MReeves

Fri, 20 May 2011, 07:06 PM

Funny Car Qualifying Notes, Session #1
By Rick Green





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

Left Lane: Dale Creasy Jr. Runs 7.333/93.51, Now #2
Right Lane: Melanie Troxel Runs 4.133/304.74, Now #1

Weather conditions: air temperature 74 degrees, relative humidity 70 percent, barometer 28.52 inches, adjusted altitude 3,428 feet, track temperature 86 degrees.

Creasy Jr. started to shake as soon as he hit the throttle and clicked it off. Troxel launched hard and was straight down the groove with her quickest pass of the season. Melanie Troxel's incremental times: 60ft-0.900 sec., 330ft-2.333, 660ft-3.326/257.87 mph.


Left Lane: Paul Lee Runs 4.328/294.18, Now #3
Right Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 4.217/278.29, Now #2

Pedregon was on a good pass and then slowed on the top end. Tony Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.924 sec., 330ft-2.375, 660ft-3.384/253.61 mph. Lee with a good clean pass...Paul Lee's incremental times: 60ft-0.943 sec., 330ft-2.463, 660ft-3.502/251.63 mph.

Left Lane: Jim Head Runs 4.293/260.61, Now #4
Right Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.146/299.26, Now #2

Wilkerson launched hard and keep the big Goodyears hooked up with a nice pass...Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.935 sec., 330ft-2.359, 660ft-3.338/260.36 mph. Head started mixing up cylinders on the top end and clicked it off. Jim Head's incremental times: 60ft-0.941 sec., 330ft-2.410, 660ft-3.424/252.33 mph.

Left Lane: Johnny Gray Runs 4.216/293.35, Now #4
Right Lane: Ron Capps Runs 4.195/296.83, Now #3

This was a good side-by-side drag race...Johnny Gray's incremental times: 60ft-0.924 sec., 330ft-2.370, 660ft-3.383/251.06 mph.
Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.901 sec., 330ft-2.347, 660ft-3.364/248.80 mph.

Left Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 4.165/299.26, Now #4
Right Lane: John Force Runs 4.102/307.09, Now #1

Force with a great pass as he runs the quickest and fastest pass of the day. John Force's incremental times: 60ft-0.888 sec., 330ft-2.309, 660ft-3.302/258.22 mph. Tasca with a real nice pass. Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.905 sec., 330ft-2.354, 660ft-3.354/257.58 mph.

Left Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 4.201/301.87, Now #7
Right Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 4.102/306.95, Now #2

Hagan with a great pass as he matches force with the quickest pass of the day. hagan gives up the top spot on the tie breaker. Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.902 sec., 330ft-2.327, 660ft-3.306/262.03 mph. Arend with a good clean pass...Jeff Arend's incremental times: 60ft-0.919 sec., 330ft-2.388, 660ft-3.390/256.55 mph.

Left Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 4.080/310.20, Now #1
Right Lane: Robert Hight Runs 4.204/263.67, Now #9

Pedregon launched hard and keep the candles lit all the way down the 1000 feet. Pedregon goes to the number one spot. Cruz Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.898 sec., 330ft-2.325, 660ft-3.294/265.27 mph. Hight starts to drop cylinders on the right side and the car pushes out of the groove and over by the wall.

Left Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 4.128/304.32, Now #5
Right Lane: Mike Neff Runs 4.119/301.40, Now #4

This is a great side-by-side drag race to wrap up round one of qualifying. Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.901 sec., 330ft-2.331, 660ft-3.325/257.92 mph.
Mike Neff's incremental times: 60ft-0.902 sec., 330ft-2.335, 660ft-3.313/261.42 mph.


