[flattorney]

Final Qualifying Results After Four Sessions
TOP FUEL

  Psn Driver               Vehicle                           ET   Speed
   1. Spencer Massey       US Smokeless Dragster           3.820  311.20 
   2. Brandon Bernstein    Budweiser/Lucas Oil Dragster    3.824  315.64 
   3. Morgan Lucas         Geico Powersport/ Lucas Oil     3.844  310.70 
   4. Tony Schumacher      U.S. Army Dragster              3.851  309.98 
   5. Antron Brown         Matco Tools Dragster            3.867  311.99 
   6. Bob Vandergriff      Speedco Dragster                3.878  314.39 
   7. Larry Dixon          Al-Anabi Racing Dragster        3.881  310.98 
   8. Shawn Langdon        Lucas Oil/Dixie Chopper Drag    3.886  305.98 
   9. Doug Kalitta         Kalitta M'Spts No.50 Dragster   3.891  310.41 
  10. Cory McClenathan     Fram Dragster                   3.901  307.86 
  11. Terry Haddock        Dragster                        3.915  301.47 
  12. Clay Millican        MPE Motorsports Dragster        3.917  311.92 
  13. Terry McMillen       Amalie Oil Dragster             3.958  304.32 
  14. Joe Hartley          Hartley Racing Dragster         3.959  304.19 
  15. Bobby Lagana Jr.     NTB Dragster                    3.976  304.19 
  16. Troy Buff            Bill Miller Racing/Okuma Drags  3.997  259.91 
          --------- Not Qualified ---------
  17. Todd Paton           Tim Horton's Dragster           4.038  285.05 
  18. Luigi Novelli        National Machine Repair Dragst  4.180  296.96 
  19. Chris Karamesines    Strange/Chizler Dragster         NT   

FUNNY CAR

  Psn Driver               Vehicle                           ET   Speed
   1. Ashley Force Hood    Castrol GTX Mustang             4.073  310.05 
   2. John Force           Castrol GTX Mustang             4.100  306.19 
   3. Ron Capps            NAPA Auto Parts Charger         4.101  299.26 
   4. Tony Pedregon        Herzog/Palms Impala             4.104  303.71 
   5. Matt Hagan           Shelor.com Charger              4.114  303.84 
   6. Tim Wilkerson        Levi, Ray, Shoup Mustang        4.120  304.53 
   7. Jack Beckman         Valvoline/MTS Charger           4.120  304.05 
   8. Mike Neff            JFR/Ford Mustang                4.125  303.43 
   9. Jim Head             Team Strange Apparel Solara     4.142  300.66 
  10. Robert Hight         AAA of So. Cal Mustang          4.144  299.86 
  11. Bob Tasca III        Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang   4.148  297.81 
  12. Cruz Pedregon        Advance Auto Parts Solara       4.154  303.23 
  13. Jeff Arend           DHL Solara                      4.160  301.33 
  14. Mike Smith           Diamond Trucking Monte Carlo    4.192  297.75 
  15. Jerry Toliver        Canidae Pet Food Monte Carlo    4.201  299.13 
  16. Del Worsham          Al-Anabi Racing Solara          4.210  298.34 
          --------- Not Qualified ---------
  17. Andy Kelley          Serenity Limousine Stratus      4.401  279.90 

PRO STOCK

  Psn Driver               Vehicle                           ET   Speed
   1. Greg Anderson        Summit Racing Equipment GXP     6.557@ 210.93 
   2. Mike Edwards         Young Life/Penhall GXP          6.565  210.28 
   3. Jason Line           Summit Racing Equipment GXP     6.570  211.13 
   4. Ron Krisher          Valvoline Cobalt                6.574  209.69 
   5. Jeg Coughlin         Jegs.com Cobalt                 6.578  210.14 
   6. Greg Stanfield       Attitude Apparel GXP            6.581  210.01 
   7. Allen Johnson        Mopar/JJ Racing Stratus         6.582  209.85 
   8. Warren Johnson       KN Filters GXP                  6.598  211.26&
   9. Johnny Gray          Johnny Gray Racing Stratus      6.599  209.14 
  10. Larry Morgan         Lucas Oil Stratus               6.604  209.14 
  11. Rickie Jones         Quarter-Max/RJ Stratus          6.616  208.94 
  12. V. Gaines            Kendall Oil Stratus             6.617  208.26 
  13. Rodger Brogdon       Charter GXP                     6.624  208.94 
  14. Tom Hammonds         Race For Achievement Cobalt     6.625  208.65 
  15. Steve Spiess         Spiess Construction Cobalt      6.629  208.55 
  16. Kurt Johnson         AC Delco Cobalt                 6.638  209.10 
          --------- Not Qualified ---------
  17. Ronnie Humphrey      Troy Humphrey Stratus           6.640  208.71 
  18. Justin Humphreys     RaceRedi Motorsports GXP        6.692  207.66 
  19. Dave Northrop        Nitro Fish Wear Stratus         6.723  207.62 
  20. Erica Enders         Dragstar Racing Mustang         6.731  204.63 
  21. John Gaydosh Jr      Gaydosh Performance GTO         6.769  204.01 
  ##  @ = Track ET Record | & = Track Speed Record

