NHRA LAS VEGAS NATIONALS - SAME DAY COVERAGE
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SUNDAY FINAL - PEDREGON MOVES INTO FUNNY CAR POINTS LEAD WITH WIN; SCHUMACHER, COUGHLIN AND RIVAS ALSO WIN IN LAS VEGAS
Funny Car driver Cruz Pedregon guided his car into the points lead with a win Sunday at the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals.
Top Fuel POWERade Series world champion Tony Schumacher, Pro Stock’s
Jeg Coughlin and Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Chris Rivas joined Pedregon in
the winner’s circle at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with only
one race remaining in the Countdown to 1 playoffs.
Pedregon, driving his Advance Auto Parts Toyota Solara, gained the
points lead by defeating Robert Hight. His 4.100 at 304.67 run was
strong enough to move him past Tim 
Wilkerson
and into the top spot in the point standings. The last time Pedregon
won a championship was 16 years ago in 1992. This is his second win of
the season and 25th of his career.
“I didn’t hardly sleep at all last night,” said Pedregon. “I went up
there and just tried to maintain my emotions. It seems like every
round was like a championship round. We got the win the against
Robert. It was a good race. I was afraid I might see the Dodger Blue
of his (Hight) fender. I was praying for the win light to come on
because that was a tough race.”
Schumacher put an exclamation point on his season by accomplishing
everything he could in one weekend in his U.S. Army dragster. He
defeated Rod Fuller in the finals with a run of 3.806 at 314.53. In
one weekend Schumacher was the No. 1 qualifier, won the championship
and won his 15th race of the season. Schumacher has a record-tying 15
wins in 2008 and 56th career win.
“Every race we have won it’s getting harder and harder to do it because
the bar is so high,” said Schumacher. “I had a good car and we won.
It was perfect, just perfect. Its how it’s been all year long.”
Coughlin
all but clinched his second consecutive and fourth POWERade Series
world championship when he defeated Greg Stanfield in the finals. His
run of 6.708 at 205.07 in his JEGS.com Chevy Cobalt was merely a
formality after Stanfield lit the red light at the start. Coughlin has
three wins in 2008 and 41 wins in his career.
“It (the win) definitely took a ton of pressure of our shoulders,” said
Coughlin. “Nearly a four round lead is awesome. With the likes that
are behind us, like Dave Connolly my teammate, we knew certainly he was
capable of winning. We couldn’t take anything for granted.”
Rivas, on his G-Squared/S&S Drag Specialties V-Twin, helped himself
move closer to his first championship. His winning run of 7.052 at 185
moved him within only 39 points behind defending POWERade Series world
champion Matt Smith.
“This feels pretty incredible,” said Rivas. “I honestly didn’t expect
it (To be in contention for a championship). The team is so strong.”
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Sunday's final results from the Eighth annual ACDelco Las Vegas
NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The race is
the 23rd of 24 in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series:
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SATURDAY QUALIFYING - SCHUMACHER CLINCHES SIXTH CHAMPIONSHIP; HIGHT, COUGHLIN, SAMPEY ALSO NO.1 AT THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher clinched his sixth NHRA POWERade Series world championship by qualifying at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Robert Hight, Jeg Coughlin and Angelle Sampey were the other No. 1 qualifiers in their categories Saturday at the eighth annual ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals, the fifth of six events in the NHRA Countdown to 1 playoffs.
Schumacher achieved his fifth consecutive and sixth world championship with his commanding run from Friday night. His U.S. Army dragster ran a time of 3.781 at 316.60. This is his eighth top qualifier of the season and his 55th career top qualifier. With this championship Schumacher moves ahead of Joe Amato for most career championship in the Top Fuel category, and joins legend Kenny Bernstein, Bob Glidden and Warren Johnson at third all-time.