Timing data courtesy of CompuLink







From DragRaceCentral.com

TVLynn

It's a shame they don't go the whole 1320

MReeves

Fri, 20 May 2011, 09:34 PM

Funny Car Qualifying Notes, Session #2
By Dave Rowe





TOPEKA, Kan. - Notes from round 2 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 23rd annual Summer 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: Tony Pedregon Runs 4.227/298.93, Now #13; Best prior run: 4.217/278.29, Was #13

8:13 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 72 degrees, relative humidity 70 percent, barometer 28.53 inches, adjusted altitude 3,282 feet, track temperature 77 degrees.

Pedregon \'s run looked better than it was, right down the groove, candles lit all the way through the run.

Left Lane: Robert Hight Runs 4.067/312.21, Now #1; Best prior run: 4.204/263.67, Was #11

Hight goes down the groove, flames high and steady all the way through the run, and he takes the pole for now.

Left Lane: Ron Capps Runs 4.090/296.31, Now #3; Best prior run: 4.195/296.83, Was #10
Right Lane: Jim Head Runs 4.093/306.60, Now #4; Best prior run: 4.293/260.61, Was #14

Capps was on a good pass but drifted toward the wall and had to back off the throttle just before he crossed the centerline. Head made his quickest pass of the season to move up to the fourth spot.

Left Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.081/305.15, Now #4; Best prior run: 4.146/299.26, Was #10
Right Lane: Johnny Gray Runs 4.058/307.23, Now #1; Best prior run: 4.216/293.35, Was #13

Wilkerson drifted to the left late in the run but made a good run, his quickest of the year. Nothing wrong with Gray's run, right down the groove to take the pole for now.

Left Lane: Melanie Troxel Runs 7.923/80.17, Now #11; Best prior run: 4.133/304.74, Was #11
Right Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 4.150/305.42, Now #12; Best prior run: 4.201/301.87, Was #13

Troxel gets about 200 feet out, loses traction and backs off the throttle. Arend makes a clean, straight pass and moves up a notch.

Left Lane: Mike Neff Runs 4.070/310.98, Now #3; Best prior run: 4.119/301.40, Was #9
Right Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 4.100/308.64, Now #8; Best prior run: 4.165/299.26, Was #13

Two good looking runs here, both right down the groove. Tasca improves and moves up a few notches to the eight spot, Neff moves to third.

Left Lane: Matt Hagan No Time, Now #11; Best prior run: 4.102/306.95, Was #10
Right Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 4.054/313.66, Now #1; Best prior run: 4.128/304.32, Was #11

Hagan has problems getting the engine to crank and does not make a pass. Beckman makes a good looking run, header flames high and steady all the way through run to take the pole for now.

Left Lane: John Force Runs 4.095/310.41, Now #9; Best prior run: 4.102/307.09, Was #10
Right Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 7.111/98.39, Now #5; Best prior run: 4.080/310.20, Was #5

Pedregon has traction problems about 200 feet out and has to give up on the run. Force makes a clean run and moves up a notch to the ninth spot.


Timing data courtesy of CompuLink








From DragRaceCentral.com

MReeves

I agree but the had to slow the cars down.... And this is the way they chose to do it... But the traditional drag race has always been a quarter mile.....

67 GTX

What were the speeds like when they ran the full quarter mile?

MReeves

Well over 300...... Now they are about back to that but they all have an extra 320' to get stopped.... My opinion if they want to slow them down they need to limit them to one fuel pump and restrict the boost from the supercharger and lower the nitro in the fuel.... Get them back down to 250 or so.... And really do you think you can tell the difference at the top end if you have two cars less than a foot apart and both running 250??? I bet not...... JMO

MReeves

Sat, 21 May 2011, 02:12 PM

Funny Car Qualifying Notes, Session #3
By Dave Rowe





TOPEKA, Kan. - Notes from round 3 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 23rd annual Summer 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: Dale Creasy Jr. Runs 4.411/276.29, Now #13; No Prior Run
Right Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 4.658/176.53, Now #11; Best prior run: 4.102/306.95, Was #11

12:38 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 77 degrees, relative humidity 59 percent, barometer 28.56 inches, adjusted altitude 3,558 feet, track temperature 106 degrees.