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE

  Psn Rider                Vehicle                          ET    Speed
   1. Andrew Hines         Screamin' Eagle/Vance-Hines     6.877@ 195.25&
   2. Eddie Krawiec        Screamin' Eagle/Vance-Hines     6.881  195.05 
   3. Matt Smith           Nitrofish Suzuki                6.890  194.63 
   4. Karen Stoffer        Geico Suzuki                    6.912  193.24 
   5. Douglas Horne        Horne Racing Buell              6.915  193.57 
   6. Hector Arana         Lucas Oil Buell                 6.924  194.02 
   7. Craig Treble         Team Scream Suzuki              6.929  194.52 
   8. Junior Pippin        Stone Mtn-Granite Mtn           6.938  192.25 
   9. Shawn Gann           Rum Bum Racing Buell            6.959  190.27 
  10. Matt Guidera         Rocklin Motorsports Buell       6.963  191.13 
  11. Wesley Wells         Kendall Suzuki                  6.986  191.21 
  12. Michael Phillips     MPR-Damn Sport Suzuki           6.987  195.08 
  13. Angie McBride        NitroFish/MSR/Redline Oil       6.992  188.44 
  14. Steve Johnson        Steve Johnson Racing Wyotech    7.003  189.71 
  15. LE Tonglet           Suzuki                          7.077  188.78 
  16. Mike Berry           MB Machining/LAT Racing Oil     7.081  187.83 
          --------- Not Qualified ---------
  17. David Hope           VRoom Racing Buell              7.107  187.96 
  18. Katie Sullivan       Susuki                          7.120  186.46 
  19. Ryan Schnitz         Team Muzzy Kawasaki             7.139  185.28 
  20. Darin McCurdy        GM Racing Suzuki                7.152  186.92 
  21. Bailey Whitaker      Rum Bum Buell                   7.157  185.56 
  22. Joe DeSantis         Javelina H-D Green H-D Suzuk    7.200  189.82 
  23. Redell Harris        Master P/No Limit Record Suzuk  7.463  180.00 
  24. James Surber         South County Cycles Racing       NT   
  ##  @ = Track ET Record | & = Track Speed Record

Qualifying Notes & Track Update:
Atlanta Dragway's racing surface was ground smooth during the off-season. The sand trap was also updated. Per track reports, both lanes were about the same during the four qualifying sessions.

TF Don Prudhomme's rookie driver Spencer Massey ran very fast in all four rounds of qualifying and is #1 with a 3.820 @ 311.20. Bob Vandergriff, Jr. skipped the final session to save parts and settled for #6.

FC Princess and Pop's Force remained strong in Q4 and finished at #1 and #2. Will John play dead possum again tomorrow? Team Force Robert Hight is on John's side of the eliminations ladder. Ashley and Mike Neff are on the other side. If both Ashley and Mike win E1 they face each other in E2. Same for John and Robert.

PS Q3: For the third time this weekend Anderson resets track ET record and is still No. 1 qualifier:
1. Greg Anderson Summit Racing Equipment GXP 6.557 @ 210.93
--- After four sessions, Greg is still King of the Hill.

PSM Andrew Hines' Screamin' Eagle is screaming this weekend. In Q2 he set a track ET record and Q4 set a track MPH record.

Sunday Weather Forecast: Chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the morning...then showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Some thunderstorms may be severe in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 60s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70-80%. -- The current hourly forecast calls for light rain to start at 10 am tomorrow and turn into thunder showers by 1 pm, lasting the rest of daylight hours. # JJ

Credit: NHRA, Summit FastNews, NWS, FlA & Co.

MAR, JJ

FR 2009 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals homepage

[flattorney]

04.20.09: Hot Racing at Rainy Atlanta. In a rare Sunday night Finals, Morgan Lucas wins Top Fuel; Jack Beckman, Funny Car; and Eddie Krawiec, Pro Stock Motorcycle.
Monday morning, Mike Edwards wins the Southern Nationals Pro Stock "Wally".
Video: ESPN Atlanta Wrap Up

Morgan Lucas

Sun, 04.19.09 -- After enduring multiple rain delays, Morgan Lucas defeated rookie Spencer Massey in a thrilling pedal-fest to win the Top Fuel title at the 29th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway.

The other winners at the sixth of 24 races in the NHRA Full Throttle Series season were Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle). Pro Stock was postponed by rain with Jeg Coughlin and Mike Edwards scheduled to meet in the final round Monday morning.

It took Lucas five years and five final-round appearances to get his first win so waiting out the five hours of rain delays was only a minor hurdle. The 26-year old Lucas pedaled his GEICO Powersports/Lucas Oil dragster to a 5.231 at 162.86 to narrowly beat the 27-year old Massey's tire-spinning 5.418 at 145.25 in his U.S. Smokeless dragster.

