MReeves

Fri, 2 Sep 2011, 08:00 PM

Funny Car Qualifying Notes, Session #1
By David Gerard





CLERMONT, Ind. - Notes from round 1 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 57th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil listing lane, driver name, elapsed time, top speed, and position in order following run:

Left Lane: Justin Schriefer Runs 10.623/72.23, Now #2
Right Lane: Terry Haddock Runs 6.787/96.22, Now #1

7:11 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 94 degrees, relative humidity 37 percent, barometer 29.03 inches, adjusted altitude 4,120 feet, track temperature 112 degrees.

Happy Birthday to Dale Creasy Senior!!

The air temp is still high, but the track temp has gone down to 112, so this might not be too bad of a session.

Well, maybe not! Schriefer sits on the starting line a while and then motored on down the track.

Haddock's Solara is up in smoke immediately and he has to click it off.

Two for two!

Left Lane: Jon Capps Runs 4.499/208.10, Now #1
Right Lane: Daniel Wilkerson No Time, Now #4

Wilkerson has rejoined the FC ranks at Indy in a neat looking Summit Racing Mustang for his sixth Professional start. Problems right away and the car is pushed away.

Capps's Monte Carlo drops a cylinder at the green and it only gets worse from there on down.

Three out of four.

Left Lane: Bob Bode Runs 5.577/134.78, Now #3
Right Lane: Jim Head Runs 4.748/187.44, Now #2

Bode couldn't make the tough field at Brainard and is looking for revenge.

Dueling smokers after sixth feet. Bode is first, quickly followed by Head. They will have four more attempts the weekend, depending on the weather on Sunday, to get into the field.

Left Lane: Paul Lee Runs 4.296/299.93, Now #2
Right Lane: Melanie Troxel Runs 4.256/293.22, Now #1

Troxel is running the In-N-Out body this weekend. Two full passes this time and good numbers for the conditions. They leave almost together and have identical sixty foot times. They run that way to the finish line and finish within 0.040 of each other to set a mark for the field.

Paul Lee's incremental times: 60ft-0.923 sec., 330ft-2.443, 660ft-3.475/251.39 mph.
Melanie Troxel's incremental times: 60ft-0.923 sec., 330ft-2.394, 660ft-3.424/249.30 mph.

Left Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 4.282/297.29, Now #3
Right Lane: Johnny Gray Runs 4.192/303.03, Now #1

Pedregon is running the K Love colors this weekend.

Two more strong passes and the Brainard winner, Gray, resets the top spot with a strong pass.

Pedregon was away first and was just a little slower going down the track.

Tony Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.933 sec., 330ft-2.411, 660ft-3.454/248.89 mph.
Johnny Gray's incremental times: 60ft-0.924 sec., 330ft-2.371, 660ft-3.380/255.29 mph.

Left Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 5.091/153.07, Now #8
Right Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 4.264/292.58, Now #3

Tasca really needs to rack some points here this weekend to get a spot in the Countdown. The little points are important at this point too. He leaves first and hard with a nice 0.926 sixtyfoot time. Good pass until just after the 660 lights, where the tires are up in smoke.

Arend gets the full pass and takes over the current #3 spot.

Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.926 sec., 330ft-2.398, 660ft-3.652/173.32 mph.
Jeff Arend's incremental times: 60ft-0.918 sec., 330ft-2.404, 660ft-3.429/250.18 mph.

Left Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.244/292.46, Now #2
Right Lane: John Force Runs 5.535/151.14, Now #10

Team Force has fielded a special edition "Fan and Sponsor Tribute" black and yellow Mustang for just this week.

They leave together and Wilkerson starts to pull steadily ahead and then Force strikes the tires before the 660 lights. He pumps the throttle and it bangs the blower.

Wilkerson keeps the tires glued on the track and runs hard into the new #2 spot.

Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.910 sec., 330ft-2.383, 660ft-3.410/250.18 mph.
John Force's incremental times: 60ft-0.927 sec., 330ft-2.494, 660ft-4.064/151.71 mph.

Left Lane: Ron Capps Runs 4.161/302.08, Now #1
Right Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 4.212/290.76, Now #3

Terry Haddock is on the bump spot at 6.787.

Two of the Team Schumacher Funny Cars run side by side down the track together. Capps is away first and has the better incrementals after the sixty foot lights to pull steadily ahead into the new top spot.

Hagan is right behind him and slides into the #3 spot. Nice runs a pair!

Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.904 sec., 330ft-2.343, 660ft-3.349/255.63 mph.
Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.903 sec., 330ft-2.363, 660ft-3.377/252.05 mph.

Left Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 4.147/300.40, Now #1
Right Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 5.104/151.07, Now #13

Beckman was over enjoying the Cackle fest earlier with a big smile on his face. He loses his smile near the 660 lights, as the slicks are up in smoke.

Pedregon makes another of his big strong passes right down Broadway into the new top spot.

Cruz Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.918 sec., 330ft-2.338, 660ft-3.334/256.99 mph.
Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.911 sec., 330ft-2.360, 660ft-3.635/168.94 mph.

Left Lane: Robert Hight Runs 4.196/301.47, Now #4
Right Lane: Mike Neff Runs 4.747/176.12, Now #12

Bob Tasca III is on the bump spot at 5.091.

The other two Team Force Funny Cars come to the line to wrap the first session. Still really hot out there!

Identical RT's and only 0.008 difference at sixty feet. Neff starts to pull ahead through the first 330 feet and then kicks the slicks and slows.

Hight way on a great pass, but could only muster a #4 finish. Full pass though.

Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.916 sec., 330ft-2.373, 660ft-3.382/255.39 mph.
Mike Neff's incremental times: 60ft-0.908 sec., 330ft-2.366, 660ft-3.495/199.70 mph.

7:44 p.m. Pedregon stays #1 with a 4.147 and Mike Neff is on the bump spot at 4.747.


Timing data courtesy of CompuLink







From DragRaceCentral.com

MReeves

Sat, 3 Sep 2011, 06:34 PM

Funny Car Qualifying Notes, Session #2
By David Gerard





CLERMONT, Ind. - Notes from round 2 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 57th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil listing lane, driver name, elapsed time/top speed this round, position in order following run, best prior elapsed time/speed, and position in order prior to run:

Right Lane: Daniel Wilkerson Runs 6.372/104.22, Now #18; No Prior Run

5:52 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 95 degrees, relative humidity 37 percent, barometer 28.93 inches, adjusted altitude 4,290 feet, track temperature 122 degrees.

Mike Neff is on the bump spot at 4.747.

Wilkerson's Mustang was shut off on the line yesterday. He gets a strong hundred foot plus pass until the slicks are up in smoke.

Right Lane: Terry Haddock Runs 6.254/109.25, Now #18; Best prior run: 6.787/96.22, Was #19

Instant replay! Haddock basically repeats Wilkerson' pass. He runs a tad quicker to move up one spot on the ladder to #18 for now.

Left Lane: Bob Bode Runs 4.693/189.18, Now #12; Best prior run: 5.577/134.78, Was #17
Right Lane: John Force Runs 6.054/114.89, Now #17; Best prior run: 5.535/151.14, Was #16

Bode gets into the field for now by holding off the tire smoke until further down the track.

Force doesn't get a far as yesterday before kicking the tires hard.

Left Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 4.714/260.56, Now #13; Best prior run: 5.091/153.07, Was #15
Right Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 5.757/121.28, Now #16; Best prior run: 5.104/151.07, Was #16

Bob Bode is on the bump spot at 4.693.

Dueling tire smoke. They leave together and then smoke the tires together, about one hundred feet out. Tasca pumps the throttle again and gets a little further before having to shut it off. That's good enough to move the Quick Lane Mustang up to the #13 spot. Still not good enough to get into the field.

Left Lane: Jon Capps Runs 9.621/81.32, Now #12; Best prior run: 4.499/208.10, Was #11
Right Lane: Jim Head Runs 4.258/298.40, Now #8; Best prior run: 4.748/187.44, Was #15

Head finds a tune up that works this time and makes a reasonable pass for the conditions, all the way up to the new #8 spot. Good run, all things considered.

Capps is too agressive this time and strikes the tires shortly after the 60 foot lights and loses a spot down to the bump.

Jim Head's incremental times: 60ft-0.926 sec., 330ft-2.401, 660ft-3.431/252.10 mph.

Left Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 5.014/158.63, Now #10; Best prior run: 4.282/297.29, Was #10
Right Lane: Mike Neff Runs 4.343/287.35, Now #12; Best prior run: 4.747/176.12, Was #15

Jon Capps is on the bump spot at 4.499.

Neff does what he needs to to get into the field and tip toes down the track into the new bump spot.

Pedregon's engine must have lost the blower belt down track, as the car slows abruptly and there is raw fuel out of all of the pipes. He stays #10 for now.

Mike Neff's incremental times: 60ft-0.938 sec., 330ft-2.440, 660ft-3.494/245.23 mph.

Left Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.225/293.98, Now #6; Best prior run: 4.244/292.46, Was #6
Right Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 4.306/291.57, Now #9; Best prior run: 4.264/292.58, Was #9

Once again, both cars get down the track without issues and run the best times of the session, so far. Nice.

They stay #6 and #9, but that's understandable in the tough conditions.

Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.929 sec., 330ft-2.384, 660ft-3.399/252.76 mph.
Jeff Arend's incremental times: 60ft-0.926 sec., 330ft-2.419, 660ft-3.461/244.78 mph.

Left Lane: Robert Hight Runs 7.306/92.57, Now #4; Best prior run: 4.196/301.47, Was #4
Right Lane: Melanie Troxel Runs 4.559/203.74, Now #7; Best prior run: 4.256/293.22, Was #7

Almost two good passes. They have strong numbers down low and are pulling hard past the 330 lights. Hight's Mustang is first to have the tires smoke, quickly followed by Troxel's.

Left Lane: Ron Capps Runs 6.344/102.44, Now #2; Best prior run: 4.161/302.08, Was #2
Right Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 4.342/271.68, Now #5; Best prior run: 4.212/290.76, Was #5

They leave almost together and run about the same sixty foot numbers, but Capp's Charger smokes the tires hard right after that.

Hagan gets further down the track, but can't get to the finish line without the tires smoking.

Left Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 6.380/113.35, Now #1; Best prior run: 4.147/300.40, Was #1
Right Lane: Johnny Gray Runs 4.211/300.86, Now #3; Best prior run: 4.192/303.03, Was #3

Gray saves the best for last and must have learned from Hagan's pass. Both cars are softer off the line, but Pedregon's Solara is done before the three thirty.

Gray's Service Central Charger continues on down the track on a clean pass for the best ET and MPH of the session. He'll stay #3, and that's impressive...

Johnny Gray's incremental times: 60ft-0.922 sec., 330ft-2.376, 660ft-3.395/253.33 mph.

6:27 p.m. Pedregon stays #1 and Mike Neff is on the bump spot at 4.343.