Hagan had a cylinder out on the left side at the hit. The car pushed to the left, getting close to the centerline about 400 feet out, then Hagan had to back off the throttle. Creasy went through the lights, made a move to the right, then banged the blower well after the finish line
.
Left Lane: Paul Lee Runs 4.421/226.81, Now #14; No Prior Run
Right Lane: Melanie Troxel Runs 4.201/267.91, Now #12; Best prior run: 4.133/304.74, Was #12

Lee drifted to the left late in the run, getting close to the wall right in the lights. Troxel drifted to the left late in the run but was able to keep the car in the lane.

Left Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 4.072/298.01, Now #5; Best prior run: 4.080/310.20, Was #5
Right Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 4.201/290.88, Now #13; No Prior Run

This was a pretty good side-by-side, both cars right down the groove. Cruz pulls away slowly all the way through the run but doesn't improve enough to move up in the order. Tony made a decent pass and gets in the show in the 13th spot.

Left Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 6.283/102.60, Now #16; No Prior Run
Right Lane: John Force Runs 4.115/306.53, Now #9; Best prior run: 4.095/310.41, Was #9

Arend gets about 300 feet out and goes up in smoke. He rolls through the lights and gets in the show on the bump. Force makes a decent pass but doesn't improve.

Left Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 4.132/306.95, Now #10; Best prior run: 4.100/308.64, Was #10
Right Lane: Ron Capps Runs 5.703/119.86, Now #7; Best prior run: 4.090/296.31, Was #7

Capps gets to the 330 foot mark and strikes the tires. Tasca made a decent run for the conditions but doesn't improve.

Left Lane: Jim Head Runs 4.199/298.14, Now #8; Best prior run: 4.093/306.60, Was #8
Right Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.152/305.36, Now #6; Best prior run: 4.081/305.15, Was #6

A couple of good looking runs, both went right down the groove. Wilkerson doesn't improve and stays in the sixth spot, Head stays in eighth.

Left Lane: Johnny Gray Runs 4.153/297.42, Now #2; Best prior run: 4.058/307.23, Was #2
Right Lane: Mike Neff Runs 4.113/309.20, Now #4; Best prior run: 4.070/310.98, Was #4

Neff goes right down the groove with the quickest pass of the round. Gray makes a clean run but does not improve.

Left Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 4.126/297.94, Now #1; Best prior run: 4.054/313.66, Was #1
Right Lane: Robert Hight Runs 4.119/303.43, Now #3; Best prior run: 4.067/312.21, Was #3

Beckman makes a decent run and stays in the top spot. Hight made a little move right a the end of the run.


Timing data courtesy of CompuLink








From DragRaceCentral.com

MReeves

Sat, 21 May 2011, 05:06 PM

Funny Car Qualifying Notes, Final Session
By Dave Rowe





TOPEKA, Kan. - Notes from final, round 4 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 23rd annual Summer 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: Tony Pedregon Runs 4.262/250.92, Now #13; Best prior run: 4.201/290.88, Was #13

3:38 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 82 degrees, relative humidity 57 percent, barometer 28.51 inches, adjusted altitude 3,972 feet, track temperature 116 degrees.

Pedregon was on a decent pass, then a flash came from under the car around half track.

Left Lane: Melanie Troxel Runs 4.171/285.41, Now #12; Best prior run: 4.133/304.74, Was #12

Troxel makes a good run for the conditions but doesn't improve.

Left Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 4.366/228.92, Now #11; Best prior run: 4.102/306.95, Was #11
Right Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 7.499/88.39, Now #16; Best prior run: 6.283/102.60, Was #16

Arend gets about 200 feet out and strikes the tires. Hagan drifted to the left all the way through the run, got close to the wall and had to back off the throttle early.

