2009 NHRA SPRINGNATIONALS - SAME DAY COVERAGE
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SUNDAY FINAL - FORCE HOOD WINS HER SECOND CAREER RACE; SCHUMACHER WINS FIRST WITHOUT ALAN JOHNSON
Krisher, Treble round out winners at the 22nd annual O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals
Ashley Force Hood raced to her second career victory on a record-setting day at the 22nd annual O’Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals Sunday at Houston Raceway Park.
The 26-year old Force Hood defeated her former drag racing instructor, Jack Beckman, to earn the win that vaulted her up from 10th to third place in the Funny Car standings. The other winners at the fourth of 24 races in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series were Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Ron Krisher (Pro Stock) and Craig Treble (Pro Stock Motorcycle).
“Our first win was against my dad (14-time NHRA champion John Force in the final round at Atlanta, 2008) … so to be able to race against another team’s driver in the final and win it, we’re maybe a bit more cheerful than after that first win,” said Force Hood, who ran a 4.122 at 306.19 mph in the final found to nose out Beckman’s 4.227 at 303.43.
Schumacher’s win – a holeshot 3.881 at 314.75 (0.059 RT) in his U.S. Army dragster to Cory McClenathan’s 3.880 at 313.66 (0.098 RT) in his FRAM dragster -- was his first of the season and the first for the U.S. Army team since parting ways with longtime crew chief Alan Johnson, who tuned the Army dragster to five straight NHRA Full Throttle Series Top Fuel world championships.
“Everyone knows we don’t have (Alan Johnson) anymore, and people said we couldn’t win without him, so we had to dig deep, and I love ‘suck it up’ moments – bottom of the ninth, bases loaded – and that’s what we had all day,” said Schumacher, who moved up from fifth place in the TF points all the way to second place with his 57th career win (breaking a tie with Joe Amato; he’s now solo sixth place on the all-time NHRA wins list).
The victory celebration was perhaps made just a bit sweeter for Schumacher as he used another holeshot to defeat Larry Dixon in the Alan Johnson Al-Anabi Racing dragster in the semifinals – 3.895 with a 0.082 RT to Dixon’s 3.889 with a 0.104 RT.
“Winning on a holeshot, those are just numbers, man,” Schumacher said. “Unless you have a great car that can leave like that, it doesn't mean anything, it takes the whole team. Take that exact same car with different pressure behind the barrel valve and it wouldn’t leave at all. It’s a group of guys doing a job and making me look good.”
In Pro Stock, Krisher ran a solid 6.587 in his Valvoline Chevy Cobalt to defeat Jeg Coughlin’s struggling 7.051 in his JEGS.com Chevy Cobalt.
“We did real good all day until the last round,” Krisher said. “I let out the clutch and the car just spun and didn’t go anywhere. We lost about six-hundredths to 60 feet and my light went right away with it. It was shaking and moving around, but I looked over and Jeggie was in worse shape than me so I decided I was going to stick with it.”
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Craig Treble steered his Team Scream Suzuki to a 6.915 that was more than enough to beat the 7.260 from first-year rider Douglas Horne, (Aberdeen, Md.), who was making just his second career start.
“Running out of my own pocket, I originally I had planned on cutting it off after Atlanta, but this buys us some time to try to find some financial backing, probably through Madison,” Treble said.
This race, though, may be remembered as much for what happened before the final rounds as what happened in the final rounds. Fans who were in their seats early witnessed two national records, a spectacular Top Fuel explosion (by European champion Urs Erbacher), the first heads-up duel between Larry Dixon and Tony Schumacher (won by Schumacher in the semifinals) and the third heads-up duel between Ashley Force Hood and John Force (won by Force Hood in the quarterfinals).
The new national records were set by Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock). Smith broke Angelle Sampey’s nearly two-year-old record for elapsed time when he ran a 6.865 in a second-round win over defending series champion Eddie Krawiec.
Mike Edwards set the new record for speed when he became the first Pro Stocker to surpass 212 mph with his 212.03 mph run in his semifinal loss to Ron Krisher.