“I think it’s very gratifying to wrap up number one because after the whole season being as great as it was, and the last two years coming down to the last run of the year and how exciting it was, you know, we show up and they say, ‘All you have to do is qualify,’” said Schumacher. “We got to remember we won 14 races. We didn’t just have to qualify. We had to do all of that to get here. So to be number one, at least it is a little bit of an exclamation point. We clearly earned it. I don’t think there is a question anywhere in the country that we left anything on the table. It’s amazing. To be able to do it in Vegas was great. There is just something special about Las Vegas.”
The rain played into the hands of Hight. Right after his burnout light rain fell on the track and racing was halted for a short time. Hight then drove his Auto Club/Los Angeles Dodgers Ford Mustang to his fifth No. 1 in 2008 with a run of 4.043 at 309.20. It’s also his 28 career top qualifier.
“It was probably the most confusing run I ever made,” said Hight. “Having to do the burnout and its raining. Then seeing the side windows have water all over them and getting back past the tree and Rick Stewart (NHRA chief starter) is telling me to shut it off. I was telling the crew guys to do everything right (before restarting). We know we have to do everything perfect. We have been number one here a lot and lost first round too. My radio didn’t work. I didn’t even know what it ran, but I knew it had to be pretty good run. It was a weird run.”
Sampey ran a track record time of 6.993 at 188.23 with her Rush Racing Products Buell Pro Stock Motorcycle in the first round of qualifying. It was her first top qualifier of the season and 45th career top qualifier.
“After the first round I was praying for 20 mile an hour headwinds because I wanted to keep the No. 1 spot,” said 
Sampey. “I’m really excited. I haven’t been No. 1 qualifier in so long I have forgotten what it feels like.”
Pro Stock driver Coughlin ran a track record time of 6.703 at 205.47 in his JEGS.com Chevy Cobalt. This is his third No. 1 qualifier of the season, 15th of his career and second at Las Vegas.
“I got a little aggressive with the car in the left lane this morning, but had to abort the run,” said Coughlin. “We came back and ran nice and tied for low of the round with Jason Line. The momentum we were looking for, the consistency we were looking for is exactly what we accomplished. We feel confident going into tomorrow.”
Eliminations begin tomorrow at 11 a.m.
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First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the Eighth annual ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the 23rd of 24 events in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.
Top Fuel -- 1. Tony Schumacher, 3.781 seconds, 318.92 mph vs. 16. Joe Hartley, 3.952, 301.60; 2. Antron Brown, 3.812, 315.49 vs. 15. Troy Buff, 3.935, 300.26; 3. Rod Fuller, 3.816, 318.39 vs. 14. Tim Boychuk, 3.919, 297.75; 4. Larry Dixon, 3.831, 313.88 vs. 13. Terry McMillen, 3.918, 307.86; 5. Cory McClenathan, 3.852, 314.17 vs. 12. Morgan Lucas, 3.895, 309.98; 6. Hillary Will, 3.861, 310.48 vs. 11. Doug Kalitta, 3.894, 309.27; 7. J.R. Todd, 3.864, 313.37 vs. 10. David Grubnic, 3.874, 308.99; 8. Brandon Bernstein, 3.864, 313.00 vs. 9. Clay Millican, 3.865, 315.42.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Urs Erbacher, 3.953, 303.43; 18. Mike Strasburg, 3.961, 308.28; 19. Bob Vandergriff, 3.998, 293.03; 20. Steven Chrisman, 4.163, 282.19; 21. Terry Haddock, 4.255, 243.72; 22. Doug Herbert, 6.766, 257.43; 23. Arley Langlo, broke.
