Fri, 16 Jul 2010, 09:04 PM

Funny Car Qualifying Notes, Session #1
By David Gerard





SONOMA, Calif. - Notes from round 1 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 23rd annual FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals listing lane, driver name, elapsed time, top speed, and position in order following run:

Right Lane: Brian Thiel Runs 4.507/267.91, Now #1

5:20 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 79 degrees, relative humidity 46 percent, barometer 29.88 inches, adjusted altitude 2,002 feet.

The cool air is starting to come to the track, so we should have a great session.

Not a thing of beauty, but a season best ET and MPH for Thiel to set the pace for the field. The car seems to bog down a little at mid-track and that costs him some ET and MPH.

Brian Thiel's incremental times: 60ft-0.985 sec., 330ft-2.503, 660ft-3.595/230.29 mph.

Left Lane: Gary Densham Runs 4.227/292.52, Now #1
Right Lane: Melanie Troxel Runs 4.496/262.79, Now #2

Densham has been down this track many times and joins the tour again, two weeks in a row. Troxel is back in "In & Out" country and looking to make a statement.

Identical RTs and then the Teacher's Pet starts to pull steadily ahead to make a great pass into the top spot for now. Troxel's Charger looked to be losing cylinders on the top end, but still is number two out of three, so far.

Gary Densham's incremental times: 60ft-0.903 sec., 330ft-2.373, 660ft-3.393/250.92 mph.
Melanie Troxel's incremental times: 60ft-0.945 sec., 330ft-2.466, 660ft-3.574/227.46 mph.

Right Lane: Paul Lee Runs 4.274/284.15, Now #2

Lee will make a single this session.

The Canidae makes a good leave and runs well for a while before putting out a cylinder down track. Some smoke out of the pipes after the 1000 foot lights, but its good enough for the current #2 spot.

Paul Lee's incremental times: 60ft-0.903 sec., 330ft-2.379, 660ft-3.418/245.27 mph.

Left Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 4.184/292.39, Now #1
Right Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 4.253/286.13, Now #3

Toyota Solara's a pair to the line.

Pedregon goes to the top of the ladder for now with a engine flash right before the finish line. No major clean up though.

Nice clean pass for Arend into the current #3 spot without any obvious issues.

Cruz Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.892 sec., 330ft-2.323, 660ft-3.348/249.12 mph.
Jeff Arend's incremental times: 60ft-0.905 sec., 330ft-2.370, 660ft-3.406/247.11 mph.

Left Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 4.415/257.09, Now #6
Right Lane: Del Worsham Runs 4.213/282.13, Now #2

Pedregon is running Hertoz colors this weekend and gets a small advantage off the line. He runs to just after the 660 lights and starts to drop cylinders and has a lot of orange flame from the headers.

Worsham gets further down track before losing any cylinder and its good enough to capture the new #2 position.

Tony Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.947 sec., 330ft-2.452, 660ft-3.515/239.27 mph.
Del Worsham's incremental times: 60ft-0.903 sec., 330ft-2.352, 660ft-3.368/251.25 mph.

Left Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 4.152/300.73, Now #1
Right Lane: Ron Capps Runs 4.223/284.51, Now #4

Great side by side passes, with Tasca getting all of it, with both ET and MPH. Our first 300MPH of the weekend too.

Capps has a better 60 foot time, but can't quite match the Ford's tuneup. He have to settle for #4 for now.

Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.902 sec., 330ft-2.338, 660ft-3.339/256.99 mph.
Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.899 sec., 330ft-2.346, 660ft-3.371/247.70 mph.

Left Lane: Ashley Force Hood Runs 4.187/292.77, Now #3
Right Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.188/293.09, Now #4

Wilkerson has been dominant the last few weeks in eliminations and Force Hood has been at or near the top of the points all year.

Terrific looking passes for both cars. Almost identical RT's and they are only 0.002 apart at the 660 lights. They stay welded together through the lights and finish up within 0.001 of each other. Nice!

Ashley Force Hood's incremental times: 60ft-0.895 sec., 330ft-2.347, 660ft-3.358/253.95 mph.
Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.910 sec., 330ft-2.357, 660ft-3.360/254.81 mph.

Left Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 4.238/289.57, Now #9
Right Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 4.202/284.93, Now #5

Brian Thiel is on the bump spot at 4.507.

Two more DSR Chargers are next.

The pack is bunched up near the top of the ladder and although Beckman is just a couple of hundreds slower than Hagan, it places him in the bottom hal of today's field in the number one spot.

Hagan has representative incrementals on the low end, but slows a little on the top.

Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.906 sec., 330ft-2.360, 660ft-3.392/246.17 mph.
Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.889 sec., 330ft-2.327, 660ft-3.354/245.67 mph.

Left Lane: Robert Hight Runs 4.172/301.87, Now #2
Right Lane: John Force Runs 4.753/178.59, Now #16

Tony Pedregon is on the bump spot at 4.415.

Team JFR this time.

