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04.01.09-22:45 FlA Says: 2009 Spring Nationals Déjà vu? Maybe yes but I hope not. - - For last weekend's NHRA Spring Nationals in Houston, on Friday's Day 1 Qualifying, a weather front passed through the area bringing day long rain and it dropped the temperature 13 degrees. For Saturday's Day 2 Qualifying, it was somewhat humid, strong cross-winds affecting the track and a high temperature of only 65 degrees. For Sunday's Final Eliminations, it was a sunny high of 72 degrees, 5-10 mph winds and very low humidity. The track was under a high pressure dome and drag racing conditions were perfect.
The current weather forecast for Las Vegas is: Thursday, a high of 81 degrees, winds WSW 23-30 mph, 16-20% humidity. For Friday, a weather front is passing through the area dropping the temperature about 15 degrees with a 20-30 % chance of rain and mostly cloudy. The front will bring NW winds 25-35 mph with gusts to 50 mph. For Saturday, sunny, high in the mid 60s, winds NW 10-18 mph, with gusts to 24 mph. For Sunday, sunny, high in the low-mid 70s, winds only SE 5-8 mph with typical desert low humidity. Like the Spring Nationals, Sunday will be another perfect day for drag racing at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals.
The point of this forensic analysis is that last Saturday at the Spring Nationals, despite the strong cross-winds condition, the final day of qualifying was nothing short of fantastic with National, track, and driver personal best records set. With perfect conditions forecast for Final Eliminations on Sunday, our group of fifty-four(54) people(I was very surprised - it was twice what I expected), could not wait to head out to the track. We were not alone, as the crowd for the Finals was much larger than at the Gatornationals. It was the largest Finals attendance of the '09 season. Unfortunately, the nitro crew chief's got greedy on Sunday and many cars over-powered the track, resulting in poor side-by-side racing. There was still some great races particularly the Top Fuel showdown everyone had been waiting for, since the start of the season, of Larry Dixon vs. Tony Schumacher. Great side-by-side race on Tony's march to his 1st '09 Wally. The only good side-by-side race Ashley Force had was in her Funny Car final against Jack Beckman. It was a great race but her previous three races were poor. Had it not been for the fantastic racing action in the two Pro Stock classes(cars/motorcycles), Sunday would have ended up a disappointment.
If this Sunday ends up being another optimum race day, I sincerely hope the nitro crew chief's demonstrate good judgment in their set-ups and remember their team, car, and driver are there to entertain the ticket purchasing fans.
| 10th annual |
| WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2009 |
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| Sponsor Midway Parking | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM | |
| Competitor Parking, Registration & Tech (all categories) | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM | |
| THURSDAY, April 2, 2009 |
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| Spectator Gates Open |
7:30 AM
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| Registration/Tech Inspection (all categories) |
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
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| Sportsman Qualifying |
8:00 AM
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| Comp Eliminator Qualifying Session |
4:00 PM
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| Secure Track |
6:00 PM
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| FRIDAY, April 3, 2009 |
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| Spectator Gates Open |
7:30 AM
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| Registration/Tech Inspection (Pro's and TAD/TAFC only) |
7:30 AM - 12:00 PM
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| Sportsman Eliminations |
8:00 AM
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| Comp Eliminator Qualifying Session |
12:00 PM
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| Pro Stock Qualifying Session (PS Car) |
12:30 PM
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| Nitro Qualifying Session (Funny Car / Top Fuel Dragster) |
1:00 PM
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| Top Alcohol Qualifying Sessions (Funny Car / Dragster) |
2:00 PM
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| Comp Eliminator Qualifying Session |
3:00 PM
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| Pro Stock Qualifying Session (PS Car) |
3:30 PM
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| Nitro Qualifying Session (Funny Car / Top Fuel Dragster) |
