NHRA NEWS: GIRL POWER ON DISPLAY AS NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES HEADS TO AMALIE OIL NHRA GATORNATIONALS

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — While much hype has been given to a certain female stock car racer for posting a top 10 finish at the Daytona 500, it has been business as usual in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Two female racers – Courtney Force and Erica Enders-Stevens – have posted back-to-back victories to open the 2013 season in the world’s fastest motorsport.

               

It is the first time in NHRA history that two women have opened a season with consecutive victories.

               

Force, 24, powered her 8,000-horsepower Funny Car to break all of her male competitor’s hearts – including Matt Hagan, Bob Tasca and Ron Capps – and win at the season-opening Winternationals at Pomona, Calif., on Valentine’s Day weekend.

               

Last weekend in Phoenix, Enders-Stevens, 29, rallied to take the Pro Stock victory over tough as nails veteran driver Mike Edwards in the final round. Enders-Stevens used a reaction time advantage to beat event top qualifier Edwards in the 200 mph factory hot rod category.

               

“We’re not out here just to race against the boys,” Force has said. “We’re here to beat the boys.”

               

Now that’s girl power.

      

YouTube: Weekly Drag Racing Update

The latest video from your channel subscriptions for Feb 27, 2013. 2013 NHRA Winternationals Antron Brown Crash by NitroAmerica We think you'd like... Pro Stock and NE Outlaw Pro Mod Qualifying at the... by robzneed4speed 2013 O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals Friday... by KMan2100 Don Prudhomme and John Force AA/FC at OCIR 5-9-1981 by Dwight Guild

NHRA NEWS: UNI-SELECT AND AUTO-PLUS(r) TO BECOME TITLE RIGHTS SPONSOR OF INAUGURAL NHRA EVENT AT NEW ENGLAND DRAGWAY

GLENDORA, Calif. (Feb. 25, 2013) — NHRA announced today that Uni-Select USA and its Auto-Plus® network of automotive retail stores have acquired title rights sponsorship of the inaugural event at New England Dragway in Epping, N.H. The Auto-Plus NHRA New England Nationals is scheduled for June 20-23, 2013 and represents the first event in the New England area for the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

               

“We are extremely pleased to announce the expansion of our partnership with NHRA,” said Brent Windom, senior vice president, sales and marketing for Uni-Select. “Our growth in participation with NHRA saw more than 5,500 customers attend our events last year. We are excited to be an integral part of bringing NHRA Drag Racing to the New England market.”

Uni-Select USA and its Auto-Plus brand also serves as title rights sponsor of the 29th annual Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals, Oct. 3-6, at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa. In addition, the company holds naming rights to historic Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville (Fla.).  Auto-Plus is also the official auto parts store of Atlanta Dragway, an NHRA owned and operated facility, as well as Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

             

NHRA NEWS: MELLO YELLO SERIES RESULTS SUNDAY FROM PHOENIX

CHANDLER, Ariz. – Tony Schumacher won a wild tire-smoking final round against Morgan Lucas Sunday to claim the Top Fuel victory at the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway.

Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Erica Enders-Stevens (Pro Stock) also were winners at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event near Phoenix.

Schumacher raced to his 70th career victory and fourth at FIR when he was able to get his 8,000-horsepower U.S. Army dragster under control and finish just in front of Lucas’ charging GEICO/Lucas Oil dragster. Both dragsters lost traction early in the side-by-side race and both drivers were on and off the throttle as they navigated the dragstrip.

“When you can win ugly like that it is so much fun,” said Schumacher, who beat Sidnei Frigo, Khalid alBalooshi and Antron Brown in earlier rounds. “Both cars were set up to run really fast and we both lost it and smoked the tires. It was lift, pedal, lift, pedal all the way down. I could hear Morgan beside me the whole time. As a driver that kind of race is so much fun and I enjoy winning like that more than a record run.”

It was the fourth consecutive final round appearance for Schumacher dating back to last season and he moves into the series points lead with the victory.

“Four finals in a row, it’s unbelievable that our team is that good,” Schumacher said. “Win number 70. I like that number. I was stuck on 69 for a long time.”

In Funny Car, Capps earned his 39th career victory and third at this event, outrunning Matt Hagan in the final round. Capps powered his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger to a 4.064 at 314.90 to finish in front of Hagan’s Mopar/Rocky Footwear Charger, which trailed with a 4.158 at 300.33.

Capps reeled off a series of quick runs in the mid 4.0 second range in early round wins over Tony and Cruz Pedregon and Tim Wilkerson. His machine was just as quick in the final round over Hagan.

“This new car really likes to be planted early, and so [crew chief] Rahn Tobler has been working on a new clutch package,” Capps said. “In (the final qualifying session) yesterday, we finally found out what it really liked. And when you give Tobler a new combination, he’s going to ‘bracket car’ it to death.”

With the victory Capps moves into the series points lead. With back-to-back final rounds to open the season, Capps says his NAPA team is picking up right where it left off last season.

“We are starting to feel like we are getting into the same rhythm that we were last year when we went to six finals in a row,” Capps said. “I think that both Rahn and I built up some confidence in each other [with our runner-up] at Pomona, and now here.”

Enders-Stevens outran top qualifier Mike Edwards in the Pro Stock final round to earn her fifth career victory. She used a quicker reaction time in her GK Racing Chevy Cobalt to take the win from Edwards in his Interstate Batteries / I Am Second Chevy Camaro. Enders-Stevens finished in 6.538 at 211.99, just in front of Edwards’ quicker but losing performance of 6.520 at 213.74.

“Coming off the season we had last year, and starting the way that we did this year, it was a kind of a gut check in that we wonder if we can ever get it done again,” Enders-Stevens said. “Our guys really worked their butts off during the winter, but we didn’t get the chance to test a lot. And I was a little bit nervous coming into this year because the other big teams got to test a lot. But our guys proved that they can pick up where they left off, and I’m excited.”

Enders, who moved to second in the points standings with the win, defeated Shane Gray, V. Gaines and Jason Line in the first three rounds and won from the No. 7 qualifying position.

“My crew chief, Dave Connolly, reminded me that every time that Jimmie Johnson wins, we win,” Enders-Stevens said with a smile. “And he told me that Jimmie won today’s Daytona 500 prior to the final. So needless to say, we’re going to be cheering for Jimmie all year.”

Following Courtney Force’s Funny Car win at Pomona, Calif. last weekend, this is the first time in NHRA history that two female drivers have won races in back-to-back events to open a season.

The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues March 14-17 with the Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville (Fla.).

 

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Final finish order (1-16) at the 29th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway.  The race is the second of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

TOP FUEL: 1.  Tony Schumacher; 2.  Morgan Lucas; 3.  Antron Brown; 4.  Spencer Massey; 5.  Larry Dixon; 6. Khalid alBalooshi; 7.  Leah Pruett; 8.  David Grubnic; 9.  Doug Kalitta; 10.  Clay Millican; 11.

Terry McMillen; 12.  Brandon Bernstein; 13.  Shawn Langdon; 14.  Brittany Force; 15.  Sidnei Frigo; 16.  Bob Vandergriff.

FUNNY CAR: 1.  Ron Capps; 2.  Matt Hagan; 3.  John Force; 4.  Tim Wilkerson; 5.  Bob Tasca III; 6.  Robert Hight; 7.  Cruz Pedregon; 8.  Todd Lesenko; 9.  Tony Pedregon; 10.  Alexis DeJoria; 11.  Phil Burkart; 12.  Del Worsham; 13.  Jack Beckman; 14.  Courtney Force; 15.  Jeff Arend; 16.  Johnny Gray.