Force's Mustang gets away first and then starts to drop cylinders after the 300 lights and slows.

Hight matches Force's 0.900 sixty foot time to the thousandths and begins to pull steadily ahead, until Force's Castrol car falters. The AAA Mustang thunders on down the track to set Top Speed, but Hight will have to settle for the final #2 spot.

Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.900 sec., 330ft-2.350, 660ft-3.361/256.06 mph.
John Force's incremental times: 60ft-0.900 sec., 330ft-2.361, 660ft-3.528/200.26 mph.

5:59 p.m. Bob Tasca III is number one with a strong 4.152 and Paul Lee is on the bump spot at 4.274.


Timing data courtesy of CompuLink





From DRC.com

 

Sat, 17 Jul 2010, 12:56 AM

Funny Car Qualifying Notes, Session #2
By David Gerard





SONOMA, Calif. - Notes from round 2 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 23rd annual FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals 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: Brian Thiel Runs 4.442/276.92, Now #14; No Prior Run
Right Lane: Grant Downing Runs 8.107/79.69, Now #17; No Prior Run

8:56 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 63 degrees, relative humidity 67 percent, barometer 29.92 inches, adjusted altitude 844 feet, track temperature 83 degrees.

After Seattle, Downing was out of parts and not expected to make this race. Paul Lee is on the bump spot at 4.274.

Thiel was DQ'ed in round one and come back with a vengeance this time.

Downing's Monte Carlo was stronger down low and then kicked the tires and slowed.

Brian Thiel's incremental times: 60ft-0.987 sec., 330ft-2.506, 660ft-3.564/240.00 mph.
Grant Downing's incremental times: 60ft-0.907 sec., 330ft-2.716, 660ft-5.169/084.16 mph.

Left Lane: John Force Runs 4.104/307.30, Now #1; Best prior run: 4.753/178.59, Was #16
Right Lane: Jeff Diehl Runs 8.068/82.34, Now #17; No Prior Run

This is not the normal time in qualifying that we expect to see John Force.

Paul Lee is on the bump spot at 4.274.

Looks like Zippy found the handle on the tune up and the Mustang just thunders down the track with flames high above the roof and he nails the new #one spot.

Diehl fires and falls back with tire smoke.

Left Lane: Melanie Troxel Runs 11.022/67.38, Now #16; Best prior run: 4.496/262.79, Was #14
Right Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 6.438/103.12, Now #14; Best prior run: 4.415/257.09, Was #13

Troxel's car is lazy off the line and then makes a move towards the wall. She has to click it.

Pedregon gets a little further out and smokes the times.

Left Lane: Paul Lee Runs 7.434/89.27, Now #13; Best prior run: 4.274/284.15, Was #13
Right Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 4.063/311.56, Now #1; Best prior run: 4.238/289.57, Was #11

BANG! Beckman not only takes over the top spot with a picture perfect pass, but takes both ends of the track record to boot. Makes you want more!

Lee's car is done before the 330 lights, as the tires are up in smoke.

Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.890 sec., 330ft-2.303, 660ft-3.277/264.29 mph.

Left Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 5.754/113.39, Now #12; Best prior run: 4.253/286.13, Was #12
Right Lane: Gary Densham Runs 4.103/300.26, Now #2; Best prior run: 4.227/292.52, Was #11

Jeff Arend is on the bump spot at 4.253.

Densham wins the battle and loses the war. He runs his first 300 plus pass and moves all the way up to the new #2 position. After a strong 0.889 sixty foot time, his funny car marches towards the finish line, straight and true. Right in the lights, the engine goes bang and the body just disappears into a huge cloud of carbon fiber chunks. He keeps control and quickly brings what is left of the car to a safe stop and is he is OK. The car is not!

Arend had his hands full earlier in his pass, as the tires start to smoke near the three thirty lights and has to work to settle the Solara, as the tail starts to wag big time. Right after that, he has to start evasive maneuvers to dodge the rain of body parts from Densham's car. I couldn't tell if he was entirely successful, but he gets the car stopped safely too.

Jeff Arend's incremental times: 60ft-0.891 sec., 330ft-2.377, 660ft-3.903/139.59 mph.
Gary Densham's incremental times: 60ft-0.889 sec., 330ft-2.308, 660ft-3.293/260.01 mph.

Left Lane: Ron Capps Runs 7.738/81.26, Now #11; Best prior run: 4.223/284.51, Was #11
Right Lane: Ashley Force Hood Runs 6.812/89.19, Now #7; Best prior run: 4.187/292.77, Was #7

9:25 p.m. Lots of dusting and cleaning on the top end to pick up all of tiny carbon fiber shards.

Jeff Arend is on the bump spot at 4.253.

Zero for two with this pair. Both cars leave with header flames high. Force Hood gets a 0.04 advantage at the green and has better incrementals until just before the 330 lights, where the tires start to spin.

Capps was done just before that, when his Charger's tire are smoking first.

They stay #7 and #11.

