Friday
Results for Qualifying Round 1
TOPEKA, Kan. - TOPEKA - Notes from round 1 qualifying in Pro Stock at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 22nd annual O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals presented by Castrol GTX

listing lane, driver name, elapsed time, top speed, and position in order following run:

Right Lane: Richie Stevens Runs 6.720/205.26,
Now #15:21 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 77 degrees, relative humidity 51 percent, barometer 28.75 inches, adjusted altitude 3,188 feet, track temperature 107 degrees.

It's good to see Richie back behind the wheel. He's in a Elite Motorsports ride this weekend, a Rick Jones GXP. It didn't look like Richie had the early wheelspeed he needed but it was still a good run for data collection.

Left Lane: Mark Hogan Runs 18.968/41.60, Now #3
Right Lane: Dave River Runs 14.905/54.21, Now #2

Two Iowa racers go head to head in this pair.

We've got remarkably good conditions to those we've often seen at Topeka, but tonight's second session should be the one that will make or break the team.

River gets plenty of wheelspeed, way too much. The car heads to the centerline and he lifts. Hogan doesn't have too much more luck.

Left Lane: Erica Enders Runs 6.735/204.32, Now #2
Right Lane: John Nobile Runs 6.751/204.73, Now #3

This pair put on a very good show with a great drag race, but don't expect those qualifying positions to last.

Erica Enders' incremental times: 60ft-0.999 sec., 330ft-2.813, 660ft-4.327/162.29 mph, 1,000ft-5.633.
John Nobile's incremental times: 60ft-1.011 sec., 330ft-2.833, 660ft-4.346/162.24 mph, 1,000ft-5.650.

Left Lane: Steve Spiess Runs 6.727/204.23, Now #2
Right Lane: Justin Humphreys Runs 6.735/204.85, Now #3

Left Lane: Larry Morgan Runs 6.694/205.54, Now #1
Right Lane: V. Gaines Runs 6.702/205.88, Now #2

Morgan gets a very good hit, much better than he's been doing.
You know it's just a matter of time for Larry, but it still looks like he needs a bit more reliable horsepower. He definitely drove away from V on this one.

Larry Morgan's incremental times: 60ft-0.993 sec., 330ft-2.794, 660ft-4.297/163.43 mph, 1,000ft-5.597.
V. Gaines' incremental times: 60ft-1.001 sec., 330ft-2.809, 660ft-4.313/163.37 mph, 1,000ft-5.610.

Left Lane: Kurt Johnson Runs 6.704/206.32, Now #4
Right Lane: Johnny Gray Runs 6.684/206.23, Now #1

Gray's been running very well lately and continues the trend. He was a touch too aggressive off the line as the car was spinning and moving to the center line. Second gear settled the car down into a run good enough for the top spot for now.

Johnny Gray's incremental times: 60ft-0.986 sec., 330ft-2.792, 660ft-4.296/163.29 mph, 1,000ft-5.591.

Left Lane: Warren Johnson Runs 6.734/206.23, Now #8
Right Lane: Shane Gray Runs 6.680/206.51, Now #1

Gray continues to make great runs. His car made the small wigwag off the line also, while WJ was doing the same thing on the left side but about 10 times as much. It hurt Johnson a bunch. Look at how much Shane opened up on him by the 330.

Warren Johnson's incremental times: 60ft-0.997 sec., 330ft-2.849, 660ft-4.345/162.70 mph, 1,000ft-5.642.
Shane Gray's incremental times: 60ft-0.990 sec., 330ft-2.792, 660ft-4.295/163.45 mph, 1,000ft-5.589.

Left Lane: Rickie Jones Runs 6.686/205.63, Now #3
Right Lane: Bob Yonke Runs 6.740/206.54, Now #12

Yonke puts himself on today's bump spot. Jones' 60 puts him deep into the top half. Left Lane: Rodger Brogdon Runs 12.214/71.06, Now #15

Right Lane: Ron Krisher Runs 6.666/206.64,

Now #1Brogdon's GXP is a monster at the hit, shaking out of the groove. Krisher shows how quickly you can go if the car is going straight.

Ron Krisher's incremental times: 60ft-0.990 sec., 330ft-2.787, 660ft-4.284/164.11 mph, 1,000ft-5.577.

Left Lane: Jason Line Runs 6.720/205.60, Now #9
Right Lane: Greg Stanfield Runs 6.698/206.01, Now #6

Watching this pair leave, I really though we were watching the new 1-2 positions. Neither car managed to pull off a good run and both are in the bottom half. Surprising, because both really looked good.

Left Lane: Greg Anderson Runs 6.685/206.10, Now #5
Right Lane: Jeg Coughlin Runs 6.663/205.04, Now #1OK,

here's the pass I thought I saw in the last pair. Coughlin makes the quick jog to the center just like all the others in the right lane, but the car is immediately back in the groove on its way to the top spot.