PRO STOCK: 1.  Erica Enders-Stevens; 2.  Mike Edwards; 3.  Jason Line; 4.  Greg Anderson; 5.  Allen Johnson; 6.  V. Gaines; 7.  Jeg Coughlin; 8.  Vincent Nobile; 9.  Chris McGaha; 10.  Steve Kent; 11.  Matt Hartford; 12.  Deric Kramer; 13.  Shane Gray; 14.  Larry Morgan; 15.  Greg Stanfield; 16.  Rodger Brogdon.

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Sunday's final results from the 29th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway. The race is the second of 24 in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel -- Tony Schumacher, 4.606 seconds, 213.20 mph  def. Morgan Lucas, 4.652 seconds, 258.67 mph.

Funny Car -- Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 4.064, 314.90  def. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.158, 300.33.

Pro Stock -- Erica Enders-Stevens, Chevy Cobalt, 6.538, 211.99  def. Mike Edwards, Chevy Camaro, 6.520, 213.74.

Super Stock -- Harry Doolittle, Pontiac Firebird, 12.069, 109.67  def. Mike Graham, Ford Mustang, 10.265, 129.74.

Stock Eliminator -- Zack Torres, Chevy Camaro, 11.622, 110.88  def. Matthew Hawk, Ford Mustang, 12.367, 100.56.

Super Comp -- Jack DeRencin, Dragster, 8.905, 164.47  def. Jim Berry, Dragster, 8.924, 166.89.

Super Gas -- Brad Pierce, Chevy Corvette, 9.899, 141.34  def. Russ Ginger, Dodge Aspen, 9.857, 161.21.

Super Street -- Kevin Kleineweber, Chevy Lumina, 11.001, 143.26  def. Ryan Giacone, Ford Thunderbird, 11.127, 119.57.

Top Dragster -- Chuck Hawk, Dragster, 6.914, 197.16  def. Moe Trujillo, Dragster, foul.

Top Sportsman -- JR Lobner, Chevy S-10, 7.457, 184.22  def. Ted Carli, Chevy Cobalt, 6.682, 207.75.

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Final round-by-round results from the 29th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway, the second of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:

TOP FUEL:

ROUND ONE -- Leah Pruett, 4.522, 234.25 def. Shawn Langdon, 5.466, 144.30; Morgan Lucas, 4.074, 211.99 def. Clay Millican, 4.073, 256.89; David Grubnic, 5.580, 198.38 def. Brittany Force, 5.851, 115.95; Antron Brown, 3.798, 321.96 def. Terry McMillen, 4.752, 156.15; Spencer Massey, 3.774, 326.00 def. Doug Kalitta, 3.756, 329.67; Tony Schumacher, 3.806, 313.80 def. Sidnei Frigo, 9.965, 80.81; Khalid alBalooshi, 3.770, 325.85 def. Bob Vandergriff, broke; Larry Dixon, 4.942, 283.13 def. Brandon Bernstein, 4.991, 168.66;

QUARTERFINALS -- Lucas, 3.773, 327.43 def. Grubnic, 9.378, 62.38; Brown, 3.786, 307.93 def. Pruett, 7.773, 81.33; Massey, 3.750, 324.05 def. Dixon, 5.151, 149.03; Schumacher, 3.747, 329.91 def. alBalooshi, 5.172, 154.78;

SEMIFINALS -- Lucas, 3.860, 316.08 def. Massey, 5.137, 141.82; Schumacher, 3.765, 327.82 def. Brown, 3.752, 325.45;

FINAL -- Schumacher, 4.606, 213.20 def. Lucas, 4.652, 258.67.

FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE -- Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 4.061, 313.51 def. Tony Pedregon, Toyota Camry, 4.097, 299.06; Robert Hight, Ford Mustang, 5.703, 150.77 def. Johnny Gray, Charger, DQ; Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.078, 310.27 def. Phil Burkart, Chevy Impala, 4.389, 285.47; Todd Lesenko, Charger, 5.206, 191.92 def. Courtney Force, Mustang, 11.228, 46.83; Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.094, 289.76 def.

Jeff Arend, Charger, 12.595, 66.51; John Force, Mustang, 4.047, 316.82 def. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 4.164, 305.22; Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.336, 221.78 def. Jack Beckman, Charger, 6.342, 111.57; Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.252, 245.94 def. Del Worsham, Camry, 5.295, 165.07;

QUARTERFINALS -- Capps, 4.059, 310.55 def. C. Pedregon, DQ; Hagan, 4.259, 254.76 def. Tasca III, 6.845, 97.60; J. Force, 8.107, 74.04 def. Lesenko, broke; Wilkerson, 4.102, 309.06 def. Hight, 6.937, 97.81;

SEMIFINALS -- Capps, 4.037, 316.67 def. Wilkerson, 10.942, 85.73; Hagan, 4.049, 311.13 def. J. Force, 4.105, 315.56;

FINAL -- Capps, 4.064, 314.90 def. Hagan, 4.158, 300.33.

PRO STOCK:

ROUND ONE -- Vincent Nobile, Dodge Avenger, 8.750, 109.09 def. Greg Stanfield, Chevy Camaro, foul; Erica Enders-Stevens, Chevy Cobalt, 6.561, 212.39 def. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.652, 188.44; Jeg Coughlin, Avenger, 6.537, 212.49 def. Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 17.529, 46.85; Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.543, 212.63 def. Matt Hartford, Avenger, 6.608, 210.73; V. Gaines, Avenger, 6.564, 212.06 def.

Larry Morgan, Ford Mustang, 6.713, 182.85; Mike Edwards, Camaro, 6.541, 212.83 def. Steve Kent, Pontiac GXP, 6.592, 210.21; Jason Line, Camaro, 6.554, 212.83 def. Deric Kramer, Avenger, 6.609, 209.79; Allen Johnson, Avenger, 6.540, 212.79 def. Chris McGaha, Avenger, 6.576, 211.36;

QUARTERFINALS -- Enders-Stevens, 6.553, 212.79 def. Gaines, 6.553, 211.83; Edwards, 6.505, 213.77 def. Nobile, 6.582, 210.73; Anderson, 6.556, 211.96 def. A. Johnson, 6.549, 212.53; Line, 6.538, 212.76 def. Coughlin, 6.581, 212.59;

SEMIFINALS -- Enders-Stevens, 6.563, 212.19 def. Line, 6.619, 212.76; Edwards, 6.522, 213.50 def. Anderson, 7.552, 132.32;

FINAL -- Enders-Stevens, 6.538, 211.99 def. Edwards, 6.520, 213.74.

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Point standings (top 10) following the 29th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway, the second of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel

1.  Tony Schumacher, 228; 2.  Shawn Langdon, 149; 3.  Antron Brown, 148; 4.  Khalid alBalooshi, 131; 5.  Morgan Lucas, 124; 6.  David Grubnic, 112; 7.  Doug Kalitta, 103; 8.  Spencer Massey, 100; 9.  Brandon Bernstein, 93; 10.  Larry Dixon, 86.

Funny Car

1.  Ron Capps, 210; 2.  Courtney Force, 165; 3.  Matt Hagan, 151; 4.  Bob Tasca III, 124; 5. Johnny Gray, 122; 6.  Cruz Pedregon, 117; 7.  (tie) John Force, 106; Tim Wilkerson, 106; 9.  Todd Lesenko, 102; 10.  Robert Hight, 83.

Pro Stock

1.  Vincent Nobile, 171; 2.  Erica Enders-Stevens, 155; 3.  Mike Edwards, 153; 4.  Jeg Coughlin, 149; 5.  V. Gaines, 142; 6.  Jason Line, 119; 7.  (tie) Greg Anderson, 109; Allen Johnson, 109; 9. Greg Stanfield, 104; 10.  (tie) Shane Gray, 83. Chris McGaha, 83.

NHRA NEWS: MELLO YELLO SERIES RESULTS SATURDAY FROM PHOENIX

CHANDLER, Ariz. – Doug Kalitta raced to the No. 1 qualifying position in Top Fuel Saturday at the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway.