Timing data courtesy of CompuLink










From DragRaceCentral.com

MReeves

Sat, 3 Sep 2011, 10:00 PM

Funny Car Qualifying Notes, Session #3
By David Gerard





CLERMONT, Ind. - Notes from round 3 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 57th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil listing lane, driver name, elapsed time/top speed this round, position in order following run, best prior elapsed time/speed, and position in order prior to run:

Left Lane: Daniel Wilkerson Runs 6.454/101.49, Now #20; Best prior run: 6.372/104.22, Was #19
Right Lane: Justin Schriefer Runs 5.743/140.83, Now #18; Best prior run: 10.623/72.23, Was #20

9:07 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 85 degrees, relative humidity 52 percent, barometer 28.94 inches, adjusted altitude 3,712 feet, track temperature 103 degrees.

Mike Neff is on the bump spot at 4.343. Most of the TF'ers ran OK, but few big improvements.

Both cars are on and off the throttle right off the line. They pump the throttles and then gave it up.

Left Lane: Terry Haddock Runs 4.435/275.56, Now #13; Best prior run: 6.254/109.25, Was #19
Right Lane: Paul Lee Runs 4.171/307.86, Now #3; Best prior run: 4.296/299.93, Was #11

Two full passes with header flames over the roofs all the way down the track and through the lights.

Lee only runs a 0.926 sixty foot time, but he keeps the cylinders lit and thunders into the new #3 spot on the ladder with a great pass.

Haddock gets a full pass, but can't match the pace to miss the top twelve.

Terry Haddock's incremental times: 60ft-0.962 sec., 330ft-2.464, 660ft-3.548/234.98 mph.
Paul Lee's incremental times: 60ft-0.926 sec., 330ft-2.385, 660ft-3.374/261.72 mph.

Left Lane: John Force Runs 4.184/307.30, Now #4; Best prior run: 5.535/151.14, Was #18
Right Lane: Jon Capps Runs 4.239/286.68, Now #9; Best prior run: 4.499/208.10, Was #14

Force make it one for three with a strong pass well up the ladder into the number four spot. They have gone back to the traditional "Ashley" body and it may have helped.

Capps gets near a full pass this time and it's a good one, matching Force until after the 660 lights. That moves them well into the field in the number nine position.

John Force's incremental times: 60ft-0.921 sec., 330ft-2.377, 660ft-3.382/257.87 mph.
Jon Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.922 sec., 330ft-2.383, 660ft-3.393/252.71 mph.

Left Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 4.226/301.27, Now #9; Best prior run: 5.104/151.07, Was #18
Right Lane: Robert Hight Runs 5.794/102.34, Now #6; Best prior run: 4.196/301.47, Was #6

Jeff Arend is on the bump spot at 4.264.

Beckman gets the best of this pair with a full pass through the lights and into the field in the number nine spot.

Hight had the better incrementals until the 660 lights and then spun the tires to slow.

Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.916 sec., 330ft-2.392, 660ft-3.410/253.95 mph.
Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.908 sec., 330ft-2.374, 660ft-3.820/145.27 mph.

Left Lane: Melanie Troxel Runs 4.139/309.63, Now #2; Best prior run: 4.256/293.22, Was #11
Right Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 4.071/301.54, Now #1; Best prior run: 4.147/300.40, Was #1

Jim Head is on the bump spot at 4.258.

Pedregon throws down the gauntlet with a beautiful pass "right down Broadway" and right into the very low fours in the new number one spot.

Troxel was right behind him in her Solara and chases him into the new #2 spot.

That was fun!

Melanie Troxel's incremental times: 60ft-0.915 sec., 330ft-2.358, 660ft-3.347/261.62 mph.
Cruz Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.905 sec., 330ft-2.306, 660ft-3.275/263.20 mph.

Left Lane: Mike Neff Runs 4.182/301.33, Now #5; Best prior run: 4.343/287.35, Was #15
Right Lane: Ron Capps Runs 5.277/139.23, Now #3; Best prior run: 4.161/302.08, Was #3

Neff started the session on the bump and is now #15. He quickly takes care of that and thunders down the left lane with the header flames high to move into the top half of the field in #5.

Capp's Charger was just too agressive and the tires are up in smoke right after the sixty foot lights.

Mike Neff's incremental times: 60ft-0.913 sec., 330ft-2.362, 660ft-3.371/256.11 mph.

Left Lane: Matt Hagan No Time, Now #9; Best prior run: 4.212/290.76, Was #9
Right Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 4.231/299.26, Now #12; Best prior run: 4.282/297.29, Was #15

Jon Capps is on the bump spot at 4.239.

Pedregon does what he needed to do and gets the K Love Impala into the field in the new bump spot on a clean pass.

Hagan was spectacular, with a huge BOOMER right off the line. The body bulges and the fire lights up the night. The car is quickly over by the wall and stopped. He won't get a time.

Tony Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.938 sec., 330ft-2.403, 660ft-3.413/254.81 mph.

Left Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 6.161/109.56, Now #15; Best prior run: 4.264/292.58, Was #15
Right Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 9.999/0.00, Now #18; Best prior run: 4.714/260.56, Was #18

Neither car is in the field and aren't going to be tonight.

They leave together and have some good numbers down low, but Arend's tires are up in smoke just before the 330 lights. Tasca gets a little further down and then starts to drift over and clip the 1000 foot reflector to DQ his 4.529 ET at 198.70MPH.

Left Lane: Jim Head Runs 4.206/293.86, Now #9; Best prior run: 4.258/298.40, Was #14
Right Lane: Bob Bode Runs 4.228/293.86, Now #13; Best prior run: 4.693/189.18, Was #17

Two nice looking passes and Head's better run keeps Bode from qualifying tonight. Bode made his best pass of the weekend with times that should have put him into the top twelve, but Head's better pass sticks him back in the number thirteenth position.