"I've had five years to think about this. It's probably one of the most exciting moments of my life, if not the most exciting moment. I don't even know how to talk right now I'm so excited," said Lucas, who was competing in his 107th career race. "This is what I've dreamed about for years." It was also Massey's best NHRA event of the season.

Jack Beckman

Beckman ran a 4.128 at 303.43 in his Valvoline/MTS Dodge Charger to defeat the Castrol GTX Ford Mustang team and driver Ashley Force Hood, who lost power near the finish line and slowed to 4.157 at 248.39.

"On paper, Ashley's car had us whipped," said Beckman, who lost to Force Hood two races earlier in final round in Houston. "That car has been the class of the field. But, that's why we race. Anything can happen when you have 8,000 horsepower of nitro in the tank. It's such an awesome feeling after losing to Ashley at the Spring Nationals."

Beckman defeated a quartet of Ford Mustangs - including Robert Hight, John Force and Tim Wilkerson - en route to his first win of the year and seventh of his career. And by day's end Beckman moved up from seventh to second place and Force Hood remained in third place in the Full Throttle Points Standings.

Eddie Krawiec

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Eddie Krawiec earned his first career win aboard his Screamin' Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson with a fleet 6.902 at 192.91 to defeat rookie Douglas Horne (6.949, 191.13).

"This is something I was waiting for - to get my first Wally and be able to put it up on my mantle next to my (2008 NHRA Full Throttle Series) championship trophy is just awesome," Krawiec said.






Mike Edwards Closes Out Rain-delayed Southern Nationals with first 2009 Pro Stock Win

Edwards (near lane) vs Coughlin

Mon, 04.20.09 -- The wait was worth it for Mike Edwards, who dropped the curtain on the rain-delayed Summit Racing NHRA Southern Nationals Monday morning with a clean 6.645-second pass to easily outrun Pro Stock points-leader Jeg Coughlin.

It was the first win of 2009 for Edwards, who solidified his third-place position in the Pro Stock standings; Coughlin, who slowed to a 7.190 in the final round, remained in first place after six of 24 races in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season have been completed.

Mike Edwards

"It doesn't matter if you win on Sunday or Monday - it's an unbelievable challenge to win (a Pro Stock race). You can't make a mistake and win in this class," Edwards said.

For Edwards, the win was a bit of personal vindication as his A.R.T./Young Life Pontiac GXP has been at the head of the ultra-competitive Pro Stock category with a class-best three No. 1 qualifiers, but no wins before Monday.

"Our performance has been good all year, as good as anybody's in (Pro Stock). We've just had a little bit of trouble on Sunday (raceday)," Edwards said. "If that's what it takes to win (racing on Monday instead of Sunday), we'll come back on Monday every race."





Southern Nationals NHRA Full Throttle Series Final Results:
Top Fuel: Morgan Lucas, 5.231 seconds @ 162.86 mph defeats Spencer Massey, 5.418 @ 145.25
Funny Car: Jack Beckman, 4.128 @ 303.43 def Ashley Force Hood, 4.157 @ 248.39
Pro Stock: Mike Edwards, 6.645 @ 208.17 def Jeg Coughlin, 7.190 @ 155.11
Pro Stock Motorcycle: Eddie Krawiec, 6.902 @ 192.91 def Douglas Horne, 6.949 @ 191.13

04.19.09: John Force Racing Final Atlanta Report: “Fast Jack” Beckman avenged a final round loss to Ashley Force Hood at last month’s O’Reilly Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park, spoiling what could have been a career day for the driver of the Castrol GTX Ford Mustang at Atlanta Dragway. Beckman, who taught Ashley and her sisters to drive in the Super Comp class, saved his best run for last Sunday and his 4.128 second effort was just good enough to hold off Ashley’s No. 1-qualifying Ford, which encountered problems down track and slowed to 4.157 at only 248.39 miles per hour in the final round of the 29th annual Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals.
      It was an unexpected result, especially since Ashley had recorded the quickest time and fastest speed during the qualifying phase and then repeated that performance in each of the first three rounds with times of 4.078, 4.082 and 4.079 seconds. Her three best speeds on race day – 310.48, 311.41 and 312.13 mph – were the three fastest since the course was shortened from a quarter mile to 1,000 feet last year following the death of two-time world champion Scott Kalitta.
      While Ashley was turning heads with the performance of her green-and-white Mustang, the other three Team Castrol Fords were making an early exit and two of them also were victimized by Beckman’s Dodge. Robert Hight was the first to fall in the Automobile Club of Southern California Ford and, after Mike Neff had lost to Ashley, John Force fell to Beckman by a margin of .003 of a second. The victory enabled Beckman to move up to second in points behind teammate Ron Capps, one point ahead of Force Hood, who was bidding for her second straight victory at Atlanta Dragway.

2009 NHRA Full Throttle Championship Points Standings

The NHRA Full Throttle Series resumes May 1 - 3 with the 13th annual O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway International Raceway, St. Louis. FlA & Co. has news and insider updates to be posted the first week of May. -- Credits: DRO, Summit FastNews Network, JFR, edits/adds FlA & Co.

FR 2009 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals homepage

TAB