Greg Anderson's incremental times: 60ft-0.990 sec., 330ft-2.793, 660ft-4.295/163.37 mph, 1,000ft-5.592.
Jeg Coughlin's incremental times: 60ft-0.991 sec., 330ft-2.788, 660ft-4.284/164.29 mph, 1,000ft-5.573.

Left Lane: Allen Johnson Runs 6.656/207.08, Now #2
Right Lane: Mike Edwards Runs 6.652/207.56, Now #1

A clash of the titans here, though it's between the brand new tough guy (AJ) and the tough guy everyone's been chasing.

Edwards returns to his usual #1 spot, but Johnson is so close at this point Edwards doesn't even have to look over his shoulder - he can probably feel AJ's breath.

Allen Johnson's incremental times: 60ft-0.983 sec., 330ft-2.780, 660ft-4.278/163.89 mph, 1,000ft-5.568.
Mike Edwards' incremental times: 60ft-0.984 sec., 330ft-2.783, 660ft-4.279/164.43 mph, 1,000ft-5.567.

Kurt Johnson is on the bump spot at 6.704, edging out Richie Stevens by MPH.

 

Friday
Results for Qualifying Round 2
TOPEKA, Kan. - TOPEKA - Notes from round 2 qualifying in Pro Stock at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 22nd annual O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals presented by Castrol GTX

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: Dave River No Time, Now #22 Best prior run: 14.905/54.21, Was #22

7:40 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 75 degrees, relative humidity 57 percent, barometer 28.72 inches, adjusted altitude 3,133 feet, track temperature 91 degrees.

For 99% of the Pro Stock racers on the grounds here, this is do or die time. The cold front that gave us temperatures in the 50s yesterday has moved through and the weather for the rest of the weekend is predicted to be high 80s/low 90s. Even though the conditions are all that much better than during the earlier session today, they are still by far the best that will be seen.

The session doesn't start smoothly as River starts his car and discovers a leak. He's shut off and pushed off to the return road. The crew is cleaning up water in the left lane. 7:43 p.m.

Left Lane: John Nobile Runs 6.719/204.48, Now #13 Best prior run: 6.751/204.73, Was #20
Right Lane: Mark Hogan Runs 6.833/188.20, Now #2 Best prior run: 18.968/41.60, Was #237:45 p.m. We fire the next pair. Hogan does a Force-like burnout.

Kurt Johnson is on the bump spot at 6.704. According to my records, Hogan's career best ET is a 6.746. There's a mountain to be climbed here.

Nobile picks up a bunch, Hogan still needs more.

Left Lane: Bob Yonke Runs 6.692/206.20, Now #9 Best prior run: 6.740/206.54, Was #20
Right Lane: Rodger Brogdon Runs 6.693/204.82, Now #10 Best prior run: 12.214/71.06, Was #22

Brogdon's not used to running this early in the session and is still trying to recover from that nasty St Louis crash.

We get two 6.60s but I don't think they're going to be enough.

Left Lane: Justin Humphreys Runs 6.721/204.88, Now #19 Best prior run: 6.735/204.85, Was #20
Right Lane: Erica Enders Runs 6.718/205.01, Now #15 Best prior run: 6.735/204.32, Was #21

Two clean passes and the 60s from the previous pair are looking a tad better.

Left Lane: Richie Stevens Runs 6.716/204.54, Now #16 Best prior run: 6.720/205.26, Was #18
Right Lane: Warren Johnson Runs 6.684/206.51, Now #6 Best prior run: 6.734/206.23, Was #21

Greg Stanfield is on the bump spot at 6.698.

No shake, no spin, just two very clean runs. WJ jumps all the way to the 6th spot in one of the better runs I've seen him make in quite a while.

Richie Stevens' incremental times: 60ft-0.990 sec., 330ft-2.801, 660ft-4.312/162.47 mph, 1,000ft-5.616.
Warren Johnson's incremental times: 60ft-0.995 sec., 330ft-2.798, 660ft-4.301/163.55 mph, 1,000ft-5.594.

Left Lane: V. Gaines Runs 6.670/206.39, Now #5 Best prior run: 6.702/205.88, Was #14
Right Lane: Steve Spiess Runs 6.705/205.01, Now #16 Best prior run: 6.727/204.23, Was #21

Gaines was very aggresive, quivering the tires all the way through first gear and almost going into shake at the top of the gear.

Rodger Brogdon is on the bump spot at 6.693.

Left Lane: Greg Stanfield Runs 6.703/205.82, Now #15 Best prior run: 6.698/206.01, Was #14
Right Lane: Jason Line Runs 6.682/205.94, Now #7 Best prior run: 6.720/205.60, Was #20

Neither of these cars are in the show right now. Line reels off a great charge. I'm not sure what happened to Stanfield as I would have expected him to be right there.

