Showing posts with label Courtney Force. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Courtney Force. Show all posts
Monday, February 26, 2018
COURTNEY FORCE ENDS WINLESS STREAK WITH NHRA ARIZONA NATIONALS VICTORY
CHANDLER, Ariz. (Feb. 26 2018) — A weekend filled with a well of emotions ended on the ultimate high-note for John Force Racing at the 34th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Worse Pass Motorsports Park outside of Phoenix. Courtney Force will head back to Yorba Linda, Calif. with a Wally while her father, 16-time world champion John Force, will head home with another hospital visit.
The drag racing legend ended his race day with an engine explosion during the second round. John Force won the round before his PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil Chevy Camaro burst into flames, went out of control, made contact with the retaining wall, and collided with opponent Jonnie Lindberg in the opposite lane. Force was transported to a local hospital for evaluation while Lindberg exited the car under his own power. Force was later cleared and returned to Wild Horse Pass after racing had ended.
“My struggles continue, but I’m a big boy, I’ll fix it,” said Force who is 11th in points. “Really glad to know that Jonnie Lindberg is okay. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. I think I still have another championship in me. Depending on what the doctors say, I’m gonna come out and watch Robert test his Auto Club Chevrolet tomorrow and then get ready for Gainesville.”
On the opposite side of the spectrum, Courtney Force powered her Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car victory ending her 43-race winless streak. Force over powered Tommy Johnson Jr. in the final round with a 3.834-second pass at 337.16 mph. Her speed bettered the track record she set during qualifying. Johnson Jr. smoked the tires to the 6.814 at 101.57.
“Every single one of my guys on the Advance Auto Parts Chevy Camaro has been working so hard. Today was a tough day,” said Force who last won on May 1, 2016 at the NHRA SpringNationals in Houston. “We had a 40-minute turnaround in the semifinals and didn’t have lane choice in the finals but we were able to go down there and lay down a killer number.
“Thanks to my guys. They helped give me the confidence to get in that car today. They make me feel safe in that car because of the amazing job they do on it,” explained Force who now has nine career victories. “Brian Corradi and Dan Hood, they’ve been unbelievable, getting us the No. 1 qualifier hat and then to top it off get the Wally at the end of the weekend. Pretty incredible. Definitely a great start to our season. Been looking for a win for a long time now. Feels like forever. This one definitely feels good and I know it will make my dad feel better.”
The victory puts Force second in the points standings behind only Matt Hagan who she defeated in the second round, just moments after seeing her father’s wreck.
“Hagan actually came up to me when I had to race him and told me you’re a great driver you know how to do this, just clear your head,” Force said. “I know he didn’t want me to beat him but it was really nice of him as a competitor to tell me you know what to do out here and just remember that. It’s great to have competitors out here that are so amazing and so supportive even when you have to race them.”
Force also had a win against two-time world champion Del Worsham before facing Hagan. She would have raced her father in the semi-finals but instead made a solo run.
“Coming from Pomona trying to get our heads on straight and focus on putting that behind us and have a fresh start when we come to Phoenix and then dad goes up and has a huge explosion in the lights,” said Force who recorded her first win at the Arizona Nationals. “That’s one of the things that’s out of your control. I’m glad to see that Lindberg’s okay. You have to just switch your focus and get back in your car. My dad and my crew chiefs are the ones that gave me the confidence to get back in my race car and battle it out all day long. These cars are unpredictable. We know that as drivers. You just have to go out there and fight hard.”
Top Fuel world champion Brittany Force piloted her Monster Energy dragster to a second-round finish just two weeks after a scary crash at the season-opening Winternationals. Force put up a 4.661 run at 156.12 and was out done by Billy Torrence’s 3.723 pass at 320.74
“Overall, looking at our weekend, I’m happy with it. I’m not disappointed in anything,” Force explained. Coming back from a wreck like we did in Pomona, that first run, climbing back in that car, it’s not easy. It’s definitely tough. And especially, also doing it again in that first round. It takes you back. I think it’s a work in progress. It’s going to take some time,” said Force. “I’m happy with our Monster Energy team. We pulled out our old car, didn’t have time to test it, just took it down there and made some pretty good passes. I pulled my foot out of it on that first run. It moved around a little bit and I clicked it a little bit early. But I’d rather play it safe than end up like we did last weekend.”