Left Lane: John Force Runs 4.138/306.19, Now #9; Best prior run: 4.095/310.41, Was #9
Right Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 4.144/302.41, Now #10; Best prior run: 4.100/308.64, Was #10

A good side by side run, both drivers right down the middle of the groove. Neither driver improves but stay close to their earlier attempts.

Left Lane: Ron Capps Runs 4.205/293.15, Now #7; Best prior run: 4.090/296.31, Was #7
Right Lane: Jim Head Runs 4.136/303.91, Now #8; Best prior run: 4.093/306.60, Was #8

Head goes right down the groove and makes the quickest pass of the session so far. Capps e slicks stuck on this pass but doesn't improve from his attempts yesterday.

Left Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 5.674/123.69, Now #6; Best prior run: 4.081/305.15, Was #6
Right Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 5.336/133.12, Now #5; Best prior run: 4.072/298.01, Was #5

Wilkerson and Pedregon leave the line together, both drift a little to the left, then strike the tires at almost exactly the same time.

Left Lane: Mike Neff Runs 4.917/158.13, Now #4; Best prior run: 4.070/310.98, Was #4
Right Lane: Johnny Gray Runs 4.134/303.91, Now #2; Best prior run: 4.058/307.23, Was #2

Neff gets about 400 feet out and strikes the tires. Gray makes another good, consistent pass.

Left Lane: Robert Hight Runs 4.141/305.42, Now #3; Best prior run: 4.067/312.21, Was #3
Right Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 4.175/291.57, Now #1; Best prior run: 4.054/313.66, Was #1

Beckman was moving around a little the last half of the run but still made a decent pass. Hight went right down the groove.


Timing data courtesy of CompuLink









From DragRaceCentral.com

MReeves

Sunday
Results for Elimination Round 1
TOPEKA, Kan. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 1 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 23rd annual Summer Nationals:

W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed
(W) Matt Hagan (DieHard Charger) 0.103 4.112 304.12
(L) Tim Wilkerson (Levi Ray & Shoup Mustang) 0.068 6.969 97.59

11:37 a.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 80 degrees, relative humidity 53 percent, barometer 28.49 inches, adjusted altitude 3,769 feet, track temperature 106 degrees.
Wilkerson won this race in the Top Alcohol Funny Car class in 1994. He is 2 - 1 against Hagan in prior events.
Wilkerson gets out of the gate first and starts to pull away. He gets about 200 feet out, strikes the tires and has to back off the throttle. Hagan pulls around him just past the sixty foot mark and pulls away for the win.
Matt Hagan's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.014), 330 ft(0.249), 660ft(1.306). MOV: 2.8229 seconds (more than 100 feet).

(W) Robert Hight (AAA of So. Cal Mustang) 0.104 4.097 309.70
(L) Dale Creasy Jr. (Tek Pak Inc. Impala SS) 0.083 4.391 234.98

Hight is the defending champ at this event and has had a pretty consistent race car so far this weekend. Creasy has been struggling most of the weekend so far.
Creasy got a small advantage off the line but stared drifting to the right. He gets close to the wall near the end of the run and backs off the throttle. Hight had made up the difference off the line before they reached the sixty foot mark and pulled ahead with a good run for the conditions.
Robert Hight's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(0.015), 330 ft(0.065), 660ft(0.122). MOV: 0.2731 seconds (approximately 94 feet).
Hight will have lane choice over Hagan in the next round.

(W) Jack Beckman (Aaron's/Valvoline Charger) 0.080 4.171 294.05
(L) Jeff Arend (DHL Solara) 0.074 4.250 300.46

This is the fourth time Beckman has qualified in the top spot in his career. He has never won from that position but has made it to two finals and lost in the first round once. This is the ninth time Arend has qualified in the 16th position and only has one round win when he started in that spot. He was the runner-up here last year.
Not much difference off the line for these two, Beckman slowly pulls away and extends his lead all the way through the run. Arend makes his quickest pass of the weekend in the losing effort.

