2022 NHRA NHRA FINALS - EVENT RESULTS
 |
SUNDAY - B. FORCE, CAPPS, M. SMITH CLINCH WORLD TITLES; PROCK, PEDREGON, ANDERSON AND A. SMITH GET WINS AT ACTION-PACKED AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS
Brittany Force captured her second career world title on Sunday, wrapping up a spectacular season with a Top Fuel world championship after a first-round victory at the 57th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.
Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) both clinched world championships at the 22nd and final event in the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season. Austin Prock (Top Fuel), Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Angie Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won the sixth race in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs to cap off a spectacular 2022 season.
Force qualified No. 1 in her 11,000-horsepower Monster Energy dragster and then earned the championship with her run of 3.701-seconds at 334.90 mph in the opening round of eliminations. In a season that included five wins, 10 No. 1 qualifiers and the fastest run in Top Fuel history on Friday, Force, who advanced to the semifinals, picked up her second world title at her home track.
“It just seems surreal. I can’t believe we’re here and it ended up this way,” Force said. “I believed coming into today, I was motivated, and we got the job done. I want everyone to remember this day, here in Pomona with this team. We have been working at this all season long and then we struggled (early) in the Countdown. But we recovered when we needed to here in Las Vegas and here in Pomona.”
Capps earned his second straight world title – becoming the first back-to-back Funny Car world champ in 20 years – by finishing as the runner-up on Sunday in his 11,000-horsepower NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra. It is his third world championship, which was helped by a shocking second-round loss from Robert Hight on Sunday, who finished second overall on the strength of eight wins. It was a thrilling conclusion to Capps’ first year as a team owner, which also included five victories and a clutch run on Saturday in qualifying to keep his championship hopes alive. Sunday also marked the only time Capps led the points all season – but it proved to be perfect timing.
“The Countdown was crazy. You think about the Funny Cars that had a chance, it just tells you the amount of competition in the field,” Capps said. “We’ve had so many amazing people around us and it’s like we don’t deserve it. I’ve leaned on some great people. Don Schumacher has been unbelievable. People like (Tim) Wilkerson, (John) Force, all these people I race against for a livelihood have checked on me and asked if there’s any way they could help me, which has been very cool. I just didn’t think this was going to happen.
“To win a championship then become a team owner and have that No. 1 on the car and then having to beat Robert Hight and his team, which has had phenomenal success here at this track, it just blows my mind that we’re here. It’s going to sink in soon.”
Smith earned his third straight world title in Pro Stock Motorcycle and sixth overall with a victory in the first round on his Denso Auto Parts Buell. It’s also the fourth in five years for Smith, who has forged an incredible dynasty in the loaded category in recent years. The sixth championship also meant a great deal for Smith, who picked up four wins in 2022, as it ties him with Andrew Hines and Dave Schultz for the most in class history. It was the goal all season and Smith was proud to make it a reality on Sunday.
“This Denso bike has been awesome this year,” Smith said. “Angie’s had a great bike. We took my motor out from the last two races and put it in her bike because we had a shout of being one and two in points and I think we just missed it but hats off to her. She’s had a heck of a season going to three finals this year and winning the last race and then I won four races and won the championship. To be the one Pro Stock Motorcycle rider who has won every Camping World Drag Racing Series championship so far is pretty amazing.”
In the Top Fuel final round, Austin Prock finished off his impressive run in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, winning for the second time in the postseason by going a remarkable 3.641-seconds at 336.23 mph in the final round in his 11,000-horsepower Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist dragster. The career-best run sent him past Antron Brown and to his third career victory, also vaulting him to third in points to finish off the year.
“I’m so happy for (crew chief) Rahn Tobler,” Prock said. “I’ve had a blast working with him. He’s an absolute legend in the sport and to go out like he did tonight speaks volumes about what he’s done for the sport. That was the quickest run he’s ever made in history, and it was his last one. Then during the semifinals (against Brittany Force), we were the quickest side-by-side run (in Top Fuel history). I’m really proud of Rahn and I still get butterflies when I watch him roll into the staging beams. He’s accomplished so much in the sport, and he believes in me to drive his race car. He came out of retirement to come work with me and that means a lot to me. It gives me a lot of confidence and I’m glad we went out on top with him.”
Brown finished second in points by advancing to the final round for the fourth time in 2022.
Cruz Pedregon was dominant to close out the year in Funny Car, winning his first race of the year and setting a string of career-bests along the way. The topper was an outstanding 3.839 at 335.65 in his 11,000-horsepower Snap-On Tools Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat in the final round against Capps, putting the two-time world champ on a great path heading into 2023. Pedregon made four runs of 3.84 in qualifying and then was stellar throughout eliminations to pick up his 39th career victory.
