2015 NHRA CARQUEST NATIONALS - PHOENIX RESULTS
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SUNDAY - HAGAN, SCHUMACHER AND BROGDON RACE TO VICTORIES AT PHOENIX
Matt Hagan raced to his second consecutive Funny Car victory of the season and extended his early season points lead Sunday at the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park.
Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel) and Rodger Brogdon (Pro Stock) also were winners of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event near Phoenix.
Event top qualifier Hagan was consistently quick all day in his Mopar Express Lane/Rocky Boots Dodge Charger R/T and posted the quickest run of the weekend in his final-round win over Del Worsham. Hagan posted a track record performance of 3.975 seconds at 324.83 mph to defeat Worsham’s DHL Toyota Camry, which finished in 4.010 at 318.17.
It is Hagan’s third consecutive victory going back to the Auto Club NHRA Finals in November 2014.
“We’ve got a killer race car and race team, so I am hoping to keep turning on those win lights,” said Hagan, the reigning Funny Car world champ, of his 16th career victory and first ever at the popular Arizona dragstrip.
“It keeps getting tougher each year and every car is so competitive,” Hagan continued. “That’s what’s so cool about this sport, it’s tough, but when you win you feel like you really did something. I am just glad to keep this [streak] going.”
Hagan's teammate Schumacher turned around his sluggish start to the season by racing to his 78th career victory in Top Fuel. Schumacher used his quickest run of the weekend in his U.S. Army dragster, a final-round performance of 3.720 at 326.56, to finish in front of Doug Kalitta’s dragster, which trailed with a 3.758 at 325.14.
It was Schumacher’s fifth victory at Phoenix and the eight-time world champ moves to third in the points standings behind leader Shawn Langdon and second-place Antron Brown.
Schumacher won the race from the No. 1 qualifying position and defeated Jenna Haddock, Spencer Massey and Brown in earlier rounds to advance to the final.
“I have to give the trophy, the credit, every bit of it to the team this week,” Schumacher said. “I was off. My lights were slower than they’ve been, and everything I tried to do really couldn’t fix it. [Crew chief] Mike Green and Neal [Strausbaugh, assistant crew chief] said, ‘We’ll fight through this. Just do your best.’ They give you confidence with a fast race car.
"I’m not going to go home and put the trophy on my shelf and feel fulfilled. It should go to Mike’s house, and he should feel fulfilled.”
Brogdon claimed his third career Pro Stock victory and first of the season by outrunning Erica Enders-Stevens in the final round. In a battle between Chevrolets, Brodgon pulled away with a 6.560 at 211.49 in his RoofTec Camaro while event No. 1 qualifier and reigning world champ Enders-Stevens trailed with a 6.640 at 205.51 in her Elite Motorsports Camaro.
To get to the final, first-time points leader Brogdon raced past Deric Kramer, Shane Gray and rookie sensation Drew Skillman.
“We started off with Elite Motorsports this year and that makes everything a lot easier,” Brogdon said. “This is the earliest I’ve ever won a race. It’s great to win one early and I am the points leader for the first time in my career. I think we’ve got a great opportunity this season. Everybody who follows this sport knows how hard it is to win a race. This is fantastic. My crew is telling me this car is going to be faster at Gainesville, so I think we are going to have some fun this year.”
The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues March 12-15 with the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Florida’s Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville.
SATURDAY - SCHUMACHER, HAGAN AND ENDERS-STEVENS TOP QUALIFIERS AT PHOENIX
Reigning NHRA world champ Tony Schumacher raced to a Top Fuel record 77th No. 1 qualifying position Saturday at the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park near Phoenix.
Matt Hagan (Funny Car) and Erica Enders-Stevens (Pro Stock) also will lead their classes into Sunday’s 11 a.m. eliminations as the No. 1 qualifiers at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event.
Schumacher powered his U.S. Army dragster to a career-best performance of 3.722 seconds at 325.61 mph during Friday’s second session. In addition to the track record on Friday, the four-time Phoenix winner also had one of the quickest dragsters during Saturday’s two sessions, posting a pair of low 3.7-second runs.
“It is great that we went down the track on all four runs and got every point except one,” Schumacher said. “It is more impressive that the run was my career-best. The car is making good, quality runs down the track and it is being consistent. If we can continue to do that we’ve got a good chance of going out and winning some races.”