4:00 PM
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| Top Alcohol Qualifying Sessions (Funny Car / Dragster) |
5:00 PM
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| Secure Track |
6:30 PM
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| SATURDAY, April 4, 2009 |
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| Spectator Gates Open |
7:30 AM
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| Sportsman Eliminations |
8:00 AM
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| Comp Eliminator - Round 1 |
11:30 AM
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| Pro Stock Qualifying Session (PS Car) |
12:00 PM
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| Nitro Qualifying Session (Top Fuel Dragster / Funny Car) |
12:30 PM
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| Top Alcohol Qualifying Session (Dragster / Funny Car) |
1:30 PM
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| Pro Stock Qualifying Session (PS Car) |
3:00 PM
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| Nitro Qualifying Session (Top Fuel Dragster / Funny Car) |
3:30 PM
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| Top Alcohol (Dragster / Funny Car) - Round 1 |
4:30 PM
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| Secure Track |
6:30 PM
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| SUNDAY, April 5, 2009 |
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| Spectator Gates Open |
7:30 AM
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| Sportsman Eliminations |
9:00 AM
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| Pre-Race Ceremonies |
10:00 AM
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| Final Eliminations |
11:00 AM
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| Secure Event |
4:30 PM
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| Schedule subject to change | ||
== TOP FUEL ==
Larry Dixon 3/1
Tony Schumacher 4/1
Antron Brown 9/2
Brandon Bernstein 6/1
Cory McClenathan 7/1
Doug Kalitta 10/1
Morgan Lucas 12/1
Shawn Langdon 15/1
Spencer Massey 25/1
Joe Hartley 50/1
Field (all others) 18/1
== FUNNY CAR ==
Del Worsham 4/1
Ron Capps 5/1
Ashley Force Hood 5/1
Robert Hight 6/1
Tim Wilkerson 8/1
Jack Beckman 9/1
Cruz Pedregon 10/1
Tony Pedregon 10/1
Bob Tasca III 12/1
John Force 12/1
Field (all others) 18/1
== PRO STOCK ==
Jason Line 5/2
Jeg Coughlin Jr. 3/1
Greg Anderson 9/2
Mike Edwards 6/1
Allen Johnson 8/1
Kurt Johnson 10/1
Ron Krisher 12/1
Larry Morgan 15/1
Warren Johnson 25/1
Jim Yates 25/1
Field (all others) 20/1
MAR
MAR
MAR
04.01.09 Kalitta Motorsports PR:
Doug Kalitta to fly the colors of Technicoat Companies on the No. 50 dragster in Las Vegas
Las Vegas-based Technicoat Companies, a worldwide leader in industrial waterproofing and flooring and longtime associate sponsor with Kalitta Motorsports, will be the primary sponsor this weekend, April 2-5, on the 8,000-horsepower, nitro-fueled Top Fuel dragster driven by Doug Kalitta for the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. A special edition, one-off Technicoat paint scheme will adorn Kalitta’s 300-mph machine for this weekend’s festivities. Technicoat Companies specializes in hi-tech performance coatings and floorings, wearing surfaces for pedestrian traffic and vehicular traffic, as well as new and existing roofs. Technicoat’s President Bob Coffman and C.O.O. Glen Williams, a.k.a. “the Cowboys”, are fixtures in the Team Kalitta pit area at most NHRA national events with their trademark cowboy hats. Technicoat Companies and Kalitta Motorsports began their marketing partnership near the end of the 2002 NHRA season.
“I’m sure we’ll have some fun in our pit area this weekend,” Kalitta, a 44-year old resident of Ann Arbor, Mich., and 31-time NHRA national event winner, said. “The Cowboys are great. They come out to a lot of events and there’s always a good time waiting to happen around them. We’re really looking forward to having them as the primary sponsor this weekend and having them and their guests out to the race track to cheer for the Technicoat dragster.”
Kalitta, a 12-year NHRA veteran, and his team won the season-opening Winternationals in Pomona, Calif., in early February. It was Kalitta’s first trip to the winner’s circle since the fall of 2007. Kalitta has finished in the top ten in Full Throttle Top Fuel championship points in every season of his drag racing career. He is currently in 7th place (204) in Full Throttle championship points, 113 points behind the leader. Also, beginning at this weekend’s event in Las Vegas, the competition number for Kalitta’s rail ride will be displayed throughout the remainder of the season as “50” to commemorate team owner Connie Kalitta’s 50 years in NHRA drag racing this year.