Johnny Gray (Funny Car) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) also will lead their categories into Sunday’s 11 a.m. eliminations at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event near Phoenix.

Kalitta powered his Mac Tools dragster to a track record performance of 3.733 seconds at 329.02 mph to take his 32nd No. 1 of his career and second at this event.

He will face Spencer Massey in the opening round of eliminations as he tries to give team owner and drag racing legend Connie Kalitta a victory on his 75th birthday.

“It would be awesome to win tomorrow,” Kalitta said. “He’s 75 and doing great. He’s been here for so many years and just loves it out here. It would be awesome to see if we could pull it off.”

Kalitta has had success on Sunday at this event in the past as he has one win in three final rounds here. Although he has 32 career victories, he is looking to end a winless drought that dates back to July 2010.

“I’m not going to try and pay any attention to anything except my lane and that light,” Kalitta said. “There’s a bunch of good running cars out here. All the rounds are tough, and anybody who makes the top 16 can win.”

Defending Top Fuel event winner Antron Brown qualified second in his Matco Tools dragster and will open eliminations against Amalie Oil dragster driver Terry McMillen, while U.S. Army dragster driver Tony Schumacher will try to add to his three career victories at this event when he faces rookie driver Sidnei Frigo in the first round.

In Funny Car, Gray earned his fourth No. 1 of his career and second in a row at this event, as no one improved on his Friday run of 4.034 at 313.80 in his Pitch Energy Dodge Charger.

“We wanted to run both [of today’s qualifying runs] real good,” said Gray, who will race defending event winner Robert Hight in the first round. “We made just a spectacular run this morning [4.04]. It was ‘stupid fast’ for the session. But we had some things go wrong with the car on the second run, and the track got better than the car. But you learn something every time you go to the starting line, and we feel really, really confident going into tomorrow. Who knows? Maybe I can get this win off of my ‘bucket list’.”

Matt Hagan qualified second in his Mopar/Rocky Boots Dodge Charger and will race Plueger Racing Chevy driver Phil Burkart in the opening round while No. 3 qualifier Courtney Force, who won the season-opener in Pomona, Calif. last weekend and is the current category points leader in her Traxxas Ford Mustang, will face Todd Lesenko in his Canadian Tribute/Worsham Racing Dodge Charger.

In Pro Stock, Edwards claimed his second consecutive No. 1 qualifying position of the season and 43rd of his career with his Friday track record performance of 6.498 seconds at 213.13 mph in his Interstate Batteries/I Am Second Chevy Camaro. He will face Steve Kent in the opening round of eliminations.

“We tried some different things today, like a different engine, to see if we could improve,” said Edwards of his fifth consecutive No. 1 at this event and sixth overall. “We’ll put it all back to the way we had it yesterday [Friday] and we should be able to run like we did earlier. The conditions were a little bit different today. The track got a little bit hotter. But I still feel like we could have run pretty close to yesterday’s times if we had the same set-up. We always run good here. I never know exactly why.”

V. Gaines will start second in his Kendall Oil Dodge Avenger and face Lucas Oil Ford Mustang driver Larry Morgan, while defending event winner Jason Line qualified third in his Summit Racing Chevy Camaro and will race Deric Kramer in the opening round.

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Sunday's first-round eliminations pairings for the 29th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway, the second of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.  Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.

Top Fuel -- 1. Doug Kalitta, 3.733 seconds, 329.02 mph  vs. 16. Spencer Massey, 3.874, 292.84; 2. Antron Brown, 3.765, 318.77  vs. 15. Terry McMillen, 3.872, 320.51; 3. Tony Schumacher, 3.768, 325.37  vs. 14. Sidnei Frigo, 3.866, 316.60; 4. David Grubnic, 3.783, 321.27  vs. 13. Brittany Force, 3.831, 321.81; 5. Clay Millican, 3.810, 323.66  vs. 12. Morgan Lucas, 3.820, 319.22; 6. Khalid alBalooshi, 3.811, 315.86  vs. 11. Bob Vandergriff, 3.818, 321.88; 7. Leah Pruett, 3.812, 312.64  vs. 10. Shawn Langdon, 3.815, 319.90; 8. Brandon Bernstein, 3.813, 305.22 vs. 9. Larry Dixon, 3.814, 320.74. Did Not Qualify: 17. Steve Torrence, 3.883, 308.00; 18. Mike Strasburg, 3.984, 300.46.

Funny Car -- 1. Johnny Gray, Dodge Charger, 4.034, 314.46  vs. 16. Robert Hight, Ford Mustang, 4.321, 271.79; 2. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.062, 311.20  vs. 15. Phil Burkart, Chevy Impala, 4.295, 282.95; 3. Courtney Force, Mustang, 4.064, 315.71  vs. 14. Todd Lesenko, Charger, 4.245, 300.80; 4. Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Camry, 4.067, 308.00  vs. 13. Jeff Arend, Charger, 4.173, 302.48; 5. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.081, 308.35  vs. 12. Tony Pedregon, Camry, 4.169, 268.65; 6. John Force, Mustang, 4.100, 312.64  vs. 11. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 4.157, 303.09; 7. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.100, 307.37  vs. 10. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.139, 288.27; 8. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.110, 305.01  vs. 9. Del Worsham, Camry, 4.126, 303.30. Did Not Qualify: 17. Terry Haddock, 4.584, 232.63; 18. Jeff Diehl, 4.917, 163.55.

Pro Stock -- 1. Mike Edwards, Chevy Camaro, 6.498, 213.13  vs. 16. Steve Kent, Pontiac GXP, 6.638, 210.21; 2. V. Gaines, Dodge Avenger, 6.529, 212.63  vs. 15. Larry Morgan, Ford Mustang, 6.633, 210.50; 3. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.535, 213.03  vs. 14. Deric Kramer, Avenger, 6.624, 209.43; 4. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.536, 212.56  vs. 13. Matt Hartford, Avenger, 6.614, 211.73; 5. Allen Johnson, Avenger, 6.542, 212.03  vs. 12. Chris McGaha, Avenger, 6.582, 210.90; 6. Jeg Coughlin, Avenger, 6.544, 211.36  vs. 11. Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 6.578, 210.70; 7. Erica Enders-Stevens, Chevy Cobalt, 6.555, 211.93  vs. 10. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.568, 210.57; 8. Vincent Nobile, Avenger, 6.555, 211.13  vs. 9. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.561, 210.73. Did Not Qualify: 17. Kurt Johnson, 6.650, 210.24; 18. Warren Johnson, 6.666, 209.07; 19. Mark Wolfe, 6.694, 206.80.

Racin & Rockin with Mendy Fry on February 25!

 

Racin' and Rockin': Racin & Rockin with Mendy Fry on February 25! by Bill Pratt. Join us on Monday night, February 25, as we are joined by the famous Nitro Kitty, Mendy Fry! Mendy has been a fan favorite on the nostalgia scene for years. She has wrestled fuel dragsters, funny cars, and more!

Video: 2013 NHRA Winternationals Antron Brown Crash

NitroAmerica has uploaded 2013 NHRA Winternationals Antron Brown Crash. 2013 NHRA Winternationals Antron Brown Crash by NitroAmerica

NHRA NEWS: MELLO YELLO SERIES RESULTS FRIDAY FROM PHOENIX

CHANDLER, Ariz. – Antron Brown raced to the qualifying lead in Top Fuel Friday at the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway.

Johnny Gray (Funny Car) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) also were qualifying leaders at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event near Phoenix.

Five days after walking away from a spectacular crash at the season-opening event in Pomona, Calif., Brown powered his brand new Matco Tools dragster to a leading time of 3.765 seconds at 314.83 mph.