Nice pass for Head into the #9 spot for now.

Jim Head's incremental times: 60ft-0.918 sec., 330ft-2.387, 660ft-3.394/256.94 mph.
Bob Bode's incremental times: 60ft-0.922 sec., 330ft-2.379, 660ft-3.397/252.05 mph.

Left Lane: Johnny Gray Runs 5.171/145.78, Now #8; Best prior run: 4.192/303.03, Was #7
Right Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.138/302.96, Now #2; Best prior run: 4.225/293.98, Was #11

Jack Beckman is on the bump spot at 4.226.

Gray was out in front and had strong numbers down low. The cylinders start to drop and the tires spin before the 660 lights and he slows.

Wilkerson is taking no prisoners in the right lane and makes the second best run of the day, right into the number two spot. Another thing of beauty.

Johnny Gray's incremental times: 60ft-0.927 sec., 330ft-2.366, 660ft-3.663/166.39 mph.
Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.929 sec., 330ft-2.361, 660ft-3.334/262.18 mph.

9:52 p.m.


Timing data courtesy of CompuLink









From DragRaceCentral.com

MReeves

Sun, 4 Sep 2011, 12:40 PM

Funny Car Qualifying Notes, Session #4
By David Gerard





CLERMONT, Ind. - Notes from round 4 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 57th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil listing lane, driver name, elapsed time/top speed this round, position in order following run, best prior elapsed time/speed, and position in order prior to run:

Left Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 4.202/287.11, Now #11; No Prior Run
Right Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 4.071/309.13, Now #1; Best prior run: 4.212/290.76, Was #11

11:52 a.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 91 degrees, relative humidity 59 percent, barometer 28.98 inches, adjusted altitude 3,372 feet, track temperature 98 degrees.

Not a pair that you expect to see as first out in a session.

Now that's more like it. Tasca has been looking for this pass in the three prior sessions. Now he has something to tune to. Has to be a big sigh of relief for the crew.

Hagan fixed his problems from last night and then some, as he powers on down the track to match Pedregon's stellar ET from last night, with a better speed and captures the new top spot. Cool!

Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.918 sec., 330ft-2.372, 660ft-3.373/258.07 mph.
Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.885 sec., 330ft-2.298, 660ft-3.278/262.03 mph.

Left Lane: Robert Hight Runs 4.135/308.35, Now #3; Best prior run: 4.196/301.47, Was #10
Right Lane: Daniel Wilkerson Runs 4.212/302.55, Now #13; No Prior Run

The younger Wilkerson finally gets a pass and it's good enough to move into the field in the new #13 position. Good MPH too.

Hight wanted to forget the 2nd and 3rd passes and this will definitely help! He leaves with a strong 0.095 sixty foot time and makes a strong pass to the finish line and into the top four.

Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.905 sec., 330ft-2.343, 660ft-3.338/259.51 mph.
Daniel Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.917 sec., 330ft-2.393, 660ft-3.401/257.09 mph.

Right Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 4.195/299.60, Now #11; No Prior Run

Arend gets a single and finally moves into the field on a smooth pass. It's good enough for the number eleven position.

Jeff Arend's incremental times: 60ft-0.912 sec., 330ft-2.370, 660ft-3.375/254.81 mph.

Left Lane: Ron Capps Runs 4.139/307.93, Now #6; Best prior run: 4.161/302.08, Was #6
Right Lane: Johnny Gray Runs 4.203/301.54, Now #10; Best prior run: 4.192/303.03, Was #10

Capps gets a full pass this time and improves his ET, but stays #6.

Gray makes another strong pass and slows just a bit to stay number ten. Nice looking runs.

Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.904 sec., 330ft-2.340, 660ft-3.340/258.47 mph.
Johnny Gray's incremental times: 60ft-0.924 sec., 330ft-2.379, 660ft-3.388/254.62 mph.

Left Lane: Jon Capps Runs 4.230/284.15, Now #16; No Prior Run
Right Lane: Terry Haddock Runs 4.330/293.86, Now #17; No Prior Run

This pair will give us our first bump spot.

Haddock picks up a bunch of ET, but gives up the bump spot to an improving Capps.

The Biesenbach Monte Carlo got close to the wall way down track, but Capps doesn't lift.

Jon Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.920 sec., 330ft-2.380, 660ft-3.386/252.71 mph.
Terry Haddock's incremental times: 60ft-0.972 sec., 330ft-2.466, 660ft-3.498/250.27 mph.

Left Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 4.429/270.97, Now #18; No Prior Run
Right Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 4.161/307.93, Now #7; Best prior run: 4.226/301.27, Was #15

Pedregon can't match his prior 4.231 best and he will go into round five outside the show. Tough position to be in.

Beckman makes it look easy on another strong pass. This time into the top half of the field in the new #7 spot.

Tony Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.931 sec., 330ft-2.452, 660ft-3.533/234.94 mph.
Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.913 sec., 330ft-2.366, 660ft-3.363/259.51 mph.

Left Lane: Bob Bode Runs 4.250/288.21, Now #17; No Prior Run
Right Lane: Jim Head Runs 4.147/305.63, Now #7; Best prior run: 4.206/293.86, Was #14

Jon Capps is on the bump spot at 4.230.

To quote Bob Frey: "Nice run, Jim Head!". I agree... He leaves with a 0.911 sixty foot time and powers on down the track to improve seven spots and into the current #7 spot.

Bode can't improve and will not make the field this session.

Bob Bode's incremental times: 60ft-0.917 sec., 330ft-2.384, 660ft-3.408/250.27 mph.
Jim Head's incremental times: 60ft-0.911 sec., 330ft-2.347, 660ft-3.341/258.71 mph.