The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Series resumes in a week with the April 2-5 SummitRacing.Com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
SPORTSMAN - SHIELDS, HARKER LEAD LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES WINNERS AT O’REILLY SPRING NATIONALS
Top Alcohol Dragster pilot Duane Shields won his second NHRA national event of the season this 
weekend, taking home the hardware from the O’Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas, while Steve Harker wheeled his Top Alcohol Funny Car to his second final round of the year, this time coming away with the win.
Shields, a resident of Boulder City, Nev., qualified in the No. 8 spot and squared off against No. 3 qualifier Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., in the final. Demke was disqualified when his car crossed the centerline but Shields made a 5.360-second, 265.17 mph pass, which was his slowest in eliminations. Each of Demke’s elimination rounds had been getting quicker and all of the were in the low-.30s
Harker, the Gainesville, Ga., racer who finished No. 2 in the national point standings last year, lead the TAFC class from start to finish. On his way to the winner’s circle Harker was the No. 1 qualifier and recorded the class’s best E.T. and best speed of the weekend. However, he may have gotten lucky in the final when runner-up Marty Nothstein, of Orefield, Pa., red-lighted. Harker made a 5.638-second, 227.31 mph pass to Nothstein’s 5.619-second, 259.51 mph lap.
In Comp Eliminator, Jacklyn Gebhardt-Still, Jacksonville, Ill., ousted Glen Treadwell of Sorrento, Fla., to take the win and Houston’s Kenny Doughty earned the win in Stock Eliminator, beating out Ashland, Va., racer Anthony Bertozzi. Tommy Phillips of Forney, Texas, earned the win in Super Comp, defeating Al Kenny, Kingston, Ont., in the final. Phillips is fresh off a rare double win (Super Comp, Super Gas) last week at the Jegs Cajun Sportsnationals. Kemp, Texas’s David Jones beat Steve Cohen, Trilby, Fla., in the final round of Super Gas and Craig Abbott of Strawn, Texas, grabbed the Super Street win over Greg Parson of Whitehouse, Texas.
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SATURDAY FINAL QUALIFYING - BROWN TAKES NO. 1 QUALIFIER IN HOUSTON; PEDREGON, LINE, HINES ALSO NO. 1 AFTER QUALIFYING
Antron Brown took the top spot in Top Fuel on a cool day at the O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park.
Cooler temperatures made for fast racing in all four categories at the fourth event on the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing schedule.
Cruz Pedregon, Jason Line and Andrew Hines also took the provisional No. 1 positions in their respective categories.
Brown drove his Matco Tools dragster to a 3.819-second run at 316.75 mph to take the No. 1 qualifying position in Top Fuel. It is Brown's second of the season and 16th of his career.
“The good deal is that we got our Matco Tools dragster down the track every run and we did it with decent times,” said Brown. “I think we’re pretty geared up for tomorrow.”
In Funny Car, Pedregon drove his Advance Auto Parts Toyota Solara to a 4.075-second pass at 301.00 mph to take the top spot. It's Pedregon's 36th career No. 1 qualifier and fifth at Houston.
“We were just trying to get into the field,” said Pedregon. “We weren’t looking at numbers or any particular way to run the car, we just knew we had to make a good run. I told Rahn (Tobler, crew chief) afterwards that a 4.07 is just a good clean run.”
Line ran the quickest time in the Pro Stock category, driving his Summit Racing Pontiac GXP to a 6.544 at 211.49. On his way to his 16th career No. 1 qualifier, Line set the track record for speed.
“All and all we made a couple decent runs today and we have a real good car for tomorrow,” said Line. “I think we’ll see a little bit slower times (tomorrow) but I think you’re going to see some good racing and we feel like the condition tomorrow is a good condition for us to race in.”
Hines had the fastest run on a motorcycle, riding his Screamin’ Eagle 
Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson to a 6.889 at 192.55. It is Hine's 23rd career No. 1 qualifier, second at Houston and a new track record for time at Houston Raceway Park.
“You’re like a kid in a candy store when you come to a track and have mineshaft conditions like this,” said Hines. “You’re just waiting for the moment when you can get weather like this because the times just automatically come with the weather and we took advantage of it in the first session.”