Funny Car -- 1. Robert Hight, Ford Mustang, 4.043, 309.20 vs. 16. Tony Bartone, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.138, 297.68; 2. John Force, Mustang, 4.062, 307.37 vs. 15. Jeff Arend, Toyota Solara, 4.115, 302.08; 3. Jerry Toliver, Dodge Charger, 4.066, 307.37 vs. 14. Gary Densham, Chevy Impala, 4.100, 297.75; 4. Ashley Force, Mustang, 4.069, 310.05 vs. 13. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.100, 303.71; 5. Tony Pedregon, Impala, 4.078, 304.46 vs. 12. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.096, 306.88; 6. Cruz Pedregon, Solara, 4.080, 305.56 vs. 11. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.093, 301.81; 7. Melanie Troxel, Charger, 4.082, 306.19 vs. 10. Gary Scelzi, Charger, 4.093, 301.94; 8. Tim Wilkerson, Impala, 4.090, 304.05 vs. 9. Mike Neff, Mustang, 4.092, 308.07.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Del Worsham, 4.141, 297.81; 18. Jim Head, 4.168, 303.71; 19. Tommy Johnson Jr., 4.186, 293.41; 20. Bob Bode, 4.234, 293.60.
Pro Stock -- 1. Jeg Coughlin, Chevy Cobalt, 6.703, 205.47 vs. 16. Rickie Jones, Dodge Stratus, 6.758, 202.79; 2. Greg Anderson, Pontiac GXP, 6.709, 205.85 vs. 15. Justin Humphreys, GXP, 6.758, 204.73; 3. Jason Line, GXP, 6.716, 205.38 vs. 14. Greg Stanfield, GXP, 6.748, 204.91; 4. Allen Johnson, Stratus, 6.717, 204.94 vs. 13. Vinnie Deceglie, Stratus, 6.745, 204.01; 5. V. Gaines, Stratus, 6.717, 204.73 vs. 12. Ron Krisher, Cobalt, 6.744, 205.13; 6. Kurt Johnson, Cobalt, 6.719, 205.07 vs. 11. Richie Stevens, Stratus, 6.743, 204.20; 7. Mike Edwards, GXP, 6.724, 205.10 vs. 10. Jim Yates, GXP, 6.742, 204.39; 8. Warren Johnson, GXP, 6.735, 205.51 vs. 9. Dave Connolly, Cobalt, 6.736, 204.91.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Larry Morgan, 6.768, 203.92; 18. Ben Watson, 6.797, 201.64; 19. Johnny Gray, 6.801, 203.43; 20. Bob Panella, 6.831, 202.30; 21. Roger Brogdon, 6.837, 201.55; 22. Gordie Rivera, 6.874, 201.28.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Angelle Sampey, Buell, 6.993, 188.23 vs. 16. Junior Pippin, Buell, 7.171, 182.67; 2. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 7.035, 189.52 vs. 15. Shawn Gann, Suzuki, 7.169, 182.26; 3. Hector Arana, Buell, 7.037, 188.81 vs. 14. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.150, 188.44; 4. Chip Ellis, Suzuki, 7.042, 187.96 vs. 13. Angie McBride, Buell, 7.139, 185.18; 5. Chris Rivas, Buell, 7.046, 187.89 vs. 12. Michael Phillips, Suzuki, 7.124, 190.19; 6. Matt Smith, Buell, 7.059, 84.60 vs. 11. Matt Guidera, Buell, 7.110, 187.73; 7. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.062, 189.66 vs. 10. Mike Berry, Suzuki, 7.103, 185.89; 8. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 7.071, 188.04 vs. 9. Craig Treble, Suzuki, 7.101, 185.00.
Did Not Qualify: 17. David Hope, 7.197, 184.88; 18. Valerie Thompson, 7.202, 182.72; 19. Peggy Llewellyn, 7.242, 185.21; 20. Ryan Schnitz, 7.317, 178.26; 21. Freddie Camarena, 7.401, 177.63; 22. James Surber, 7.434, 175.84; 23. Blaine Hale, 7.558, 171.73.
