2021 NHRA HEARTLAND NATIONALS - EVENT RESULTS
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SUNDAY - B. FORCE, J. FORCE AND GLENN PICK UP WINS AT MENARDS NHRA NATIONALS
For the first time in NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series history a father and child duo shared the winner’s circle, as Funny Car legend John Force and his daughter, Top Fuel star Brittany Force, picked up wins on Sunday at the Menards NHRA Nationals Presented By PetArmor at Heartland Motorsports Park.
Standout rookie Dallas Glenn also won in Pro Stock at the 11th race of the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.
The two Forces have shared No. 1 qualifying positions before but never a win, though that changed on Sunday. B. Force claimed the Top Fuel victory by capping off a standout weekend with a run of 3.783-seconds at 324.75 mph in her 11,000-horsepower Monster Energy dragster in the final round against Clay Millican. She qualified No. 1 and then beat Scott Palmer and points leader Steve Torrence to reach the final round. After qualifying No. 1 six times this year, including a current string of four straight races, B. Force earned her first win since 2019 and was thrilled to share it with her father.
“This will be one I'll never forget. This has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember,” said B. Force, who moved to second in points. “I remember there have been so many close calls where we thought hey, this could be our day that we're gonna double up. To win a race is hard enough and then to do it with your teammates, it’s almost impossible. So it's like you almost put it on the backburner.
“To double up with your dad on the same day, where you both run well all weekend long, and then you double up, it just seems impossible. So today, we pulled off the impossible, and it's pretty cool that we'll always share this. This will be a special racetrack for us and it's pretty cool to have that with him.”
Millican drove to his first final in 2021 and 17th in his career by beating Doug Kalitta, Mike Salinas, and Shawn Langdon. The veteran is now ninth in points.
In Funny Car, J. Force was consistent all weekend and capped it off by going 4.019 at 321.04 in his 11,000-horsepower PEAK Blue DEF Chevrolet Camaro SS to beat No. 1 qualifier J.R. Todd in the final round. The victory gave him the points lead in Funny Car for the first time since 2014 and he became the first driver in the class to reach three wins this season. He defeated Paul Lee, teammate Robert Hight and Cruz Pedregon to reach his 260th final round and Force tracked down Todd to pick up his 154th career win.
“I had a good day,” J. Force said. “Robert was probably my toughest race because it’s hard to beat Robert. I just had a car that was pretty fast, wasn’t the quickest, but I got the win. What was special was, to do it with Brittany. With (daughters) Courtney and Ashley, I never got the chance because they were always Funny Car, and usually beat me but with Brittany, I finally got that double up. It means a lot. We’re a family of racers.
"It was a great day. J.R. Todd was out there and I tried to steal all I could on that tree. He was out there and I could see just the nose of him and then he got in trouble, and I got around him on the other end.”
Todd picked up victories over Ron Capps and Blake Alexander as he reached his second straight final round, fourth this season, and 39th in his career. Todd also jumped to third in points, behind only Capps and J. Force.
Pro Stock’s Glenn had a perfect .000 reaction time in the final round, allowing his run of 6.681 at 205.01 in his RAD Torque Systems/KB Racing Chevrolet Camaro to hold up in the final round against Kyle Koretsky. It was just the sixth perfect reaction time in a final round in Pro Stock, as Glenn earned his second victory in what’s become a standout rookie season. He advanced to the final by beating Deric Kramer, Matt Hartford, and No. 1 qualifier Troy Coughlin Jr. and was lights out on the starting line in the championship round.
“It's hard to put this win into words,” Glenn said. "But it's just like this is like dream come true. This season, it's taught me a lot. I've had a lot of highs and I've had some lows where I've been struggling and we've gotten a little taste of everything this year.
“I felt like I did my job really well and the car is just working really good right now. I'm really excited for the Countdown (to the Championship) coming up here and Indy next because we’ve got a really fast car for it.”
Koretsky earned his second career final round thanks to victories against Rodger Brogdon, points leader Greg Anderson and defending world champ Erica Enders. Both the wins against Anderson and Enders came on holeshots.
The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series returns Aug. 18-22 with the 39th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minn.
SATURDAY - B. FORCE, TODD AND COUGHLIN JR. TAKE NO. 1 SPOTS AT MENARDS NHRA NATIONALS
With another dominant run to close out qualifying action, Brittany Force continued her qualifying magic in Top Fuel, taking the No. 1 spot for the fourth straight race on Saturday at the Menards NHRA Nationals presented by PetArmor at Heartland Motorsports Park.