Eliminations begin Sunday at 11 a.m.
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First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the 22nd annual O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals presented by Pennzoil at Houston Raceway Park, the fourth of 24 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.
Top Fuel -- 1. Antron Brown, 3.819 seconds, 316.75 mph vs. 16. Todd Simpson, 4.311, 266.11; 2. Brandon Bernstein, 3.841, 316.23 vs. 15. Terry Haddock, 4.062, 291.57; 3. Tony Schumacher, 3.868, 313.00 vs. 14. Del Cox Jr, 4.022, 300.06; 4. Clay Millican, 3.871, 313.80 vs. 13. Troy Buff, 3.997, 288.52; 5. Spencer Massey, 3.877, 310.13 vs. 12. Joe Hartley, 3.972, 305.56; 6. Morgan Lucas, 3.881, 305.77 vs. 11. David Baca, 3.935, 310.55; 7. Larry Dixon, 3.882, 310.41 vs. 10. Urs Erbacher, 3.922, 307.16; 8. Shawn Langdon, 3.886, 310.98 vs. 9. Cory McClenathan, 3.889, 313.00.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Doug Kalitta, 4.425, 215.86.
Funny Car -- 1. Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Solara, 4.075, 301.00 vs. 16. Bob Bode, Chevy Impala SS, 4.204, 294.37; 2. Del Worsham, Solara, 4.082, 306.40 vs. 15. Jerry Toliver, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.198, 288.52; 3. Ashley Force Hood, Ford Mustang, 4.085, 308.78 vs. 14. Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 4.194, 298.14; 4. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.086, 307.16 vs. 13. Jeff Arend, Solara, 4.190, 300.60; 5. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.108, 299.53 vs. 12. Robert Hight, Mustang, 4.174, 301.47; 6. John Force, Mustang, 4.111, 303.78 vs. 11. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.172, 298.27; 7. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.127, 300.60 vs. 10. Gary Densham, Dodge Stratus, 4.162, 290.44; 8. Mike Neff, Mustang, 4.138, 304.12 vs. 9. Tony Pedregon, Impala, 4.160, 302.01.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Brian Thiel, 4.258, 294.43.
Pro Stock -- 1. Jason Line, Pontiac GXP, 6.544, 211.49 vs. 16. Tom Hammonds, Chevy Cobalt, 6.611, 209.14; 2. Kurt Johnson, Cobalt, 6.562, 210.44 vs. 15. Larry Morgan, Dodge Stratus, 6.605, 210.01; 3. Greg Anderson, GXP, 6.563, 211.89 vs. 14. Steve Spiess, Cobalt, 6.603, 208.97; 4. Mike Edwards, GXP, 6.567, 210.87 vs. 13. Rickie Jones, Stratus, 6.603, 209.85; 5. Warren Johnson, GXP, 6.567, 210.44 vs. 12. Justin Humphreys, GXP, 6.599, 208.88; 6. Jeg Coughlin, Cobalt, 6.574, 209.98 vs. 11. David Beckley, Stratus, 6.592, 209.75; 7. Jim Yates, GXP, 6.575, 209.59 vs. 10. Johnny Gray, Stratus, 6.592, 210.47; 8. Ron Krisher, Cobalt, 6.576, 209.59 vs. 9. Allen Johnson, Stratus, 6.587, 210.18.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Greg Stanfield, 6.617, 209.04; 18. Rodger Brogdon, 6.642, 208.88; 19. V. Gaines, 6.658, 206.99; 20. Dave Connolly, 6.695, 207.85; 21. Joe Swindoll, 6.705, 205.60; 22. Erica Enders, 6.759, 203.28; 23. Mark Buehring, 6.774, 203.77; 24. Ronnie Humphrey, 9.340, 204.79.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.889, 192.55 vs. 16. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 7.200, 186.02; 2. Craig Treble, Suzuki, 6.925, 193.74 vs. 15. Mike Berry, Buell, 7.133, 182.08; 3. Matt Smith, Suzuki, 6.939, 192.96 vs. 14. Junior Pippin, Buell, 7.106, 187.34; 4. Hector Arana, 6.945, 193.63 vs. 13. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.089, 191.21; 5. Douglas Horne, 6.975, 191.02 vs. 12. David Hope, Buell, 7.088, 185.97; 6. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.983, 191.24 vs. 11. Shawn Gann, Buell, 7.044, 188.67; 7. Michael Phillips, Suzuki, 6.996, 191.32 vs. 10. Matt Guidera, Buell, 7.043, 185.56; 8. Wes Wells, Suzuki, 7.030, 189.82 vs. 9. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.031, 189.07.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Freddie Camarena, 7.210, 184.77; 18. Joe DeSantis, 7.243, 186.79; 19. Redell Harris, 7.407, 180.45; 20. Ken Van Buren, 7.800, 175.84.