The eight-time champ will face Jenna Haddock in the first round of eliminations as he looks to get his season on track after a disappointing first round loss at the season-opener two weeks ago in Pomona. The round is a rematch from last year's Denver race when Haddock defeated Schumacher in her first career start.
"We’ll go out there and do our job, not try to smoke the tires in the first round like we did in Denver," Schumacher said. "That was an exciting win when she beat me in Denver – I just don’t want her to get used to it.”
Doug Kalitta qualified second and will race Clay Millican, while last year’s top rookie Richie Crampton posted the quickest run in the final session Saturday to move to third overall. Winternationals winner and current series points leader Shawn Langdon qualified sixth and will face Leah Pritchett in the first round.
Reining Funny Car world champ Hagan powered his Mopar Express Lane/Rocky Boots Dodge Charger R/T to a track record time of 3.978 at 320.28 mph as he is seeking his second victory of the season.
“It speaks volumes of why we are a championship team,” said Hagan, who will meet Jeff Diehl in the opener. “I have a great crew and race car and I am blessed to be able to drive the wheels off it. That thing was just really digging and posted some great numbers. This team continues to grow and we are really coming together and have great chemistry. I am very excited what this year has to hold for us and I think we are going to win a lot of races this season.”
Friday leader Courtney Force will start from the second spot in her Traxxas Chevy Camaro SS and face rookie Shane Westerfield, while third qualifier Del Worsham will race rookie John Hale in the opening round. Eight-time Phoenix winner John Force qualified seventh in his Peak Camaro and will meet teammate Robert Hight in the opening round. Last year's winner here, Alexis DeJoria, qualified fourth in her Patron Cafe XO Incendio Toyota Camry and will pair up with Tony Pedregon in the first round.
In Pro Stock, Enders-Stevens earned her 14th career No. 1 and second of the season with her Friday best of 6.545 at 211.20 in her Elite Motorsports Chevy Camaro. She will open against Joey Grose.
“It’s just a great start to the year for an entire Elite Motorsports team, a better start to the year than we had in 2014, so I’m really proud of them,” Enders-Stevens said, who won this race in 2013. “It would definitely be great to win early in the year. It, obviously, doesn’t determine where you end up, but it certainly helps boost confidence and morale, but I’m really blessed with a team where we always have fun no matter what. It would be great. I mean, I would never turn down a win, for sure, but to start off early, it would be wonderful.”
Rodger Brogdon qualified second and will race Deric Kramer, while rookie sensation Drew Skillman, who finished runner-up in his pro debut at Pomona two weeks ago, qualified third and will face Phoenix resident Matt Hartford.
Sunday's first-round pairings for eliminations for the 31st annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, the second 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. Tony Schumacher, 3.722 seconds, 325.69 mph vs. 16. Jenna Haddock, 4.015, 295.59; 2. Doug Kalitta, 3.733, 329.02 vs. 15. Clay Millican, 3.924, 311.34; 3. Richie Crampton, 3.739, 324.51 vs. 14. Troy Buff, 3.905, 306.81; 4. J.R. Todd, 3.753, 323.97 vs. 13. Terry McMillen, 3.844, 310.27; 5. Antron Brown, 3.753, 318.69 vs. 12. Dave Connolly, 3.804, 321.58; 6. Shawn Langdon, 3.755, 319.37 vs. 11. Leah Pritchett, 3.794, 317.72; 7. Steve Torrence, 3.760, 325.85 vs. 10. Brittany Force, 3.792, 323.81; 8. Larry Dixon, 3.778, 324.05 vs. 9. Spencer Massey, 3.791, 321.81. Did Not Qualify: 17. Steven Chrisman, 4.410, 218.90.
Funny Car -- 1. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.978, 320.28 vs. 16. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Solara, 4.866, 264.96; 2. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.996, 321.58 vs. 15. Shane Westerfield, Charger, 4.558, 273.22; 3. Del Worsham, Toyota Camry, 3.997, 319.98 vs. 14. John Hale, Charger, 4.194, 307.23; 4. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 4.000, 313.58 vs. 13. Tony Pedregon, Camry, 4.060, 310.13; 5. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.003, 315.27 vs. 12. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.047, 309.63; 6. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.020, 316.30 vs. 11. Chad Head, Camry, 4.043, 309.13; 7. John Force, Camaro, 4.025, 315.05 vs. 10. Robert Hight, Chevrolet Camaro, 4.038, 318.47; 8. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.032, 306.60 vs. 9. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 4.034, 314.39. Did Not Qualify: 17. Terry Haddock, 5.082, 181.84.