Great website. Check it out. The guys love it when Alice is backing Bob up after his burnout. Real Jungle Jim(Liberman-RIP) and Jungle Pam type nostalgia. Bob is racing his Funny Car at Vegas this weekend. Be thereeeeeeeee. . . Sundayyyyyyyyyy ~ fla
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# # # # #
1:45pm PDT >> 1st round of pro qualifying at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals has been delayed due to rain as the front passed through Las Vegas. Currently the rain has stopped and the track is being dried and prepped. Current LV weather conditions: 57 degrees, cloudy and very windy - NNW @ 34 gusting to 48 mph, humidity 25%. # JJ
TAB
04.02.09 United States Bowling Congress:
NHRA Drivers Hit the Lanes at Las Vegas Open Championships
On Thursday, 15 National Hot Rod Association drivers and crew members raced into Cashman Center to compete in the 2009 USBC Open Championships. The group was treated to the full tournament experience, from the pro shop to the scale room to the traditional march down Center Aisle. As they got their bowling balls drilled and weighed and threw their first shots on the tournament lanes, they started to see some similarities between bowling and drag racing. The NHRA group was divided into three teams(Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock drivers teams - fla) for a friendly afternoon on the lanes Thursday, but it wasn't long before their competitive instincts took over. In the end, it was the NHRA Floppers who paced the field with a 2,180 team total. Funny Car driver Robert Hight led the way with a 525 series followed by bowling teammate Funny Car driver Del Worsham.
“Bowling is a lot like a race car when you consider you have to make a lot of minor adjustments as you go and the lanes change just like a track will change,” said Robert Hight. “It was a fun experience. The other NHRA teams were really good too. It went right down to the tenth frame of the last game.” Hight’s third game total of 182 with three strikes and six spares was enough to give the Floppers the edge in the final tally. Bowling teammate Del Worsham garnered the best individual game score as he knocked out 198 pins in the first of the three-game set with six strikes and a spare.
“I’ve never bowled in a tournament before,” Worsham said. "This really was a lot of fun and a great experience, and we got lucky and pulled it off." Worsham had previously joined Robert Hight at Cashman Center to watch pro bowler standout Danny Wiseman in the TV finals of the USBC Masters in February. "I was nervous, even though we had some good games, and I'm glad we came out ahead. It really was all in good fun, and the camaraderie was nice, especially because tomorrow, we're supposed to hate each other." "It's was definitely challenging out here, and the conditions are tough, but we had a great time," said Del's father Chuck Worsham, an avid bowler who has two bowling lanes at his racing shop in Orange, California.
The 2009 Open Championships kicked off on Feb. 21 and will feature 17,200 teams, more than 86,000 bowlers, before it concludes on July 24. # SNIP # - See full article and photos
TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL SCORES
== NHRA Floppers (2,180) ==
Robert Hight, 165, 178, 182 (525)
Del Worsham, 198, 171, 141 (510)
Jeff Arend, 168, 177, 160 (505)
Jack Beckman, 117, 115, 86 (318)
Matt Hagan, 95, 101, 126 (322)
== NHRA Holeshots (2,154) ==
Jeg Coughlin, 129, 165, 175 (469)
Allen Johnson, 141, 131, 145 (417)
Greg Anderson, 137, 136, 118 (391)
Jason Line, 157, 137, 145 (439)
Jason Gray, 158, 139, 141 (438)
== NHRA Eliminators (1,979) ==
Morgan Lucas, 157, 123, 131 (411)
Shawn Langdon, 167, 189, 172 (528)
Spencer Massey, 108, 104, 100 (312)
Chuck Worsham, 158, 165, 148 (471)
Rod Fuller, 54, 101, 102 (257)