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FRIDAY PROVISIONAL QUALIFYING - FORCE HOOD, McCLENATHAN, JOHNSON, KRAWIEC TAKE PROVISIONAL TOP SPOTS IN RAIN-SHORTENED FRIDAY QUALIFYING IN HOUSTON
Ashley Force Hood grabbed the provisional No. 1 qualifying position in Funny Car at a rain shortened Friday qualifying at the O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals in Houston.
Cory McClenathan, Kurt Johnson and Eddie Krawiec also took the provisional No. 1 positions in their respective categories. Rain shortened Friday qualifying to just one round.
Force drove her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang to a 4.139-second run at 304.46 mph to take the top spot in Funny Car. It would be Force’s fourth No. 1 qualifier of her career and first of the season.
“You know with the temperature and the track and being off for a couple weeks you never really know how it’s going to do,” said Force. “To have any kind of A to B run, we were happy with, but to have that good of a run definitely gave us some confidence and got us excited.”
In Top Fuel, McClenathan drove his FRAM dragster to a 3.905-second pass at 313.00 mph to take the provisional top spot. It would be McClenathan's 33rd No. 1 qualifier and second in Houston (2006).
“Everybody made all the right calls and I really thought we were going to have another shot at this,” said McClenathan. “The weather gods just decided not to give us that second shot and really it was probably the smartest thing because what happens is the dew point sets in and it gets wet out there and it’ll get dangerous and I think everybody made the right call.”
Johnson ran the quickest time in the Pro Stock category, driving his ACDelco Chevy Cobalt to a 6.678 at 206.64. It would be Johnson’s 30th No. 1 qualifier of the his career and fourth in Houston and second consecutive at the event.
“Today’s run, you might as well through that out the window because it’s probably going to be a tenth better tomorrow,” said Johnson. “We’re not worried about anyone tomorrow but us. We’re the one’s that are going to make it or break it so we just have to do our job and see if we can light up that board.”
Krawiec had the fastest run on a motorcycle, riding his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson to a 7.004 at 190.57. It would be Krawiec's fourth No. 1 qualifier of his career.
“Going into tomorrow we’re suppose to have some pretty good weather,” said Krawiec. “We’re just going to go out there and make the best run we can and whatever number pops up pops up but our main focus is race day.”
Qualifying continues Saturday with sessions at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sunday’s eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
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Results Friday after the first one of three rounds of qualifying for the 22nd annual O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals presented by Pennzoil at Houston Raceway Park, fourth of 24 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Cory McClenathan, 3.905 seconds, 313.00 mph; 2. Antron Brown, 3.912, 305.63; 3. Shawn Langdon, 3.920, 310.98; 4. Spencer Massey, 3.920, 303.43; 5. David Baca, 4.032, 302.14; 6. Clay Millican, 4.034, 301.60; 7. Troy Buff, 4.057, 271.57; 8. Terry Haddock, 4.062, 291.57; 9. Brandon Bernstein, 4.079, 286.98; 10. Urs Erbacher, 4.109, 287.05; 11. Joe Hartley, 4.397, 250.64; 12. Del Cox Jr, 4.474, 214.62. Not Qualified: 13. Todd Simpson, 4.532, 246.75; 14. Larry Dixon, 5.060, 138.56; 15. Tony Schumacher, 6.254, 97.20; 16. Doug Kalitta, 7.767, 80.02; 17. Morgan Lucas, 8.336, 74.72.