Force had a first-round win against Clay Millican to put her eighth in the Top Fuel points standings.
Two-time and reigning Funny Car would champion Robert Hight fell in the first round to Tommy Johnson Jr. after the pair both pedaled to the finish-line. Hight’s 4.806 pass at 273.44 was bettered by Johnson Jr.’s 4.715 at 225.60.
“It was a racetrack that was in the 90s (temperature-wise). We’ve run 3.79 on a racetrack in the 90s so you go up there anticipating running a low .80 to win,” Hight explained. “Obviously, we didn’t make enough changes based on what we were seeing out there with the cars not making it (down the track). We needed to make a lot bigger move than we ever anticipated we needed to. If we had gone up there trying to run 3.95, we probably could have navigated it. We’ll test tomorrow (with) some new stuff that hopefully we’ll have on our car at Gainesville and get ‘em there.”
Monday, February 12, 2018
BRITTANY FORCE ESCAPES SERIOUS INJURY FROM POMONA, CALIF. INCIDENT
POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 12, 2018) — NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series racer Brittany Force escaped serious injury after a racing incident in the first round of Sunday’s eliminations at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Force’s Monster Energy dragster went out of control during the pass, made contact with the guard wall and came to rest past the finish line. She was responsive, speaking with medical personnel, and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. Force suffered no major internal injuries but does have some bruising of the lungs. A CT Scan was negative and the MRI showed subtle findings likely from previous injuries. She was admitted overnight for observation simply as a precaution.
Much like her father’s explosion on Friday evening, Force’s Simpson safety gear, including her Steilo Helmet, R3 head and neck restraint, fire suit, neck collar and belts, kept her conscious and securely strapped into the driver’s seat.
“You look at how these cars evolved over 40-50 years. We made a lot of changes after the loss of Eric (Medlen, former JFR driver who lost his life in a 2007 testing accident). A lot came out of that. Building better chassis, safer. Want to thank Simpson safety for building helmets, equipment and everything to keep our drivers safe. The car giving way when it hit the wall head on allowed it to take the impact and fold up (as it was designed to do),” John Force said. “I want to thank Schumacher Racing for creating the canopy (over the driver’s seat). When the car was upside down, you know that protects the drier’s head. Want to personally thank Don Schumacher for his investment (in the canopy program). Very important. Thanks, Don. Safety Safari was right on top of it, as always, that’s why they’re the best in the business. Finally, John Medlen, was one of the first to come to me, and want to know if she was okay. I didn’t have an answer at the time. But he’s lived it. He knows what all of us go through: owners, friends, parents and sponsors. End of the day, we keep addressing it to get it better.”
Brittany Force, the No. 2 qualifier, was racing Terry Haddock in the first round when her Monster Energy dragster smoked the tires. Force attempted to pedal her 11,000 hp race car before it took a hard left and made contact with both guard walls.
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
PROUD JOHN FORCE ACCEPTS HONORARY DOCTORATE FROM UNOH
LIMA, OH (January 10, 2018) – An emotional and proud John Force, legendary NHRA Funny Car driver, accepted an honorary doctorate today at the University of Northwestern Ohio in a special ceremony presided over by university president Dr. Jeffery Jarvis. The 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree for his historic motorsports career and his dedication to racing safety.
“I never had this kind of opportunity. I learned on the race tracks and in the boardrooms. I got an education at truck stops across the country,” Force told students and faculty during the special ceremony. “I am honored to receive this doctorate mainly because I saw the passion these UNOH students have for motorsports as well as their other programs. They are really turning their passions into careers here. I could not be more impressed with what I saw around campus and I am excited to be Dr. Force.”
Force, as well as 2017 NHRA Funny Car champion Robert Hight, 2017 NHRA Top Fuel champion Brittany Force and winningest female Funny Car driver Courtney Force, toured the UNOH campus. The group met with students in a variety of degree programs and also spent time with the students on the successful UNOH motorsports team.