“This weekend feels surreal to me,” Pedregon said. “I’ve had some really great cars I’ve been fortunate to drive in my career, but this car is the best race car I’ve ever driven by a long shot. It says a lot for the team. I do want to point out we added Lee Beard as a consultant on the car, but I have to shout out (crew chief) John Collins and the team who has been with me for two years now and give them the credit. What Lee brought to the table fit what we were already doing. It all came together.”
Greg Anderson didn’t grab a championship this year in Pro Stock, as Erica Enders rolled to her fifth title, but he did close out 2022 with a victory in Pomona, getting past Enders in the final round with a pass of 6.516 at 210.31 in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro. It hands Anderson his 101st career win, as well as a perfect sendoff for departing owner Ken Black, who watched his final race on Sunday in Pomona.
“It was an emotional weekend for me. It’s been 20 years of glory, to be honest,” Anderson said. “It’s been a heck of a ride with (team owner) Ken, Judy, and the entire Black family. They’ve done everything for me. They’ve made all my hopes and dreams and wishes come true. I never dreamt in my life that I could ever achieve anything like this and I couldn’t do it without Ken Black. He absolutely made it happen.
“We had 20 great years together. I love the man, love the family. He’s like a second father to me. So, coming into the weekend in Pomona, we know we’re not going to win a world championship this year so really the only way to give him a small thank you for all he’s done. All the cards fell right today. I felt great all weekend. I felt good as a driver and had a good weekend of driving. My race car was fast and the chips all fell down right. I think it all came down to the best way I could have written the story, just like back at Indy. I think these wins, when I won Indy this year when I got No. 100 and this one to give Ken Black his final trophy, probably my two biggest wins. It’s incredible.”
Enders advanced to her 13th final round in 2022, the finishing touches on one of the most dominant seasons in Pro Stock history. She ends the year with a career-best 10 wins.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Angie Smith helped the team finish the season with a victory for the third straight year, knocking off Joey Gladstone with a 6.749 at 199.55 on her Denso Auto Parts Buell. Smith, who picked up her first win of the season, has now won the finale twice in the past three years, making it an all-Smith winner’s circle for the race and championship. She set the track speed record earlier in the weekend and then put together a string of quality runs on Sunday, finishing a career-best third in points.
“I just needed to go out there and qualify well and just turn on win lights,” A. Smith said. “I think my goal in qualifying was just to make straight runs and every run we were going faster and faster, so I knew I had a good bike going into race day. Everybody that we race are very tough competitors. I did my job and I won it on a holeshot (in the final round). I think I’d rather win on a holeshot over anything. It’s nice to outrun people but winning on a holeshot is pretty epic.”
Gladstone advanced to his sixth final round of the season, finishing second in points.
The 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season begins March 9-12 with the 54th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at historic Gainesville Raceway.
SATURDAY RESULTS - CAPPS, B. FORCE, COUGHLIN AND SAMPEY ALL QUALIFY NO. 1 AT AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS
Defending Funny Car world champion Ron Capps stayed in the title conversation with a clutch run on Saturday at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, tying the quickest run in his career to qualify No. 1 at the 57th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.
Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also qualified No. 1 at the 22nd and final event in the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season and the sixth race in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
Capps went 3.837-seconds at a track-record speed of 337.33 mph in his 11,000-horsepower NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra, handing the veteran his sixth No. 1 qualifier of the season and 35th in his career. He enters raceday 57 points – or less than two rounds – behind leader Robert Hight, looking to become the first Funny Car driver to win back-to-back championships in 20 years. Capps will take on Jeff Arend in the opening round, with a possible must-see matchup looming in the semifinals against Hight, who qualified fourth with a 3.849 at 334.48.
“This is what I talk about when you get into a race car like this and you wish you could make those big runs at the big moments,” Capps said. “I know we can go out and throw down with the best. It’s a great feeling, so what a way to end qualifying. I got on the radio, and I was screaming and yelling. It was like going down the road to Disneyland and getting on Space Mountain for the first time as a kid.
“It’s a different day tomorrow. (But) I'm going to wake up my motorhome here at trackside and I'm going to have a chance of possibly winning a world championship once again."
Cruz Pedregon qualified second with a career-best run of 3.840 at 322.58. In fact, Pedregon made the four quickest runs in his career, all in the 3.84 range. Matt Hagan took third with a 3.844 at 323.58 and will head into raceday 62 points behind Hight.