Funny Car -- 1. Ashley Force Hood, Ford Mustang, 4.139, 304.46; 2. Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 4.194, 298.14; 3. Jeff Arend, Toyota Solara, 4.233, 298.93; 4. Brian Thiel, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.304, 286.86; 5. John Force, Mustang, 4.329, 296.57; 6. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.512, 282.19; 7. Bob Bode, Chevy Impala SS, 5.156, 172.65; 8. Jack Beckman, Charger, 5.552, 131.56; 9. Del Worsham, Solara, 6.266, 112.54; 10. Matt Hagan, Charger, 6.384, 99.74; 11. Jerry Toliver, Monte Carlo, 7.306, 92.64; 12. Robert Hight, Mustang, 8.142, 82.34. Not Qualified: 13. Bob Tasca III, 8.386, 71.48; 14. Cruz Pedregon, 8.429, 84.43; 15. Mike Neff, 9.014, 72.28.
Pro Stock -- 1. Kurt Johnson, Chevy Cobalt, 6.678, 206.64; 2. Jason Line, Pontiac GXP, 6.679, 206.32; 3. Allen Johnson, Dodge Stratus, 6.681, 206.23; 4. Ron Krisher, Cobalt, 6.689, 206.13; 5. Warren Johnson, GXP, 6.691, 207.02; 6. Greg Anderson, GXP, 6.694, 206.70; 7. Justin Humphreys, GXP, 6.696, 206.20; 8. Mike Edwards, GXP, 6.698, 206.51; 9. Johnny Gray, Stratus, 6.699, 206.13; 10. Tom Hammonds, Cobalt, 6.710, 205.54; 11. Jeg Coughlin, Cobalt, 6.713, 206.13; 12. Jim Yates, GXP, 6.716, 206.20. Not Qualified: 13. Rickie Jones, 6.730, 205.88; 14. Greg Stanfield, 6.735, 205.76; 15. Ronnie Humphrey, 6.736, 204.79; 16. V. Gaines, 6.737, 204.42; 17. Larry Morgan, 6.746, 205.79; 18. Dave Connolly, 6.750, 205.19; 19. Steve Spiess, 6.752, 205.47; 20. Rodger Brogdon, 6.782, 204.26; 21. Joe Swindoll, 6.802, 204.26; 22. Erica Enders, 6.849, 200.47; 23. David Beckley, 6.866, 178.64; 24. Mark Buehring, 7.047, 178.83.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 7.004, 190.57; 2. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 7.013, 187.08; 3. Craig Treble, Suzuki, 7.023, 188.89; 4. Wes Wells, Suzuki, 7.030, 189.82; 5. Shawn Gann, Buell, 7.044, 188.67; 6. Hector Arana, Buell, 7.049, 190.59; 7. Matt Smith, Suzuki, 7.057, 187.96; 8. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.089, 187.83; 9. Matt Guidera, Buell, 7.108, 184.85; 10. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.124, 187.08; 11. Junior Pippin, Buell, 7.132, 184.25; 12. Douglas Horne, 7.138, 182.90. Not Qualified: 13. Michael Phillips, 7.150, 189.36; 14. Joe DeSantis, 7.191, 186.79; 15. Mike Berry, 7.252, 179.21; 16. Freddie Camarena, 7.284, 182.62; 17. David Hope, 7.298, 182.97; 18. Ken Van Buren, 7.362, 175.84; 19. Redell Harris, 7.690, 176.28; 20.
LE Tonglet, 12.554, 61.46.
ACTION DELAYED EARLY DUE TO FOG AND WET TRACK
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EVENT PREVIEW - COUGHLIN HEADS TO HOUSTON WITH WINNING ON HIS MIND AS HE TRIES FOR THREE-PEAT IN COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP
When Jeg Coughlin surveys the Pro Stock landscape in 2009, he sees several improved teams and 
an increased level of competition overall.
That just makes the two-time defending NHRA Pro Stock world champ
hungrier to secure his third consecutive NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing
Series crown. It is a feat that only three drivers have been able to
accomplish in the history of the 200-mph category: Bob Glidden, the
late Lee Shepherd and Greg Anderson.