Left Lane: Johnny Gray Runs 6.729/206.10, Now #9 Best prior run: 6.684/206.23, Was #9
Right Lane: Kurt Johnson Runs 6.701/206.20, Now #16 Best prior run: 6.704/206.32, Was #16

Brogdon was just bumped, and Bob Yonke is now on the spot at 6.692.

Gray goes the wrong way and loses ET from earlier today. KJ at least picks up a thousandth. Why I don't pay much attention to 60 foot times by themselves? Because Gray just went low for the session at that distance.

Johnny Gray's incremental times: 60ft-0.983 sec., 330ft-2.822, 660ft-4.337/162.55 mph, 1,000ft-5.636.
Kurt Johnson's incremental times: 60ft-1.006 sec., 330ft-2.810, 660ft-4.312/163.55 mph, 1,000ft-5.608.

Left Lane: Shane Gray Runs 6.682/205.63, Now #6 Best prior run: 6.680/206.51, Was #6
Right Lane: Larry Morgan Runs 6.882/177.00, Now #14 Best prior run: 6.694/205.54, Was #14

Another nice pass for that Gray kid. I didn't see what happened to Morgan on top end, but it looks like maybe the reliability thing might have bit him again.

Left Lane: Ron Krisher Runs 6.669/205.63, Now #4 Best prior run: 6.666/206.64, Was #4
Right Lane: Rickie Jones Runs 6.694/205.60, Now #11 Best prior run: 6.686/205.63, Was #11
Bob Yonke is on the bump spot at 6.692.

I don't know if the crew chiefs made the adjustment or if the bald spot is gone, but I'm not seeing the wiggle off the line as I did last session.

Nobody moves in the order.

Left Lane: Jeg Coughlin Runs 9.436/97.96, Now #3 Best prior run: 6.663/205.04, Was #3
Right Lane: Greg Anderson Runs 6.710/205.57, Now #10 Best prior run: 6.685/206.10, Was #10

Well, that was surprising. These are two of the quickest teams out here but somehow both of them looked like they blew the tires off at the hit. Anderson spun hard all the way through first and second but was able to get his GXP calmed down enough to save the run.

Jeggie gave it up at 500 feet or so.

Jeg Coughlin's incremental times: 60ft-0.993 sec., 330ft-2.884, 660ft-4.990/105.07 mph, 1,000ft-7.241.
Greg Anderson's incremental times: 60ft-1.003 sec., 330ft-2.814, 660ft-4.317/163.45 mph, 1,000ft-5.615.

Left Lane: Mike Edwards Runs 6.638/206.99, Now #1 Best prior run: 6.652/207.56, Was #1
Right Lane: Allen Johnson Runs 6.661/207.34, Now #2 Best prior run: 6.656/207.08, Was #2

Edwards writes a memo to the rest of the class, underlines the words, and then shoves it down their throats. He kills the front AND back half of the track and once again pulls out an incredible 2 hundredths cushion. He might have felt Johnson breathing down his neck last session, but after this pass he's grabbed another gear.

Mike Edwards' incremental times: 60ft-0.977 sec., 330ft-2.767, 660ft-4.262/164.29 mph, 1,000ft-5.551.
Allen Johnson's incremental times: 60ft-0.987 sec., 330ft-2.784, 660ft-4.283/163.81 mph, 1,000ft-5.574.

From NHRA.com

 

Sat, 22 May 2010, 01:32 PM

Pro Stock Qualifying Notes, Session #3
By Dan Bennett





TOPEKA, Kan. - Notes from round 3 qualifying in Pro Stock at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 22nd annual O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals presented by Castrol GTX 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: Dave River Runs 7.070/195.76, Now #13; No Prior Run

12:01 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 84 degrees, relative humidity 63 percent, barometer 28.59 inches, adjusted altitude 4,153 feet, track temperature 104 degrees.



Not to try and be too precise, but the conditions here are just about 180 degrees from what they were yesterday. The cold front is long gone though the ground water still remains. The parking lots here are still soggy and not being used but we haven't had a problem with water percolating up through the racing surface.

The wind may be the biggest story, as it is strong and gusty right back down the track from the finish line. I can't remember too many tracks where I've seen the advertising banners on the fences fill and flap like a sail.

River once again has problems. He rolls through the water but when he hits the throttle for the burnout the engine dies. After some effort and a lot of blubbering idle, he tries once again and manages a few weak wisps of smoke.

It sounds OK when he leaves but the car heads over to the centerline and Dave runs the entire length of the track a few feet away from it.
Left Lane: Larry Morgan Runs 6.857/200.11, Now #13; No Prior Run
Right Lane: Jeg Coughlin Runs 6.741/204.32, Now #3; Best prior run: 6.663/205.04, Was #3

Both cars spun hard and miss the run they were looking for. Morgan's time won't stand.

Larry Morgan's incremental times: 60ft-1.008 sec., 330ft-2.848, 660ft-4.395/158.76 mph, 1,000ft-5.730.
Jeg Coughlin's incremental times: 60ft-1.006 sec., 330ft-2.820, 660ft-4.334/162.24 mph, 1,000ft-5.640.