Top Fuel points leader Brittany Force made a pair of strong runs on Saturday, but it was her run of 3.641 at 338.94 from Friday in her 11,000-horsepower Monster Energy dragster that held up for the No. 1 spot. It gave her the top qualifier for an incredible 10th time this season and 42nd time in her career, as well as plenty of confidence going into a huge, championship-deciding day on Sunday. She’ll open eliminations against Steve Chrisman, holding a 26-point lead over Justin Ashley, who will start raceday on the opposite side of the ladder against contender Antron Brown. That means the standouts could meet in the final round, where it would be winner-take-all as Force is seeking her second world title.
"I feel very good. Going into race day tomorrow, we had four consistent runs,” Force said. “Over the past couple of months, we struggled with those three runs, but we made four solid runs. We got that No. 1 spot, and we picked up some bonus points, so we're going in tomorrow feeling good.
"When we won the championship in 2017, we came into the race in second place and now we have the lead, so it's a whole different mindset. I've been here before, that gives me a little bit of confidence. We handled it before, it's familiar territory, and we came out on top. So really, it's just pulling from past experience. This team is incredible what we've done all season long, what we've done this weekend, we just need to keep on hitting our numbers."
Four-time defending world champ Steve Torrence made the best run during the final qualifying session, taking the second spot with a 3.647 at 332.10. He trails Force by 93 points going into eliminations. Mike Salinas, who enters raceday 75 points back, was third with a 3.666 at 331.46. Brown qualified seventh and is 92 points out of first.
Troy Coughlin Jr. made a big move on Saturday, driving to the No. 1 spot for the first time this season with a run of 6.508 at 210.80 in his JEGS.com Chevrolet Camaro. It’s the second career top qualifier for Coughlin, who has enjoyed a breakout season in 2022 with a pair of victories and five appearances in the finals. He’ll open eliminations against Shane Tucker after making the quickest run in each session on Saturday, also looking to end the year on a strong note and possibly finish second in the points standings to his teammate, five-time world champ Erica Enders.
“I made two clean runs today and that’s what counts,” Coughlin said. “It’s special to be racing here in Pomona. There is nothing like pulling through the breezeway in front of the tower and looking down. My hat is off to the guys at Elite Performance. They work hard and with a lot of passion and it shows. This means a ton. I’ve been coming to the races since I could walk and being the low qualifier here is right near the top of the list for my professional career. (But) this class is stacked so you’ve got to execute on race day but I’m ready. I wish I could go out there and make a few more runs right now.”
Greg Anderson will start raceday from the second spot thanks to his run of 6.509 at 211.00 on Friday, while Dallas Glenn is third after going 6.514 at 210.77. Enders, who clinched the world championship in Vegas on the strength of her 10th win this season, will begin eliminations from ninth on Sunday.
Sampey secured her sixth No. 1 of the season in Pro Stock Motorcycle thanks to her track-record run of 6.703 at 201.61 from Friday on her Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki. It gives Sampey her 59th career No. 1 qualifier and the opportunity to finish off her year with a victory. She’s aiming for her second victory of the season, opening eliminations against Katie Justice. Sampey can end the season in the top five with a big performance on Sunday, which would give the three-time world champ plenty of off-season momentum.
“We’re looking forward to tomorrow and we’re feeling confident heading into raceday,” Sampey said. “Everyone out here would like to win the final race of the season, so that’s going to be our focus. Tomorrow, our mission is going out here to win the race and end the season on a great note.”
Points leader Matt Smith stayed second with his 6.719 at 202.70, putting him in a great position to clinch his sixth world championship. Smith can earn his second straight world title with a first-round win over Michael Phillips on Sunday. Joey Gladstone took the third spot after a 6.720. Multi-time world champ Eddie Krawiec failed to qualify for the first time in 15 years after struggling during the four sessions.
Eliminations for the Auto Club NHRA Finals being at 11 a.m. PT on Sunday at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.