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FRIDAY QUALIFYING - FORCE LOOKS FOR FIRST TOP QUALIFIER; SCHUMACHER, COUGHLIN, SAMPEY ALSO NO.1 AT THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Funny Car driver John Force looked to grab his first No. 1 qualifier of
the season in his Castrol GTX-High Mileage Ford Mustang at The Strip at
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Tony Schumacher, Jeg Coughlin and Angelle Sampey were the other
provisional No. 1 qualifiers in their categories Friday night at the
eighth annual ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals, fifth of six events in
the NHRA Countdown to 1 playoffs.
With the sun going down and cool track and air temperatures, Force used
a second round run to vault himself from fifth to first with a run of
4.062 seconds at 307.37 mph. If the time holds it would be the 14-time
world champions first No. 1 qualifier of the season and 132nd of his
career.
“I picked a good time in front of all these Vegas fans to have a good
run but a bad time for this championship chase,” Force said. “I am
still looking for that Hail Mary. I need a miracle but I believe in
‘em. I already had one in Dallas. It is just good to be back and be
able to come up here and have my old hot rod running good. It has been
a while.”
Schumacher, who can clinch his fifth consecutive and sixth career world
championship by qualifying for Sunday’s eliminations, ran a time of
3.781 at 316.60 in his U.S. Army dragster. This would be his eighth
top qualifier of the season and his 55th career top qualifier.
“It shook and then it just went into warp speed,” said Schumacher. “We
have not had the most success on Friday nights. It was great. It was
fun. The circumstance where you got to qualify to be the champ, you’ve
won 14 races, you don’t want it to be anticlimactic.”
Sampey ran a track record time of 6.993 at 188.23 with her 
Rush Racing
Products Buell Pro Stock Motorcycle in the first round of qualifying.
It would be her first No. 1 qualifier of the season and 45th of her
career.
“I love Las Vegas,” said Sampey. “It was a great run. We had all of
our bad luck at the beginning of the year. I’m really hoping these
next couple of races go well. We know we can win. It’s definitely
still got the power for tomorrow.”
Pro Stock driver Coughlin ran a track record time of 6.703 at 
205.47.
If it stands it would be Coughlin’s third No. 1 qualifier of the
season, 15th of his career and second at Las Vegas.
“We made two flawless runs here today,” Coughlin said. “We want to keep
this hot rod on the pole. It’s do time right now with the Countdown to
1. This is perfect timing for the Jeg’s and the JEGS.com car to come
out and shine. We need to run flawless all weekend.”
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Results Friday after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the Eighth annual ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 23rd of 24 events in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Tony Schumacher, 3.781 seconds, 317.19 mph; 2. Antron Brown, 3.812, 315.49; 3. Larry Dixon, 3.831, 313.88; 4. Cory McClenathan, 3.852, 314.17; 5. Hillary Will, 3.861, 303.84; 6. Rod Fuller, 3.863, 313.44; 7. David Grubnic, 3.874, 308.99; 8. Clay Millican, 3.889, 315.42; 9. Doug Kalitta, 3.894, 309.27; 10. Morgan Lucas, 3.895, 307.86; 11. Brandon Bernstein, 3.916, 311.20; 12. Terry McMillen, 3.918, 307.86.
Not Qualified: 13. Urs Erbacher, 3.951, 303.43; 14. J.R. Todd,
3.968, 301.81; 15. Tim Boychuk, 4.076, 240.77; 16. Joe Hartley, 4.089, 294.43; 17. Doug Herbert,
4.276, 257.43; 18. Steven Chrisman, 4.435, 267.11; 19. Troy Buff, 7.097, 82.95; 20. Arley Langlo,
7.139, 89.02; 21. Mike Strasburg, 7.151, 97.56; 22. Bob Vandergriff, 8.007, 80.72.
Funny Car -- 1. John Force, Ford Mustang, 4.062, 307.37; 2. Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Solara,
4.080, 305.56; 3. Melanie Troxel, Dodge Charger, 4.082, 302.69; 4. Ashley Force, Mustang, 4.089,
305.01; 5. Tim Wilkerson, Chevy Impala, 4.090, 304.05; 6. Gary Scelzi, Charger, 4.093, 301.94; 7.