UNOH president, Dr. Jeffrey A. Jarvis, presented Force with the honorary degree during a special ceremony at the UNOH Event Center. Current students, faculty, staff and special guests were in attendance filling the center to near capacity.
“John Force is truly a wonderful role model and icon in the motorsports industry. He is not only a championship driver, but he embraces a love for the future of the sport which lies within many of our students today,” said Jarvis. “John Force Racing has employed UNOH graduates for many years. It was an easy decision to honor a man that has had such a large impact on the racing industry, the business community, and educational environment. We are thrilled to have John Force join the UNOH family.”
The University of Northwestern Ohio is the first university to honor Force in this way. With this degree, Force became the first drag racer recognized in this manner. He became the third motorsports luminary after Richard Petty and Richard Childress to receive honorary doctorates. Childress was honored by UNOH in 2013.
For additional information contact Sara Slaughter, John Force Racing PR at sara@johnforceracing.com or UNOH Director of Public Relations and Marketing, Stephanie Malloy at smalloy@unoh.edu.
Story courtesy Sara Slaughter, JFR-PR.
All Photos courtesy JFR PR.
Editor's Note: I guess we need to call him Dr. Force now. And it seems only fair since we call Warren Johnson, "The Professor". DW.
Friday, February 24, 2017
PRITCHETT SETS NATIONAL RECORD, FORCE SETS TRACKS RECORDS.
CHANDLER, Ariz. – Leah Pritchett set the Top Fuel elapsed-time national record with her second session pass during the 33rd annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park on Friday.
Courtney Force (Funny Car) and Jason Line (Pro Stock) were also the provisional No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories at the second of 24 events on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
Pritchett’s 3.658-second pass at 329.34 mph in her Papa John’s Pizza dragster during the second round of qualifying puts her at the top of the field heading into the final two session of qualifying on Saturday.
“To be behind the wheel of this machine that is constantly putting out time and time again fast numbers and quick numbers is, to be honest, a little bit difficult to comprehend,” said Pritchett who is coming off a win at the season opening event in Pomona, Calif. “It’s everything that dreams are made of. It’s almost too good to be true, but it’s not. Seeing the extra attention to detail that I’ve never seen before and, I’ve been around a lot of crews in my life, it’s paying off on the track so well and so much.”
Don Schumacher Racing teammates Tony Schumacher in his U.S. Army dragster is second with a 3.667 pass at 323.89, the third quickest run in NHRA history, and reigning world champ Antron Brown in his Matco Tools dragster, are in third after a 3.689 pass at 326.56. Rookie Troy Coughlin Jr. is in fourth after running a career best 3.696 in the SealMaster dragster.
Courtney Force set both ends of the Funny Car track record with her 3.838 pass at 332.67 in her Advanced Auto Chevy Camaro during the first session.
“It’s always that first run of the weekend that you’re always the most nervous about,” Force said. “To be able to lay down a number like that for a track record and having (Matt) Hagan right out my window, I knew it was going to be a great pass. We ran killer numbers here during testing, that’s going to be our goal to be able to do it here again this weekend.”
Hagan is in the second position with a 3.839 at 329.67 in his Sandvik Coromant Dodge Charger R/T and Tim Wilkerson, who won the event last year, is in third with a 3.852 run at 329.42 in his Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang.
Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 33rd annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, second of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Leah Pritchett, 3.658 seconds, 329.91 mph; 2. Tony Schumacher, 3.667, 323.89; 3. Antron Brown, 3.689, 326.56; 4. Troy Coughlin Jr., 3.696, 326.48; 5. Doug Kalitta, 3.709, 322.88; 6. Steve Torrence, 3.751, 326.48; 7. Clay Millican, 3.751, 316.30; 8. Troy Buff, 3.764, 321.96; 9. Terry McMillen, 3.768, 322.11; 10. Scott Palmer, 3.971, 278.29; 11. Steven Chrisman, 4.771, 162.96; 12. Steve Faria, 5.295, 129.06; 13. Brittany Force, 6.377, 93.04; 14. Shawn Reed, 9.362, 78.92.