Sunday's first-round pairings for eliminations for the 57th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, the final of 22 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, 3.641 seconds, 338.94 mph vs. 16. Steven Chrisman, 3.894, 311.70; 2. Steve Torrence, 3.647, 332.10 vs. 15. Ron August, 3.886, 315.71; 3. Mike Salinas, 3.666, 331.45 vs. 14. Krista Baldwin, 3.863, 306.95; 4. Leah Pruett, 3.669, 329.67 vs. 13. Alex Laughlin, 3.773, 319.14; 5. Austin Prock, 3.689, 330.31 vs. 12. Shawn Langdon, 3.751, 324.59; 6. Doug Kalitta, 3.693, 329.42 vs. 11. Josh Hart, 3.712, 311.92; 7. Antron Brown, 3.696, 329.26 vs. 10. Justin Ashley, 3.706, 329.42; 8. Tony Schumacher, 3.701, 331.77 vs. 9. Clay Millican, 3.705, 331.04.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Maurice Dupont, 4.199, 231.75; 18. Cameron Ferre, 4.409, 177.63.
Funny Car -- 1. Ron Capps, Toyota Supra, 3.837, 337.33 vs. 16. Jeff Arend, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.057, 313.44; 2. Cruz Pedregon, Dodge Charger, 3.840, 322.58 vs. 15. Jason Rupert, Ford Mustang, 4.030, 313.44; 3. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.844, 323.58 vs. 14. Steven Densham, Mustang, 3.993, 287.05; 4. Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 3.849, 334.48 vs. 13. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.957, 325.30; 5. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 3.856, 322.65 vs. 12. Paul Lee, Charger, 3.942, 328.22; 6. Alexis DeJoria, Supra, 3.862, 333.00 vs. 11. Jim Campbell, Charger, 3.920, 320.89; 7. John Force, Camaro, 3.864, 333.49 vs. 10. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 3.919, 322.11; 8. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.882, 333.58 vs. 9. J.R. Todd, Supra, 3.895, 333.41.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Terry Haddock, 4.264, 275.79; 18. Bobby Bode, 4.340, 218.58.
Pro Stock -- 1. Troy Coughlin Jr., Chevy Camaro, 6.508, 210.80 vs. 16. Shane Tucker, Camaro, 6.601, 209.36; 2. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.509, 211.00 vs. 15. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.573, 208.20; 3. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.514, 210.77 vs. 14. Fernando Cuadra, Ford Mustang, 6.565, 210.34; 4. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.524, 210.41 vs. 13. Camrie Caruso, Camaro, 6.558, 210.73; 5. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.526, 209.20 vs. 12. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.556, 205.60; 6. Kyle Koretsky, Camaro, 6.528, 210.47 vs. 11. Cristian Cuadra, Mustang, 6.553, 209.49; 7. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.528, 210.11 vs. 10. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Mustang, 6.549, 209.72; 8. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.530, 210.87 vs. 9. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.540, 210.60.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Alan Prusiensky, 6.609, 208.14; 18. Kenny Delco, 6.625, 208.88.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Angelle Sampey, Suzuki, 6.703, 201.61 vs. 16. Katie Justice, Suzuki, 7.107, 190.51; 2. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.719, 202.70 vs. 15. Michael Phillips, Buell, 7.097, 191.73; 3. Joey Gladstone, Suzuki, 6.720, 267.75 vs. 14. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.937, 200.23; 4. Angie Smith, EBR, 6.734, 201.34 vs. 13. Freddie Camarena, Suzuki, 6.924, 196.47; 5. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.761, 198.29 vs. 12. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.909, 192.22; 6. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.792, 197.31 vs. 11. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.872, 195.45; 7. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.812, 194.69 vs. 10. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.871, 193.85; 8. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.840, 192.93 vs. 9. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.860, 195.00.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Eddie Krawiec, 7.214, 198.88; 18. Jianna Evaristo, 9.398, 93.99.
FRIDAY RESULTS - B. FORCE, PEDREGON, ANDERSON AND SAMPEY PICK UP PROVISIONAL NO. 1 POSITIONS AT AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS
Points leader Brittany Force made the fastest run in Top Fuel history on Friday, powering to the provisional No. 1 qualifier in record-breaking fashion at the final race of the season, the 57th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.
Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the 22nd and final event in the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season and the sixth race in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
Force went 3.641-seconds at 338.94 mph in her 11,000-horsepower Monster Energy dragster, eclipsing her own record for the fastest run in class history and giving her a perfect start to kick off a huge weekend. If it holds, it would give Force her 10th No. 1 spot this season and 42nd in her career. More importantly, it gives Force, who entered the weekend with a slim seven-point advantage over Justin Ashley, momentum as she looks to claim her second career world title.
“It’s big to grab those points wherever we can and it’s pretty awesome to run that mph and break the record at my home track where I grew up racing,” Force said. “I love this place and that run, we planned to push the car and it worked out. But it’s going to come down to raceday and we’re going to try to hunt this thing down. This is a great start for our team.”