(W) Johnny Gray (Service Central Charger) 0.105 4.176 278.46
(L) Paul Lee (Jim Dunn/Rislone/Bars Leaks Impal 0.111 6.050 113.46

At number two, this is Gray's best ever start in the Funny Car class. Lee won this race in the Top Alcohol Funny Car class in 2004. Gray is 1 - 0 against Lee in prior events.
Gray gets off the line first, goes right down the groove and pulls away for the win. Lee was right with Gray for the first 200 feet or so, then strikes the tires and backs off the throttle.

(W) Mike Neff (Ford Drive One Mustang) 0.092 4.726 189.60
(L) Tony Pedregon (Herzog Impala SS) 0.070 5.307 194.91

Tony Pedregon has won this race three times. He has qualified in the bottom half of the field at every race this year. Pedregon is 7 - 5 against Neff in prior events.
Pedregon gets out of the gate first but strikes the tires about 200 feet out. Neff gets about 400 feet out, strikes the tires and starts to pedal. He gets out of the groove, makes a hard move to the right and almost crosses the centerline. Pedregon pedaled a couple of times but could never recover.

(W) Cruz Pedregon (Snap-On Solara) 0.067 4.539 226.70
(L) Melanie Troxel (ProCare RX Solara) 0.117 5.446 179.06

Like his brother, Cruz has won this race three times. Troxel won this race in 1999 in the Top Alcohol Dragster class. This is the first time Pedregon and Troxel have faced each other in eliminations.
This was a repeat of the last run. Troxel gets about 200 feet out and strikes the tires. She pedals a couple of times, sees Pedregon's troubles and tries to get the slicks to grip. Pedregon gets about 400 feet out, loses traction and has to pedal. He wags the rear of the car around during this but was bale to keep the car under control and take the win.
Cruz will have lane choice over Neff in the next round.

(W) Ron Capps (NAPA Charger) 0.065 4.144 298.73
(L) Bob Tasca III (Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustan 0.048 4.178 301.67

Capps has won this race three times. Capps is 11 - 5 against Tasca III in prior events.
Tasca has been consistent this weekend but Capps has been just a little quicker.
Tasca gets off the line first but Capps reels him in quickly. Capps starts to pull away and goes right down the groove for the win.
Capps will have lane choice over Gray in the next round.

(W) Jim Head (Head Racing Solara) 0.113 4.165 305.70
(L) John Force (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.108 6.087 109.95

Head won this race in Top Fuel in 1996 and was the runner-up in Funny Car in 1997. Force has won this race six times. These two have met each other 15 times in round one and this is the first time Head has had lane choice. Force is 14 - 6 against Head in prior events.
These two come off the line and are glued together for the first 300 feet. Force strikes the tires at that point and has to back off the throttle. No problems for Head, right down Broadway to take the win.
Jim Head's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(0.008), 330 ft(0.080), 660ft(0.742). MOV: 1.9172 seconds (more than 100 feet). Head will have lane choice over Beckman in round two.


From NHRA.com

MReeves

Sunday
Results for Elimination Round 2
TOPEKA, Kan. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 2 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 23rd annual Summer Nationals:

W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed

(W) Mike Neff (Ford Drive One Mustang) 0.077 4.148 303.23
(L) Cruz Pedregon (Snap-On Solara) 0.089 4.200 292.27

1:18 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 82 degrees, relative humidity 45 percent, barometer 28.49 inches, adjusted altitude 3,859 feet, track temperature 122 degrees.
Pedregon is 4 - 2 against Neff in prior events.
Neff left first and started pulling away. Pedregon was slowly falling behind all the way through the run.
Mike Neff's incremental margins: 60ft(0.017), 330 ft(0.018), 660ft(0.044). MOV: 0.0641 seconds (approximately 27 feet).