Funny Car -- 1. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.838, 332.67; 2. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.839, 330.31; 3. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 3.852, 329.42; 4. Jack Beckman, Charger, 3.873, 329.18; 5. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 3.877, 327.43; 6. Del Worsham, Toyota Camry, 3.896, 328.22; 7. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.897, 325.45; 8. J.R. Todd, Camry, 3.904, 328.22; 9. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 3.920, 325.14; 10. Gary Densham, Mustang, 3.938, 320.36; 11. John Force, Camaro, 3.941, 313.15; 12. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.035, 256.70; 13. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.226, 215.82; 14. Jeff Arend, Chevrolet Impala, 4.479, 202.91; 15. Jim Campbell, Charger, 4.950, 167.57; 16. Phil Burkart, Charger, 10.652, 90.12.
Pro Stock -- 1. Jason Line, Chevy Camaro, 6.509, 212.19; 2. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.522, 211.73; 3. Tanner Gray, Camaro, 6.538, 211.79; 4. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.540, 211.43; 5. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.542, 211.23; 6. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.557, 210.77; 7. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.558, 211.59; 8. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.561, 211.73; 9. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.563, 210.70; 10. Deric Kramer, Dodge Dart, 6.581, 209.88; 11. Allen Johnson, Dart, 6.583, 209.62; 12. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.584, 210.21; 13. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.600, 209.56; 14. Alan Prusiensky, Dart, 6.614, 209.04; 15. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.615, 210.08; 16. Val Smeland, Camaro, 21.361, 69.45.
(Story and Stats Courtesy NHRA Communications Dept).
(Story and Stats Courtesy NHRA Communications Dept).
Del Worsham TF/FC Photo by: Dicken Wear
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Open House for all JFR Fans in Riverside and Anaheim areas of SoCal today.
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Notice Courtesy of John Force Racing.Sunday, February 5, 2017
Force and Pritchett Dominate Nitro Spring Training
COURTNEY FORCE AND LEAH PRITCHETT DOMINATE NITRO SPRING TRAINING
CHANDLER, Ariz. --- Nitro Spring Training came to an end Saturday at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Ariz. where NHRA Funny Car and Top Fuel teams put all their off-season hard work to the test one week before the start of the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
Leah Pritchett had the unofficial quickest run in NHRA history in her Papa John’s Pizza Top Fuel dragster Saturday morning. Pritchett and her crew put down a 3.654-second pass at 331.85 mph during their first try of the day after they ran the two quickest passes Friday with a 3.677 and a 3.685.
“I have to be totally honest, we didn’t come out here to be the quickest,” said Pritchett, who won her first Top Fuel event at Wild Horse Pass in 2016. “That wasn’t the goal. The goal was to get the power that we created in the offseason to the track. We exceeded our expectations yesterday and today we did the same. For it to blast off at .65 on a warmer day today, man I’m stoked for (my team), that’s a lot of hard work and they just put it on the track.”
With a track temp of 104 degrees on Saturday afternoon, Pritchett ran a 3.697 at 327.51 to give her ownership to four of the top five times of the weekend.
Steve Torrence, who holds the Top Fuel ET national record at 3.671, had the second quickest machine when he ran a 3.691 on Friday. Brittany Force, pilot of the Monster Energy dragster for John Force Racing, had the third quickest with a 3.695 narrowly out running Doug Kalitta, who finished second in the points standings in 2016, and his Mac Tools dragster with a 3.697 on Saturday. Defending world champion Antron Brown was fifth with his 3.701 run from Thursday in his Matco Tools dragster.
Rookie Troy Coughlin Jr., who will be racing a full season for Kalitta Motorsports, closed out testing with his best run of the weekend posting a 3.763 at 317.42 in his SealMaster Top Fuel dragster.
Courtney Force and her Advance Auto Parts Chevy Camaro SS ran the weekend’s quickest time for the Funny Car class. Her 3.804 at 333.33 from Friday is unofficially the quickest run in Funny Car history. She was also quickest Friday with a 3.841 and then a 3.847.