An individual that discovered this thread sent us an FR profile email advising of this site. So here you go. . . Del Worsham.Love Fan Site
Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed
1. Shawn Langdon Lucas Oil/Dixie Chopper Dragst 3.874 311.41
2. Antron Brown Matco Tools Dragster 3.878 312.86
3. Larry Dixon Al-Anabi Racing Dragster 3.907 311.70
4. Tony Schumacher U.S. Army Dragster 3.908 313.88
5. Cory McClenathan Fram Dragster 3.918 306.74
6. Spencer Massey US Smokeless Dragster 3.951 305.08
7. David Baca Mach 1/Global Services Dragste 3.957 303.30
8. Morgan Lucas Geico Powersport/ Lucas Oil 3.987 301.81
9. Joe Hartley Hartley Racing Dragster 3.989 305.63
10. Doug Kalitta Technicoat No. 50 Dragster 3.991 301.07
11. Brandon Bernstein Budweiser/Lucas Oil Dragster 4.027 281.13
12. Troy Buff Bill Miller Racing/Okuma Drags 4.078 276.92
13. Terry Haddock Dragster 4.084 291.82
14. Urs Erbacher Century Asphalt Materials Drag 4.098 292.01(4)
15. Mike Strasburg B J Transmissions Dragster 4.213 220.73
16. Steven Chrisman Chrisman Driveline Dragster 4.243 281.95
--------- Not Qualified ---------
17. Steve Faria System One Filtration Dragster 4.837 189.39
18. Rob Passey MSP Motorsports/Mattinson Race 19.041 42.41
FUNNY CAR
Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed
1. Tony Pedregon Herzog/Palms Impala 4.100 302.62
2. Robert Hight AAA of So. Cal Mustang 4.115 305.15
3. Mike Neff JFR/Ford Mustang 4.125 304.46
4. Ashley Force Hood Castrol GTX Mustang 4.139 303.23
5. Bob Bode Alard Machine Products Impala 4.145 303.43(2)
6. Ron Capps NAPA Auto Parts Charger 4.148 297.94
7. John Force Castrol GTX Mustang 4.149 302.35(3)
8. Cruz Pedregon Advance Auto Parts Solara 4.167 301.67
9. Bob Tasca III Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang 4.167 301.67
10. Tim Wilkerson Levi,Ray, Shoup Mustang 4.169 298.93
11. Brian Thiel Olympus Trailers Monte Carlo 4.182 298.47
12. Matt Hagan Shelor.com Charger 4.185 301.33
13. Jack Beckman Valvoline/MTS Charger 4.202 302.69
14. Gary Densham Asombroso Tequila Impala 4.212 289.94
15. Jeff Arend DHL Solara 4.251 297.88
16. Del Worsham Al-Anabi Racing Solara 4.278 283.61
--------- Not Qualified ---------
17. Jerry Toliver Canidae Pet Food Monte Carlo 4.340 268.44
PRO STOCK
Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed
1. Mike Edwards Young Life/Penhall GXP 6.656@ 206.16
2. Greg Anderson Summit Racing Equipment GXP 6.668 206.70&
3. Greg Stanfield Attitude Apparel GXP 6.690 205.94
4. Jason Line Summit Racing Equipment GXP 6.697 205.82
5. Allen Johnson Mopar/JJ Racing Stratus 6.699 205.26
6. Warren Johnson KN Filters GXP 6.703 206.26
7. Tom Hammonds Race For Achievement Cobalt 6.706 205.13
8. Jeg Coughlin Jegs.com Cobalt 6.708 204.94
9. Kurt Johnson AC Delco Cobalt 6.715 205.38
10. Larry Morgan Lucas Oil Stratus 6.723 204.91
11. Johnny Gray Johnny Gray Racing Stratus 6.737 204.29
12. Rickie Jones Quarter-Max/RJ Stratus 6.739 204.63
13. Dave Connolly Nitro Fish Wear Stratus 6.751 203.22
14. David Beckley Mountain View Tires Stratus 6.755 204.76
15. V. Gaines Kendall Oil Stratus 6.758 203.61
16. Steve Spiess Spiess Construction Cobalt 6.759 203.74
--------- Not Qualified ---------
17. Rodger Brogdon Kent Services Trucking GXP 6.764 204.32
18. Gordie Rivera Gordies Speed Center GXP 6.777 202.39
19. Ben Watson Pirhana Z GTO 6.781 202.18
20. Ron Krisher Valvoline Cobalt 6.782 204.57(5)
21. Erica Enders Dragstar Racing Mustang 6.854 199.11(6)
@ = Track ET Record <> & = Track Speed Record
Credit: NHRA, Summit FastNews, FlA & Co.
Photo 2, 1988 Firebird Raceway: Besides, Arley's blast Friday was way below his all-time best. Langlo has a pretty bad record for major engine explosions/fires. He was badly burnt in 2004 from one of his explosions and fires that required one month of hospitalization. Arley doesn't race very often. Maybe that's for the best.