Left Lane: Mark Hogan Runs 6.948/194.44, Now #14; No Prior Run
Right Lane: Johnny Gray Runs 6.739/204.14, Now #9; Best prior run: 6.684/206.23, Was #9

Bob Yonke is on the bump spot at 6.692.

If you're not in, it's going to be tough.

Left Lane: Erica Enders Runs 6.784/202.52, Now #13; No Prior Run
Right Lane: Justin Humphreys Runs 6.793/202.00, Now #14; No Prior Run

That was a good side by side with Erica taking the honors this time. Whether either of these two will get to race for real tomorrow remains to be seen. At this point, it's doubtful.

Left Lane: Greg Anderson Runs 6.780/201.91, Now #10; Best prior run: 6.685/206.10, Was #10
Right Lane: John Nobile Runs 6.916/201.34, Now #16; No Prior Run

Since the NHRA changed the qualifying pairing procedure, it's become a quick barometer for a teams' fortunes: Early in the session and there are issues to be addressed, late in the session and life is good.

Anderson continues to struggle. Scan back up the list and check where his times fit among the crowd.

Left Lane: Steve Spiess Runs 6.845/181.23, Now #16; No Prior Run
Right Lane: Richie Stevens Runs 6.810/201.85, Now #15; No Prior Run

Richie spun really hard; it's been a while since I've seen a Pro Stock cars polishing the starting line without moving much. Regardless, he's by far the quickest of this pair. Steve Spiess is on the bump spot at 6.845.

Left Lane: Kurt Johnson Runs 6.762/203.55, Now #13; No Prior Run
Right Lane: Greg Stanfield Runs 6.767/202.52, Now #14; No Prior Run

Both of the cars are way down in the order if you consider what they are capable of. Right now, it's a battle of crew chiefs as they fight the bald spot and the air. They run the quickest ETs so far for the session and post an indication of what's to come.

Justin Humphreys is on the bump spot at 6.793.

Left Lane: Rickie Jones Runs 6.769/202.79, Now #11; Best prior run: 6.686/205.63, Was #11
Right Lane: Bob Yonke Runs 6.785/203.12, Now #12; Best prior run: 6.692/206.20, Was #12

A couple of new drivers here, and both make this difficult class look much too easy. Yonke pulled off the astonishing feat of not only qualifying in his first race but also going rounds. Somebody needs to invent hat glue, since not of the teams can get much done while they're holding onto their caps with one hand. Did I mention it's really windy?

Justin Humphreys is on the bump spot at 6.793, according to my numbers Brogdon is the last driver this session who could bump him out.

Left Lane: Rodger Brogdon Runs 6.757/203.22, Now #13; No Prior Run
Right Lane: Shane Gray Runs 6.994/157.65, Now #6; Best prior run: 6.680/206.51, Was #6

Brogdon's car was moving around a bunch on the front half but he gets it back into the groove and gets into the show.

Rodger Brogdon's incremental times: 60ft-1.013 sec., 330ft-2.825, 660ft-4.341/161.87 mph, 1,000ft-5.650.
Shane Gray's incremental times: 60ft-0.997 sec., 330ft-2.813, 660ft-4.332/161.67 mph, 1,000ft-5.672.

Erica Enders is on the bump spot at 6.784.

Left Lane: Warren Johnson Runs 6.791/203.43, Now #8; Best prior run: 6.684/206.51, Was #8
Right Lane: V. Gaines Runs 6.769/203.19, Now #5; Best prior run: 6.670/206.39, Was #5


Left Lane: Jason Line Runs 6.783/202.18, Now #7; Best prior run: 6.682/205.94, Was #7
Right Lane: Ron Krisher Runs 6.755/203.03, Now #4; Best prior run: 6.666/206.64, Was #4

It's a bunch slower than yesterday. Windy, too. Both cars fall off almost a tenth.

Left Lane: Allen Johnson Runs 6.736/204.85, Now #2; Best prior run: 6.656/207.08, Was #2
Right Lane: Mike Edwards Runs 6.718/205.04, Now #1; Best prior run: 6.638/206.99, Was #1

These guys are relatively quick; there just isn't that much to be had right now.

Allen Johnson's incremental times: 60ft-1.002 sec., 330ft-2.817, 660ft-4.330/162.57 mph, 1,000ft-5.635.
Mike Edwards' incremental times: 60ft-1.000 sec., 330ft-2.807, 660ft-4.316/162.72 mph, 1,000ft-5.619.



From DRC.com

 

Sat, 22 May 2010, 04:44 PM

Pro Stock Qualifying Notes, Final Session
By Dan Bennett





TOPEKA, Kan. - Notes from final, round 4 qualifying in Pro Stock at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 22nd annual O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals presented by Castrol GTX 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: Dave River Runs 7.014/198.32, Now #23; Best prior run: 7.070/195.76, Was #23

3:10 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 88 degrees, relative humidity 56 percent, barometer 28.56 inches, adjusted altitude 4,391 feet, track temperature 107 degrees.