Four-time defending world champion Steve Torrence, who started the weekend 87 points behind Force, is currently second after going 3.656 at 333.33 and Leah Pruett is third after a pass of 3.669 at 329.67. Ashley is in the seventh spot after two sessions.
After struggling for most of the season, two-time Funny Car champ Cruz Pedregon hopes Pomona can be a momentum shift heading into the off-season, making a pair of 3.84 runs, including a class-best 3.840 at 322.58 in his 11,000-horsepower Snap-On Tools Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat. It would give the veteran his first No. 1 qualifier of the year and 63rd in his career should it hold up. It hasn’t been the year Pedregon has hoped for after contending for a championship in 2021, but a win to close out the year would ease those ills going into the 2023 campaign.
“To say I'm happy and excited and relieved all in one would be an understatement,” Pedregon said. “I've been surprised before at the finish line but not like that. It was such a great run and honestly, the car had a cylinder out about three-quarter track on that first (run) so had we been able to put the back half of this second run with the first one I would have been a little bit better."
Championship contender Matt Hagan moved into the No. 2 spot after his run of 3.844 at 323.58. It also sent Hagan past Ron Capps in the standings, putting him 59 points – which is less than two rounds with Pomona being points-and-a-half – behind leader Robert Hight heading into Saturday. Defending event winner Bob Tasca III is third after his 3.856 at 322.65.
Pomona has always treated Anderson well and that continued Friday in Pro Stock, as the five-time world champ shot to No. 1 with a stellar pass of 6.509 at 211.00 in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro to close the day. It would give the 100-time event winner his fourth top qualifier in 2022 and the 122nd in his terrific career, along with perhaps the inside track to win in Pomona for the 14th time overall and at the Auto Club NHRA Finals for the second straight year.
“There is a lot of history at the place, both here at the Auto Club Finals and the Winternationals. That’s where you used to show up in February and see how you stack up against everyone else,” Anderson said. “Nine out of 10 times the championship is decided here. Obviously, that didn’t happen this year. The championship is over (after Erica Enders won in Las Vegas to claim her fifth title) but there are a lot of crumbs to fight for. Championships are great but we come to the track to win races and that’s our goal this weekend. I made two good runs today and now we just need to keep it up the rest of the weekend.”
Dallas Glenn impressed in the second session as well, as Anderson’s KB Racing teammate went to second with a 6.514 at 210.77. Troy Coughlin Jr.’s 6.520 at 211.36 puts him third heading into Saturday’s final two sessions.
Looking to end her season on a bright note, Sampey enjoyed a spectacular Friday in Pro Stock Motorcycle, shattering the track record with a standout run of 6.703 at 201.61 on her Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki. It puts Sampey on track to close out the 2022 season with her sixth No. 1 qualifier of the season and the 59th in her career. More importantly, Sampey would love a second victory to close out the season. Things haven’t gone her way in the Countdown to the Championship, but all that can be erased with a winning weekend at the legendary facility.
“I was very excited to see that run because this weekend I’m on a mission to change things,” Sampey said. “My team has given me a Suzuki to win the race. I’ve had the best bike at almost every race this year but haven’t delivered like I should have. This team deserves a championship, and I didn’t deliver. My goal is to win this race and then be able to have a relaxing off-season knowing that we turned things around. I want to erase the past and gain some momentum.”
Points leader Matt Smith moved to second after going 6.719 at 202.70, setting the track speed record. He made two strong runs on Friday as he gets closer to a sixth world championship. His wife, Angie, is currently third after a 6.744 at 201.97.
Qualifying continues at 11:30 a.m. PT on Saturday at the Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.
Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 57th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, final of 22 events in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Brittany Force, 3.641 seconds, 338.94 mph; 2. Steve Torrence, 3.656, 333.33; 3. Leah Pruett, 3.669, 329.67; 4. Mike Salinas, 3.679, 329.58; 5. Doug Kalitta, 3.699, 328.94; 6. Austin Prock, 3.705, 332.43; 7. Justin Ashley, 3.706, 329.42; 8. Antron Brown, 3.715, 332.10; 9. Clay Millican, 3.715, 325.61; 10. Josh Hart, 3.718, 335.07; 11. Shawn Langdon, 3.751, 324.59; 12. Tony Schumacher, 3.759, 325.61; 13. Alex Laughlin, 3.796, 294.56; 14. Krista Baldwin, 3.863, 306.95; 15. Ron August, 4.113, 269.56; 16. Maurice Dupont, 4.422, 191.65.