Robert Hight, Mustang, 4.094, 301.60; 8. Mike Neff, Mustang, 4.096, 308.07; 9. Ron Capps, Charger,
4.100, 298.60; 10. Gary Densham, Impala, 4.100, 297.75; 11. Jeff Arend, Solara, 4.115, 302.08; 12.
Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.119, 301.40.
Not Qualified: 13. Tony Pedregon, 4.130, 301.20; 14. Bob
Tasca III, 4.134, 303.64; 15. Jim Head, 4.138, 303.71; 16. Jerry Toliver, 4.141, 297.88; 17. Tommy
Johnson Jr., 4.268, 279.85; 18. Bob Bode, 4.315, 284.27; 19. Tony Bartone, 4.789, 168.75; 20. Del
Worsham, 5.523, 128.64.
Pro Stock -- 1. Jeg Coughlin, Chevy Cobalt, 6.703, 205.47; 2. Greg Anderson, Pontiac GXP,
6.709, 205.85; 3. Allen Johnson, Dodge Stratus, 6.717, 204.94; 4. V. Gaines, Stratus, 6.717,
204.73; 5. Kurt Johnson, Cobalt, 6.719, 205.07; 6. Jason Line, GXP, 6.723, 205.38; 7. Warren
Johnson, GXP, 6.735, 205.07; 8. Dave Connolly, Cobalt, 6.736, 204.91; 9. Jim Yates, GXP, 6.742,
204.39; 10. Richie Stevens, Stratus, 6.743, 204.20; 11. Ron Krisher, Cobalt, 6.744, 205.13; 12.
Greg Stanfield, GXP, 6.748, 204.91.
Not Qualified: 13. Larry Morgan, 6.749, 203.92; 14. Justin
Humphreys, 6.750, 204.73; 15. Mike Edwards, 6.753, 204.94; 16. Vinnie Deceglie, 6.759, 203.77; 17.
Johnny Gray, 6.762, 203.43; 18. Rickie Jones, 6.763, 202.79; 19. Ben Watson, 6.788, 201.64; 20. Bob
Panella, 6.816, 202.24; 21. Roger Brogdon, 6.837, 200.65; 22. Gordie Rivera, 6.866, 201.28.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Angelle Sampey, Buell, 6.993, 188.23; 2. Eddie Krawiec,
Harley-Davidson, 7.035, 189.52; 3. Chris Rivas, Buell, 7.046, 187.89; 4. Matt Smith, Buell, 7.059,
184.60; 5. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.062, 189.66; 6. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 7.071, 188.04;
7. Chip Ellis, Suzuki, 7.071, 187.96; 8. Hector Arana, Buell, 7.077, 188.81; 9. Mike Berry, Suzuki,
7.103, 185.82; 10. Matt Guidera, Buell, 7.110, 187.73; 11. Craig Treble, Suzuki, 7.114, 178.87; 12.
Angie McBride, Buell, 7.139, 185.18.
Not Qualified: 13. Shawn Gann, 7.147, 182.03; 14. Junior
Pippin, 7.154, 182.26; 15. David Hope, 7.157, 184.88; 16. Michael Phillips, 7.166, 190.19; 17.
Steve Johnson, 7.179, 188.44; 18. Peggy Llewellyn, 7.194, 185.21; 19. Valerie Thompson, 7.214,
181.15; 20. Ryan Schnitz, 7.367, 175.96; 21. Freddie Camarena, 7.525, 154.86; 22. Blaine Hale,
7.625, 171.73; 23. James Surber, 7.658, 175.84.
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EVENT PREVIEW - PRESSURE INSPIRES ANDERSON TO PERFORM
Greg Anderson is the odd man out.
Of all of the regular season champions, Anderson’s the only one not in
the points lead. He’s not in second or third, either. Anderson’s in
fourth place, 82 points behind leader and reigning NHRA POWERade Series
world champion Jeg Coughlin, the man who denied Anderson’s bid to
reclaim his title last year.