Left Lane: Paul Lee Runs 4.233/275.22, Now #9; Best prior run: 4.171/307.86, Was #9
Right Lane: John Force Runs 5.554/146.91, Now #11; Best prior run: 4.184/307.30, Was #11

Force is still running the green Castrol scheme body. Both cars are in the field and looking to improve.

No joy for either team, but Lee comes the closest to smiling, with three out of four good passes down the track.

Force's Mustang has a strong 0.903 sixty foot time, but quickly slows to heavy tire smoke right after the sixty foot lights.

Paul Lee's incremental times: 60ft-0.920 sec., 330ft-2.412, 660ft-3.408/260.91 mph.

Left Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.178/294.24, Now #5; Best prior run: 4.138/302.96, Was #4
Right Lane: Mike Neff Runs 4.118/309.63, Now #3; Best prior run: 4.182/301.33, Was #10

Neff takes the Force Mustang all the way up to the new number three spot and match's Troxel's top speed on a strong pass.

Wilkerson is four for four on clean passes and gets bumped down a spot by Neff.

Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.915 sec., 330ft-2.366, 660ft-3.358/258.07 mph.
Mike Neff's incremental times: 60ft-0.905 sec., 330ft-2.345, 660ft-3.328/263.77 mph.

Left Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 7.737/88.48, Now #3; Best prior run: 4.071/301.54, Was #2
Right Lane: Melanie Troxel Runs 4.068/313.73, Now #1; Best prior run: 4.139/309.63, Was #6

Last pair and Pedregon is looking to get his #1 position back from Hagan, but Troxel's pass is just spectacular.

She leaves really hard with a 0.897 sixty foot time and continues to power down the track, showing the rest of the field how it should be done... Huge 313.730 MPH too, a career best!

Pedregon's chances went away before the 330 lights, as the slicks are smoking hard after a good leave.

Cruz Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.905 sec., 330ft-2.745, 660ft-5.161/091.94 mph.
Melanie Troxel's incremental times: 60ft-0.897 sec., 330ft-2.323, 660ft-3.289/267.37 mph.

12:23 p.m. Jon Capps is on the bump spot at 4.230.


Timing data courtesy of CompuLink







From DragRaceCentral.com

MReeves

Sun, 4 Sep 2011, 05:52 PM

Funny Car Qualifying Notes, Final Session
By David Gerard





CLERMONT, Ind. - Notes from final, round 5 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 57th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil listing lane, driver name, elapsed time/top speed this round, position in order following run, best prior elapsed time/speed, and position in order prior to run:

Left Lane: Terry Haddock Runs 4.276/296.24, Now #18; Best prior run: 4.330/293.86, Was #18
Right Lane: Justin Schriefer Runs 4.415/279.79, Now #19; No Prior Run

4:55 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 75 degrees, relative humidity 67 percent, barometer 28.97 inches, adjusted altitude 2,964 feet, track temperature 96 degrees.

We have had exciting Pro Stock Bike and Car sessions, so this should be a "barn burner". Jon Capps is on the bump spot at 4.230.

Both cars need to pick up a bunch to get into the field. Haddock makes a valiant effort, but can't find the tune up to get the Solara into the field. Schriefer improves one spot to #19.

Terry Haddock's incremental times: 60ft-0.954 sec., 330ft-2.434, 660ft-3.451/253.18 mph.
Justin Schriefer's incremental times: 60ft-0.976 sec., 330ft-2.482, 660ft-3.542/239.44 mph.

Left Lane: Daniel Wilkerson Runs 4.090/307.37, Now #4; Best prior run: 4.212/302.55, Was #15
Right Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 4.208/293.03, Now #16; Best prior run: 4.429/270.97, Was #20

Pedregon is usually in the field well before this time. He almost misses with a lot of smoke in the lights, but is in the field on the bump for now, with four cars left that can still bump him.

Wilkerson must have stolen Dad's tuneup book, as the Summit Mustang thunders down the track, after a 0.904 sixty foot time, into the top four on the ladder. That's a new Personal Best ET and MPH for the budding driver.

Daniel Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.904 sec., 330ft-2.326, 660ft-3.297/264.13 mph.
Tony Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.917 sec., 330ft-2.361, 660ft-3.379/252.66 mph.

Left Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 4.196/299.00, Now #15; Best prior run: 4.195/299.60, Was #14
Right Lane: Bob Bode Runs 4.185/295.79, Now #13; Best prior run: 4.250/288.21, Was #18

Pedregon's long qualifying streak of 101 is over! Bode finally finds his tune up and pushes both Tony and Arend down the ladder.

Arend make a great pass and ran within 0.001 of his best, but can't improve.

Bob Tasca III ends up on the bump spot at 4.202.

Jeff Arend's incremental times: 60ft-0.920 sec., 330ft-2.374, 660ft-3.379/255.48 mph.
Bob Bode's incremental times: 60ft-0.910 sec., 330ft-2.357, 660ft-3.360/254.33 mph.

Left Lane: Johnny Gray Runs 4.124/308.85, Now #6; Best prior run: 4.192/303.03, Was #14
Right Lane: Jon Capps Runs 4.247/287.53, Now #18; Best prior run: 4.230/284.15, Was #18

Capps is the last car that can bump in and, while making another strong pass, won't push Tasca out.

Gray shows the necessary power and sticks the car to the track and moves into the top half of the field in the new #6 position.

Johnny Gray's incremental times: 60ft-0.915 sec., 330ft-2.336, 660ft-3.327/260.16 mph.
Jon Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.936 sec., 330ft-2.409, 660ft-3.414/255.63 mph.