Not Qualified: 17. Cameron Ferre, 5.112, 146.46; 18. Steven Chrisman, 7.797, 70.47.
Funny Car -- 1. Cruz Pedregon, Dodge Charger, 3.840, 322.58; 2. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.844, 323.58; 3. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.856, 322.65; 4. John Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.864, 333.49; 5. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.866, 333.25; 6. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.882, 333.58; 7. Alexis DeJoria, Toyota Supra, 3.897, 328.38; 8. J.R. Todd, Supra, 3.917, 329.26; 9. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 3.919, 322.11; 10. Jim Campbell, Charger, 3.920, 320.89; 11. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.957, 325.30; 12. Paul Lee, Charger, 3.991, 318.92; 13. Jeff Arend, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.067, 306.40; 14. Jason Rupert, Mustang, 4.159, 246.84; 15. Bobby Bode, Mustang, 4.360, 198.15; 16. Ron Capps, Supra, 4.897, 156.43.
Not Qualified: 17. Steven Densham, 9.399, 68.77; 18. Terry Haddock, broke.
Pro Stock -- 1. Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.509, 211.00; 2. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.514, 210.77; 3. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.520, 211.36; 4. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.526, 209.20; 5. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.528, 210.11; 6. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.540, 210.83; 7. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.541, 211.00; 8. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Ford Mustang, 6.549, 209.72; 9. Cristian Cuadra, Mustang, 6.553, 209.49; 10. Kyle Koretsky, Camaro, 6.555, 209.95; 11. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.557, 210.73; 12. Camrie Caruso, Camaro, 6.558, 210.73; 13. Fernando Cuadra, Mustang, 6.571, 210.24; 14. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.602, 208.62; 15. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.653, 208.04; 16. Alan Prusiensky, Dodge Dart, 7.099, 148.72.
Not Qualified: 17. Matt Hartford, 7.571, 189.23; 18. Shane Tucker, 10.188, 82.40.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Angelle Sampey, Suzuki, 6.703, 201.61; 2. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.719, 202.70; 3. Angie Smith, EBR, 6.744, 201.97; 4. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.797, 198.26; 5. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.815, 197.51; 6. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.828, 195.00; 7. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.840, 192.93; 8. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.871, 193.85; 9. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.877, 196.56; 10. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.885, 192.91; 11. Freddie Camarena, Suzuki, 6.953, 194.35; 12. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.965, 190.43; 13. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.977, 196.87; 14. Katie Justice, Suzuki, 7.107, 190.51; 15. Michael Phillips, Buell, 7.111, 189.58; 16. Eddie Krawiec, Suzuki, 7.263, 196.47.
Not Qualified: 17. Joey Gladstone, 7.568, 134.35; 18. Jianna Evaristo, 9.398, 93.99.
THURSDAY RESULTS - BROGDON NAILS PERFECT BIRTHDAY PRESENT; PAYNE, GORDON LEAD TOP ALCOHOL
"Happy Birthday to me."
Those words past NHRA Pro Stock driver and Comp Eliminator racer Rodger Brogdon uttered when he exited his Rooftec-sponsored B/Altered Automatic Camaro during Thursday's final qualifying session at the AAA NHRA Finals in Pomona, Ca.
Brogdon ran a 6.900 elapsed time, -.700 under the index, to take the top spot in the second session. Ryan Priddy, who runs in A/Altered Automatic, led the first session and stood on his 6.434, -0.686 to land second. Sportsman drag racing icon Jeff Taylor, also in B/Altered Automatic, was third with a 6.920, -0.680 performance.
"It was a pretty good run, I don't mind saying," Brogdon said. "This is just as important as anything I've been able to achieve in Pro Stock. Comp has always been my favorite class."
Brogdon's Camaro is essentially a Pro Stocker but with carburetors and an automatic transmission. It is powered by a 500-inch engine built by Chris McGaha.
"It weighs 100 pounds more than a Pro Stocker," Brogdon explained. "It has carburetors instead of fuel injection, and the transmission is automatic. It requires the same maintenance between rounds. I could make some changes and have a Pro Stocker."
Scoring a No. 1 qualifier and winning on Sunday are two different challenges for Brogdon. He cannot run quicker than 6.990 during eliminations, or his index takes a permanent adjustment.
"I have to concentrate on trying to win in eliminations and not go too fast, so my index doesn't get adjusted," Brogdon explained. "I've been pretty good at winning in the past, but slowing down to win... not so much."