J.R. Todd (Funny Car) and Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) also qualified No. 1 in their respective categories at the 11th race of the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.
Force put down a stellar blast of 3.716-seconds at 329.02 seconds in her 11,000-horsepower Monster Energy dragster, recording her sixth No. 1 qualifier of the year and the 26th in her career. It’s the fourth straight No. 1 qualifier for Force, who has qualified at the top at every race for the past month. She’ll open eliminations against Scott Palmer, hopeful her strong performance so far in qualifying will lead to her first victory of the season.
“That’s going to be the tough part. We’ve had some luck on Friday and Saturday in qualifying, running well and getting the No. 1 qualifying hat, but raceday is where we need to turn our luck around,” Force said. “ (Crew chief) David Grubnic, Mac Savage and these Monster Energy boys, we’re working hard and we’re ready for that win.”
Force’s spectacular run to close out Saturday bumped Billy Torrence and his 3.717 at 322.27 from Friday to second. Mike Salinas finished in the third spot with a run of 3.739 at 316.08 and points leader Steve Torrence is fourth thanks to a 3.747 at 324.36.
Todd’s run of 3.884 at 332.67 in his 11,000-horsepower DHL Toyota from Friday held up to give the former world champ his second top qualifier in 2021 and 14th in his career. Looking to get in championship form to start the second half of the season, Todd, a former Funny Car world champ, hopes Friday’s strong run translates into round wins on Sunday. Todd, who has a bye in the opening round, is after his second victory in 2021 and 20th in his career.
“You want to get every point you can, but the bigger picture is coming out of here with a trophy tomorrow,” Todd said. “We were the No. 1 qualifier and that’s nice and all, but it doesn’t mean a whole lot if you don’t finish the deal. Hats off to this team for digging deep and putting us on the pole and giving us those added points going into tomorrow. We’re going to have to work for it if we want it, and we definitely want it. We want to be in the hunt and I think we’ll be right there.”
Alexis DeJoria remained in the second position on the strength of her 3.894 from Friday, while Bob Tasca III also had his run from Friday hold up. He qualified third with a run of 3.905 at 328.86.
In Pro Stock, Coughlin finished off a banner day for the young driver, racing to the No. 1 position for the first time in his career after a standout run of 6.600 at 205.07 in his JEGS.com Chevrolet Camaro. Coughlin claimed the top spot early on Saturday, but then had to take it from Greg Anderson on the final run of the session in Pro Stock. He’ll meet Cristian Cuadra to open eliminations as Coughlin tries to win for the first time in his Pro Stock career.
“The guys in the yellow and black, and the Elite (Motorsports) group are excellent in what they do,” Coughlin said. “They know the cars, the track and the conditions we’re up against, and it’s going to be an excellent Sunday, so let’s go racing.”
Anderson, the current points leader, just missed out on qualifying No. 1 for the ninth time in 10 Pro Stock races this season, finishing second with a 6.606 at 206.67. Defending world champ Erica Enders made a pair of good runs on Saturday, taking third with a 6.612 at 207.18.
Eliminations for the Menards NHRA Nationals presented by PetArmor begin at 11 a.m. CT at Heartland Motorsports Park.
Sunday's first-round pairings for eliminations for the 32nd annual Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by PetArmor at Heartland Motorsports Park, the 11th of 20 events in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.
Top Fuel -- 1. Brittany Force, 3.716 seconds, 329.02 mph vs. 14. Scott Palmer, 4.223, 215.10; 2. Billy Torrence, 3.717, 322.27 vs. 13. Terry Totten, 4.161, 244.03; 3. Mike Salinas, 3.739, 316.08 vs. 12. Kyle Wurtzel, 3.904, 305.84; 4. Steve Torrence, 3.747, 324.36 vs. 11. Leah Pruett, 3.897, 314.31; 5. Justin Ashley, 3.769, 324.05 vs. 10. Alex Laughlin, 3.846, 317.34; 6. Clay Millican, 3.798, 316.38 vs. 9. Doug Kalitta, 3.815, 289.63; 7. Shawn Langdon, 3.805, 311.34 vs. 8. Antron Brown, 3.808, 322.34.