Left Lane: John Force Runs 4.097/313.15, Now #5; Best prior run: 4.184/307.30, Was #13
Right Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 4.120/309.06, Now #7; Best prior run: 4.202/287.11, Was #16

Tasca stays alive in the Countdown by qualifying today, but needs to pick up the pace and get off the bump spot for an easier race tomorrow. Force has only made one good lap so far and needs a tuneup going into tomorrow's eliminations.

OK, they both get it all together at the last minute and run almost side by side to the finish line. Both cars are in the top half of the field for now, with Force in #5 and Tasca in #7. Ford will like this!

John Force's incremental times: 60ft-0.905 sec., 330ft-2.346, 660ft-3.315/266.37 mph.
Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.901 sec., 330ft-2.344, 660ft-3.328/263.05 mph.

Left Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 4.082/312.93, Now #4; Best prior run: 4.161/307.93, Was #13
Right Lane: Paul Lee Runs 4.136/296.63, Now #11; Best prior run: 4.171/307.86, Was #14

Jeff Arend is on the bump spot at 4.195.

...and the hits keep coming! Beckman's Valvoline/Aaron's Challenger cards a great 0.909 sixty footy time and pulls steadily ahead of an improving Lee and into the top four.

Lee continue to show great performance and once again moves up the ladder to the #11 position.

Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.909 sec., 330ft-2.337, 660ft-3.300/267.85 mph.
Paul Lee's incremental times: 60ft-0.920 sec., 330ft-2.344, 660ft-3.324/261.27 mph.

Left Lane: Jim Head Runs 29.612/56.29, Now #14; Best prior run: 4.147/305.63, Was #14
Right Lane: Ron Capps Runs 4.069/314.31, Now #2; Best prior run: 4.139/307.93, Was #13

The recent addition of Tim Richardson to the NAPA team continues to show high returns. Capps makes a big move off the line with a 0.899 sixty foot time and zooms to the finish line and right into the new #2 position, with a new track speed record.

Head had a major problem at the green with a huge blower bang with flame out of the body. The chutes deploy and he pulls over to the wall. Lots of work to do before tomorrow.

Jim Head's incremental times: 60ft-1.163 sec., 330ft-5.481, 660ft-15.171/100.43 mph.
Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.899 sec., 330ft-2.321, 660ft-3.290/267.96 mph.

Left Lane: Mike Neff Runs 4.130/302.96, Now #8; Best prior run: 4.118/309.63, Was #8
Right Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.513/195.70, Now #13; Best prior run: 4.138/302.96, Was #13

Neither car can improve. Neff is away first and gets a full pass after a 0.908 sixty foot time, but slows a little from his prior best.

Looks like Dad Wilkerson didn't get his tune up book back, as the car smokes the tires, after a strong leave, right at the 660 lights.

Mike Neff's incremental times: 60ft-0.908 sec., 330ft-2.351, 660ft-3.330/264.03 mph.
Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.910 sec., 330ft-2.337, 660ft-3.381/219.86 mph.

Left Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 7.284/86.49, Now #3; Best prior run: 4.071/309.13, Was #3
Right Lane: Robert Hight Runs 4.098/312.06, Now #8; Best prior run: 4.135/308.35, Was #11

Hagan will stay #3, as the slicks are spinning hard before the 330 lights.

Hight shows the Prock Rocket is back. The AAA Mustang is only 0.914 in sixty feet, but keeps the candles lit and moves into the current top half of the field.

Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.890 sec., 330ft-2.586, 660ft-4.752/099.71 mph.
Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.914 sec., 330ft-2.341, 660ft-3.314/265.59 mph.

Left Lane: Melanie Troxel No Time, Now #2; Best prior run: 4.068/313.73, Was #1
Right Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 4.026/314.24, Now #1; Best prior run: 4.071/301.54, Was #4

Troxel has already taken the number one spot in Pro Mod and needs to hold off Pedregon. He has never qualified number one here.

Well, that takes care of that! Pedregon starts with a 0.987 in sixty feet and then runs a track record ET to push Troxel back to number two and nails one of his lifetime goals. What a pass!

Troxel strikes the tires right off the line, bangs the blower hard , and pulls over to the wall. There is oil in her lane, but no penality.

Melanie Troxel's incremental times: 60ft-1.361 sec., 330ft-99.999, 660ft-99.999/000.00 mph.
Cruz Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.897 sec., 330ft-2.288, 660ft-3.247/268.54 mph.

5:35 p.m.


Timing data courtesy of CompuLink








From DragRacingCentral.com

MReeves

Results for Elimination Round 1
CLERMONT, Ind. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 1 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 57th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil:

W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed

(W) Matt Hagan ( Mopar Challenger)
(L) Tim Wilkerson (Levi Ray & Shoup Mustang) 0.075 7.944 106.43

11:48 a.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 66 degrees, relative humidity 50 percent, barometer 29.09 inches, adjusted altitude 1,905 feet, track temperature 79 degrees.
Great races in round one of TF. Wilkerson and Hagan have each won 2 times against the other in prior events. Wilkerson won here in 2003.
After five great passes in qualifying, Wilkerson shakes and smokes the slicks right off the line and slows.
Terrific pass for Hagen. His best of the weekend to take the easy win.
Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.897 sec., 330ft-2.306, 660ft-3.275/265.33 mph.