Left Lane: Del Worsham Runs 8.074/81.14, Now #10; Best prior run: 4.213/282.13, Was #10
Right Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 4.112/304.19, Now #4; Best prior run: 4.184/292.39, Was #6

Pedregon makes a straight and true pass right down the middle of the lane, with all of the pipes spitting fire. That's worth two spots on the tough ladder.

Worsham was off the line well ahead of Pedregon and almost match his incrementals to near the 330 lights, where the slicks begin to spin.

Del Worsham's incremental times: 60ft-0.904 sec., 330ft-2.738, 660ft-5.225/084.22 mph.
Cruz Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.903 sec., 330ft-2.320, 660ft-3.307/260.06 mph.

Left Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 4.508/188.12, Now #9; Best prior run: 4.202/284.93, Was #9
Right Lane: Robert Hight Runs 4.684/172.19, Now #6; Best prior run: 4.172/301.87, Was #6

9:39 p.m. The Asphalt Zamboni makes a few passes to ensure that the next pair gets a fair chance at qualifying.

Two good leaves with great incrementals until just before the 660 lights where both cars spin the tire on the now cold track.

Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.884 sec., 330ft-2.296, 660ft-3.347/218.16 mph.
Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.893 sec., 330ft-2.306, 660ft-3.411/197.02 mph.

Left Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 5.515/126.44, Now #8; Best prior run: 4.188/293.09, Was #8
Right Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 4.130/304.39, Now #5; Best prior run: 4.152/300.73, Was #5

Two Fords come to the line to wrap up tonight's qualifying.

The track temperature is all the way down to 74 degrees now.

Tasca shows that his earlier pass was no fluke, as he takes his Quick Lane Mustang right down Broadway on a great pass to end the day. He picks up a little ET and almost four MPH and stays #5.

Wilkerson was right with him until near the 660 light and then has the tires go up in smoke.

Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.903 sec., 330ft-2.358, 660ft-3.795/147.50 mph.
Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.900 sec., 330ft-2.338, 660ft-3.327/260.61 mph.

9:44 p.m. Jack Beckman is number one at 4.063 and Jeff Arend is on the bump spot at 4.253.


Timing data courtesy of CompuLink





From DRC.com

 

Sat, 17 Jul 2010, 05:14 PM

Funny Car Qualifying Notes, Session #3
By David Gerard





SONOMA, Calif. - Notes from round 3 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 23rd annual FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals 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: Grant Downing Runs 6.867/140.39, Now #14; No Prior Run
Right Lane: Melanie Troxel Runs 4.304/289.94, Now #13; No Prior Run

1:34 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 76 degrees, relative humidity 54 percent, barometer 29.94 inches, adjusted altitude 1,787 feet, track temperature 122 degrees.

After having the throttle cable break last night, Troxel makes a full pass and sets the mark for last night's 13-18 qualifies to beat.

Downing is in the less favorable left lane and smokes the tires before the 330 lights.

Melanie Troxel's incremental times: 60ft-0.931 sec., 330ft-2.427, 660ft-3.462/247.93 mph.

Left Lane: Jeff Diehl Runs 4.787/182.87, Now #14; No Prior Run
Right Lane: Del Worsham Runs 4.849/164.07, Now #10; Best prior run: 4.213/282.13, Was #10

Worsham looked to be on a good pass, but can't get to the 660 under power. When the slicks started to spin, he had to lift.

Diehl sat on the line for a while after the green and chased Worsham down the track. He gets a little further to card a better ET and MPH.

Diehl is #14 for now and Worsham will stay #10.

Left Lane: Ashley Force Hood Runs 6.340/106.77, Now #7; Best prior run: 4.187/292.77, Was #7
Right Lane: Ron Capps Runs 4.262/271.08, Now #11; Best prior run: 4.223/284.51, Was #11

The crew had a little problem getting the body to latch after the burn out on Force Hood's Mustang. It didn't matter much, as it quickly slows to tire smoke.

Capps makes a nice pass for the conditions, but doesn't improve his #11 position on the ladder.

Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.906 sec., 330ft-2.370, 660ft-3.403/248.61 mph.

Left Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 4.273/289.51, Now #14; No Prior Run
Right Lane: Paul Lee Runs 4.207/297.09, Now #10; No Prior Run

These two should give us a bump spot and they do so in style with two nice runs all the way to the 1000 foot lights.

Lee makes the best pass of this session and takes the new #10 spot. Pedregon's Impala was a little softer off the line and he finishes in the #14 spot.

Tony Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.918 sec., 330ft-2.388, 660ft-3.432/246.53 mph.
Paul Lee's incremental times: 60ft-0.908 sec., 330ft-2.374, 660ft-3.385/254.33 mph.