As I stated in my pre-season thread post, the NHRA are fools for suspending the oildown monetary fine and points penalty. The number of track oildown's this season are substantially worse than previous years.… daa. ~ fla
Fri, 04.03.09: Funny Car racer Bob Bode claimed the qualifying lead for the first time in his nine-year NHRA championship series drag racing career Friday at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals. Bode powered his Alard Machine Chevy Impala to a performance of 4.145 seconds at 303.43 mph to claim the first provisional No. 1 qualifying position of his career. "I was way surprised our time held up," said Bode, a former powerboat racer. "By the time they got the cars going again and I went back to the radio to listen, there were about four or five pair, and I’m going, “Well, the worst I’m going to be is ninth. Then, I went. The worst I’m going to be is seventh, figuring these guys were going to hit their numbers. Then it got down to the final pair, and we were actually nervous, standing at the radio listening. The nine guys who work on this thing just jumped up and down after that final pair ran because we’ve had a couple of unsuccessful races so they know how hard it is when it runs bad. They were just unbelievably happy when it happened. "Coming in here, the dream was to maybe be in the top half after the first round or after all four rounds. Standing here being the No. 1 qualifier after the first day is amazing; all the stars lined up for us. We were 16th in Houston, but we had a good tune-up, and we knew we could step it up a little. We didn’t know we’d step it up to where I’d be No. 1." - Credit CP
== Bob Bode 2009 NHRA Qualifying Results ==
Winternationals: #15 4.891 seconds - 244.65 mph
Arizona Nationals: #17 4.307 - 285.05 DNQ
Gatornationals: #17 4.352 - 286.07 DNQ
Spring Nationals: #16 4.204 - 294.37
SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals:
Fri Round 1: #1 4.145 - 303.43 (Career Best in very bad track cross-winds conditions)
Sat Round 2: #2 4.158 - 302.48 (R2 #1 John Force 4.156, Bode remains #1 FC qualifier)
Sat Round 3: #- 6.533 - 102.28 (Lost Traction)
Final Qual:. . #5 4.145 - 303.43 from R1 (Great R3 ET's by 4 other drivers knocked Bode to 5th)
Courtesy FlA & Co.
 Capps, Schumacher & Coughlin
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Five-time defending world champion Schumacher moved into the Top Fuel points lead for the first time this season when he powered his U.S. Army dragster to a 3.874 second run at 311.77 mph to defeat Brandon Bernstein's Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster, which finished in 4.003 at 295.66.
Schumacher's dragster was consistently quick in earlier round wins over Terry Haddock, Cory McClenathan and top qualifier Shawn Langdon.
 Tony Schumacher
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Capps extended his series points lead in Funny Car with his third victory this season and 28th of his career, outrunning teammate Matt Hagan in the final. Capps finished in 4.182 at 297.81 in his NAPA Dodge Charger, while rookie Hagan's Shelor.com Charger lost traction near the finish line and trailed with a 4.335 at 248.89.
Capps, who ended a two-race mini-slump with his third victory at this track, defeated Brian Thiel, Mike Neff and Robert Hight to advance to the final.
 Ron Capps
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"We have found that just trying to approach the season like a NASCAR team and saying, 'OK, as long as we're in the Countdown and in the top 10,' and try to focus and peak at the right time doesn't work. So we stepped it up, and 'Ace' is trying to rip their throats out every single run. You can't run these cars anymore and be halfway safe and just look to go down the track. You can't do it. You have to step all over these things with the tune-up, and the driver has to be on their game. It is days like this where it's fun. It sounds cliche, but we're just focusing on one round at a time, one race at a time."
It is the 21st time that Don Schumacher Racing teams have won two separate categories at the same NHRA event.
 Jeg Coughlin
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"We'd love nothing more than to come out of Indy in first place in the Countdown with the extra bonus points that come with being No. 1, but there's a lot of races between here and there," Coughlin said. "We had a tough day. This is the most consistent our car has been, and that was our goal coming into here. We changed a lot of stuff in the suspension and with the car to try and get a more consistent race car. That's what's been plaguing us since the end of last year. The name of the game is to continue to better yourself and not make mistakes, and that's what we were doing - shooting ourselves in the foot - and that's what was hurting us."