(W) Johnny Gray (Service Central Charger) 0.108 5.140 206.54
(L) Ron Capps (NAPA Charger) 0.075 5.786 162.37

Capps is 5 - 3 against Gray in prior events.
Capps gets off the line first and starts to pull away. He gets about 200 feet out, loses traction and has to pedal. Gray gets about 200 feet out, loses traction and starts pedaling. Neither can get the slicks ti stick but Gray was able to hang on and get the win.

(W) Robert Hight (AAA of So. Cal Mustang) 0.086 4.731 214.21
(L) Matt Hagan (DieHard Charger) 0.062 5.202 158.00

Hight is 5 - 4 against Hagan in prior events.
This was another pedalfest. Hagan was out in front, then lost traction about 200 feet out. Hight went up in smoke about 300 feet out. both were pedaling, the cars were moving around wildly but neither could get traction. Hight had enough momentum to carry him through first.
Robert Hight's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.011), 330 ft(0.037), 660ft(0.139). MOV: 0.4473 seconds (more than 100 feet).
Hight will have lane choice over Gray in the next round.

(W) Jack Beckman (Aaron's/Valvoline Charger) 0.084 4.665 236.01
(L) Jim Head (Head Racing Solara) 0.108 4.862 247.61

Beckman is 10 - 2 against Head in prior events.
Beckman gets off the line first but Head reels him and pulls even at the sixty foot mark. Head gets about 300 feet out, loses traction and has to pedal. Beckman started pulling away quickly, then he loses traction a little before he reaches the 660 foot mark. Beckman pedals a couple of times and goes through the lights to take the win.
Jack Beckman's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.002), 330 ft(0.102), 660ft(0.259). MOV: 0.2214 seconds (approximately 80 feet). Neff will have lane choice over Beckman in the next round.


From NHRA.com

MReeves

Sunday
Results for Elimination Round 3
TOPEKA, Kan. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 3 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 23rd annual Summer Nationals:
W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed

(W) Robert Hight (AAA of So. Cal Mustang) 0.082 4.172 303.50
(L) Johnny Gray (Service Central Charger) 0.103 4.239 279.96

2:42 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 83 degrees, relative humidity 40 percent, barometer 28.48 inches, adjusted altitude 3,858 feet, track temperature 124 degrees.
Hight is 1 - 0 against Gray in prior events.
Hight was able to keep the slicks stuck all the way through the run on this one and pulls away for the win. Gray was on a decent pass but drifted close to the centerline just before the finish line.

(W) Mike Neff (Ford Drive One Mustang) 0.056 4.179 303.78
(L) Jack Beckman (Aaron's/Valvoline Charger) 0.063 5.381 155.96

Beckman and Neff have each won 4 times against the other in prior events.
Beckman strikes the tires about 200 feet out, pedals, makes a move to the right, pedals again, then finally gives up on the run. Neff went right down the groove to take the win. Hight will have lane choice over Neff in the final round.

MReeves

Sunday
Results for Final Round
TOPEKA, Kan. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of final, round 4 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 23rd annual Summer Nationals:

W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed

(W) Robert Hight (AAA of So. Cal Mustang) 0.100 4.284 264.86
(L) Mike Neff (Ford Drive One Mustang) 0.068 4.562 215.27


4:11 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 82 degrees, relative humidity 42 percent, barometer 28.46 inches, adjusted altitude 3,849 feet, track temperature 124 degrees.
Neff is 2-7 in final rounds, 1-3 this year. Hight is 20-13 in finals, 2-0 this year. Hight is also the defending champion.
Hight and Neff have each won 3 times against the other in prior events and this is the first time they have faced each other in a final round.
Whomever wins this race will get the 200th win for Team Force in the Funny Car Class.
This was a pretty good race until about 400 feet, then Neff strikes the tires and has to back off the throttle. Hight drove by Neff just past the 330 foot mark, then had trouble late in the run. Robert Hight's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.019), 330 ft(-0.023), 660ft(0.101). MOV: 0.2469 seconds (approximately 78 feet).