“I can’t say enough for my team,” Brown said. “They came out here with a brand new car, and it was planned that we made a half-lap on the first pass to make sure that everything was right. Then we came back (for the second run), and the car left good. But I had to remember, that when you go one-to-one at half-track [with the clutch lock-up], this track always makes your car sashay. And I just lifted a little bit early because I felt the car go from side to side.

“But it was a phenomenal run, and I couldn’t be happier. To come out here and on the second run of the new car and be number one, you can’t ask for much more than that.”

Brown says he was examined this week by his doctor in Indianapolis and given a good report.

“I had X-rays to make sure that everything was okay with my spine, and I’m doing all right,” Brown said. “I have some bruises, but all my muscles are back to normal, my neck was never tight, and there weren’t any marks on my helmet.”

Tony Schumacher is second in the U.S. Army dragster with a performance of 3.768 at 321.96 and Doug Kalitta sits third in the Mac Tools dragster with a 3.769 at a track record speed of 325.92.

In Funny Car, Gray paced the 16-car field with a performance of 4.034 at 313.80 in his Pitch Energy Dodge Charger.

“[Crew chief] Rob [Wendland and [assistant crew chief] Rip [Reynolds] have really got a handle on this car,” Gray said. “In the first run it dropped a hole and [still] ran a 4.12 on seven cylinders, and so we knew that if it ran on all eight and stayed hooked up it might make a decent run. We’re happy with it.”

Matt Hagan qualified second in his Mopar/Rocky Footwear Dodge Charger with a 4.062 at 311.20, while Winternationals winner Courtney Force was third in her Traxxas Ford Mustang with a 4.064 at a track record speed of 315.71.

Edwards was quickest in Pro Stock, covering the distance in a track record time of 6.498 at 213.13 in his Interstate Batteries / I Am Second Chevy Camaro.

“Hats off to Jerry Haas and all his guys back at their shop,” Edwards said. “They did an awesome job. This Camaro, it’s just fast. My guys have worked very hard all over the winter, but the other teams have too. It’s just a great all-around effort by our team.”

Edwards, who also was No. 1 at the season-opener last weekend, says this season is starting to resemble his world championship year a few seasons back.

“In a way, it’s starting to remind me of 2009, when we had a big tune-up window,” Edwards said. “It’s a long season yet, but any time you run good, it feels good. We want to go down the track on every run.”

V Gaines qualified second with a 6.529 at 212.63 in his Kendall Oil Dodge Avenger, while defending event winner Jason Line is third in his Summit Racing Chevy Camaro with a 6.535 at 212.56.

Qualifying continues Saturday with sessions at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday’s eliminations are set for 11 a.m.

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 29th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway, second of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.  Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.

Top Fuel -- 1. Antron Brown, 3.765 seconds, 314.83 mph; 2. Tony Schumacher, 3.768, 321.96; 3. Doug Kalitta, 3.769, 325.92; 4. David Grubnic, 3.783, 321.27; 5. Leah Pruett, 3.812, 310.63; 6. Bob Vandergriff, 3.818, 321.88; 7. Larry Dixon, 3.818, 320.74; 8. Brandon Bernstein, 3.843, 267.64; 9. Clay Millican, 3.860, 300.60; 10. Khalid alBalooshi, 3.871, 298.01; 11. Terry McMillen, 3.872, 320.51; 12. Sidnei Frigo, 4.001, 292.71.  Not Qualified: 13. Spencer Massey, 4.034, 222.22; 14. Brittany Force, 4.069, 223.54; 15. Steve Torrence, 4.284, 192.52; 16. Shawn Langdon, 4.618, 160.37; 17. Mike Strasburg, 6.108, 95.90; 18. Morgan Lucas, 7.359, 91.31.

Funny Car -- 1. Johnny Gray, Dodge Charger, 4.034, 313.80; 2. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.062, 311.20; 3. Courtney Force, Ford Mustang, 4.064, 315.71; 4. Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Camry, 4.078, 306.40; 5. Del Worsham, Camry, 4.140, 303.30; 6. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 4.157, 303.09; 7. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.167, 293.15; 8. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.280, 236.71; 9. Robert Hight, Mustang, 4.321, 219.58; 10. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.322, 215.58; 11. Phil Burkart, Chevy Impala, 4.358, 278.75; 12. Jeff Arend, Charger, 4.855, 165.72.  Not Qualified: 13. Jeff Diehl, 4.947, 161.69; 14. Todd Lesenko, 5.092, 155.45; 15. Tim Wilkerson, 5.452, 136.59; 16. Tony Pedregon, 5.499, 129.08; 17. John Force, 6.120, 109.40; 18. Terry Haddock, 7.826, 90.82.

Pro Stock -- 1. Mike Edwards, Chevy Camaro, 6.498, 213.13; 2. V. Gaines, Dodge Avenger, 6.529, 212.63; 3. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.535, 213.03; 4. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.536, 212.56; 5. Jeg Coughlin, Avenger, 6.544, 211.36; 6. Allen Johnson, Avenger, 6.554, 211.83; 7. Erica Enders-Stevens, Chevy Cobalt, 6.555, 211.93; 8. Vincent Nobile, Avenger, 6.555, 211.13; 9. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.561, 210.73; 10. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.568, 210.57; 11. Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 6.578, 210.70; 12. Chris McGaha, Avenger, 6.582, 210.90.  Not Qualified: 13. Steve Kent, 6.584, 210.21; 14. Matt Hartford, 6.586, 211.73; 15. Larry Morgan, 6.588, 210.50; 16. Kurt Johnson, 6.605, 210.24; 17. Deric Kramer, 6.625, 209.43; 18. Mark Wolfe, 6.692, 206.80; 19. Warren Johnson, 6.747, 207.82.

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2012 CHRR Nostalgia Pro Modified by NitroAmerica We think you'd like... Best Of Wild Rides 2010 DVD 2 Hour Preview video by nitrovideoo "Baby Got Back" Sung By the Movies by dondrapersayswhat Minotauro Vs Bob Sap by pandamaldito Martin Stamatis 4.577 329.10 mph (529.63 kmh) drag race by martinstamatis Big bad fairlane by 88camaroTT

NHRA NEWS: NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES RETURNS TO ESPN2 IN 2013

GLENDORA, Calif. (Feb. 20, 2013) – The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will again be televised in 16 one-hour shows on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD, with coverage from select NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series national events, it was announced today by the world’s largest motorsports sanctioning organization.  The popular NHRA Sportsman Spotlights, focusing on NHRA’s Member Track network, will be showcased as part of the race-coverage telecasts.

The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series coverage will air on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD on a tape-delay basis as part of NHRA’s relationship with ESPN, in its second decade as the exclusive home of NHRA Drag Racing.  All 16 telecasts will air on Saturday or Sunday.  The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series has a long-standing tradition of serving as a highly-competitive developmental arena for the future stars of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

YORK 2013: THE SILENCE IS DEAFENING

It has been thirty four years since the roar of 600+ horsepower engines no longer roared at the site of the Woodstock of Drag Racing, York US 30 Dragway at the Thomasville Airport every Saturday evening from April to October but the pilgrimage continues the second full weekend of July when the Annual Musclecar Madness at the York Reunion is presented at the York Fairgrounds, York Expo Center, York, Pennsylvania. This year’s event to be held on July 12-13th will be the Twelfth Annual.

The York show can boast in having the most Legends of Drag Racing and their legendary race cars of any event in the country. This year’s event will be a Salute to Ford with the legendary Dyno Don Nicholson ‘70 Maverick with original paint and engine on display. This was the very Maverick that brought Ford back into the winners circle of the Pro Stock wars with the National Hot Rod Association.