Left Lane: Robert Hight Runs 6.246/106.93, Now #6; Best prior run: 4.172/301.87, Was #6
Right Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 4.747/174.01, Now #13; Best prior run: 4.253/286.13, Was #13

The employees of the various Kalitta companies, as well as the Oscoda, MI American Legion Post 274, and other private entities recently contributed over $55,000 to send Forth of July care packages to the men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each of the packages included a lot of goodies and at least four letters written by the children of ten local Elementary, Middle, and High Schools. The packages were flown to the troops by Kalitta Air's mail contract sub-contractor DLH, who is also the primary sponsor for Jeff Arend's Kalitta Motorsports Funny Car and delivered prior to July 4, 2010.

Jeff Diehl is on the bump spot at 4.787.

Hight has the best incrementals of the session until right at mid-track, where the Mustang kicks the tires.

Arend gets a little further before his Solara is done too.

Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.895 sec., 330ft-2.425, 660ft-4.172/121.79 mph.
Jeff Arend's incremental times: 60ft-0.904 sec., 330ft-2.372, 660ft-3.496/202.42 mph.

Left Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 4.208/297.29, Now #5; Best prior run: 4.130/304.39, Was #5
Right Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.181/294.75, Now #7; Best prior run: 4.188/293.09, Was #8

The bump stop is set for this session.

Nice! Both cars go from start to finish with out incident on clean and straight passes. Wilkerson shows his hot track tune up and picks up enough ET to move up one position on the ladder.

Tasca's Mustang was a little stronger early in the run, but will have to settle with the current #5 spot from last night.

Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.901 sec., 330ft-2.360, 660ft-3.385/251.91 mph.
Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.906 sec., 330ft-2.348, 660ft-3.355/253.95 mph.

Left Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 4.531/193.60, Now #4; Best prior run: 4.112/304.19, Was #4
Right Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 4.332/219.79, Now #9; Best prior run: 4.202/284.93, Was #9

They run together about three quarters of the race track and then spin the tires together and slow. They both stay in their current qualified positions.

Cruz Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.895 sec., 330ft-2.338, 660ft-3.396/221.60 mph.
Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.889 sec., 330ft-2.310, 660ft-3.334/239.82 mph.

Right Lane: Brian Thiel Runs 4.410/278.69, Now #16; No Prior Run

Thiel will make a single pass and is the last car to try to move into the field. Its a season best ET and MPH for Thiel to just bump into the field, pushing Diehl out.

Brian Thiel's incremental times: 60ft-0.978 sec., 330ft-2.474, 660ft-3.532/238.30 mph.

Left Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 6.410/102.76, Now #1; Best prior run: 4.063/311.56, Was #1
Right Lane: John Force Runs 4.765/173.43, Now #3; Best prior run: 4.104/307.30, Was #3

Last pair of the session. Densham won't make an attempt this session as he is well into the top half of the field. He will be ready for first round tomorrow.

No joy for these two either. Beckman is away first and then spins the tires before the 330 lights. Force gets closer to the 660 lights before joining him.

2:07 p.m. Beckman stays #1 with a 4.063 and Brian Thiel is on the bump spot at 4.410.


Timing data courtesy of CompuLink






From DragraceCentral.com

 

Sat, 17 Jul 2010, 07:52 PM

Funny Car Qualifying Notes, Final Session
By David Gerard





SONOMA, Calif. - Notes from final, round 4 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 23rd annual FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals 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: Brian Thiel Runs 4.445/273.39, Now #17; Best prior run: 4.410/278.69, Was #16
Right Lane: Grant Downing Runs 4.352/274.22, Now #16; Best prior run: 6.867/140.39, Was #18

4:14 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 76 degrees, relative humidity 54 percent, barometer 29.92 inches, adjusted altitude 1,783 feet, track temperature 123 degrees.

Brian Thiel is on the bump spot at 4.410.

Downing finally gets a full pass and its good enough to bump Thiel out and take over the bump spot with one more car to go. He keeps the candles lit and runs a season best ET and MPH. Looks expensive, as he once again has terminal engine problems and there is a oil slick clean up past the finish line.

Thiel gave it a good try and runs close to his prior season best ET and MPH and gets bumped to #17.

Brian Thiel's incremental times: 60ft-0.991 sec., 330ft-2.497, 660ft-3.558/237.92 mph.
Grant Downing's incremental times: 60ft-0.906 sec., 330ft-2.394, 660ft-3.463/237.21 mph.

Left Lane: Melanie Troxel Runs 4.307/292.52, Now #15; Best prior run: 4.304/289.94, Was #15
Right Lane: Jeff Diehl Runs 4.352/282.84, Now #16; Best prior run: 4.787/182.87, Was #18

4:25 p.m. Back to racing. Diehl is the last car to have a chance to bump in.

Diehl needed to run 4.352 to match Downing and he does! He gets the last qualifying position by almost eight MPH. That engine damage for Downing costs him the position.

Clean pass for Troxel, but can only improve her MPH to stay #15.

Melanie Troxel's incremental times: 60ft-0.937 sec., 330ft-2.431, 660ft-3.469/247.57 mph.
Jeff Diehl's incremental times: 60ft-0.930 sec., 330ft-2.432, 660ft-3.498/243.85 mph.