(W) Daniel Wilkerson (Summit Racing Equipment M 0.125 4.124 303.03
(L) Johnny Gray (Service Central Charger) 0.100 7.782 78.53

This is the first time Wilkerson and Gray have faced each other in eliminations. Both drivers ran career best times in qualifying. Gray was runner-up here in 2003.
Well, that was weird. Gray's chute comes out right off the line and puts his Countdown hopes to rest. Wilkerson makes a strong pass in the left lane. He still has power!
Daniel Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.917 sec., 330ft-2.352, 660ft-3.325/263.36 mph.

(W) Melanie Troxel (ProCare RX Solara) 0.081 4.428 215.17
(L) Bob Bode (Alard Machine Products Solara) 0.100 7.225 105.23

Troxel is 1 - 0 against Bode in prior events. Troxel ran a career best speed in qualifying.
Troxel gets off the line first and is on another great looking pass until just before the top end lights. The tires start to smoke and that drives the car hard towards the centerline. She gets it back in the lane just enough to stay off the stripe.
Bode's chances were over quickly, as the tires are smoking hard right after the sixty foot lights.
Melanie Troxel's incremental times: 60ft-0.910 sec., 330ft-2.332, 660ft-3.375/220.44 mph.

(W) Jeff Arend (DHL Solara) 0.057 4.139 309.63
(L) Cruz Pedregon (Snap-On Solara) 0.118 4.127 291.13

Pedregon is 9 - 4 against Arend in prior events. Pedregon is a three time winner and making his first start from the number one position.
Ouch! Arend gets a big starting line advantage and holds Pedregon's Solara off all the way down the track for a hole shot win. Both cars are clean down the track.
Jeff Arend's incremental margins: 60ft(0.038), 330 ft(0.015), 660ft(0.016). MOV: 0.0498 seconds (approximately 21 feet).
Jeff Arend's incremental times: 60ft-0.935 sec., 330ft-2.375, 660ft-3.351/265.01 mph.
Cruz Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.912 sec., 330ft-2.329, 660ft-3.306/259.76 mph.

(W) Ron Capps (NAPA Charger) 0.085 4.118 309.20
(L) Jim Head (Head Racing Solara) 0.095 4.227 300.80

Capps is 10 - 3 against Head in prior events. Head won Funny Car here in 1984 and Top Fuel in 1997.
Capps gets a small lead off the line and is able to steadily pull ahead all the way to the finish line and a big win. He'll have lane choice over Daniel Wilkerson in the next round.
Heads incrementals weren't strong enough low to keep the pace.
Ron Capps' incremental margins: 60ft(0.021), 330 ft(0.066), 660ft(0.093). MOV: 0.1194 seconds (approximately 53 feet).
Jim Head's incremental times: 60ft-0.929 sec., 330ft-2.398, 660ft-3.410/254.09 mph.
Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.918 sec., 330ft-2.342, 660ft-3.327/262.54 mph.

(W) Jack Beckman (NextGen Charger) 0.093 4.066 315.19
(L) Paul Lee (Jim Dunn/Rislone/Bars Leaks Impal 0.074 4.164 293.60

Beckman is 3 - 0 against Lee in prior events. He was runner-up in 2008.
Lee has had a great weekend and runs another strong pass, but it's just no enough against a charging Beckman. He gets off the line first, but Beckman is quickly around him and stretches out the lead.
Beckman's ET matches his team mate, Hagan to the thousandth, but a huge 315.19 speed gives him lane choice, a career best, and the new track record.
Jack Beckman's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(0.015), 330 ft(0.031), 660ft(0.042). MOV: 0.0795 seconds (approximately 34 feet).
Paul Lee's incremental times: 60ft-0.938 sec., 330ft-2.374, 660ft-3.349/261.27 mph.
Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.904 sec., 330ft-2.324, 660ft-3.288/267.75 mph.

(W) Bob Tasca III (Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustan 0.063 4.162 302.75
(L) John Force (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.065 11.698 46.40

Force is 6 - 5 against Tasca III in prior events. Force is a four time winner and runner-up three times. Tasca has been runner-up here in TAFC twice.
Force only made one good pass in qualifying and he is up in smoke before the 330 lights.
Tasca has clinched the tenth spot in the Countdown and has a small 0.002 advantage off the line. The Quick Lane Mustang powers on down the track with ease and will take lane choice over Troxel in round two.
Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.928 sec., 330ft-2.372, 660ft-3.359/262.49 mph.

(W) Mike Neff (Ford Drive One Mustang) 0.093 4.086 312.78
(L) Robert Hight (AAA of So. Cal Mustang) 0.071 4.210 295.85

Hight is 5 - 4 against Neff in prior events. Hight has won here two times and been runner up two times. The Boss just lost, so only one team car will go on to round two.
Hight is away first and pulling, but Neff's tune up takes over before the 330 lights and the Ford - Drive One Mustang goes on by and pulls ahead all the way to the finish line. Hight's engine was mixing the cylinders up down track and he can't close the deal.
Neff will have lane choice over Arend in the next round.
Mike Neff's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.025), 330 ft(0.011), 660ft(0.060). MOV: 0.1023 seconds (approximately 44 feet).Mike Neff's incremental times: 60ft-0.910 sec., 330ft-2.338, 660ft-3.305/266.79 mph.
Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.907 sec., 330ft-2.371, 660ft-3.387/252.99 mph.












From NHRA.com

MReeves

Results for Elimination Round 2
CLERMONT, Ind. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 2 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 57th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil:

W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed

(W) Ron Capps (NAPA Charger) 0.076 4.095 309.91
(L) Daniel Wilkerson (Summit Racing Equipment M 0.084 11.342 77.47

2:08 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 67 degrees, relative humidity 47 percent, barometer 29.09 inches, adjusted altitude 1,986 feet, track temperature 84 degrees.
Capps is 1 - 0 against Wilkerson in prior events.
Wilkerson fairytale weekend comes to an end with tire smoke at the green.
Capps tunes up the NAPA Charger from the first round and powers on down the track for the easy win. Nice clean pass.
Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.906 sec., 330ft-2.321, 660ft-3.305/261.57 mph.