Other legendary race cars to appear will be Arlen Fadely’s Super Stock magazine Maverick, D. A. Santucci’s famous bubble gum Top Gas dragster that carried him to the ‘69 Nationals win at Indy, Jim Walter’s Special Edition Top Fuel dragster, K.S. Pittman’s Willys gasser, John Mazmanian’s Willys gasser, and the famous Filthy Forty Willys gasser of the late Pork Zartman from Hanover and the awesome Mike Bos altered along with the Jack Chrisman Comet of Jim Barillaro to name a few.

The Legends line-up is just as impressive with Gentleman Joe Schubeck, Miss Hurst Golden Shifter Linda Vaughn, Bunny Burkett, Hubert Platt, Bud Faubel, Bruce Larson, Ed Miller, Ed Hedrick, Larry Lombardo, Jim & Alison Lee, Bob Harrop, Jere Stahl, Wally Bell, Tom Chastang, and a host of others.

The show supports the York County SPCA and the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing. Both receive vital funds to assist their worthwhile projects for the year.

Show hours are Friday, July 12th from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturday, July 13th from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Admission is $15.00, children 12 and under free. Active military with proper i.d. free and free parking.

The kids and grown-ups alike will enjoy the Make It and Take It free model building by the Central Pennsylvania Model Car Club Friday, 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 2 to 4 p.m.

NHRA NEWS: PRO STOCK'S ENDERS-STEVENS READY TO MAKE HISTORY AT NHRA ARIZONA NATIONALS AT FIREBIRD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

CHANDLER, Ariz. – Pro Stock driver Erica Enders-Stevens had a history making 2012 season when she became the first woman to win an NHRA Pro Stock national event. She will try to duplicate her past season successes and score her first victory of the 2013 season at this weekend’s NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway, Feb. 22-24. 

The event, which will be televised on ESPN2 HD, is the second of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), and Jason Line (Pro Stock) are defending event winners.

Enders-Stevens, who is one of only six women to ever compete in the Pro Stock category since it was introduced by NHRA in 1970 and by far the most successful, is confident she will regain her consistency when she returns to FIR. After qualifying third at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona last weekend, she lost in the first round to Kurt Johnson. A rare engine malfunction ended her day. She is ready to turn her fortunes around and get back on the winning track in Phoenix.

NHRA NEWS: FUNNY CAR DRIVER CAPPS ROLLS INTO PHOENIX SEEKING MORE SUCCESS FOLLOWING STRONG START TO THE 2013 SEASON

PHOENIX, Ariz. – After a runner-up finish at the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif., Funny Car driver Ron Capps is looking to continue the early season momentum as he and the entire NAPA Auto Parts team head to Firebird International Raceway.

“I’ve always loved going to Phoenix,” said Capps, who lost to Courtney Force in the final round of the 2013 season-opener last weekend and sits second in the points standings. “I relate to my love for certain tracks because of what I’m able to do around the track. Phoenix always has been a fun trip for our family.”

With 38 career victories and 75 final round appearances at the controls of his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger, Capps will certainly be one to watch at the 29th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals, Feb. 22-24. Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Jason Line (Pro Stock) are the defending winners of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event, which will be televised on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD.

NHRA NEWS: SCHUMACHER AND U.S. ARMY TEAM READY TO MOUNT ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIP RUN AT NHRA ARIZONA NATIONALS

CHANDLER, Ariz. – U.S. Army Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher had an incredible 2012 season that brought him to within seven points of earning another world championship trophy. During the brand new 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season, the seven-time world champion is ready to go back to work with his U.S. Army team as they pursue another title.

Riding the momentum from a runner-up finish at the season-opening event at Pomona, Calif. last weekend and three career victories at Firebird International Raceway, Schumacher is anxious to return to the NHRA Arizona Nationals, Feb. 22-24.  Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), and Jason Line (Pro Stock) are the defending event champions at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event, which will be televised on ESPN2 HD.

NHRA NEWS: PRO DRAGSTER CLASS ADDED TO NHRA HARLEY-DAVIDSON DRAG RACING SERIES

MILWAUKEE (Feb. 18, 2013) – Harley-Davidson Motor Company is pleased to announce that it has worked with NHRA to include the popular nitromethane-burning Pro Dragster class in the newly formed NHRA Harley-Davidson Drag Racing Series.

Pro Dragster joins the previously announced classes that will compete at all 10 rounds of the series:  Top Fuel, Pro Gas, Draggin’ Bagger, Street Pro and Hot Street. The NHRA Harley-Davidson Drag Racing Series begins in March at Royal Purple Raceway in Houston.

With quarter-mile elapsed times in the low 7-second range and speeds at more than 190 mph, the Pro Dragster class offers fans and racers a thrilling entry to the thundering spectacle of nitro-powered Harley-Davidson drag racing that is capped by the awesome 6-second, 225-mph Top Fuel class.

Drag Racing List Ending Email Updates

After several years, we are discontinuing our email updates. Draglist.com updates can be seen via several other options, including the following: Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dragracinglist Twitter at https://twitter.com/draglist (for headlines only) Twitter at https://twitter.com/draglistx (if you want to see each and every update to the drag racing lists) Blogger at http://www.dragblog.com/ Drag Photos at http://www.dragphoto.com And of course, at Draglist.com and eDrags.com: http://www.draglist.com and http://www.edrags.com Thanks so much for sticking with us over the years. We are not going anywhere, we just won't be filling up your inboxes as much. NOTE: We ARE maintaining our email lists and may restart the service again sometime in the future. All the best, and have a great 2013 drag racing season. Bill Pratt - Draglist.com

NHRA NEWS: FUNNY CAR DRIVER C. FORCE VICTORIOUS AT O'REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA WINTERNATIONALS; LANGDON, NOBILE ALSO WINNERS AT MELLO YELLO SEASON-OPENER

POMONA, Calif. – Courtney Force raced to victory in Funny Car Sunday at the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals presented by Super Start Batteries at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel) and Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) also were winners at the first of 24 events in the 2013 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

Force powered her Traxxas Ford Mustang past NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger driver Ron Capps with a pass of 4.025 seconds at 317.12 mph to earn her second career victory.

“It was definitely unbelievable,” Force said. “My team, (crew chiefs) Ron Douglas and Dan Hood, thanks to them, they had given me great race car all weekend long. I just try to keep it straight down the center and they really made my job easy. I really owe it to those guys. It was kind of bittersweet finishing here (at the NHRA Finals in November) and not getting that win, then coming back and picking up where we left off and finishing our job. We got the win and I’m just proud of my team.”

In Top Fuel, Langdon drove his Al-Anabi Racing dragster to the win with his pass of 3.721 at 322.27, defeating seven-time champion Tony Schumacher and the U.S. Army team. In front of a hometown crowd, Langdon said the second victory is so much sweeter than the first.

“Couldn’t have scripted it any better really,” Langdon said. “We struggled a little in qualifying. We didn’t really have the car that we thought we should have had, but we qualified seventh. We knew the things we learned in testing that we had a car capable of winning. It showed today.”

In the second round of eliminations, 2012 world champion Antron Brown’s Matco Tools dragster went out of control and crashed near the finish line. Brown emerged from the crashed car under his own power and was checked and released by NHRA emergency services officials. He received only very minor injuries in the incident.

“I am feeling good,” Brown said. “I’ve got some scrapes on my legs and my back is a little sore, but overall I feel good. The best feeling was seeing how quickly the NHRA Safety Safari got to my car after it stopped. The car did its job and we’ll be ready for Phoenix.”

Nobile claimed his sixth Pro Stock victory with a performance of 6.571 at 211.03 in his Mountain View Tire Dodge Avenger, taking the automatic victory over Jeg Coughlin, who turned on the red light at the starting line and fouled out in his JEGS.com/Mopar Dodge Avenger.

“It’s pretty awesome leaving here with the points lead,” said Nobile. “That’s every team’s goal. Now we just want to stay there, stay consistent and keep the wins coming.”