Left Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 4.242/287.96, Now #13; Best prior run: 4.253/286.13, Was #13
Right Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 4.488/205.79, Now #14; Best prior run: 4.273/289.51, Was #14

Two more full pulls. Arend picks up a little, but no enough to improve him up from the current thirteen position.

Pedregon has a clean pass until near the finish line and slows.

Jeff Arend's incremental times: 60ft-0.903 sec., 330ft-2.360, 660ft-3.395/247.25 mph.
Tony Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.904 sec., 330ft-2.364, 660ft-3.420/231.20 mph.

Left Lane:12 Ron Capps Runs 4.177/296.70, Now #8; Best prior run: 4.223/284.51, Was #
Right Lane: Ashley Force Hood Runs 4.172/297.68, Now #7; Best prior run: 4.187/292.77, Was #8

They leave within 0.002 of each other at the green and run side by side to the finish line where they finish within 0.005 for a net 0.003 difference.

Capps takes over Force Hood's #8 spot, as she moves up to number seven.

Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.898 sec., 330ft-2.340, 660ft-3.353/253.04 mph.
Ashley Force Hood's incremental times: 60ft-0.897 sec., 330ft-2.349, 660ft-3.355/256.36 mph.

Left Lane: Del Worsham Runs 4.152/301.27, Now #6; Best prior run: 4.213/282.13, Was #12
Right Lane: Robert Hight Runs 4.997/156.08, Now #7; Best prior run: 4.172/301.87, Was #6

Worsham gives the Camry a good wring out and makes the best pass of the round, so far. He moves into the top half of the field, replacing Hight in the current #6 position.

Hight's Mustang had a little better sixty foot time, but couldn't keep the pace and is up in smoke before the 330 lights.

Del Worsham's incremental times: 60ft-0.902 sec., 330ft-2.337, 660ft-3.340/256.16 mph.
Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.900 sec., 330ft-2.346, 660ft-3.582/176.51 mph.

Left Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 4.238/286.56, Now #11; Best prior run: 4.202/284.93, Was #11
Right Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 4.188/288.77, Now #5; Best prior run: 4.130/304.39, Was #5

The track temperature has started to slack off and is now back to 118 degrees.

Hagan picks up some MPH and runs close on ET to stay #11. Tasca's car is off a little on the top end and he doesn't improve.

Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.898 sec., 330ft-2.342, 660ft-3.381/243.37 mph.
Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.915 sec., 330ft-2.364, 660ft-3.365/256.02 mph.

Left Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.170/297.55, Now #7; Best prior run: 4.181/294.75, Was #10
Right Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 4.178/295.92, Now #4; Best prior run: 4.112/304.19, Was #4

Two great looking passes and Wilkerson gets the best of it with a clean and straight pass into the top half of the field in the #7 position.

Pedregon makes it three out of four for good passes and he stays #4. Looks like they are back to the position of giving the field a hard time on Sunday!

Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.909 sec., 330ft-2.355, 660ft-3.352/256.94 mph.
Cruz Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.901 sec., 330ft-2.345, 660ft-3.357/254.57 mph.

Left Lane: John Force Runs 6.847/95.24, Now #3; Best prior run: 4.104/307.30, Was #3
Right Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 4.192/298.54, Now #1; Best prior run: 4.063/311.56, Was #1

Beckman keeps his number one position, as Densham sits out the session and Force smokes the tires before the 330 lights.

John Force's incremental times: 60ft-0.904 sec., 330ft-2.526, 660ft-4.489/107.70 mph.
Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.913 sec., 330ft-2.364, 660ft-3.373/254.28 mph.

4:49 p.m. Jeff Diehl is on the bump spot at 4.352.


Timing data courtesy of CompuLink






From DragRaceCentral.com

 

Sat, 17 Jul 2010, 08:00 PM

Funny Car Qualifying, Final Order



SONOMA, Calif. - Final order after 4 rounds of qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 23rd annual FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals:

Psn---Num-Driver, Home Town, Car Type---------------Qual-ET--Qual-Spd-Top Spd

1 5 Jack Beckman, Norco CA, '10 Charger 4.063$ 311.56^ 311.56
2 782 Gary Densham, Bellflower CA, '07 Impala 4.103 300.26 300.26
3 9 John Force, Yorba Linda CA, '10 Mustang 4.104 307.30 307.30
4 71 Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg IN, '10 Solara 4.112 304.19 304.19
5 8 Bob Tasca III, Cranston RI, '10 Mustang 4.130 304.39 304.39
6 7 Del Worsham, Chino Hills CA, '10 Camry 4.152 301.27 301.27
7 4 Tim Wilkerson, Springfield IL, '10 Mustang 4.170 297.55 297.55
8 1 Robert Hight, Yorba Linda CA, '09 Mustang 4.172 301.87 301.87
9 2 Ashley Force Hood, Yorba Linda CA, '10 Mustang 4.172 297.68 297.68
10 28 Ron Capps, Carlsbad CA, '10 Charger 4.177 296.70 296.70
11 2814 Matt Hagan, Christianburg VA, '10 Charger 4.202 284.93 286.56
12 116 Paul Lee, Anaheim CA, '10 Impala SS 4.207 297.09 297.09
13 170 Jeff Arend, San Dimas CA, '08 Solara 4.242 287.96 287.96
14 6 Tony Pedregon, Brownsburg IN, '10 Impala 4.273 289.51 289.51
15 507 Melanie Troxel, Duluth GA, '08 Charger 4.304 289.94 292.52
16 719 Jeff Diehl, Salinas CA, '07 Monte Carlo 4.352 282.84 282.84


