Championship Drag Racing

Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals
Atlanta, GA
(May 12-15)

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Team Reports News and notes from NHRA's Pro teams at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals. These reports will be updated and new ones added as they become available. About these reports

Sunday Cory McClenathan: McClenathan goes to quarterfinals David Baca: Baca wins rounds, finishes second Doug Herbert: Herbert looking forward Larry Dixon: Dixon drives to second-round finish Morgan Lucas: Lucas’ race day spoiled by Baca Scott Weis: Weis once again the quickest loser Tony Schumacher: Schumacher taken out in semifinals Saturday Dave Grubnic: "Aussie Dave" qualifies second David Baca: Baca registers 4.634-to qualify ninth Doug Herbert: Herbert ready to drive Snap-on dragster four times Doug Kalitta: Kalitta qualifies in seventh position Larry Dixon: Dixon races to sixth position Morgan Lucas: Sophomore driver claims first low qualifier Scott Kalitta: All-Kalitta first-round battle is set Scott Weis: Team blasts way into field; as advertised Tony Schumacher: Schumacher takes third starting position Friday Doug Herbert: Herbert jumps up to the top half of the field Larry Dixon: Dixon blasts to third spot Scott Weis: Barrett team goes for the knockout Tony Schumacher: ‘The Sarge’ takes No. 1 spot Pre-race Bobby Lagana: Lagana returns in Atlanta with support from Torco Brandon Bernstein: Budweiser/Lucas Oil team regaining confidence Cory McClenathan: After testing McClenathan looks for a rebound at Atlanta Dragway Dave Grubnic: Grubnic eyes Atlanta and puts the past in its place David Baca: Baca looking for improvements during busy schedule ahead Doug Herbert: Herbert ready for Southern Nationals Doug Kalitta:  Kalitta heads down south while hope for a championship climbs Morgan Lucas: Hot’lanta could show Lucas' true grit Scott Kalitta: Kalitta's Jesse James team wants return to winning ways Scott Weis: Barrett Enterprises team is back on track Tony Schumacher: Schumacher seeks rebound performance

Sunday Bob Gilbertson: Gilbertson loses but stays in Top 10 Cruz Pedregon: Cruz advances to semifinals Del Worsham: Just call him “Mr. Frustration” Eric Medlen: Medlen continues to improve with new tune-up Gary Densham: Densham's demeanor takes a detour Gary Scelzi: Scelzi's dramatic day ends in second round Jeff Arend: Arend on the short end of a close battle John Force: Force beats Hight to win Phil Burkart: Burkart figuring it all out Robert Hight: Hight makes second final, moves to third in points Ron Capps: Capps takes backup car to semi’s Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson wanted the sun to shine Tommy Johnson: Johnson Jr. drives to round-two finish Tony Pedregon: Pedregon drives to second round Whit Bazemore: Bazemore loses to Force in first round; drops to second in points Saturday Bob Gilbertson: Gilbertson qualifies on last attempt Cruz Pedregon: Cruz ready for Sunday’s finals Del Worsham: Timing is everything Gary Densham: Densham aiming for round wins Gary Scelzi: Scelzi nails his second pole of the season Jeff Arend: Arend for sixth race of the season Phil Burkart: Burkart leapfrogs past teammate Ron Capps: Capps grabs No. 2 in qualifying Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson tests his way into the No. 13 spot Tommy Johnson: Johnson Jr. drives to best qualifying position of 2005 Tony Pedregon: Pedregon qualifies fourth Whit Bazemore: Bazemore qualifies No. 12 Friday Cruz Pedregon: Cruz opens in 13th Del Worsham: Worsham leads the pack Gary Densham: Densham runs his fastest pass of the season Phil Burkart: Burkart slides into second position Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson improves with the setting of the sun Tommy Johnson: Johnson Jr. drives to No. 6 spot Tony Pedregon: Pedregon testing new combination, grabs eighth qualifier Pre-race Bob Gilbertson: Gilbertson ready for Atlanta Cruz Pedregon: Pedregon in battle for second points slot Del Worsham: Determined Worsham not superstitious, yet Eric Medlen: Medlen eyes winners' circle in return to Atlanta Gary Densham: Densham determined to make some noise Gary Scelzi: Scelzi targets points lead in three-race swing Jeff Arend: Arend poised to make a run at the top 10 John Force: Force tries to reclaim magic in return to Atlanta Phil Burkart: 'Misplaced' Burkart heading to an appropriate venue Robert Hight: Hight back in pressure cooker Ron Capps: Capps looks to parlay three Atlanta runner-up finishes into a win Tim Wilkerson: Atlanta Dragway works with Wilkerson's program Tommy Johnson: Johnson Jr. fired up as NHRA roars into Atlanta Tony Pedregon: It all started here for T-Ped Whit Bazemore: Points leader Bazemore set to defend his 2004 title

Sunday Greg Anderson: Anderson notches first win of the season Jeg Coughlin: Fractions separate Coughlin from win light Jim Yates: Yates loses narrow first-round clash Ken Koretsky: Koretsky loses first-round match against Johnson Kurt Johnson: Consistent KJ races to semifinals Richie Stevens: Stevens out in opening round in Atlanta Warren Johnson: WJ advances to semifinals, extends points lead Saturday Dave Connolly: Connolly disappointed by DNQ Erica Enders: Missed first session the problem for Enders Jeg Coughlin: Coughlin doesn't sweat qualifying in 'Hotlanta' Jim Yates: Yates vs. Gaines in first round Ken Koretsky: Koretsky, minus Guarnaccia, qualifies Kurt Johnson: KJ battles to 14th starting spot Richie Stevens: Stevens collects No. 8 slot Ron Krisher: Krisher's Cobalt debut a success Warren Johnson: WJ powers to No. 1 starting spot Friday Jeg Coughlin: Jeg copes with heat Warren Johnson: W.J. sits second midway through qualifying Pre-race Dave Connolly: Connolly hopes to drive new Cobalt to Southern Nationals win Erica Enders: Enders' Cobalt debut take two Jeg Coughlin: Confident Coughlin ready to conquer Atlanta Jim Yates: Yates hopes to thrive in hot conditions Kurt Johnson: K.J. looks for familiarity to breed competitiveness Larry Morgan: Morgan testing for Southern Nationals Richie Stevens: Stevens has momentum on his side heading into Atlanta Warren Johnson: W.J. works to ensure successful homecoming

Sunday Angelle Sampey: Sampey bows out in second round Antron Brown: Brown falls in second frame Chip Ellis: Ellis goes to quarterfinals Craig Treble: Treble maintains third place GT Tonglet: Tonglet wins, takes points lead Saturday Angelle Sampey: Sampey edges way into top half Antron Brown: Brown in the top five again Chip Ellis: Ellis qualified No. 5 Craig Treble: Treble qualifies middle of the pack Friday Angelle Sampey: Defending event champ looking for better numbers Antron Brown: Brown solid in second spot Chip Ellis: After two of four qualifying sessions, Ellis No. 4 Connie Cohen: Cohen suffers top-end spill Pre-race Angelle Sampey: Sampey wants another Atlanta trophy Antron Brown: Brown looking to pick up the pace Chip Ellis: Focus is now on Atlanta for Ellis and G Squared Connie Cohen: Cohen eager to turn up the heat in ‘Hotlanta’ Craig Treble: Treble intends to step it up in Atlanta Geno Scali: Scali ready to race with Georgia on his mind Karen Stoffer: Stoffer remains humble heading

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