Left Lane: John Nobile Runs 6.827/201.55, Now #19; Best prior run: 6.916/201.34, Was #21
Right Lane: Mark Hogan Runs 6.861/196.70, Now #22; Best prior run: 6.948/194.44, Was #22

I had a chance to take a look at some of the cars in staging. One thing that jumped out at me was that the Mustangs seemed to have a bunch more frontal area than the competition, at least in the area between the front wheel centerline and the cowl. I've heard rumors they are very good in the aero department, so I may be seeing things. They sure look chunky to me.

Nobile makes a move for the better but it's not enough.

Left Lane: Richie Stevens Runs 6.813/201.34, Now #18; Best prior run: 6.810/201.85, Was #18
Right Lane: Larry Morgan Runs 10.820/74.77, Now #21; Best prior run: 6.857/200.11, Was #21

With this downtrack wind, these cars have a fair amount of downforce even at 100 feet. Morgan fishtails all the way to 330 and finally gives up. Richie gets within three thou of his prior best but it doesn't help.

Erica Enders is on the bump spot at 6.784. From the looks of the early runs in this session, she very well may stay there.

Left Lane: Justin Humphreys Runs 6.780/201.79, Now #16; Best prior run: 6.793/202.00, Was #17
Right Lane: Erica Enders Runs 6.801/202.21, Now #17; Best prior run: 6.784/202.52, Was #16

Steve Spiess and the guy sitting next to her on the line hold the key to Erica's Sunday plans. They're the only two able to bump her out. I have the impression that the right lane is a touch better so she's halfway there with this one.

But it's not to be. Humphreys put it all together when he has to and knocks her out of the field by .004 second.

Justin Humphreys' incremental times: 60ft-0.997 sec., 330ft-2.814, 660ft-4.342/160.44 mph, 1,000ft-5.664.
Erica Enders' incremental times: 60ft-1.007 sec., 330ft-2.834, 660ft-4.364/160.48 mph, 1,000ft-5.686.

Left Lane: Greg Stanfield Runs 6.772/203.65, Now #15; Best prior run: 6.767/202.52, Was #15
Right Lane: Kurt Johnson Runs 6.774/203.92, Now #14; Best prior run: 6.762/203.55, Was #14

With the conditions worse, it's somewhat of a good thing to be able to repeat your previous low ET. For both of these cars, though, these passes are an indication they still haven't found what they need.

Left Lane: Johnny Gray Runs 6.776/203.68, Now #9; Best prior run: 6.684/206.23, Was #9
Right Lane: Rodger Brogdon Runs 6.766/203.06, Now #13; Best prior run: 6.757/203.22, Was #13

Both cars were a bit lazy on the front half, and in this wind no one is going to be flexing their muscles on the big end. Brogdon was slow on the 60, over 1 second, and couldn't make up the difference downtrack.

Left Lane: Shane Gray Runs 6.751/203.40, Now #6; Best prior run: 6.680/206.51, Was #6
Right Lane: Rickie Jones Runs 6.775/202.82, Now #11; Best prior run: 6.686/205.63, Was #11

Two very good runs, the best so far this session according to my numbers.

Shane Gray's incremental times: 60ft-0.996 sec., 330ft-2.808, 660ft-4.329/161.38 mph, 1,000ft-5.643.
Rickie Jones' incremental times: 60ft-0.994 sec., 330ft-2.818, 660ft-4.344/160.81 mph, 1,000ft-5.663.

Left Lane: V. Gaines Runs 6.761/202.79, Now #5; Best prior run: 6.670/206.39, Was #5
Right Lane: Greg Anderson Runs 6.789/201.91, Now #10; Best prior run: 6.685/206.10, Was #10

Anderson is still in the bottom half of the field. Gaines in the top, and thst's a big switch from just a short time ago.

Gaines outruns him again, and Greg is way down on mph this time around.

Left Lane: Ron Krisher Runs 6.732/204.45, Now #4; Best prior run: 6.666/206.64, Was #4
Right Lane: Warren Johnson Runs 6.817/202.94, Now #8; Best prior run: 6.684/206.51, Was #8

Lots of age and experience in this pair. Which car did WJ bring to line this pass? The one that looks promising or the one that looks like it would rather be anywhere than on a starting line?

It's the latter. This car only ran as fast as it did because it wanted to get off the track as soon as possible. The K&N car was not a happy racecar just then.

Ron Krisher's incremental times: 60ft-0.998 sec., 330ft-2.823, 660ft-4.321/169.81 mph, 1,000ft-5.632.
Warren Johnson's incremental times: 60ft-1.027 sec., 330ft-2.859, 660ft-4.388/160.42 mph, 1,000ft-5.706.