------------ Not Qualified ------------

17 728 Grant Downing, Fullerton CA, '06 Monte Carlo 4.352 274.22 274.22
18 717 Brian Thiel, Pleasant Grove CA, '10 Impala 4.410 278.69 278.69

$ = Track ET Record
^ = Track Speed Record

From DragRaceCentral.com


Timing data courtesy of CompuLink

 

what's going on with Tony Pendergon?

 

Main thing is he is running out of money... This started last year.. When he lost his crew chief Dickie Venables to the Al Anobi Team of Del Worsham and Allen Johnson this was the best indication of money troubles... Both Pendergon brothers are having their problems this year.... Like many other FC teams... Now you will see a team "set out" a qualifying session... Never had this before... Money is tight on a lot of teams right now......

 

Sun, 18 Jul 2010, 03:32 PM

Funny Car Round 1 Eliminations
By David Gerard





SONOMA, Calif. - Results of round 1 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 23rd annual FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals:

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

1 Robert Hight (W) ..........vs........2 Ashley Force Hood
0.113 4.123 308.14 ........................0.121 4.206 298.87

11:46 a.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 69 degrees, relative humidity 60 percent, barometer 29.93 inches, adjusted altitude 1,250 feet, track temperature 104 degrees.

Hight was the winner here in 2008 and is 2-0 against Force Hood in 2010. He clinched a spot in the 2010 Countdown to 1 yesterday in qualifying. Hight is 8 - 3 against Force Hood in prior events.
A good ol' drag race to start the first round of FC. Force Hood gets a small advantage off the line, but Hight drove back by and was never headed. He pull steadily ahead for a big win.
Robert Hight's incremental margins: 60ft(0.026), 330 ft(0.045), 660ft(0.071). MOV: 0.0911 seconds (approximately 40 feet).
Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.902 sec., 330ft-2.340, 660ft-3.327/261.07 mph.
Ashley Force Hood's incremental times: 60ft-0.920 sec., 330ft-2.377, 660ft-3.390/254.95 mph.

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

8 Bob Tasca III (W).........vs........116 Paul Lee
0.099 4.198 301.13................... 0.136 No Time

This is the first time Tasca III and Lee have faced each other in eliminations. It sounded like Lee's engine was surging hard trying to stage. The engine stops right after the green and the car is pushed back behind the line.

Tasca was in it to win and get lane choice. The Quick Lane Mustang makes a single run to the finish line with numbers near his qualifying best.
Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.927 sec., 330ft-2.375, 660ft-3.386/255.05 mph.

Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
782 Gary Densham ..........vs..............507 Melanie Troxel (W)
0.102 6.513 140.66 ....................... 0.131 5.354 194.27

Densham ran a career best 300.26 speed in his big blow up in qualifying. He was the runner up here in 2008. This is his best start since Denver 2006 in seventy one races. Densham is 3 - 1 against Troxel in prior events.

Densham gets a small 0.03 advantage off the line and then has the slicks start to spin before the 330 lights. It looked to be over, when Troxel's In & Out FC went up in smoke near the 660 lights.
Densham nails it again and it hooks up, but has the parachute come out. He gives it a valiant try, but Troxel is there first.


Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
5 Jack Beckman (W)........vs.........719 Jeff Diehl
0.118 4.257 287.41 ..........................0.138 4.853 174.80

Beckman's first final was here in Super Comp in 1992. He set a new track ET and MPH record in qualifying.This is the first time Beckman and Diehl have faced each other in eliminations.

Beckman has a less than perfect pass, with a hole out early and then having to fight the car off the wall in the lights. It's good enough though, as Diehl was second off the line and couldn't match the pace. The tires start to smoke near the 330 lights, he pumps it, but no joy after that.
Hight will have lane choice in the second round.
Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.916 sec., 330ft-2.373, 660ft-3.410/246.93 mph.
11:59 a.m. Time for some dusting and cleaning in the right lane.

Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
9 John Force (W)........vs.............6 Tony Pedregon
0.068 4.255 299.26 .........................0.073 5.171 148.90

12:09 p.m. Force has seven wins here and has participated in all twenty-three events. He has meet Pedregon in 79 prior races and they are 3-3 in first round match ups. Pedregon has four prior runner ups here. Force is 54 - 24 against Pedregon in prior events.