Coughlin's day got off to an odd start when a piece of rubber jammed in the staging beams and inadvertently timed out first round opponent Kurt Johnson, forcing a rerun. When the pair returned about 25 minutes later, Johnson fouled at the start, and Coughlin took the win. In fact, three of Coughlin's opponents - Johnson, Mike Edwards and Stanfield -- turned on the red light today.
"I'm used to going multiple rounds each day with bracket racing, but the team isn't," said Coughlin of the added run today. "We just kind of had a hurry-up offense all day. Really, we weren't able to catch our breath until right before the final. NHRA did a great job of working with the situation and getting us delayed in the program enough to let us get prepared properly."
Sunday's NHRA Full Throttle Series Final Results:
Top Fuel: Tony Schumacher, 3.874 seconds - 311.77 mph def. Brandon Bernstein, 4.003 - 295.66
Funny Car: Ron Capps, 4.182 - 297.81 def. Matt Hagan 4.335 - 248.89
Pro Stock: Jeg Coughlin, 6.715 - 205.16 def. Greg Stanfield, N/A - Red Light Foul
The NHRA Full Throttle Series continues with the Summit Racing NHRA Southern Nationals, April 16-19 at Atlanta Dragway. - Credit DRC, edit JJ
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Tony Schumacher: When Tony lost his super-legend crew chief Al Johnson and his crew to Al-Anabi Racing, and two-time NHRA Top Fuel Champion Larry Dixon left Don Prudhomme Snake Racing for Al-Anabi, many of the media experts? and NHRA veterans said Larry was a shoo-in to win the Top Fuel Championship this year. While Larry is my main TF man, I laughed at their ignorance. No one in drag racing is tougher, and hates losing more, than team owner Don Schumacher. And, Don has the big bucks and the connections. Many drag racing fans don't know "The Don" very well because he does not do very many media interviews. He leaves all that to John Force and John Force Racing, which makes good "bookends" by the two largest NHRA teams. His son Tony is a machine. How Tony lived through his massive 2000 Memphis Top Fuel crash is beyond me. It was only God shining on him, and a good dose of luck, that kept Tony from being another nitro driver death statistic. His crash was very similar to Shirley Muldowney's horrific 1984 Montreal crash, expect worse. Tony was the defending Top Fuel Champion(his 1st of 6), and despite his very serious injuries, I was amazed how fast he came back and started racing again. Here's a good Discovery Channel video on Tony's crash and aftermath.
From DSR Tony Schumacher Article: The win was particularly noteworthy since it set a Top Fuel record for most consecutive races without a first round loss – 31. Here's the rest of that story: ~ fla
Top Five Drivers: Most Consecutive NHRA Races Without A First Round Loss
1999-02 Angelle Sampey PSM 46 (3-Time PSM Champion)
1975-80 Bob Glidden PS 40 (NHRA No. 4 Greatest)
1995-97 John Force FC 34 (NHRA No. 2 Greatest)
2007-09 Tony Schumacher TF 31 (6-Time Top Fuel Champion. Record is still open)
2000-02 Larry Dixon TF 30 (2-Time Top Fuel Champion)
Ron Capps: What can I say about my other FC main man with 3 out 5 wins this season? Ron has had some great recent seasons and would have won a NHRA Funny Car Championship under the old points systems. But he lost under the new Crapola to the Championship I mean Countdown to the Championship format. I loathe motorsports playoff formats. It's just more marketing weenies garbage. But that's just my personal opinion.
Bob Bode: It would have been fantastic if Bob had stole the Finals. It's always fun when an underdog blows away the field. He lost in the first round against DSR's rookie Matt Hagan. It looked like Bob's crew chief was too aggressive on the clutch set-up/timers when he went up in smoke at 330 feet, ending his weekend. Bob was also very late on the tree at 0.138 to Hagan's 0.089. But from the stats, he clearly had a potential winning hot rod last weekend:
Bob Bode Vegas1 Key Stats:
Fri. Round 1: #1 4.145 - 303.43 (Track temperature 77 degrees)
Sat Round 2: #2 4.158 - 302.48 (Track temperature 109 degrees)
== Better Sunday Elimination ET's ==
E1 - Mike Neff 4.117, Matt Hagan 4.144 (Bob lost to, Track Temperature 89 degrees)
E2 - None, TT 107 degrees
E3 - None, TT 109 degrees
FN - None, TT 109 degrees
With Bob losing in the first round did Alice Bode, dressed in an all black outfit, know something? How do women run in those stiletto heels? I'm impressed. It takes some real athletic ability. I would probably wipe up the drag strip with my face.