“It was a pretty unbelievable run,” Force said. “It’s all thanks to (my crew); I’m just the one piloting the car down to the other end. But it was really exciting hearing them come on the radio and be so excited about it. I feel like I had my hands full on multiple runs, but it’s really great being able to make so many great passes just in testing – the 3.84s and then the 3.80 unofficially. It’s a great feeling. I’m proud of my guys; it’s all because of them.”
Defending Funny Car world champion Ron Capps’ NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T was the second quickest Funny Car with a 3.854 pass on Friday. Force’s father and 16-time world champion John Force had a 3.856 in his PEAK Chevy Camaro SS to take the third spot from teammate Robert Hight who ran a 3.859 Friday in his Auto Club Chevy Camaro SS.
J.R. Todd, who is making the transition from Top Fuel to Funny Car racing the DHL Toyota Camry for Kalitta, made a 3.909 pass at 312.93 for his best run at testing on Friday and Del Worsham, now racing for his family team, Worsham Racing, tested Friday and made a 4.060 pass at 283.01.
The 2017 Mello Yello Drag Racing season gets underway February 9-12 with the Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Pomona, Calif. Qualifying will be televised on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET on Friday and live on FS1 Saturday at 1 p.m. ET. The Finals will be live on FOX Sports at 4 p.m. ET.
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Press release courtesy
the NHRA Communications Dept.      Photo by Dicken Wear   Photo by Dicken Wear 
Robert Hight: Photo by Dicken Wear
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Saturday, February 4, 2017
Courtney Force Quickest Funny Car on Day 2 of Nitro Spring Training.
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Monday, February 8, 2016
NHRA TF Test at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, Chandler, AZ.
Brittany Force Crew at WHPMP 2-2016. (Photo by Dicken Wear)
Tim Wilkerson Test at WHPMP 2-2016. (Photo by Dicken Wear)
Robert Hight Test at WHPMP 2-2016. (Photo by Dicken Wear)
Courtney Force Burnout at WHPMP NHRA Test 2-2016. (Photo by Dicken Wear)
John Force and Fox TV Crew at WHPMP Test 2-2016. (Photo by Dicken Wear)
Ron Capps and Fox TV Crew at WHPMP Test 2-2016. (Photo by Dicken Wear)
Fast Jack, Jimmy Prock and Fox TV Crew at WHPMP Test 2-2016. (Photo by Dicken Wear)
Brittany Force Test at WHPMP 2-2016. (Photo by Dicken Wear)
Robert Hight Burnout at WHPMP Test 2-2016. (Photo by Dicken Wear)
JOHN FORCE RACING WRAPS UP SUCCESSFUL TEST SESSION IN PHOENIX
PHOENIX (February 6, 2016) ---- The quartet of John Force Racing
race cars wrapped up a successful four days of NHRA pre-season testing at Wild
Horse Pass Motorsports Park today. John Force Racing cars claimed seven of the
10 quickest runs of the day. Brittany Force and the Monster Energy Top Fuel
dragster team led all Top Fuel dragsters today with a 3.721 second pass at
319.07 mph.
“I am definitely glad we are here in Phoenix testing. We were here
for four days and I needed every single run that we made to make me feel more
comfortable. Teaming up with Alan Johnson and Brian Husen as my crew chief has
been great,” said Force, who finished the 2015 season in 7th place. “They have made a lot of changes
to this Monster Energy dragster. They run a whole different system that what we
used to run. It takes some time to adjust to that and I am learning the car. It
is starting to feel like home. We ran a couple of 3.72s and I am ready to get
to Pomona.”
Force posted the 5th and
6th quickest runs of
the four day test session.
The John Force Racing Funny Cars started slowly but finished the
pre-season test session with strong runs led by Robert Hight and the Auto Club
Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car team.
“We had a ton of things to come in here to test and it took us
seven runs to get the application right to go down the track. We didn’t get to
test everything that we wanted to but once it went it was fast. We figured out
some of the good things that we wanted to test but not everything,” said Hight.