Force gets a small RT advantage and has Pedregon almost catch him at the 330 lights. The Hertzog Impala smokes the tires after that and Force is long gone.
John Force's incremental margins: 60ft(0.015), 330 ft(0.008), 660ft(0.269). MOV: 0.9218 seconds (more than 100 feet).
John Force's incremental times: 60ft-0.945 sec., 330ft-2.415, 660ft-3.435/252.90 mph.
Tony Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.955 sec., 330ft-2.418, 660ft-3.699/172.32 mph.

Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
71 Cruz Pedregon (W)............vs.......170 Jeff Arend
0.105 4.543 225.82 .....................0.080 4.737 272.94

Pedregon was the winner here in 1996 and 1998. Pedregon is 5 - 3 against Arend in prior events.

Lots of tire smoke! Arend is first off the line and is out in front until about 150 feet out where the tires are up in smoke. He pumps and tries again, when Pedregon smokes the Solara's tires after the 660 lights. There isn't enough race track left and Pedregon prevails.
Cruz Pedregon's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.036), 330 ft(0.117), 660ft(0.292). MOV: 0.1694 seconds (approximately 68 feet).
Tasca has lane choice later.

Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
7 Del Worsham ..................vs ..............2814 Matt Hagan (W)
0.110 4.449 234.66.............................. 0.081 4.172 297.81

Worsham was the winner here in 2001. Worsham is 4 - 1 against Hagan in prior events.

Hagan is dominant from the bottom half of the field with all of the numbers from start to finish. He even improves his over qualifying times.
Worsham had better incrementals until near the 660 foot lights and then goes up in smoke.
Matt Hagan's incremental margins: 60ft(0.028), 330 ft(0.023), 660ft(0.107). MOV: 0.3062 seconds (more than 100 feet).
Del Worsham's incremental times: 60ft-0.911 sec., 330ft-2.339, 660ft-3.430/212.06 mph.
Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.912 sec., 330ft-2.345, 660ft-3.352/254.42 mph.
Hagan has lain choice over Force in the next round.

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

4 Tim Wilkerson .......................vs........28 Ron Capps (W)
No Time............................ 0.100 4.188 298.14

Wilkerson won here in 2009, but has never won the same race in back to back years. He comes into today's race with a two in a row streak going. Capps won here in 1997 and has two runner ups. Capps is 19 - 14 against Wilkerson in prior events.

Wilkerson won't repeat, as Capps is away first and pulled steadily ahead. After the 330 lights, The Ford's slicks begin to spin and the car gets way loose. He fights it hard, but goes over the center line near the 660 lights and is DQ'ed.
Capps will have lane choice over Troxel in round two.
Ron Capps' incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(0.008), 330 ft(0.032), 660ft(0.303). MOV: 0.9105 seconds (more than 100 feet).
Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.908 sec., 330ft-2.360, 660ft-3.370/255.00 mph.
12:20 p.m.

Timing data courtesy of CompuLink






From DragRaceCentral.com

 

Sun, 18 Jul 2010, 05:04 PM

Funny Car Round 2 Eliminations
By David Gerard





SONOMA, Calif. - Results of round 2 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 23rd annual FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals:

Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
8 Bob Tasca III (W).......vs............ 71 Cruz Pedregon
0.112 4.152 299.13 .....................0.120 4.170 300.00

1:44 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 80 degrees, relative humidity 50 percent, barometer 29.88 inches, adjusted altitude 2,098 feet, track temperature 114 degrees.

Pedregon is 6 - 1 against Tasca III in prior events. Ford vs. Toyota.
What a great close drag race. Tasca gets a small advantage at the green and Pedregon matches his incrementals at the 60 and 330 foot lights. Tasca starts to pull slightly further ahead and stays there for the close win.
Bob Tasca III's incremental margins: 60ft(0.012), 330 ft(0.012), 660ft(0.023). MOV: 0.0268 seconds (approximately 12 feet).
Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.911 sec., 330ft-2.342, 660ft-3.338/257.38 mph.
Cruz Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.915 sec., 330ft-2.346, 660ft-3.353/254.86 mph.

Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
1 Robert Hight ......vs..........5 Jack Beckman (W)
0.073 5.034 184.07 ................ 0.093 4.252 292.96

is 9 - 6 against Beckman in prior events.

Hight has a 0.020 advantage at the green and stays out in front until right after the 330 lights. The slicks begin to spin and smoke and he is done.
Beckman runs another stong 4.25 to take the win, but gives up lane choice to Tasca in the next round.
Jack Beckman's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.048), 330 ft(0.006), 660ft(0.370). MOV: 0.7623 seconds (more than 100 feet).
Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.901 sec., 330ft-2.415, 660ft-3.803/176.19 mph.
Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.929 sec., 330ft-2.389, 660ft-3.413/247.70 mph.

Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
2814 Matt Hagan (W)..........vs....... 9 John Force
0.091 4.187 297.22 ...................0.075 4.228 294.11

Force is 4 - 0 against Hagan in prior events, but Hagan is out to even the score a little.

Force gets a small RT advantage and holes Hagan off until after the sixty foot mark. The DieHard Charger pulls slowly ahead for the tight finish. Great race!
Matt Hagan's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.010), 330 ft(0.017), 660ft(0.021). MOV: 0.0253 seconds (approximately 11 feet).
Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.918 sec., 330ft-2.353, 660ft-3.366/253.61 mph.
John Force's incremental times: 60ft-0.924 sec., 330ft-2.386, 660ft-3.403/254.28 mph.

Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
507 Melanie Troxel ..........vs.......28 Ron Capps (W)
0.105 5.337 165.33 .....................0.120 4.236 292.39

Capps is 2 - 1 against Troxel in prior events. That's three for three for DSR in this round.

Troxel weekend dream ends with a whimper, as the Charger goes up in smoke before the 330 mark, after a nice hole shot lead. Capps was already ahead by the 60 foot lights and continued to pull ahead for the easy win.
He gives up lane choice to team partner, Hagan, in round three. Ron Capps' incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(0.023), 330 ft(0.161), 660ft(0.574). MOV: 1.0861 seconds (more than 100 feet).
Melanie Troxel's incremental times: 60ft-0.948 sec., 330ft-2.548, 660ft-3.989/160.14 mph.
Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.910 sec., 330ft-2.372, 660ft-3.400/249.39 mph.
1:58 p.m.

Timing data courtesy of CompuLink





From DragRaceCentral.com

 

Sun, 18 Jul 2010, 06:18 PM

Funny Car Round 3 Eliminations
By David Gerard





SONOMA, Calif. - Results of round 3 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 23rd annual FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals:
Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed

2814 Matt Hagan ..........vs........ 28 Ron Capps (W)
0.083 4.192 295.59 ............... 0.095 4.169 298.54

3:05 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 79 degrees, relative humidity 50 percent, barometer 29.88 inches, adjusted altitude 2,035 feet.

Capps is 4 - 0 against Hagan in prior events. Beckman, Hagan, and Wilkerson all clinched a spot in the Countdown to 1 top ten earlier today.
A terrific side by side run with Hagan getting a small lead off the line and stayed out in front until after the 660 foot lights. Capps' has the power and just nips him in the lights for the close win.
Ron Capps' incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.012), 330 ft(-0.015), 660ft(-0.002). MOV: 0.0117 seconds (approximately 5 feet).
Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.913 sec., 330ft-2.348, 660ft-3.364/251.30 mph.
Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.913 sec., 330ft-2.351, 660ft-3.354/256.26 mph.


Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
8 Bob Tasca III ...............vs.............5 Jack Beckman (W)
0.081 4.220 296.83 ....................... 0.080 4.221 298.73

Beckman is 5 - 2 against Tasca III in prior events.

What a fantastic side by side race from start to finish. Check out the incremental difference below! They leave together and hold position to the 330 lights, where Beckman starts to pick up just a little for the hole shot win.
Capps will have lane choice in the final.
Jack Beckman's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.006), 330 ft(-0.006), 660ft(-0.002). MOV: 0.0004 seconds (approximately 2 inches).
Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.928 sec., 330ft-2.384, 660ft-3.398/253.80 mph.
Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.935 sec., 330ft-2.391, 660ft-3.401/253.85 mph.

Timing data courtesy of CompuLink







From DragRaceCentral.com

 

Sun, 18 Jul 2010, 07:50 PM

Funny Car Final, Round 4 Eliminations
By David Gerard





SONOMA, Calif. - Results of final, round 4 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 23rd annual FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals:
Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed

5 Jack Beckman ........vs.........28 Ron Capps (W)
0.082 4.210 298.93 .................... 0.106 4.169 296.44

4:41 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 83 degrees, relative humidity 45 percent, barometer 29.87 inches, adjusted altitude 2,307 feet.

Beckman is 9-10 in final round appearances and has already won one race at Phoenix this year. He is in his in his third final this year with a 1-1 record. Capps is 30-39 in final rounds. This will be his third this year, second in a row. He has four prior wins at Infineon.
Capps is 8 - 7 against Beckman in prior events and Beckman is 1 - 0 against Capps in prior final rounds.
A terrific final round with side by side performance. Beckman gets a small RT advantage at the green and is only able to stay out in front until after the sixty foot lights. Capps just gets by and the two cars basically "station keep" each other to the finish line That evens up their wins against each other and gives him the 2010 Funny Car Championship. Very cool!
Ron Capps' incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.001), 330 ft(0.018), 660ft(0.019). MOV: 0.0173 seconds (approximately 8 feet).
Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.934 sec., 330ft-2.388, 660ft-3.392/255.68 mph.
Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.911 sec., 330ft-2.346, 660ft-3.349/255.39 mph.

Timing data courtesy of CompuLink








From DragraceCentral.com