The Top Alcohol categories each had two qualifying sessions on Thursday. Doug Gordon leads provisionally in Top Alcohol Funny Car with a 5.423, .003 better than Ulf Leanders. Recent Las Vegas winner Madison Payne leads the dragsters after two sessions with a 5.177, 281.19.
Defending NHRA Super Stock champion Greg Stanfield leads the 57-car Super Stock field with a 9.673 elapsed time, -1.127 under the Super Stock GT/JA index. Stick-shift racer Stan Holt was second quickest with his GT/L '66 Nova (9.744, -1.106). Factory Stock Showdown/C Camaro racer Chris Hall was third with an 8.578, -1.072.
Over in Stock, Brad Burton's classic Firebird set the pace with a 10.409 elapsed time, -1.141 under the D/Stock Automatic index. He was .01 better than the U/Stock Automatic Mustang II of Bob Elliott, who was -1.131 with a 13.719-second pass. Jim Hidalgo Jr. was third with his E/Stock Automatic, running a 10.599, -1.101.
Qualifying is complete in all Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisions except Top Alcohol, which has one final session Friday.
 |
THURSDAY SPORTSMAN QUALIFYING
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER (Q2)
1 737M TA/D Madison Payne, Claremont CA, Copeland-C 5.177 281.19 281.19
2 611 TA/D Garrett Bateman, Albany OR, Hadman-DODGE 5.189 275.28 275.28
3 7 TA/D Matthew Cummings, Delry Beach FL, Hadma 5.201 276.41 276.41
4 710V TA/D Taylor Vetter, Las Vegas NV, CNE-Chry 5.209 280.54 280.54
5 3 TA/D Shawn Cowie, Langley BC, Hadman-BAE 5.231 274.66 274.66
6 6 TA/D Jasmine Salinas, Brownsburg IN, Indy Sp 5.251 278.63 278.63
7 17 TA/D Tom Fox Jr., Shamong NJ, Crampton-BAEE 5.263 275.51 275.51
8 7078 TA/D Ron Anderson, Chatsworth CA, Copeland-B 5.268 272.01 272.78
9 724 TA/D Casey Grisel, Rancho Cordova CA, McKinn 5.301 266.64 270.16
10 4 TA/D Julie Nataas, Brownsburg IN, Copeland-B 5.325 267.00 267.00
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR (Q2)
1 2 Doug Gordon, Paso Robles CA, '22 Camaro 5.423 269.29 270.70
2 800 Ulf Leanders, Viksjofors SW, '18 Camaro 5.426 267.06 267.06
3 9 Shane Westerfield, Fullerton CA, '18 Camaro 5.454 267.85 267.85
4 6 Brian Hough, Junction OR, '21 Camaro 5.481 266.32 266.32
5 783 Jake Guadagnolo, Linden CA, '20 Camaro 5.485 262.69 262.69
6 1 Sean Bellemeur, Placentia CA, '22 Camaro 5.494 265.74 265.74
7 584 Annie Whiteley, Grand Junction CO, '17 Camaro 5.498 269.13 269.78
8 63 Chris Marshall, McMinnville OR, '17 Camaro 5.502 265.95 265.95
9 77 Ray Martin, Anchorage AK, '18 Camaro 5.515 261.72 261.72
10 5087 Jim Whiteley, Gand Junction CO, '22 Camaro 5.522 264.03 265.69
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
COMP (FINAL)
1 4171 B/AA Rodger Brogdon, Tomball TX, '66 Camaro 6.900 7.60 -0.700
2 7167 A/AA Ryan Priddy, Chino CA, '18 Chevy 6.434 7.12 -0.686
3 220 B/AA Jeff Taylor, Sellersburg IN, '08 Cobalt 6.920 7.60 -0.680
4 41 E/SMA Cody Lane, Seattle WA, '05 Cavalier 8.271 8.95 -0.679
5 35 C/ED Allen Wilson, Kokomo IN, Spitzer-Chevy 7.222 7.89 -0.668
6 427 D/SM Jarrod Granier, Labadieville LA, '08 Chev 8.338 9.00 -0.662
7 63 C/AA John Edwards, Nampa ID, '20 Chevy Camaro 7.253 7.88 -0.627