The Mello Yello Drag Racing Series rolls in to Phoenix Feb. 22-24 for the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway which will be aired on ESPN2HD. 

* * *

POMONA, Calif. -- Final finish order (1-16) at the 53rd annual O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals presented by Super Start Batteries at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.  The race is the first of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

TOP FUEL:

1.  Shawn Langdon; 2.  Tony Schumacher; 3.  Khalid alBalooshi; 4.  Antron Brown; 5.  Brandon Bernstein; 6.  Steve Torrence; 7.  Doug Kalitta; 8.  David Grubnic; 9.  Spencer Massey; 10.  Morgan Lucas; 11.  Bob Vandergriff; 12.  Clay Millican; 13.  Brittany Force; 14.  Sidnei Frigo; 15.  Leah Pruett; 16.  Larry Dixon.

FUNNY CAR:

1.  Courtney Force; 2.  Ron Capps; 3.  Johnny Gray; 4.  Bob Tasca III; 5.  Todd Lesenko; 6.  Cruz Pedregon; 7.  Matt Hagan; 8.  Gary Densham; 9.  John Force; 10.  Del Worsham; 11.  Tony Pedregon; 12.  Robert Hight; 13.  Jack Beckman; 14.  Alexis DeJoria; 15.  Phil Burkart; 16.  Tim Wilkerson.

PRO STOCK:

1.  Vincent Nobile; 2.  Jeg Coughlin; 3.  V. Gaines; 4.  Greg Stanfield; 5.  Allen Johnson; 6. Shane Gray; 7.  Kurt Johnson; 8.  Chris McGaha; 9.  Jason Line; 10.  Steve Kent; 11.  Deric Kramer; 12.  Greg Anderson; 13.  Erica Enders-Stevens; 14.  Matt Hartford; 15.  Mike Edwards; 16.  Rodger Brogdon.

POMONA, Calif. -- Sunday's final results from the 53rd annual O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals presented by Super Start Batteries at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. The race is the first of 24 in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel -- Shawn Langdon, 3.721 seconds, 322.27 mph  def. Tony Schumacher, 3.747 seconds, 324.12 mph.

Funny Car -- Courtney Force, Ford Mustang, 4.025, 317.12  def. Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 6.090, 116.32.

Pro Stock -- Vincent Nobile, Dodge Avenger, 6.584, 210.05  def. Jeg Coughlin, Avenger, foul.

Top Alcohol Dragster -- Jim Whiteley, 5.245, 273.39  def. Chris Demke, 5.271, 270.86.

Top Alcohol Funny Car -- John Lombardo Jr., Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.555, 261.17  def. Jason Rupert, Monte Carlo, 5.653, 255.63.

Competition Eliminator -- Ross Wilson, Sunfire, 8.167, 165.50  def. Alan Ellis, '23-T Ford, 6.604, 204.54.

Super Stock -- Jimmy DeFrank, Cobalt, 9.316, 113.03  def. Mike Cotten, Barracuda, foul.

Stock Eliminator -- Jimmy DeFrank, Camaro, 10.372, 126.42  def. Michael Iacono, Camaro, 11.069, 115.53.

Super Comp -- Phil Dion, Dragster, 8.934, 168.14  def. Scott Taylor, Dragster, 9.123, 165.33.

Super Gas -- Rick Beckstrom, Grand Am, 9.904, 160.71  def. Peter Bothe, Porsche, 9.927, 148.09.

POMONA, Calif. -- Final round-by-round results from the 53rd annual O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals presented by Super Start Batteries at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, the first of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:

TOP FUEL:

ROUND ONE -- Shawn Langdon, 3.803, 294.37 def. Clay Millican, 3.811, 321.42; Antron Brown, 3.855, 293.60 def. Larry Dixon, 3.881, 310.34; Brandon Bernstein, 3.785, 324.44 def. Brittany Force, 3.822, 323.43; Tony Schumacher, 3.756, 326.40 def. Sidnei Frigo, 3.849, 317.57; Doug Kalitta, 3.799, 326.71 def. Leah Pruett, 3.850, 309.56; David Grubnic, 3.741, 325.69 def. Morgan Lucas, 3.764, 328.14; Khalid alBalooshi, 3.769, 326.40 def. Bob Vandergriff, 3.810, 324.36; Steve Torrence, 3.787, 322.81 def. Spencer Massey, 3.763, 326.63;

QUARTERFINALS -- Langdon, 3.738, 327.43 def. Bernstein, 3.775, 323.89; alBalooshi, 3.782, 320.66 def. Kalitta, 3.800, 325.22; Brown, 3.848, 308.64 def. Grubnic, 4.976, 139.07; Schumacher, 3.756, 322.19 def. Torrence, 3.782, 324.28;

SEMIFINALS -- Schumacher, 6.465, 96.17 def. Brown, broke; Langdon, 3.749, 324.67 def. alBalooshi, 4.326, 195.25;

FINAL -- Langdon, 3.721, 322.27 def. Schumacher, 3.747, 324.12.

FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE -- Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Camry, 5.165, 247.75 def. Robert Hight, Ford Mustang, 5.416, 201.04; Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.137, 311.56 def. Del Worsham, Camry, 4.615, 234.21; Courtney Force, Mustang, 4.066, 316.97 def. Phil Burkart, Chevy Monte Carlo, 7.183, 88.37; Todd Lesenko, Dodge Charger, 5.013, 176.33 def. Jack Beckman, Charger, 5.457, 149.45; Gary Densham, Charger, 5.023, 173.21 def. Tony Pedregon, Camry, 5.071, 151.58; Ron Capps, Charger, 4.108, 313.58 def. John Force, Mustang, 4.119, 313.07; Johnny Gray, Charger, 4.056, 314.31 def. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 6.255, 107.43; Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.346, 227.84 def. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, foul;

QUARTERFINALS -- Capps, 4.251, 241.84 def. Densham, 5.808, 105.41; Gray, 4.038, 307.72 def. Lesenko, 4.202, 307.30; C. Force, 4.070, 312.64 def. Hagan, 5.668, 140.31; Tasca III, 4.154, 311.20 def. C. Pedregon, 4.523, 189.15;

SEMIFINALS -- Capps, 4.036, 316.23 def. Gray, 4.056, 301.07; C. Force, 10.422, 49.91 def. Tasca III, foul;

FINAL -- C. Force, 4.025, 317.12 def. Capps, 6.090, 116.32.

PRO STOCK:

ROUND ONE -- Greg Stanfield, Chevy Camaro, 6.599, 209.56 def. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.686, 208.88; Allen Johnson, Dodge Avenger, 6.602, 211.10 def. Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 13.918, 62.30; Jeg Coughlin, Avenger, 6.572, 211.10 def. Steve Kent, Pontiac GXP, 6.600, 209.33; Kurt Johnson, GXP, 6.596, 210.14 def. Erica Enders-Stevens, Chevy Cobalt, 8.682, 92.42; Chris McGaha, Avenger, 6.599, 210.31 def. Mike Edwards, Camaro, 12.362, 61.44; V. Gaines, Avenger, 6.557, 211.93 def. Deric Kramer, Avenger, 6.614, 209.04; Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.604, 209.88 def. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.570, 212.19; Vincent Nobile, Avenger, 6.580, 210.60 def. Matt Hartford, Avenger, 10.367, 88.35;

QUARTERFINALS -- Stanfield, 6.616, 208.68 def. McGaha, DQ; Nobile, 6.592, 210.01 def. Gray, 6.644, 209.33; Gaines, 6.566, 211.06 def. A. Johnson, 6.575, 210.77; Coughlin, 6.569, 210.47 def. K.

Johnson, 6.672, 207.75;

SEMIFINALS -- Nobile, 6.575, 210.34 def. Stanfield, 6.588, 209.75; Coughlin, 6.574, 208.42 def. Gaines, 6.538, 212.23;

FINAL -- Nobile, 6.584, 210.05 def. Coughlin, foul.

