7 5132 S/G Dennis Keck, Wheatland WY, '92 Firebird 9.919 9.90 0.019
8 501B S/G Bob Fuller, Rogers AR, '00 Corvette 9.920 9.90 0.020
9 549 S/G Russ Ginger, Honolulu HI, '79 Aspen 9.923 9.90 0.023
10 51 S/G Kevin Moore, Littleton CO, '34 Chevy 9.926 9.90 0.026
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SUPER STREET
1 7047 S/ST Mike Blodgett Jr., Long Beach CA, '72 Vega10.906 10.90 0.006
2 18 S/ST Frank Quarno, Morris Plains NJ, '69 Nova 10.906 10.90 0.006
3 4588 S/ST Buddy Wood, Sulphur OK, '67 Camaro 10.912 10.90 0.012
4 3154 S/ST Mike Holcomb, Mt. Pulaski IL, '70 Camaro 10.915 10.90 0.015
5 384 S/ST Ricky Shipp, Needham IN, '70 Nova 10.916 10.90 0.016
6 51 S/ST Gary Stinnett, Emporia KS, '67 Camaro 10.917 10.90 0.017
7 315 S/ST Dan Carter, Georgetown KY, '68 Camaro 10.921 10.90 0.021
8 5381 S/ST Casey Wagner, Hooper NE, '97 Avenger 10.926 10.90 0.026
9 2912 S/ST Ed Pauley, Shelby NC, '68 Camaro 10.928 10.90 0.028
10 349J S/ST Joey Shipp, Whiteland IN, '68 Camaro 10.934 10.90 0.034
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
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THURSDAY SPORTMAN
(FINAL SESSION)
SUPER STOCK
1 3558 SS/CA Ronald Matcham, Grafton OH, '12 Mustang 9.035 10.05 -1.015
2 3903 SS/AAA Ray Skillman, Greenwood IN, '12 Mustang 8.397 9.40 -1.003
3 554 GT/MA Ron Roddel, Sioux Falls SD, '02 Grand Am 10.803 11.75 -0.947
4 373 SS/BA Bill Skillman, Greenwood IN, '13 Mustang 8.954 9.90 -0.946
5 38 SS/AAA Drew Skillman, Greenwood IN, '12 Mustang 8.478 9.40 -0.922
6 3131 SS/IA Ricky Decker, Charlestown IN, '94 Camaro 9.790 10.70 -0.910
7 58 SS/N Bill Dyer, Port Byron IL, '85 Mustang 11.045 11.95 -0.905
8 75 SS/JA Mike Cotten, Broken Arrow OK, '70 Barracu 10.096 11.00 -0.904
9 3612 GT/HA Leonard Mattingly, Cox's Creek KY, '96 Ac 10.160 11.05 -0.890
10 5600 SS/AS Michael Mans, Rogers MN, '00 Firebird 8.734 9.60 -0.866
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
STOCK ELIMINATOR
1 541 E/SA Larry DeForrest, Ramsey MN, '10 Mustang 10.620 11.70 -1.080
2 335X CC/SA Dave Connolly, Mooresville NC, '12 Camaro 9.554 10.60 -1.046
3 4022 E/SA Jeff Teuton, Houma LA, '09 Challenger 10.668 11.70 -1.032
4 5510 AA/SA Charley Whittenburg, Spenser IA, '13 Must 9.086 10.00 -0.914
5 1 E/SA Brad Burton, Snohomish WA, '72 Firebird 10.796 11.70 -0.904
6 428 BB/SA Kevin Helms, Schriever LA, '11 Challenger 9.414 10.30 -0.886
7 2 C/SA Leo Glasbrenner, Chino CA, '68 Firebird 10.517 11.40 -0.883
8 3200 K/SA Tim Lowe, Macy IN, '72 Gran Sport 11.780 12.65 -0.870
9 3610 B/SA Leonard Mattingly, Cox's Creek KY, '00 Fi 10.385 11.25 -0.865
10 355X AA/SA Mike Kubiak, Grafton OH, '13 Mustang 9.158 10.00 -0.842
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
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