Pro Stock -- 1. Erica Enders-Stevens, Chevy Camaro, 6.545, 211.26 vs. 16. Joey Grose, Camaro, 6.689, 207.05; 2. Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 6.545, 211.63 vs. 15. Deric Kramer, Dodge Avenger, 6.643, 208.91; 3. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.548, 211.20 vs. 14. Matt Hartford, Pontiac GXP, 6.632, 209.14; 4. Allen Johnson, Dodge Dart, 6.551, 211.36 vs. 13. Jimmy Alund, GXP, 6.626, 209.69; 5. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.559, 210.54 vs. 12. V. Gaines, Dart, 6.620, 209.95; 6. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.562, 211.59 vs. 11. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.586, 210.87; 7. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.565, 211.46 vs. 10. Jonathan Gray, Camaro, 6.578, 210.34; 8. Larry Morgan, Camaro, 6.569, 211.89 vs. 9. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.578, 210.67. Did Not Qualify: 17. Jeff Isbell, 6.718, 205.98.
FRIDAY - COURTNEY FORCE, TONY SCHUMACHER AND ERICA ENDERS-STEVENS LEAD FRIDAY QUALIFYING AT PHOENIX
Courtney Force raced to the qualifying lead in Funny Car during Friday qualifying at the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals near Phoenix.
Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel) and Erica Enders-Stevens (Pro Stock) also were qualifying leaders at the second race of the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season.
Force ran a 3.996-second pass at 321.58 mph in her Traxxas Chevy Camaro during the second session of qualifying at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park to take the top spot in her category and record a track record speed. Force was the only Funny Car racer to record a run quicker than four seconds on the first day of qualifying. At the season opener in Pomona, Calif. two weeks ago, Force sprinted to a 3.995 second run in the third round of qualifying to enter race day No. 1.
“We just tried to get down there and put up a good, solid pass,” Force said. “It feels good to put a three-second run on the board this year and not just once. It’s fun for the team. We’ve never had the best luck here, so we’re trying to turn that around.”
Reigning event winner Alexis DeJoria is second in Funny Car with a 4.000 at 313.58 in her Patron XO Café Incendio Toyota Camry. Del Worsham is third in his DHL Toyota Camry with a 4.005 at 318.27 while Matt Hagan, the reigning world champion, qualified fourth with a 4.025 at 316.60 in his Mopar Express Lane/Rocky Boots Dodge Charger.
In Top Fuel, Schumacher recorded a performance of 3.722 at 325.61 in the U.S. Army dragster during the final pair of cars on the final session, marking the quickest pass of the eight-time world champion’s career and a track record for time. At the season-opener in Pomona, Schumacher was upset in the first round of racing.
“Mike Green [crew chief] and Neal [Strausbaugh, assistant crew chief] didn’t like what they saw in Pomona and made some changes,” Schumacher said. “I feel like this track has really come around. We just ran my quickest run ever right here, right now. The fans are getting their money’s worth. Kalitta, [Shawn] Langdon, and our team cars can pull off miracles, but barring a miracle, I think that's going to hold.”
Doug Kalitta, the No. 1 qualifier here last season, was second with a 3.733 at 329.02 in his Mac Tools dragster. J.R. Todd took the third spot with a 3.753 at 323.12 in his Red Line Oil/Kalitta Air dragster and behind him, in fourth, was the 2014 Phoenix champion, Antron Brown. Brown posted a 3.753 at 318.69 in the Matco Tools/U.S. Army dragster.
In Pro Stock, reigning world champion Enders-Stevens took the qualifying lead with a 6.545 at 211.20 in her Elite motorsports Chevy Camaro.
“We’re still learning, trying to acquire some data, and having some team cars out there really helps,” Enders-Stevens said. “We’ve got four guys in Pro Stock, including myself, that are running Elite Performance power, and three of us are 1-2-3, so I’m very proud of my team. I’m happy to be on top here after Friday, but we’ve got our work cut out for us tomorrow.”
Rodger Brogdon was second with a 6.545 at 210.90 in his RoofTec Camaro. Rookie sensation Drew Skillman, who was runner-up at Pomona in his first career start, qualified third with a 6.548 at 211.03 in his Camaro. Allen Johnson won Phoenix in 2014 and sits fourth in the qualifying order with a 6.551 at 211.36 in his Magnetti Marelli Dodge Dart.