(W) Matt Hagan (Mopar Charger) 0.092 4.066 315.05
(L) Jack Beckman (NextGen Charger) 0.068 4.112 314.31

Beckman is 6 - 2 against Hagan in prior events. Team DSR to the line.
Beckman is away first first and leads Hagen until just before the 330 lights. Hagan drives on by and just misses a track record with one of the top ten speeds in Funny Car.
Beckman stays close and keeps his track record for speed with a ten foot loss.
Matt Hagan's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.020), 330 ft(0.006), 660ft(0.018). MOV: 0.0224 seconds (approximately 10 feet)
Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.919 sec., 330ft-2.332, 660ft-3.290/268.81 mph.
Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.923 sec., 330ft-2.362, 660ft-3.332/266.48 mph.

(W) Mike Neff (Ford Drive One Mustang) 0.086 4.062 310.91
(L) Jeff Arend (DHL Solara) 0.061 4.503 196.79

Neff is 5 - 2 against Arend in prior events.
Arend is away first, but both cars are dead even at sixty feet. Neff's Mustang starts to pull steadily ahead and then Arend's engine may have lost a belt near the 1000 foot lights.
A great pass for Neff and he steals lane choice from Hagan by just 0.004 seconds.
Mike Neff's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(0.000), 330 ft(0.016), 660ft(0.084). MOV: 0.4167 seconds (more than 100 feet).
Jeff Arend's incremental times: 60ft-0.928 sec., 330ft-2.366, 660ft-3.391/228.27 mph.
Mike Neff's incremental times: 60ft-0.903 sec., 330ft-2.325, 660ft-3.282/270.21 mph.

(W) Bob Tasca III (Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustan 0.070 4.181 302.35
(L) Melanie Troxel (ProCare RX Solara) 0.091 9.086 43.19

Tasca III is 3 - 1 against Troxel in prior events.
Tasca away first and then has Troxel drive on by before the 60 foot lights. She stays out in front for just a brief time until the engine expires and the chutes deploy.
Tasca runs hard until just before the finish line, where his engine takes itself apart and oils the track in the win. He keeps his times, but loses 10 points in the Countdown.
Capps will have lane choice later today.
Bob Tasca III's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.023), 330 ft(0.207), 660ft(1.551). MOV: 4.9267 seconds (more than 100 feet).
Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.936 sec., 330ft-2.387, 660ft-3.377/260.01 mph.
Melanie Troxel's incremental times: 60ft-0.892 sec., 330ft-2.573, 660ft-4.907/080.89 mph. 2:27 p.m.







From NHRA.com

MReeves

Results for Elimination Round 3
CLERMONT, Ind. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 3 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 57th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil:

W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed

(W) Bob Tasca III (Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustan 0.078 4.143 308.14
(L) Ron Capps (NAPA Charger) 0.083 5.000 162.53

4:08 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 70 degrees, relative humidity 45 percent, barometer 29.06 inches, adjusted altitude 2,214 feet, track temperature 92 degrees.
Capps is 14 - 5 against Tasca III in prior events.
Oh, WOW! Capps car makes a huge move towards the wall at the green and almost scraps the shiny off the side of the Charger. That ruins the run and Tasca makes a full and strong pass to the finish line by himself. This will will be his first trip to the finals at Indy.
Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.926 sec., 330ft-2.371, 660ft-3.350/263.10 mph.
Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.922 sec., 330ft-2.389, 660ft-3.657/188.04 mph.

(W) Mike Neff (Ford Drive One Mustang) 0.087 4.060 313.66
(L) Matt Hagan (Mopar Charger) 0.093 9.778 72.81

We are down to one Dodge left and now none. Hagan was just a little behind at the green and then the tires were up in smoke right off the line. The car is way loose and he finally settles it back down.
Neff puts the other Mustang into the final round with his best run of the weekend and lane choice over Tasca. Great looking pass!Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.951 sec., 330ft-3.504, 660ft-6.620/073.41 mph.
Mike Neff's incremental times: 60ft-0.909 sec., 330ft-2.324, 660ft-3.282/268.81 mph.




From NHRA.COM

MReeves

Results for Final Round
CLERMONT, Ind. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of final, round 4 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 57th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil:

W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed

(W) Mike Neff (Ford Drive One Mustang) 0.072 4.068 314.61
(L) Bob Tasca III (Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustan 0.098 4.147 278.00

5:48 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 70 degrees, relative humidity 43 percent, barometer 29.05 inches, adjusted altitude 2,257 feet, track temperature 89 degrees.
This will be a new Funny Car Champion for 2011.Neff is 5 - 4 against Tasca III in prior events and Tasca III is 1 - 0 against Neff in prior final rounds.
Neff is away first and starts to pull ahead running down the track. Any chance that Tasca had was gone right after the 660 lights, when there is fire out from underneath the body and his Mustang slows. There's no oil on the track, so the numbers stick.
Mike Neff is the 2011 57th Indianapolis Funny Car Champion.Mike Neff's incremental margins: 60ft(0.040), 330 ft(0.043), 660ft(0.058). MOV: 0.1056 seconds (approximately 43 feet).Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.926 sec., 330ft-2.355, 660ft-3.324/265.43 mph.
Mike Neff's incremental times: 60ft-0.912 sec., 330ft-2.338, 660ft-3.292/270.27 mph.