Funny Car -- 1. J.R. Todd, Toyota Camry, 3.884, 332.67 vs. Bye; 2. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 3.894, 329.67 vs. 15. Chris King, Toyota Camary, 5.776, 118.37; 3. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.905, 328.86 vs. 14. Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 5.004, 153.25; 4. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.911, 325.14 vs. 13. Jack Wyatt, Charger, 4.319, 226.43; 5. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 3.920, 332.92 vs. 12. Jim Campbell, Charger, 4.070, 293.98; 6. John Force, Camaro, 3.944, 325.92 vs. 11. Paul Lee, Charger, 4.013, 277.60; 7. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.962, 322.19 vs. 10. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.969, 301.67; 8. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.962, 320.05 vs. 9. Ron Capps, Charger, 3.968, 324.36.
Pro Stock -- 1. Troy Coughlin Jr., Chevy Camaro, 6.600, 205.07 vs. 16. Cristian Cuadra, Ford Mustang, 6.672, 206.23; 2. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.606, 206.67 vs. 15. Alan Prusiensky, Dodge Dart, 6.668, 205.38; 3. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.612, 207.18 vs. 14. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Mustang, 6.644, 204.17; 4. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.617, 207.82 vs. 13. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.644, 208.10; 5. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.621, 206.61 vs. 12. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.641, 206.73; 6. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.622, 207.24 vs. 11. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.640, 206.61; 7. Kyle Koretsky, Camaro, 6.622, 206.01 vs. 10. Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 6.640, 206.67; 8. Bruno Massel, Camaro, 6.639, 202.58 vs. 9. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.640, 207.24.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Val Smeland, 6.674, 207.46; 18. Fernando Cuadra, 6.687, 207.05; 19. Richie Stevens, 6.746, 203.25; 20. Rob Tucker, 6.777, 203.34.
FRIDAY - TODD, B. TORRENCE, AND KORETSKY EARN PROVISIONAL NO. 1 SPOTS AT MENARDS NHRA NATIONALS
J.R. Todd made his quickest pass of the season on Friday, as the former Funny Car world champ powered to the provisional No. 1 spot in qualifying at the Menards NHRA Nationals presented by PetArmor at Heartland Motorsports Park.
Billy Torrence (Top Fuel) and Kyle Koretsky (Pro Stock) are also provisional No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories at the 11th race of the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.
Todd went 3.884-seconds at 332.67 mph in his 11,000-horsepower DHL Toyota Camry, putting him in line to pick up his second No. 1 qualifier in 2021 and 20th in his career. Along with his quickest pass of the season, it was also the first time Todd made a run in the 3.80s in 2021, giving him plenty of momentum for the weekend. Todd is seeking his second win of the season and his first victory at Heartland Motorsports Park.
“I want to get going. After Pomona (and advancing to the final round), I got pumped up,” Todd said. “Seeing the points gap we closed, we know we’re in the hunt and in the fight. Now it’s time to get after it. That’s a big run. We haven’t had a 3-second run in a long time, let alone a 3.80-something. Hats off to Todd (Smith) and Jon (Oberhofer), and everyone on the team. I’m excited and you’ve got to make those Friday night runs count. We’ve been struggling with that lately, so hopefully, this is a good sign of things to come in Topeka and heading into the Countdown.”
Alexis DeJoria is currently second after she went 3.894 at 329.67 and Bob Tasca III is currently third thanks to his run of 3.905 at 328.66.
Torrence rocketed to the No. 1 spot in Top Fuel, going 3.717 at 322.27 in his 11,000-horsepower Capco Contractors dragster under the lights in Topeka. If it holds, it would give him his third low qualifier of the season and eighth overall. Torrence won a Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series race three weeks ago at the track in Super Comp and kept up his strong pace in Topeka as he looks for his second Top Fuel win of the year. Brittany Force, who is looking for her first win of the season, went 3.734 at 329.42 to move to second on Friday, while Mike Salinas took the third spot after a run of 3.739 at 316.08.
Koretsky impressed in his first appearance at Heartland Motorsports Park in Pro Stock, jumping to the provisional No. 1 spot with a run of 6.634 at 205.51 in his Lucas Oil Chevrolet Camaro. If it holds, it would give the young standout his first career No. 1 qualifier. Following a strong showing in Pomona at the most recent race, Koretsky is trying to pick up his first career win. Troy Coughlin Jr. is currently second with his promising pass of 6.635 at 203.74 and Greg Anderson is third after he ran 6.636 at 205.29. Anderson, the current points leader, is aiming for his ninth No. 1 qualifier in 2021.
Qualifying continues at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday at the Menards NHRA Nationals presented by PetArmor.