* * *

POMONA, Calif. -- Point standings (top 10) following the 53rd annual O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals presented by Super Start Batteries at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, the first of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series -

Top Fuel

1.  Shawn Langdon, 116; 2.  Tony Schumacher, 106; 3.  Khalid alBalooshi, 74; 4.  Antron Brown, 67; 5.  Brandon Bernstein, 60; 6.  Doug Kalitta, 59; 7.  David Grubnic, 55; 8.  Steve Torrence, 53; 9. Spencer Massey, 34; 10.  Clay Millican, 33.

Funny Car

1.  Courtney Force, 124; 2.  Ron Capps, 94; 3.  Johnny Gray, 76; 4.  Bob Tasca III, 71; 5.  Gary Densham, 60; 6.  Cruz Pedregon, 56; 7.  Matt Hagan, 52; 8.  Todd Lesenko, 51; 9.  Jack Beckman, 43; 10.  Del Worsham, 38.

Pro Stock

1.  Vincent Nobile, 118; 2.  Jeg Coughlin, 95; 3.  V. Gaines, 81; 4.  Greg Stanfield, 72; 5.  Allen Johnson, 52; 6.  (tie) Shane Gray, 51; Kurt Johnson, 51; Chris McGaha, 51; 9.  Mike Edwards, 45; 10.  Erica Enders-Stevens, 42.

NHRA NEWS: FORCE, SCHUMACHER AND EDWARDS RACE TO NO. 1 QUALIFYING POSITIONS SATURDAY AT O'REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA WINTERNATIONALS

POMONA, Calif. – Courtney Force raced to her first No. 1 qualifying position of the season Saturday at the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals presented by Super Start Batteries.

Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) also will lead their categories into Sunday’s 11 a.m. eliminations at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season-opener at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

Force grabbed the No. 1 spot from Friday’s leader Jack Beckman in her Traxxas Ford Mustang with a performance of 4.036 seconds at 318.24 mph. This is her first No. 1 qualifier at Pomona and third of her career. 

“I’m really excited because it’s my home track,” Force said. “I’m pretty excited that we got the No. 1 spot, but I’ve still got to focus and not get distracted by anything. It’s definitely exciting to have (sister) Brittany running (in Top Fuel). She is my best friend and really amazing to be living our passion and drive 300 mph race cars. There are not a lot of families that can say that. It’s really unique to be doing it with my dad (John Force) and family.”

Force will line up against Phil Burkart in the first round of eliminations. Her father John, the defending event winner, qualified 11th while teammate Robert Hight is 12th.  Defending Funny Car world champion Jack Beckman qualified second in the field followed by Gary Densham, Del Worsham and Cruz Pedregon.

In Top Fuel, Schumacher powered his U. S. Army dragster to the 72nd No. 1 qualifying position of his career with his pass of 3.753 at 324.05.

“It was a great to be the number one,” Schumacher said. “That was a phenomenal run. That’s a consistent race car and doing some great stuff. The conditions aren’t going to change at Pomona. We are running really good and assume the other cars are going to run good too. Great cars make you rise to the occasion and do a great job. Fans pay big money to see a good race.”

In the opening round Schumacher will face Brazilian rookie Sidnei Frigo, who rounded out the quickest Top Fuel field in NHRA history. Brandon Bernstein took the second spot in his Protect the Harvest/MAVTV dragster with a performance of 3.761 at 325.22, while defending Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown qualified fourth in his Matco Tools dragster.

Edwards took the top spot in Pro Stock for the 42nd time with a performance of 6.528 at 212.39 in his Interstate Batteries/I Am Second Chevy Camaro.  He will open eliminations against Chris McGaha at an event he has won one time in three final round attempts.

“I’m ecstatic and real proud of my guys,” Edwards said. “We did a phenomenal job. It’s going to be interesting tomorrow and we’ll see what happens but real proud. I think you’ll see some real good runs by the Pro Stockers tomorrow. This is an exciting way to start the season.”

Veteran driver V. Gaines qualified second in his Kendall Oil Avenger with a performance of 6.538 at 211.49. Defending Pro Stock world champion Allen Johnson qualified 10th for his first event in the 2013 season.

POMONA, Calif. -- Sunday's first-round pairings for eliminations for the 53rd annual O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals presented by Super Start Batteries at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, the first of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.  Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.

Top Fuel -- 1. Tony Schumacher, 3.753 seconds, 328.14 mph  vs. 16. Sidnei Frigo, 3.858, 306.60; 2. Brandon Bernstein, 3.761, 325.22  vs. 15. Brittany Force, 3.845, 293.22; 3. Doug Kalitta, 3.763, 328.06  vs. 14. Leah Pruett, 3.842, 316.60; 4. Antron Brown, 3.768, 328.14  vs. 13. Larry Dixon, 3.829, 318.39; 5. David Grubnic, 3.776, 308.14  vs. 12. Morgan Lucas, 3.814, 325.06; 6. Khalid alBalooshi, 3.777, 326.16  vs. 11. Bob Vandergriff, 3.813, 324.83; 7. Shawn Langdon, 3.784, 326.56  vs. 10. Clay Millican, 3.799, 325.77; 8. Steve Torrence, 3.789, 322.58  vs. 9. Spencer Massey, 3.793, 323.97. Did Not Qualify: 17. Terry McMillen, 3.895, 318.24; 18. T.J. Zizzo, 4.040, 288.03; 19. Steve Faria, 4.149, 263.87; 20. Steven Chrisman, 4.465, 186.28.

Funny Car -- 1. Courtney Force, Ford Mustang, 4.036, 318.24  vs. 16. Phil Burkart, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.640, 287.96; 2. Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 4.045, 317.05  vs. 15. Todd Lesenko, Charger, 4.250, 302.69; 3. Gary Densham, Charger, 4.053, 307.09  vs. 14. Tony Pedregon, Toyota Camry, 4.225, 248.89; 4. Del Worsham, Camry, 4.054, 310.20  vs. 13. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.190, 305.08; 5. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.064, 310.27  vs. 12. Robert Hight, Mustang, 4.111, 311.20; 6. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.073, 314.53  vs. 11. John Force, Mustang, 4.108, 306.05; 7. Johnny Gray, Charger, 4.085, 309.77  vs. 10. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 4.107, 302.69; 8. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.095, 311.70  vs. 9. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.097, 309.20. Did Not Qualify: 17. Jeff Arend, 6.344, 100.92; 18. Terry Haddock, 10.905, 89.63.

Pro Stock -- 1. Mike Edwards, Chevy Camaro, 6.528, 212.39  vs. 16. Chris McGaha, Dodge Avenger, 6.612, 209.04; 2. V. Gaines, Avenger, 6.538, 212.29  vs. 15. Deric Kramer, Avenger, 6.611, 209.69; 3. Erica Enders-Stevens, Chevy Cobalt, 6.539, 212.23  vs. 14. Kurt Johnson, Pontiac GXP, 6.602, 210.08; 4. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.541, 212.43  vs. 13. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.600, 209.95; 5. Vincent Nobile, Avenger, 6.551, 211.46  vs. 12. Matt Hartford, Avenger, 6.599, 210.60; 6. Jeg Coughlin, Avenger, 6.572, 210.97  vs. 11. Steve Kent, GXP, 6.594, 208.97; 7. Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 6.577, 210.31  vs. 10. Allen Johnson, Avenger, 6.594, 211.06; 8. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.580, 211.36  vs. 9. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.582, 210.11. Did Not Qualify: 17. Mark Wolfe, 6.653, 206.76; 18. Warren Johnson, 6.728, 208.55; 19. Larry Morgan, 7.112, 208.71.