Left Lane: Jeg Coughlin Runs 6.781/203.25, Now #3; Best prior run: 6.663/205.04, Was #3
Right Lane: Jason Line Runs 6.762/203.49, Now #7; Best prior run: 6.682/205.94, Was #7

This time, it was the Jeg's car that was throwing a tantrum on the starting line. It pulled way down on the hit and just didn't run to half track as it normally does.

Line's car is still fighting him but showing slight signs of improvement.

Jeg Coughlin's incremental times: 60ft-1.014 sec., 330ft-2.840, 660ft-4.360/161.59 mph, 1,000ft-5.673.
Jason Line's incremental times: 60ft-1.002 sec., 330ft-2.823, 660ft-4.341/161.50 mph, 1,000ft-5.655.

Left Lane: Mike Edwards Runs 6.732/204.23, Now #1; Best prior run: 6.638/206.99, Was #1
Right Lane: Allen Johnson Runs 6.726/205.38, Now #2; Best prior run: 6.656/207.08, Was #2

In an otherwise normal session, Allen Johnson and his Hemi make things interesting again as he soundly outruns Edwards. My scorecard shows in the four previous sessions it's Edwards 2, Johnson 2. That can make for an interesting race day and lane choice looks like it might be really important.

Mike Edwards' incremental times: 60ft-0.999 sec., 330ft-2.808, 660ft-4.320/162.37 mph, 1,000ft-5.628.
Allen Johnson's incremental times: 60ft-0.987 sec., 330ft-2.807, 660ft-4.323/162.06 mph, 1,000ft-5.628.

Justin Humphreys holds on to the bump spot at 6.780.

Be sure to stop back by and see what happens!



From DRC.com

 

Sun, 23 May 2010, 01:22 PM

Pro Stock Round 1 Eliminations
By Dan Bennett





TOPEKA, Kan. - Results of round 1 eliminations in Pro Stock at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 22nd annual O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals presented by Castrol GTX:
Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed

208 Warren Johnson vs 9 Johnny Gray E1
0.068 6.758 204.29 ****WINNER**** 0.078 6.730 204.54 Qualified: #8 6.684 206.51 #9 6.684 206.2311:50 a.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 81 degrees, relative humidity 69 percent, barometer 28.67 inches, adjusted altitude 3,903 feet, track temperature 91 degrees.


Once again, the weatherman has led us astray. Today was supposed to be very hot and sunny, but what we're actually seeing is lots of overcast and moderate heat. It's still windy but not nearly the 30-40 mph straight line we had yesterday. I'd guess the gusts would hit about 15 mph at the most.
Warren has competed in all 22 previous Summernationals here. This is the sixteenth time he's qualified in the top half. He's chosen the left lane. I had the impression that the right lane was a bit better for the Pro Stockers, but have to admit I didn't sit down and crunch the numbers.
Warren leaves on Gray but can't hold on. The K&N car looked halfway decent so it looks like the problems may have been found.
Neither car kills the front half.

Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed

2 Greg Anderson vs 3 Jason Line E1
****WINNER**** 0.024 6.763 202.91 0.053 6.760 203.92 Qualified: #10 6.685 206.10 #7 6.682 205.94Line decides to make a lane swap at the last moment.

Greg still has problems getting off the line but manages to pull out the win.
Greg Anderson's incremental times: 60ft-1.004 sec., 330ft-2.820, 660ft-4.338/161.52 mph, 1,000ft-5.652.
Jason Line's incremental times: 60ft-0.998 sec., 330ft-2.822, 660ft-4.343/161.40 mph, 1,000ft-5.655.
Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed

10 Rickie Jones vs 730 Shane Gray E1
****WINNER**** 0.013 6.734 203.71 0.050 6.733 204.42 Qualified: #11 6.686 205.63 #6 6.680 206.51Two young drivers, two second generation drivers.

The veteran of the two leaves first and gets the holeshot win. Both cars ran hard to the 330, with sub 1 second short times.

Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed

55 V. Gaines vs 406 Bob Yonke E1
****WINNER****
0.050 6.744 203.71 0.043 6.755 203.83 Qualified: #5 6.670 206.39 #12 6.692 206.20The cars leave pretty much together and run straight to the finish line. Gaines pulls out a narrow victory.

V. Gaines' incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(0.013), 330 ft(-0.002), 660ft(0.005), 1,000ft(0.003). MOV: 0.0048 seconds (approximately 17 inches).


Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
6 Ron Krisher Vs. 41 Rodger Brogdon E1
****WINNER****
0.076 6.701 204.76 0.022 20.491 38.00 Qualified: #4 6.666 206.64 #13 6.757 203.22Krisher went in and lit both bulbs. As he did, he set the brake, so when his crew tried to rock the car back it didn't work. Brogdon waited quite a while and finally staged.

Krisher was there for the taking with a less-than-average light for Pro Stock but Brogdon's car was shaking out of the groove before it got 200 feet.
Krisher gets lane choice over Gaines.


Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
1 Mike Edwards VS 32 Justin Humphreys E1
****WINNER****
0.046 6.713 205.04 0.039 6.763 203.19 Qualified: #1 6.638 206.99 #16 6.780 201.79Edwards' GXP looked very strong on the hit with some great numbers. He cards a decisive win over Justin and will have lane choice next round over Gray.

Mike Edwards' incremental times: 60ft-0.991 sec., 330ft-2.798, 660ft-4.309/162.45 mph, 1,000ft-5.613.
Justin Humphreys' incremental times: 60ft-1.002 sec., 330ft-2.821, 660ft-4.343/161.27 mph, 1,000ft-5.656.


Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
7 Allen Johnson vs 4 Greg Stanfield E1
****WINNER****
0.032 6.709 205.54 0.001 6.767 204.29 Qualified: #2 6.656 207.08 #15 6.767 202.52Stanfield is doing everything he can for a round win, and here he pushes the tree to the edge of disaster. Even with .03 in his pocket, he can't hold off the very strong Mopar.

Allen Johnson's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.014), 330 ft(0.001), 660ft(0.011), 1,000ft(0.021). MOV: 0.0278 seconds (approximately 8 feet).

Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed

50 Jeg Coughlin vs 8 Kurt Johnson E1
-0.005 6.709 205.04 ****WINNER****

0.020 6.735 205.07 Qualified: #3 6.663 205.04 #14 6.762 203.55From a guy who almost never turns the red bulb red, lightning strikes. KJ breathes a sign of relief as he sure didn't have enough for the yellow Cobalt otherwise.


From DRC>com

 

Sun, 23 May 2010, 02:26 PM

Pro Stock Round 2 Eliminations
By Dan Bennett





TOPEKA, Kan. - Results of round 2 eliminations in Pro Stock at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 22nd annual O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals presented by Castrol GTX:

Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed

10 Rickie Jones (Winner) vs 8 Kurt Johnson E2

0.032 6.746 203.28 0.052 6.731 204.48 Prior rounds:E1 (S Gray ) 0.013 6.734 203.71 (J Coughlin ) 0.020 6.735 205.07 Qualified: #11 6.686 205.63 #14 6.762 203.551:13 p.m.

Weather conditions: air temperature 86 degrees, relative humidity 64 percent, barometer 28.67 inches, adjusted altitude 4,258 feet, track temperature 99 degrees.


I neglected to mention in the first round how unusual qualifying was here this weekend. If you look at the spread between the first and sixteenth position, it's as wide as I can remember for a long, long time in Pro Stock. We're used to .05 - .07 being the norm but here in Topeka we ended up with about a tenth and a half.
One more holeshot win. The other racers no doubt have noticed, but Rickie is getting a scary reputation.
Rickie Jones' incremental margins: 60ft(0.037), 330 ft(0.031), 660ft(0.022), 1,000ft(0.012). MOV: 0.0054 seconds (approximately 19 inches).


Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed

1 Mike Edwards( Winner) vs 9 Johnny Gray E2
0.051 6.720 203.95 0.040 6.758 204.05 Prior rounds:E1 (J Humphreys ) 0.046 6.713 205.04 (W Johnson ) 0.078 6.730 204.54 Qualified: #1 6.638 206.99 #9 6.684 206.23Edwards has once again found his spot. Thats's the kind of dominating performance we're used to seeing.

Mike Edwards' incremental times: 60ft-0.985 sec., 330ft-2.794, 660ft-4.307/162.20 mph, 1,000ft-5.616.
Johnny Gray's incremental times: 60ft-1.014 sec., 330ft-2.825, 660ft-4.342/161.87 mph, 1,000ft-5.653.


Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed

7 Allen Johnson (Winner) vs. 2 Greg Anderson E2

0.032 6.703 205.66 0.046 6.790 201.10 Prior rounds:E1 (G Stanfield ) 0.032 6.709 205.54 (J Line ) 0.024 6.763 202.91 Qualified: #2 6.656 207.08 #10 6.685 206.10Anderson can't do a burnout the first time around. He backs up and tries again. The rpms sail really high, he controlls them, and gets a decent burnout on the second try.

The guy sitting in the next lane doesn't leave much room for error. If there's a problem with the Summit car it's going to be a real problem this round.
No contest at all on this one. Johnson wins by 30 feet.


Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed

6 Ron Krisher( Winner) Vs 55 V. Gaines E2

0.051 6.709 204.05 0.058 6.744 203.61 Prior rounds:E1 (R Brogdon ) 0.076 6.701 204.76 (B Yonke ) 0.050 6.744 203.71 Qualified: #4 6.666 206.64 #5 6.670 206.39Krisher puts it all together and shows how tough he can be. Neither driver could be considered a young man but both do a good job on the tree.