Friday's results after the first one of three rounds of qualifying for the 32nd annual Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by PetArmor at Heartland Motorsports Park, 11th of 20 events in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Billy Torrence, 3.717 seconds, 322.27 mph; 2. Brittany Force, 3.734, 329.42; 3. Mike Salinas, 3.739, 316.08; 4. Steve Torrence, 3.747, 324.36; 5. Justin Ashley, 3.796, 320.66; 6. Shawn Langdon, 3.805, 311.34; 7. Doug Kalitta, 3.815, 289.63; 8. Clay Millican, 3.850, 282.48; 9. Kyle Wurtzel, 3.908, 303.50; 10. Alex Laughlin, 3.971, 237.09; 11. Terry Totten, 4.161, 244.03; 12. Antron Brown, 5.056, 142.75; 13. Leah Pruett, 6.412, 105.01.
Funny Car -- 1. J.R. Todd, Toyota Camry, 3.884, 332.67; 2. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 3.894, 329.67; 3. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.905, 328.86; 4. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 3.920, 332.92; 5. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.942, 325.37; 6. John Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.951, 326.63; 7. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.962, 322.19; 8. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.969, 301.67; 9. Paul Lee, Charger, 4.013, 277.60; 10. Jim Campbell, Charger, 4.096, 308.14; 11. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.151, 232.95; 12. Chad Green, Mustang, 4.383, 207.27; 13. Chris King, Toyota Camary, 5.776, 118.37; 14. Robert Hight, Camaro, 10.000, no speed; 15. Jack Wyatt, Charger, 11.948, 78.26.
Pro Stock -- 1. Kyle Koretsky, Chevy Camaro, 6.634, 205.51; 2. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.635, 203.74; 3. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.636, 205.29; 4. Bruno Massel, Camaro, 6.639, 202.58; 5. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.647, 205.91; 6. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.654, 205.29; 7. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.655, 203.92; 8. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.657, 204.48; 9. Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 6.663, 205.63; 10. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.673, 204.82; 11. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.676, 205.94; 12. Val Smeland, Camaro, 6.694, 204.91; 13. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.699, 204.39; 14. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Ford Mustang, 6.717, 204.57; 15. Richie Stevens, Camaro, 6.870, 183.34; 16. Alan Prusiensky, Dodge Dart, 7.404, 134.85.
Not Qualified: 17. Erica Enders, 8.246, 118.96; 18. Cristian Cuadra, 16.084, 48.51; 19. Fernando Cuadra, 19.374, 71.48.
SPORTSMAN RESULTS -
TAD (Q1)
1 51 TA/D Rachel Meyer, Mount Vernon MO, Dragster 5.199 274.83 274.83
2 54 TA/D Robin Samsel, Marion IN, Dragster-Pont 5.246 269.03 269.03
3 7015 TA/D Jasmine Salinas, Brownsburg IN, Dragste 5.265 274.39 274.39
4 4 TA/D Jackie Fricke, Flemington NJ, Dragster- 5.272 274.00 274.00
5 2 TA/D Shawn Cowie, Langley BC, Dragster-BRAD 5.286 274.50 274.50
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TAFC (Q1)
1 2 Sean Bellemeur, Placentia CA, '18 Camaro 5.537 265.33 265.33
2 1 Doug Gordon, Paso Robles CA, '20 Camaro 5.559 264.91 264.91
3 4 Bob McCosh, Columbia MO, '20 Camaro 5.561 263.98 263.98
4 3 Brian Hough, Junction City OR, '21 Camaro 5.589 262.59 262.59
5 31 Chris Foster, Davenport IA, '19 Camaro 5.635 258.52 258.52
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COMP (Q1)
1 469 BB/A Clark Smiley, Denver City TX, '09 GXP 7.302 7.90 -0.598
2 10 C/DA Don Thomas, Amarillo TX, Dragster 7.049 7.60 -0.551