Qualifying continues Saturday with sessions at 1:30 and 4 p.m. Sunday’s eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m.
Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 31st annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, second of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Tony Schumacher, 3.722 seconds, 325.61 mph; 2. Doug Kalitta, 3.733, 329.02; 3. J.R. Todd, 3.753, 323.97; 4. Antron Brown, 3.753, 318.69; 5. Shawn Langdon, 3.755, 319.37; 6. Larry Dixon, 3.784, 321.42; 7. Steve Torrence, 3.790, 323.27; 8. Brittany Force, 3.792, 323.81; 9. Leah Pritchett, 3.808, 317.72; 10. Terry McMillen, 3.844, 310.27; 11. Troy Buff, 3.905, 306.81; 12. Richie Crampton, 4.016, 219.86.
Not Qualified: 13. Jenna Haddock, 4.037, 257.14; 14. Steven Chrisman, 4.343, 218.90; 15. Spencer Massey, 4.638, 162.08; 16. Dave Connolly, 5.549, 122.23; 17. Clay Millican, 8.102, 82.71.
Funny Car -- 1. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.996, 321.58; 2. Alexis DeJoria, Toyota Camry, 4.000, 313.58; 3. Del Worsham, Camry, 4.005, 318.17; 4. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 4.025, 320.13; 5. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.032, 306.60; 6. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.034, 312.21; 7. John Force, Camaro, 4.035, 315.05; 8. Robert Hight, Chevrolet Camaro, 4.038, 301.00; 9. Tony Pedregon, Camry, 4.060, 310.13; 10. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.066, 311.20; 11. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 4.076, 314.39; 12. Chad Head, Camry, 4.078, 309.13. Not Qualified: 13. Shane Westerfield, 4.125, 273.22; 14. John Hale, 4.212, 299.06; 15. Jeff Diehl, 6.329, 113.66; 16. Jack Beckman, 10.584, 58.48.
Pro Stock -- 1. Erica Enders-Stevens, Chevy Camaro, 6.545, 211.26; 2. Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 6.545, 211.63; 3. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.548, 211.03; 4. Allen Johnson, Dodge Dart, 6.551, 211.36; 5. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.559, 210.54; 6. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.562, 211.16; 7. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.565, 211.00; 8. Larry Morgan, Camaro, 6.569, 211.89; 9. Jonathan Gray, Camaro, 6.578, 210.34; 10. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.586, 210.87; 11. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.588, 210.67; 12. V. Gaines, Dart, 6.620, 209.95.
Not Qualified: 13. Matt Hartford, 6.621, 209.14; 14. Deric Kramer, 6.637, 208.55; 15. Jimmy Alund, 6.654, 207.91; 16. Joey Grose, 6.672, 207.05; 17. Jeff Isbell, 9.326, 99.68.
SPORTSMAN RESULTS
COMP (SESSION ONE)
1 8 A/AP Alan Ellis, Mapleton UT, '23-T Ford 6.488 7.15 -0.662
2 7189 B/ND Dean Carter, Glendale AZ, Uyehara-Chevy 6.928 7.56 -0.632
3 717 C/T Mike DePalma, Glendale AZ, '00 S-10 8.109 8.71 -0.601
4 799 C/A Steve Graham, S.San Francisco CA, '12 GXP 7.313 7.87 -0.557
5 500 B/AP Lou Ficco Jr., Wheat Ridge CO, '09 GXP 7.232 7.77 -0.538
6 6618 B/AA Dale Giroux, Canyon Creek AB, '12 Camaro 6.987 7.52 -0.533
7 600 B/SMA Jeff Lane, North Bend WA, '10 Cobalt 8.048 8.56 -0.512
8 6857 A/EA Ralph Van Paepeghem, Garden Valley ID, '3 7.331 7.82 -0.489