8 10 A/ND Dean Carter, Peoria AZ, Uyehara-Chevy 6.829 7.45 -0.621
9 72 D/SMA Doug Lambeck, North Tustin CA, '04 Sunfire 8.310 8.93 -0.620
10 62 A/EA Ralph Vanpaepeghem, Garden Valley ID, '32 7.239 7.81 -0.571
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
SUPER STOCK (FINAL)
1 1 GT/JA Greg Stanfield, Bossier City LA, '87 Cama 9.673 10.80 -1.127
2 4749 GT/L Stan Holt, Houston TX, '66 Nova 9.744 10.85 -1.106
3 J712 FSS/C Chris Hall, Brigham City UT, '17 Camaro 8.578 9.65 -1.072
4 4688 GT/JA Mike Cotten, Cave Creek AZ, '70 Barracuda 9.780 10.80 -1.020
5 7321 SS/NA Jody George, Bakersfield CA, '88 Cutlass 11.133 12.15 -1.017
6 6 SS/GA Jimmy Hidalgo Jr., Donaldsville LA, '99 F 9.533 10.55 -1.017
7 7474 SS/AS Justin Lamb, Henderson NV, '10 Cobalt 8.589 9.60 -1.011
8 347 SS/HA Angelo DeCarlo, Schaumburg IL, '66 Corvet 9.621 10.60 -0.979
9 757 SS/IA Larry Zavala, Montebello CA, '89 Camaro 9.736 10.70 -0.964
10 7277 FSS/G Mike Johnston, Parker CA, '12 Camaro 9.293 10.25 -0.957
STOCK (FINAL)
1 5809 D/SA Brad Burton, Snohomish WA, '72 Firebird 10.409 11.55 -1.141
2 7179 U/SA Bob Elliott, Phoenix AZ, '77 Mustang 13.719 14.85 -1.131
3 5 E/SA Jimmy Hidalgo Jr., Donaldsonville LA, '04 10.599 11.70 -1.101
4 2426 G/SA Mitch Kight, Rougemont NC, '69 Barracuda 10.904 12.00 -1.096
5 1 B/SA Jerry Emmons, Pasadena TX, '69 Camaro 10.155 11.25 -1.095
6 1044 A/SA John Shaul, Fultonham NY, '64 Fury 9.911 11.00 -1.089
7 601 H/SA Cody Lane, Seattle WA, '73 Corvette 11.066 12.15 -1.084
8 7575 F/SA Mark Kirby, Bakersfield CA, '73 Duster 10.790 11.85 -1.060
9 7801 F/SA Pete Lanciers, Spring Valley CA, '73 Dust 10.792 11.85 -1.058
10 7050 B/SA Darin Grossi, Copperopolis CA, '64 Fury 10.202 11.25 -1.048
TOP DRAGSTER (FINAL)
1 56 Jeff Koron, Hays KS, Undercover-Chevy 6.115 231.16 231.16
2 7942 Thomas Bayer, Cherry Valley CA, Miller-Chevy 6.130 201.94 201.94
3 7044 Braiden Chesleigh, Claremont CA, Dan Page-AJPE 6.139 224.88 224.88
4 17 Alan Kenny, Kutztown PA, Dan Page-Stinnett 6.142 196.27 196.27
5 7796 John Richardson, Santa Clarita CA, Sarmento-Ch 6.157 197.88 197.88
6 7638 Mark Yeager, Hollister CA, Danny Nelson-Chevy 6.161 193.60 193.60
7 7145 Jennifer Wiens, Las Vegas NV, RaceTech-Madcap 6.195 220.19 220.19
8 790 Taylor Wiens, Las Vegas NV, RaceTech-Chevy 6.208 227.00 229.94
9 766 Melissa Murphy, South Gate CA, Spitzer-Chevy 6.228 221.52 221.52
10 7237 Steve Will, Fortuna CA, Sarmento-BAE 6.246 210.93 210.93
TOP SPORTSMAN (FINAL)
1 404M Florentino Martin, New Braunfels CA, '15 Camaro 6.292 228.00 228.00
2 702G Mike Proctor, Chandler AZ, '63 Corvette 6.340 214.69 214.69
3 41 Vince Hoda, D'Iberville MS, '68 Camaro 6.586 211.93 211.93
4 454 Macy Higgins, Mulberry AR, '13 Camaro 6.621 208.84 208.84
5 7711 Don London, Lake Havsau City AZ, '15 Camaro 6.632 208.49 208.49
6 780 David Cook, Novato CA, '67 Mustang 6.658 207.08 207.08
7 7450 Don Meziere, Escondido CA, '09 Cobalt 6.697 205.32 205.32
8 73 Monte Green, Mesa AZ, '07 Stratus 6.738 204.94 204.94
9 7134 Bryan Warr, Riverton UT, '69 Camaro 6.744 204.14 204.14
10 2 Paul Mitsos, Eastvale CA, '08 Stratus 6.752 204.20 204.20
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