“I also believe with how we finished the end of the year at Pomona what we
learned here is going to make us so much better when we get back to Pomona. I
am so excited to get to the Winternationals. We made career best runs here and
we are in the ballgame.”
Hight posted a career best 3.885 second run at 329.34 mph on
Saturday which was good enough for third quickest of the spring training event.
Over the course of the test session Hight also ran the 9th quickest run of the weekend 3.913
second.
Right behind Hight was teammate Courtney Force driving the Traxxas
Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car who ran her career best ET 3.890 at 323.89 mph.
The first two days of testing were uneventful for Force who struggled to get
her Funny Car down the track. The team began to hit their stride on Friday.
“We struggled a little the first couple of passes but then
we got it figured out. That is why you go to testing. I am really excited to be
working with Ronnie Thompson and Danny Hood as my crew chiefs. This whole
Traxxas Chevrolet Funny Car team did a great job here in Phoenix. We made my
quickest run ever and I feel really comfortable heading to Pomona,” said
Courtney Force.
The most consistent Funny Car on Saturday was John Force’s PEAK
Antifreeze Chevrolet Camaro SS which ran three quick runs including a stellar
3.914 second run. His other passes of the day 3.927 seconds and 3.930 seconds
easily had him near the top of the field.
“We got done what we needed to here in Phoenix. I am really proud
of these young kids led by Jon Schaffer. We got after it every day and we got
some good runs out of this PEAK hot rod. We are running right up at the top
with all the other Funny Cars and that Monster dragster ran really well too. We
have had a lot of change over the past couple of years but now I am focused on
winning and getting the most out of all these race teams,” said John Force.
(Reprinted from Elon Werner: JFR Public Relations).
Saturday, June 13, 2015
First Day of Qualifying at New England Dragway, Epping, NH.
SCHUMACHER, JOHNSON JR. AND MCGAHA TOP QUALIFYING LEADERBOARD FRIDAY AT NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS
News From: The NHRA Communications Dept.
(Anthony Vestal & Chris Lawyer)
(Anthony Vestal & Chris Lawyer)
EPPING, N.H. – Tony Schumacher raced to the qualifying lead in Top Fuel Friday at the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway.
Tommy Johnson Jr. (Funny Car) and Chris McGaha (Pro Stock) also were qualifying leaders at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event near Boston.
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| Bob Tasca II & III - Image Credit: Dicken Wear (2015) |
Schumacher ran a track record 3.742-second pass at 324.12 mph in his U.S. Army dragster to top the leaderboard after the first day of qualifying. Schumacher, the eight-time and defending world champ, is looking for his first top qualifier at Epping and second of the season.
“I think the car is excellent right now,” said Schumacher, winner of this event last season. “There was more there. You look at the computer and there is some room [to improve]. I’m sure most cars that go out there are going to find it.”
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| Robert Hight - Image Credit: Dicken Wear (2015) |
Schumacher debuted a new car at the national event in Atlanta last month and finally feels that his dragster is starting to pick up steam. The team has struggled since the switch, losing twice in the second round and once in the first.
“We brought the car out at Atlanta and that’s not been many races,” said Schumacher. “We haven’t gone and won rounds, haven’t been to a final with it. It’s a great car. It should benefit us when it gets warm outside. Right now, we are just maintaining.”
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| Ron Capps - Image Credit: Dicken Wear (2015) |
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| Image Credit: Dicken Wear (2015) |
Johnson Jr. claimed the Funny Car top spot during the final pair of the category with his 4.047 at 319.45 in his Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T. Johnson Jr., who entered this event sixth in points, is two sessions away from securing his first No. 1 qualifier since Chicago last season and his first at Epping.
“I was expecting a lot better numbers than what we saw tonight,” Johnson Jr. said. “We got up there and thought we were going to try to run a low zero. The 4.04 was a good number and the guys had a good handle on the tune-up. Track conditions kept getting better and I was thrilled with a 4.04.”