Krisher shows he has some serious steam as he runs on the same level as the Mopar.
Ron Krisher's incremental times: 60ft-0.984 sec., 330ft-2.805, 660ft-4.300/169.96 mph, 1,000ft-5.616.
V. Gaines' incremental times: 60ft-0.994 sec., 330ft-2.811, 660ft-4.329/161.67 mph, 1,000ft-5.640.

In the semis it's Johnson choosing over Jones and Krisher with lane choice over Edwards.


From DRC.com

 

Sun, 23 May 2010, 04:00 PM

Pro Stock Round 3 Eliminations
By Dan Bennett





TOPEKA, Kan. - Results of round 3 eliminations in Pro Stock at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 22nd annual O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals presented by Castrol GTX:

Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
6 Ron Krisher.......... vs. ............1 Mike Edwards (Winner)
-0.309 6.735 204.54 ........... -0.012 6.725 204.73

Prior rounds:E2 (V Gaines ) 0.051 6.709 204.05 (J Gray ) 0.051 6.720 203.95E1 (R Brogdon ) 0.076 6.701 204.76 (J Humphreys ) 0.046 6.713 205.04 Qualified: #4 6.666 206.64 #1 6.638 206.99

2:51 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 85 degrees, relative humidity 65 percent, barometer 28.68 inches, adjusted altitude 4,188 feet, track temperature 101 degrees.


After a bit of delay clearing the track of funny car body debris, we move to the semifinals in Pro Stock. We have an interesting mix of cars and chassis builders, with two RJ cars, a Haas, and a Lazarus. Yes, they're all different and the closer you look the more small difference can be seen.
The two quickest cars in the previous rounds butt heads in this one. Krisher is so early he almost broke the beams in the previous round. Edwards is going to yet another final.


Ron Krisher's incremental times: 60ft-1.008 sec., 330ft-2.834, 660ft-4.330/170.08 mph, 1,000ft-5.645.
Mike Edwards' incremental times: 60ft-1.005 sec., 330ft-2.809, 660ft-4.319/162.61 mph, 1,000ft-5.624.


Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed

7 Allen Johnson.......(Winner) VS.......... 10 Rickie Jones E3
0.015 6.708 205.63 ............................ 0.027 7.573 138.26

Prior rounds:E2 (G Anderson ) 0.032 6.703 205.66 (K Johnson ) 0.032 6.746 203.28E1 (G Stanfield ) 0.032 6.709 205.54 (S Gray ) 0.013 6.734 203.71 Qualified: #2 6.656 207.08 #11 6.686 205.63

Lots of people are wondering if Jones can rattle Johnson. We have mini staging duel but then both drivers go it about the same time.

AJ shows the young kid how it's done as he has a big advantage off the line. It's all over with from there.
Allen Johnson's incremental margins: 60ft(0.012), 330 ft(0.033), 660ft(0.114), 1,000ft(0.416). MOV: 0.8772 seconds (more than 100 feet). AJ has lane choice in the final round. I didn't see why Jones lifted other than I never saw the car seem to get loose.

 

Sun, 23 May 2010, 05:26 PM

Pro Stock Final, Round 4 Eliminations
By Dan Bennett





TOPEKA, Kan. - Results of final, round 4 eliminations in Pro Stock at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 22nd annual O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals presented by Castrol GTX

:
Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed

7 Allen Johnson...............vs........ 1 Mike Edwards (W)
0.026 6.710 205.19 ******** 0.016 6.717 204.63

Prior rounds:E3 (R Jones ) 0.015 6.708 205.63 (R Krisher ) -0.012 6.725 204.73E2 (G Anderson ) 0.032 6.703 205.66 (J Gray ) 0.051 6.720 203.95E1 (G Stanfield ) 0.032 6.709 205.54 (J Humphreys ) 0.046 6.713 205.04

Qualified: #2 6.656 207.08************* #1 6.638 206.99

4:15 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 86 degrees, relative humidity 63 percent, barometer 28.68 inches, adjusted altitude 4,274 feet, track temperature 101 degrees.


This is the way it's supposed to work out with the two best cars meeting in the finals. The seemingly untouchable Edwards has had a stumble here or there earlier this year and it appears there might be an opening here or there in his armor.
The Johnsons have reached this point by doing it their way. Back in their Super Stock days (and in the early days of Pro Stock) Roy Johnson made his own power. He still does and has proven he can butt heads with the best. He's apparently made some strides very recently as the Mopar has been challenging the very quickest cars in the class.
In a great drag race, Edwards serves notice that the reports of his downfall are highly premature. He may be a bit concerned that AJ had better performance but he's still got a few tricks to pull out a win. If Johnson was coming back on Mike hard on the top end and would have won a 1400 foot race.
Edwards extends his lead in the points with a holeshot victory.
Mike Edwards' incremental margins: 60ft(0.003), 330 ft(0.008), 660ft(0.008), 1,000ft(0.005). MOV: 0.0037 seconds (approximately 13 inches).