ESPN Race Day did a great piece on Bob. They talked with him briefly then let the camera roll, with the mic on, in Bob's pits while they were working, before and after one of his qualifying runs, etc. Good stuff. During Sunday's eliminations Mike Dunn said Bob made it to the semi-finals last year at this event. I looked up the stats.
2008 SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals, Funny Car Final Eliminations: Because of the very hot track conditions, 120+ degrees, the nitro racing was very poor. Bob Bode, who qualified ninth, had to face three John Force Racing teams in final eliminations. In Round 1 he faced Mike Neff, who is driving for the late Eric Medlen. Bob won in a pedal fest by both cars. In Round 2 he faced Robert Hight. He won in another pedal fest when they both went up in smoke at the 330 mark. In Round 3 he faced Ashley Force. He lost to Ashley with both cars having mechanical problems with poor ET's and MPH's.
Two items caught my attention. One, Bob's reaction times were poor with a 0.133, 0.149, and against Ashley a 0.114 which was better than her poor 0.136. I don't know if Bob's crew chief had the clutch set that soft due to the conditions, or if Santa needs to bring Bob an electric Christmas Tree to practice on. Second, in all three of Bob's runs he left oil/fluids on the track that required NHRA clean-up. Since the oildown penalties rule was in effect last year, NHRA fined Bob $4,000 and deducted earned championship points. While Bob lost in the first round of eliminations this year, his weekend performance was greatly superior to last year and much less expensive. ~ fla
Currently, Bob is not entered for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals, Atlanta on April 16-19, 2009. He is not the only one as presently there is not a sixteen car Funny Car field entered.
One question - Where did they get those Vegas trophy girls?. . . ouch. They look like something from a '50's Frank Sinatra Vegas detective movie. If Del Worsham had won the Funny Car "Wally" those two would have been a major let down from the two smokin hot Spring Nationals, Houston trophy girls he had on his arms *lol*.
John Force lays down again for his teammate. This time to son-in-law FC jockey Robert Hight. It was John's 1,400th round of NHRA racing. From John Force Racing Vegas1 Final Report: Hight's Semi-Final Finish Lone Bright Spot In Vegas For JFR - - John Force continued to improve in his Castrol GTX High Mileage Mustang, however a mechanical failure with his manifold burst panels ended his day against Robert Hight. Crew chief Austin Coil said that they replaced a number of panels after his first round win over Tim Wilkerson but in the second round they are not sure why the burst panels let loose dropping the available horsepower at half track and slowing Force abruptly. <> Translated this means someone on John's crew loosened a bolt(s) on the burst plate mounting bracket. Come on John we all know the tricks. You're going to have to be a little more creative in your losing for teammates efforts, *lol*.
Before FR's legendary Jersey Republican Biker Chick pops a brain artery let me state the following. With the current championship countdown format, these early season races don't mean squat except for the winner's paycheck, bragging rights, and hanging out with the hottie trophy girls. John, and everyone else, knows this. The teams don't have to really get serious about the champion until the start of the summer, which is the O’Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals at Topeka. Until then, drivers just need to maintain a reasonable Top Ten points position.
Of interest, John had a great pass and win in the first round of eliminations against Tim Wilkerson(great and humble guy). Then in the shut-down area John jumped out of the top of the car and was really mad about something. I don't know what was going on. He was waving his hands around and striping off his gear and throwing it on the ground. It was funny.
One last note: It was great to personally see John Medlen back at the Spring Nationals, after missing two races, and then watch him on TV at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals. With the exception of Ed McCulloch, no one loves his crew chief job more than John. He eats and breathes championship drag racing. It looked like John lost a fair amount of weight in the hospital with this heart problem, which was the second time he had been hospitalized for his ticker. But, big bags of cheeseburgers and mass builders protein shakes will get his weight back up *lol*. It's great to see that John clearly has much more energy now. Further his JFR driver Mike Neff looks great this season. With John back in the saddle, I think Mike will step-up and start winning some "Wallys".