NHRA NEWS: NHRA PARTNERS WITH TEN80 EDUCATION AND THE U.S. ARMY TO BRING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH TO LIFE FOR STUDENTS

Students Collaborate, Create & Compete in the Student Racing Challenge

POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 16, 2013) — The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), the U.S. Army and Ten80 Education are kicking off 2013 by immersing students, educators and administrators from across Southern California in the real-life applications of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts and careers.

The Ten80 Student Racing Challenge is a STEM curriculum and optional competition league adopted by schools in 29 states.  Students will be put to the test as they work in teams and compete to optimize performance of high tech tools such as a 1:10 scale radio-controlled (RC) racecar, fuel cells, robots and (new summer 2013) flight vehicles including helicopters. Students across the nation, supported by Ten80’s coalition of engineers and educators, collaborate and compete through challenges that directly parallel the arduous preparation of real racing, engineering and executive teams.

NHRA NEWS: NHRA'S YOUTH AND EDUCATION SERVICES PROGRAM CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2013

GLENDORA, Calif. (Feb. 16, 2013) – NHRA’s Youth & Education Services Program presented by the U.S. Army, the first and only program of its kind in the world of motorsports, is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2013 and continues to inspire and provide career guidance to thousands of high school and college students all across the U.S.

Created in 1989 as way to connect education and drag racing, the Y.E.S Program is a one day event held at 12 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events each season. It is motorsports’ first and only full-time program devoted exclusively to educational programming.  The Y.E.S. Program demonstrates to young men and women the variety of career opportunities within motorsports, the U.S. Army and the automotive industry.

The central themes of the Y.E.S. Program are: the need for continued education; the value of job-specific training; the relevance of establishing clear, attainable goals; and awareness of the variety of career options surrounding motorsports.

NHRA NEWS: SCHUMACHER, BECKMAN AND EDWARDS TAKE QUALIFYING LEADS FRIDAY AT O'REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA WINTERNATIONALS

POMONA, Calif. – Tony Schumacher raced to the qualifying lead in dramatic fashion Friday at the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals presented by Super Start Batteries.

Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) were also qualifying leaders at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona during the 2013 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season opener.

Schumacher drove his U.S. Army dragster to the provisional No. 1 spot with a 3.758 second run at 328.14 mph to lead the Top Fuel class. If the performance holds through two more rounds of qualifying, it will be his 72nd No. 1 of his career. During his run, Schumacher’s parachutes failed to deploy properly and his 8,000-horsepower machine came to a stop in the sand trap at the end of the track. He was not injured.

“It was a great run,” Schumacher said. “From half-track to the finish line it was extremely fast. It was just a dynamite run. The parachute came out and it dropped for whatever reason. It could be a million different things that was the problem. Every time I would start to bounce I’m on and off the brakes because you’ve got to settle it down. I flipped the second parachute out and I don’t think it opened quick enough.”

Also in Top Fuel, Brandon Bernstein moved to second with his Thursday performance of 3.761 at 325.22, while 2012 world champion Antron Brown is currently third with a 3.768 at 328.14 in his Matco Tools dragster.

Reigning Funny Car champion Beckman powered his Valvoline/MTS Dodge Charger to the qualifying lead with a performance of 4.045 at 316.67.

“We are half way through qualifying,” said Beckman. “We’re not even close to declaring who’s going to take the No. 1 position. It was gratifying because we struggled on the first run, and it was gratifying because that first run and the 19 test runs we made in the off season didn’t really go the way we had hoped they would. We thought we had a pretty good hot rod at the end of last year.”

Gary Densham moved to second with his Thursday run of 4.053 at 307.09, while 2012 Rookie of the Year Courtney Force is currently in third place with a 4.071 at 311.49 in her Traxxas Ford Mustang.

In Pro Stock, Edwards knocked off V. Gaines to secure the qualifying lead with a 6.528 pass at 212.39 mph in his Interstate Batteries/I Am Second Pontiac GXP.

“I’m very excited,” Edwards said. “We came here with a brand new car and got three new members on our team and we came here just hoping to qualify.  After two days, to do this, we’re ecstatic. I’ve been coming here for 20 years and I don’t think I’ve ever made a run like that in that right hand lane. It’s had its hold on me for a long time, but it’s very gratifying to come out here and run like that.”

Gaines was second in Pro Stock with a 6.538 at 211.49 in his Kendall Oil Dodge Avenger followed by Erica Enders-Stevens, who posted a 6.539 at 212.23 in her GK Racing Chevy Camaro.

Qualifying continues Saturday at noon and 2 p.m. Eliminations are scheduled for Sunday at 11 a.m.

POMONA, Calif. -- Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 53rd annual O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals presented by Super Start Batteries at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, first of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.  Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.

Top Fuel -- 1. Tony Schumacher, 3.758 seconds, 328.14 mph; 2. Brandon Bernstein, 3.761, 325.22; 3. Antron Brown, 3.768, 328.14; 4. Doug Kalitta, 3.795, 326.71; 5. Khalid alBalooshi, 3.798, 326.16; 6. Clay Millican, 3.799, 325.77; 7. David Grubnic, 3.812, 308.14; 8. Bob Vandergriff, 3.813, 324.83; 9. Morgan Lucas, 3.814, 325.06; 10. Steve Torrence, 3.815, 321.50; 11.

Spencer Massey, 3.827, 318.17; 12. Brittany Force, 3.845, 293.22.  Not Qualified: 13. Larry Dixon, 3.848, 318.39; 14. Leah Pruett, 3.865, 291.38; 15. Sidnei Frigo, 3.873, 306.60; 16. T.J. Zizzo, 3.959, 270.48; 17. Terry McMillen, 3.962, 286.32; 18. Shawn Langdon, 4.013, 222.14; 19. Steve Faria, 4.994, 149.08; 20. Steven Chrisman, 9.317, 83.38.

Funny Car -- 1. Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 4.045, 316.67; 2. Gary Densham, Charger, 4.053, 307.09; 3. Courtney Force, Ford Mustang, 4.071, 311.49; 4. Johnny Gray, Charger, 4.085, 308.78; 5. Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Camry, 4.093, 296.44; 6. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.097, 304.46; 7.

Del Worsham, Camry, 4.101, 306.26; 8. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.102, 314.53; 9. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 4.107, 302.69; 10. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.190, 305.08; 11. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.221, 283.25; 12. Tony Pedregon, Camry, 4.225, 248.89.  Not Qualified: 13. Phil Burkart, 4.239, 287.96; 14. John Force, 4.300, 251.20; 15. Robert Hight, 6.658, 103.52; 16. Jeff Arend, 7.107, 95.17; 17.

Terry Haddock, 7.901, 73.67; 18. Todd Lesenko, 10.190, 63.41.

Pro Stock -- 1. Mike Edwards, Chevy Camaro, 6.528, 212.39; 2. V. Gaines, Dodge Avenger, 6.538, 211.49; 3. Erica Enders-Stevens, Chevy Cobalt, 6.539, 212.23; 4. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.541, 212.43; 5. Vincent Nobile, Avenger, 6.567, 210.67; 6. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.580, 211.03; 7. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.585, 209.82; 8. Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 6.590, 209.33; 9. Steve Kent, Pontiac GXP, 6.606, 208.84; 10. Kurt Johnson, GXP, 6.607, 209.65; 11. Deric Kramer, Avenger, 6.611, 209.01; 12. Chris McGaha, Avenger, 6.612, 209.04.  Not Qualified: 13. Shane Gray, 6.614, 209.75; 14. Warren Johnson, 6.616, 208.52; 15. Larry Morgan, 6.617, 208.71; 16. Matt Hartford, 6.627, 209.79; 17. Mark Wolfe, 6.764, 204.76; 18. Jeg Coughlin, 6.896, 208.26; 19. Allen Johnson, 13.855, 63.06.