However, Coughlin knows that in order to join that elite group of
drivers in the NHRA record books, he’s going to have his work cut out
for him. He understands the quickest way to win a championship is to
win a bunch of races.
He says that’s the team’s main goal for the season. If they can win
races, the points order and Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship
will take care of itself.
“We are trying to approach this season as business as usual, but at the
same time we would love to win another championship and get the
three-peat,” said Coughlin, a four-time Pro Stock champ (also 2000 and
2002). “We need to get consistent behind the wheel and in the pits in
order to do it. We’ve got a little work to do but we’re getting there.
Our strategy for the Countdown is basically the same as the last two
seasons, but we would like to get a few more wins this year. We feel
like we left a few wins on the track last season. With a few more wins
we can be in a better points position in the top 10 going into the
Countdown (to 1).”
Coughlin, already a winner in Phoenix this year, hopes to add his
second race victory of the season at the 22nd annual O’Reilly NHRA
Spring Nationals presented by Pennzoil, the fourth of 24 events in the
NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship.
Antron Brown, Del Worsham, Greg Anderson and Matt Smith are the
defending winners of the race at Houston Raceway Park, which will be
televised on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD.
However, for that to happen, Coughlin knows his JEGS.com race team will
need to produce a better effort than they had at the ACDelco NHRA
Gatornationals in Florida. Coughlin’s JEGS.com Cobalt shut off early in
a second round loss to eventual Gatornationals runner-up Allen Johnson.
“We had a dismal outing in Gainesville and just never got it all
together,” said Coughlin, a three-time winner at Houston Raceway Park
(1997, 1998 and 2000). “We’re looking forward to rebounding in Houston,
a track where we’ve had some success in the past. It’s a sea level
track and can be very fast for the Pro Stock cars with the right
conditions.”
There are several Pro Stock cars that have proven to be fast this
season under most conditions. Veteran racer Mike Edwards, a three-time
winner at Houston, posted a runner-up finish at the season-opener in
Pomona, Calif. and was the No. 1 qualifier at the last two races. Jason
Line, the 2006 world champ and ’07 Houston winner, has sprinted out to
the early season lead with wins at Pomona and Gainesville. Gainesville
runner-up Johnson has been fast, as have past Houston winners Greg
Anderson and Kurt Johnson. Greg Stanfield, Rickie Jones and former NBA
star Tom Hammonds also are drivers to watch at Houston.
In Top Fuel, three veteran drivers – Larry Dixon, Brandon Bernstein and Cory McClenathan – have 
all
won this event two times. Dixon, who won the Gatornationals two weeks
ago, is closing in on series points leader and defending race winner
Brown. Pomona winner Doug Kalitta won at Houston in ’03, while six-time
world champ Tony Schumacher powered his U.S. Army dragster to the win
here in ’05. Rookies Spencer Massey and Shawn Langdon are hoping to get
their first career victories in the 7,000 horsepower category.
Second-year driver Bob Tasca raced to his first win in Funny Car at
Gainesville and will try to add his second career victory at Houston.
He’ll have to hold off seven-time HRP winner John Force and his
talented race team which includes ’05 winner Robert Hight, Mike Neff
and Ashley Force Hood. Tony Pedregon is a four time winner at Houston,
and current points leader Ron Capps, driver of the NAPA Dodge Charger
and winner of the first two races of the season, is a two-time winner
at this event. Rookie Matt Hagan has been consistent in his Shelor.com
Charger.
Pro Stock Motorcycle journeyman Hector Arana is leading the points for
the first time in his 19-year career in the two-wheel category as he
escaped with the win in Florida on his Lucas Oil Buell. Defending
winner Smith, now riding a Suzuki for Don Schumacher Racing, was the
quickest in Gatornationals qualifying; however he had a problem with
his new Suzuki on race day. Other top bike competitors to watch include
two-time Houston winner Karen Stoffer on the GEICO Powersports Suzuki,
defending world champ Eddie Krawiec, who is still seeking his first
career race win, a resurgent Shawn Gann and the always competitive
Steve Johnson.
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