04.06.09: Team Kalitta Video:
-- Doug Kalitta raced against fellow NHRA nitro competitors Cory McClenathan and Tommy Johnson Jr. in a 20-lap exhibition race Saturday night, April 4, at the LVMS Bullring. Doug, the 1994 USAC National Sprint Car Champion, won the race.
Houston and Vegas Facilities Capacity Question: Both The Strip and Houston Raceway Park state their maximum capacity is 30,000. Unlike NASCAR, NHRA does not provide attendance information which is no surprise. However, from attending races at both facilities and looking at the Sat-Sun panoramic photos from both events, the Spring Nationals had the larger attendance. On the FR Vegas1 event lead post #137, the third top image shows all the people in the 660 ft. SRO pit last year. There was hardly anyone there for Saturday or Sunday. As previously stated, Houston's attendance was also larger than Gainesville, Phoenix, and Pomona.
The problem with the Vegas1 event is hotels-casinos are still gouging on their room rates et. al. when large events are in town. It doesn't make sense because there is significant vacancy rates and corporate profits have taken a huge nose drive due to the serious recession. When Vegas was promoting their Bring the Family theme, rates were very reasonable and going there was a very good deal. When they went back to their current Sin City theme, rates went through the ceiling to the point I found them offensive. With their major current financial problems, seems like it would be smarter to reduce rates and increase volume again. But as the old saying goes, for some people, "you screw your friends because your foes never come around".
NT, on other matters, I appreciate your post, you are on the list, and we will mail out the post-Spring Nationals care packages before I/we leave for Palm Beach for the BJ celebrity car auction/stay with personal friend this weekend.
I'm knowledgeable about Bruton Smith's serious financial problems. I'll address that in another post when I have some time. However in short, the porn industry wants an Obama bailout so I would think that pimp Bruton should qualify *lol*. He should at least receive consideration due to his $2,500 political donation to corrupt scumbag Democrat, and Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid.
I have one more Vegas1 wrap-up post that was great but totally slipped under the radar. I was disappointed it wasn't covered, nor did Paul or Mike say anything about it, during ESPN's coverage. Probably be next week before I can post it - Good stuff ~ fla
Upcoming FR FlA & Co. Covered:
Apr 09-11: Barrett Jackson Collector Car Auction, Palm Beach, FL (Attending, part)
Apr 16-19: 29th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals, Atlanta
Video, Las Vegas Motor Speedway Special Report: (4:26 minutes)
NHRA SummitRacing com Nationals Wrap Up
Very good highlights reel with winners interviews and more. Great interview with Pro Stock winner Jeg Coughlin who is first in the Pro Stock NHRA Full Throttle Championship Points Standings. He is also the defending 4-time NHRA PS Champion (2008, '07, '02, '00). Jeg is an outstanding individual and driver. He looks and acts like he should be a NASCAR driver - big guy.
The competition in Pro Stock this season as been incredible and several times has bailed out just so-so nitro action. My man main, and 3-time NHRA PS Champion, Greg Anderson has been struggling and is currently 4th in points. He is breaking MPH records but seems to be giving up ET's to do it. It looks like the team needs to rethink his motor's power curve.
Radioactive Drag Racing News Vegas1 Wrap Up: Best Outfit: Go back and read my account of the November NHRA Awards Banquet and you’ll see my affection for the well dressed. Mrs. Bob Bode wins this week’s "Best Outfit" award for her dazzling combo while waiting in the staging lanes with husband Bob. She definitely grades out well.
With all DNQs so far this season Erica Enders crew is well rehearsed in loading up and going home early. I'm not so sure I understand "The Plan" with Erica's team owner and sponsors.
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Here's an outstanding video from the Top Alcohol Dragster Finals at the '09 Spring National, Houston. In a very wild ride, veteran TAD driver Chris Demke makes several incredible saves to avoid a huge top-end crash and taking out the other dragster in the left lane. You will not see finer driving than this. Check it out. .
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I was hoping John Force would be at the Barrett Jackson Palm Beach auction representing Ford, but he will be at The Strip at LVMS again this weekend supporting his daughters, Brittany and Courtney, who are competing in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, April 9-12. - Article
I bet Jeff Gordon's butthead car breaks a record on Saturday. It's been listed two months for this auction.
TAB