9 75 C/DA Tyler Hogan, Santa Maria CA, Sarmento 7.053 7.54 -0.487
10 7063 D/ED Mark Lelchook, Forest Hill CA, ProStart-C 7.447 7.92 -0.473
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SUPER STOCK (FINAL SESSION)
1 3 SS/CM Phil Unruh, McPherson KS, '10 Cobalt 8.459 9.50 -1.041
2 76 SS/JA Mike Cotten, Cave Creek AZ, '70 Barracuda 10.038 11.00 -0.962
3 28 GT/FA Marion Stephenson, Williamsport IN, '90 S 9.845 10.80 -0.955
4 442E SS/F Jarod Granier, Labadieville LA, '66 Nova 9.395 10.35 -0.955
5 6015 GT/BA Tom Nolan, Lacombe AB, '09 G5 9.327 10.25 -0.923
6 554 GT/LA Ron Roddel, Sioux Falls SD, '02 Grand Am 10.641 11.55 -0.909
7 5250 FSS/E Todd Patterson, Augusta KS, '14 Camaro 9.157 10.05 -0.893
8 6820 GT/CA Caitlin Setters, Red Deer AB, '09 G5 9.526 10.40 -0.874
9 2207 GT/DA Jeff Taylor, Sellersburg IN, '06 Cobalt 9.639 10.50 -0.861
10 7826 SS/EA Kyle Seipel, Pleasanton CA, '69 Camaro 9.491 10.35 -0.859
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STOCK (FINAL SESSION)
1 5809 D/SA Brad Burton, Snohomish WA, '72 Firebird 10.538 11.55 -1.012
2 652 G/S Bob Gullett, Calgary AB, '68 Nova 10.891 11.90 -1.009
3 728 FS/A Brent Calvert, Lancaster CA, '14 Mustang 8.703 9.70 -0.997
4 5942 FS/C Ryan Montford, Wichita KS, '13 Camaro 9.331 10.30 -0.969
5 776 A/SA Doug Lambeck, Irvine CA, '69 Camaro 10.113 11.00 -0.887
6 78 C/SA Leo Glasbrenner, Chino CA, '68 Firebird 10.515 11.40 -0.885
7 5775 D/SA Bob Johnson, Aurora CO, '67 Mustang 10.678 11.55 -0.872
8 7185 B/SA Dave Bridgewater, Devore CA, '69 Camaro 10.408 11.25 -0.842
9 5799 D/SA Brian Schultz, Stanchfield MN, '71 Duster 10.712 11.55 -0.838
10 7042 D/SA Errol Farmer, Las Vegas NV, '70 Barracuda 10.717 11.55 -0.833
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TOP SPORTSMAN (SESSION TWO)
1 7980 Joe Roubicek, Westlake Village CA, '68 Camaro 6.548 210.14 210.14
2 6317 Derek Menholt, Billings MT, '68 Camaro 6.608 216.31 216.31
3 4147 Greg Lair, Canyon TX, '14 Camaro 6.699 209.92 210.87
4 D712 Phil Dion, Paradise Valley AZ, '12 Avenger 6.834 203.40 203.40
5 6636 Ray Martin, Anchorage AK, '63 Corvette 6.839 200.14 200.14
6 4880 Jimmy Lewis, Forney TX, '12 GXP 6.908 202.67 202.67
7 71 Jeff Gillette, Benicia CA, '06 GTO 6.918 199.52 199.52
8 61 Rod Hymas, Standard AB, '69 Camaro 6.943 198.03 198.03
9 780 David Cook, Novato CA, '03 Mustang 6.946 196.07 196.07
10 7399 Steve Faller, Lake Havasu City AZ, '63 Corvette 6.999 200.86 200.86
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TOP DRAGSTER (SESSION ONE)
1 7848 Jon Bradford, Tucson AZ, Spitzer-Mopar 6.121 228.58 228.58
2 7183 Jesse Adams, Yuba City CA, Racetech-BAE 6.231 222.03 222.03
3 7208 Denny Hills, Gilbert AZ, Yancer-Chevy 6.276 223.28 223.28
4 7353 Lyle Burnham, Henderson NV, Racetech-Chevy 6.361 212.96 212.96
5 713 Tom Koenen, Tuscon AZ, N&P-Chevy 6.398 218.16 218.16
6 52 Phil Unruh, McPherson KS, Spitzer-Chevy 6.408 217.63 217.63
7 5002 Kent Kroeker, Grant NE, Mullis-Chevy 6.569 210.01 210.01
8 72 Andy Spiegel, Acton CA, TNT-Chevy 6.598 203.71 203.71
9 5908 Lyle Byrum, El Paso TX, Canode-Chevy 6.633 205.26 205.26
10 71 Moe Trujillo, Happy Valley OR, Undercover-Chevy 6.659 203.65 203.65
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