Two-time world champ Cruz Pedregon ran a 4.052 at 306.46 in his Snap-on Tools Toyota Camry to sit second. John Force, a 16-time world champ searching for his first New England win, is currently qualified third with two sessions remaining. Fellow John Force Racing competitors Courtney Force and Robert Hight are fourth and fifth.
In Pro Stock, McGaha ran a 6.520 at 212.66 in his Harlow Sammons Chevy Camaro to lead the factory hot rod field following Friday’s sessions. McGaha is searching for his fifth career No. 1 qualifier and third of the season.
“It’s a pretty good start. Starting sometimes is the most important thing but you’ve got to finish in the end,” said McGaha. “We’ve started off No. 1 before and been able to maintain it. You never know what tomorrow leads. We will see what happens tomorrow and will go from there.”
Four-time world champ Greg Anderson, the most recent Pro Stock winner at Englishtown, is second following Friday’s action with a 6.521 at 213.30 in his Summit Racing Chevy Camaro. Two-time world champ Jason Line’s 6.530 at 212.69 in his Summit Racing Chevy Camaro was good enough for the provisional No. 3 spot. Defending world champ Erica Enders and Jonathan Gray sit fourth and fifth.
Qualifying at the NHRA New England Nationals wraps up on Saturday with sessions at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to set the fields for Sunday’s 11 a.m. eliminations.
*** UPDATE ***
Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the Third annual NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway and Motorsports Park, tenth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.
Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Tony Schumacher, 3.742 seconds, 324.28 mph; 2. Richie Crampton, 3.744, 325.92; 3. Shawn Langdon, 3.745, 324.98; 4. Steve Torrence, 3.765, 323.04; 5. Spencer Massey, 3.773, 327.66; 6. Antron Brown, 3.784, 316.30; 7. Doug Kalitta, 3.795, 323.12; 8. J.R. Todd, 3.813, 322.27; 9. Clay Millican, 3.817, 318.17; 10. Brittany Force, 3.819, 320.89; 11. Larry Dixon, 3.824, 321.88; 12. Leah Pritchett, 3.861, 315.05.
Not Qualified: 13. Morgan Lucas, 3.908, 302.48; 14. Terry McMillen, 3.921, 305.70; 15. Dave Connolly, 3.968, 302.28; 16. Dan Mercier, 3.998, 295.21.
Funny Car -- 1. Tommy Johnson Jr., Dodge Charger, 4.047, 319.45; 2. Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Camry, 4.052, 306.46; 3. John Force, Chevy Camaro, 4.055, 318.24; 4. Courtney Force, Camaro, 4.059, 319.45; 5. Robert Hight, Chevrolet Camaro, 4.068, 320.13; 6. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.070, 318.24; 7. Del Worsham, Camry, 4.073, 313.66; 8. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 4.075, 309.42; 9. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.081, 315.42; 10. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 4.095, 310.20; 11. Tony Pedregon, Camry, 4.187, 288.15; 12. Dave Richards, Toyota Solara, 4.624, 195.17.
Not Qualified: 13. Jack Beckman, 5.299, 139.39; 14. Dom Lagana, 5.768, 125.67; 15. John Hale, 6.585, 99.05; 16. Jeff Diehl, 6.655, 102.29; 17. Bob Tasca III, 15.097, 49.74.
Pro Stock -- 1. Chris McGaha, Chevy Camaro, 6.520, 212.66; 2. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.521, 213.30; 3. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.530, 212.69; 4. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.543, 211.99; 5. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.552, 211.83; 6. Jonathan Gray, Camaro, 6.553, 212.09; 7. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.562, 211.63; 8. Allen Johnson, Dodge Dart, 6.563, 212.26; 9. Larry Morgan, Camaro, 6.569, 212.69; 10. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.590, 211.10; 11. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.602, 210.01; 12. John Gaydosh Jr, Pontiac GXP, 6.641, 209.49.
Not Qualified: 13. Alan Prusiensky, 6.715, 208.81; 14. Val Smeland, 6.823, 195.14; 15. V. Gaines, 9.394, 98.19.
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[Reposted by: Dana Marino for "The Motorsports Report"]
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