3 353 CC/AT Bruno Massel, Elmhurst IL, '10 Cobalt 7.270 7.82 -0.550
4 4011 F/SMA Royce Freeman, Lindsay OK, '07 Cavalier 8.725 9.26 -0.535
5 394 C/DA Greg Kamplain, Brownsburg IN, Dragster 7.005 7.54 -0.535
6 7167 A/AA Ryan Priddy, Chino CA, '18 Camaro 6.619 7.15 -0.531
7 4650 A/ED Dennis Smiley, Denver City TX, Dragster-D 6.813 7.28 -0.467
8 5008 C/SM Travis Gusso, Sioux Falls SD, '05 Sunfire 8.413 8.85 -0.437
9 56 C/ED Steve Basgall, Augusta KS, Dragster-Chevy 7.491 7.91 -0.419
10 5296 J/A Pat Nahan, Sartell MN, '27-T Ford 8.025 8.34 -0.315
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SUPER STOCK (FINAL)
1 1990 FSS/D David Barton, Sinking Springs PA, '17 Cam 8.919 9.90 -0.981
2 54 GT/CA Jason DeForrest, Oak Grove MN, '05 Cavali 8.955 9.90 -0.945
3 D433 FSS/D Darrell Brown, Hominy OK, '15 Challenger 8.961 9.90 -0.939
4 5250 FSS/D Todd Patterson, Augusta KS, '19 Camaro 8.983 9.90 -0.917
5 5211 FSS/H Tyler Cassil, Belton MO, '14 Camaro 9.477 10.35 -0.873
6 5 FSS/B Justin Lamb, Henderson NV, '20 Camaro 8.340 9.20 -0.860
7 3223 GT/KA Bill Jenkins, Goldsmith IN, '87 Firebird 10.054 10.90 -0.846
8 3575 SS/HA Don O'Malley, Decatur IL, '64 Corvette 9.760 10.60 -0.840
9 4300 FSS/K Lloyd Wofford, Jonesboro AR, '10 Challeng 9.711 10.55 -0.839
10 4749 GT/M Stan Holt, Houston TX, '66 Nova 10.122 10.95 -0.828
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STOCK (FINAL)
1 520 FS/E Tyler Cassil, Belton MO, '15 Camaro 9.947 10.95 -1.003
2 55 A/SA Dwayne Scheitlin, Brighton CO, '70 Challe 10.005 11.00 -0.995
3 53 EF/S Brent Kopejtka, Stanton NE, '86 Charger 16.485 17.45 -0.965
4 715W D/SA Shelby Williams, Beaumont CA, '70 Camaro 10.602 11.55 -0.948
5 4476 B/SA Will Emmons, Webster TX, '69 Camaro 10.307 11.25 -0.943
6 339L D/SA Randi Lyn Shipp, Floyds Knobs IN, '67 Fir 10.609 11.55 -0.941
7 5942 FS/C Ryan Montford, Wichita KS, '13 Camaro 9.373 10.30 -0.927
8 52 B/SA Ted Romero, Littleton CO, '00 Corvette 10.330 11.25 -0.920
9 286 FS/C Jeff Adkinson, Damascus GA, '15 Camaro 9.404 10.30 -0.896
10 5044 R/SA Kevin Leinart, Dakota City NE, '69 Dart 13.195 14.05 -0.855
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TOP SPORTSMAN (Q1)
1 1 Darian Boesch, Kenner LA, '18 Camaro 6.326 226.13 226.13
2 4059 Jim Thorp, Mertzon TX, '20 Camaro 6.375 224.47 224.47
3 8 Bob Gulitti, Tomball TX, '67 Mustang 6.379 218.72 218.72
4 3102 Mark McDonald, Boonville IN, '67 Mustang 6.466 201.82 201.82
5 4147 Greg Lair, Canyon TX, '15 Camaro 6.571 207.56 207.56
6 51 Matt Driskell, Wellsville KS, '08 Cobalt 6.676 206.61 206.61
7 7534 Paul Mitsos, Eastvale CA, '08 Stratus 6.785 205.19 205.19
8 214D Don O'Neal, Evansville IN, '17 Camaro 6.898 191.54 191.54
9 44 Mike Morehead, Byrant AR, '13 Camaro 6.908 202.06 202.06
10 5 Bryan Warr, Riverton UT, '69 Camaro 6.937 196.39 196.39
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TOP DRAGSTER (Q1)
1 5531 Les Feist, Duluth MN, Dragster-Chevy 6.102 192.82 192.82
2 4358 Dane Ward, Mena AR, Dragster-Chevy 6.108 224.32 224.32
3 3 Danny Nelson, Batesville AR, Dragster-BROD 6.110 206.32 206.32
4 526 Matt Kreft, Council Bluffs IA, Spitzer-KRFT 6.123 226.09 226.09
5 4059 Jim Thorp, Mertzon TX, Dragster-Chevy 6.125 210.80 210.80
6 46 Darian Boesch, Kenner LA, Dragster-Chevy 6.167 199.85 199.85
7 5 JB Strassweg, Evansville IN, Dragster-Chevy 6.177 216.03 216.03
8 57 Jeff Koran, Hays KS, Dragster-Chevy 6.178 230.02 230.02
9 R405 Ronald Scott, Watauga TX, Dragster-Chevy 6.178 220.40 220.40
10 497B Rusty Baxter, Beckville TX, Dragster-Chevy 6.190 186.59 186.59
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