A few seasons ago, when Anderson was all but literally putting tire
tracks on the backs of his competitors for three straight dominating
seasons, this kind of disadvantage was unthinkable. For others, a
top-five finish in the season standings would be welcomed; the best of
their careers. But Anderson? Not him. He was winning half the events on
the schedule, which makes it particularly absurd to see him lagging
behind like a kid who missed the bus.
And yet he is, with two events left to make up ground. The NHRA
POWERade Series comes to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Oct.
30-Nov. 2 for the eighth-annual ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals. It’s
the last race before the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., where
this year’s champions will be crowned.
Historically, wins in Las Vegas for Anderson have come in two’s – three
times he’s won both the spring and fall events in the same year there.
But he’s never won one without the other.
In April, Anderson qualified ninth but was booted in the first round by
Greg Stanfield. Stanfield almost went the distance that day. He
advanced to the final round but lost to Anderson’s teammate Jason Line.
So he’s in fourth. The comfort of history won’t be on his side.
What’s a guy to do?
Call what he needs whatever you want – a reverse of fortune; luck;
heavenly intervention. Anderson’s not a guy who waits for those. He’s
not a mad scientist and he’s not complacent either. He’s somewhere in
the middle, where hypothesis and hours of work meet.
Let’s take the last two weeks, for instance. Anderson’s made at least
30 runs in his Summit Racing Equipment Pontiac GXP since the close of
Richmond, part by design and part by sheer convenience of a track –
it’s one block from his shop. Anderson and Line never really have to
stop tweaking and testing and tweaking again.
Losing makes him hungry, and hunger makes him drive.
“I absolutely can’t (remember feeling like this),” Anderson said. “This
is the most dire straights we’ve been in since we’ve had this Ken Black
(owned) team. It’s never been this tough of a battle. We’ll see what
kind of performers we are, I guess. We need not only help from the
other cars – we have to perform the best we ever have.”
In Anderson’s world, there’s no point looking in the rearview mirror.
Instead he’ll look at the drivers ahead of him – and when he does,
he’ll see a brick-wall threesome of Coughlin, Kurt Johnson and
Coughlin’s teammate, the young Dave Connolly. They all have their own
motivation for winning the 2008 season title.
Johnson is the winningest driver in the NHRA POWERade Series never to
have won a title. Connolly is making a remarkable run for his first
title after sitting out the first five events without a sponsor.
It’s easy to see why there’s no rest for Anderson and Line. Why there never seems to be enough time in the day or year.
“Finally it just comes down to when the pressure gets the highest, that
seems to be when we work the best,” Anderson said. “I can’t remember
when we’ve gone in to the last few races of the year with no chance to
win the championship. We’ve proved before we perform the best when our
back’s against the wall.”
In all but Top Fuel, where only Hillary Will still has the chance to
stop the freight train of Tony Schumacher, multiple drivers still have
a shot at winning the world championship title. In Funny Car, Tim
Wilkerson, who before this season was known more for his personality
than his performance, has continued a stunning year. He holds a tenuous
lead on the ravenous top five of Jack Beckman, brothers and team owners
Cruz and Tony Pedregon, and Robert Hight; but No.’s 6-8, Ashley Force,
Ron Capps and John Force, still have a mathematical shot.
Pro Stock Motorcycle is the only category where all 10 drivers who made
the Countdown to the Championship playoffs remain in play for the
title. Matt Smith, the reigning NHRA POWERade Series world champion,
leads the pack, with Eddie Krawiec, Chris Rivas, Angelle Sampey and
Steve Johnson still in contention.
It is next to impossible for drivers near the bottom of the rankings to
win, but as we saw in Richmond when both Cruz Pedregon and Dave
Connolly resurrected their title hopes, it’s not unheard of. Halloween
just may be the perfect backdrop for the unlikely to occur.
