Championship Drag Racing

CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals
Joliet, IL
(June 9-12)

EVENT HOME
   Tickets
   Event schedule
   Results
   Team Reports
   Audio Broadcast
   Photo Galleries
   Video highlights
   Entry List
   Driver Appearances

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

Sunday Brandon Bernstein: Second-round disappointment strikes Budweiser team Cory McClenathan: Traction problems end Cory Mac’s day in opening round Doug Herbert: Herbert shows improvement Larry Dixon: Dixon drives to semifinal finish Morgan Lucas: Lucas posts first-round finish Rod Fuller: Fuller goes to the finals for the second time Scott Kalitta: Kalitta wins second of season Tony Schumacher: Schumacher taken out in second round Saturday Cory McClenathan: McClenathan pleased with No. 4 qualifying spot Dave Grubnic: Grubnic grands No. 8 spot Doug Herbert: Herbert makes four good passes, ready for victory Doug Kalitta: Kalitta settles into No. 2 spot Larry Dixon: Dixon finishes in No. 6 spot Scott Kalitta: Kalitta qualifies in 10th position Scott Weis: Weis keeps a firm grip on starting position T.J. Zizzo: Zizzo falls short at home track Tony Schumacher: "The Sarge" retains No. 1 spot Friday Doug Herbert: Herbert blasts into the No. 3 spot Larry Dixon: Dixon to No. 4 position Scott Weis: Weis blasts into field T.J. Zizzo: Zizzo has to dig deep to get in show Tony Schumacher: Schumacher on top of charts Pre-race Brandon Bernstein: Bernstein hopes to capitalize on father’s success in Chicago Cory McClenathan: Carrier Family and points foremost on Cory Mac’s mind Dave Grubnic: Grubnic goes to Joliet NHRA event with new outlook and a new ride Doug Herbert: Herbert looking for second consecutive win in Chicago Doug Kalitta: Points leader Kalitta ready for improvement at Joliet Jack Beckman: Encouraging news in hand, Beckman heads for Chicago Larry Dixon: Dixon not fazed by racing at sponsor's home track Morgan Lucas: Lucas eyes ‘W’ at Route 66 Raceway Scott Kalitta: Kalitta ready to let actions speak in Joliet Scott Weis: Most critical race of the season is here for Weis T.J. Zizzo: Zizzo arrives at home track sporting a new look Tony Schumacher: Schumacher lining up a birthday gift

Sunday Cruz Pedregon: Cruz pleased with performance Del Worsham: Worsham ends "The Streak" by advancing to second round Eric Medlen: Medlen scores runner-up Gary Densham: Densham runs his quickest E.T. of the season Gary Scelzi: Scelzi blows them away Jeff Arend: Arend advances to the semifinals John Force: Force’s winning streak halted Phil Burkart: Burkart can't capitalize on strong qualifying effort Robert Hight: Hight out in round two, slips to third place Ron Capps: Capps out in opening round Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson makes another strong run Tommy Johnson: Johnson Jr. drives to semifinal performance Tony Pedregon: Mechanical problems haunt Pedregon in second round Saturday Bob Gilbertson: Broken throttle cable derails Gilby Cruz Pedregon: Cruz 12th after final qualifying Del Worsham: Worsham stays "hot," stays 6th Gary Densham: Densham qualifies with tough Chicago crowd Gary Scelzi: Scelzi on remote control; qualifies No. 9 Jeff Arend: Arend pleased with effort Phil Burkart: Burkart remains 7th, stays ready for Sunday Ron Capps: Capps takes No. 11 in qualifying Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson holds tight to fourth Tommy Johnson: Johnson Jr. drives to No. 13 spot Tony Bartone: Bartone misses cut Tony Pedregon: Pedregon holds onto No. 5 spot Whit Bazemore: Bazemore fails to qualify for first time since 2003 Friday Bob Gilbertson: Gilbertson makes career best numbers to qualify eighth Cruz Pedregon: Cruz 10th after Friday Del Worsham: Worsham says "bring on the night" Phil Burkart: Burkart bags first 4.7 of the year under the lights Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson qualifies fourth Tommy Johnson: Johnson Jr. finishes 12th Tony Pedregon: Pedregon sits fifth after first day Pre-race Bob Gilbertson: Gilbertson ready to throw it all at Chicago Cruz Pedregon: Pedregon in thick of points battle Del Worsham: Worsham not shy about Chi-town return Eric Medlen: Medlen trying to move up in points race Gary Densham: Densham getting his groove back Gary Scelzi: Scelzi set for move up the ranks in Chicago Jeff Arend: Arend eager to return to record-setting Route 66 Raceway John Force: Force seeks fourth straight tour victory Phil Burkart: Burkart's blue team takes care of monkey, aims for results Robert Hight: Rookie Hight on the fast track Ron Capps: Test prepare Capps for record-breaking Route 66 Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson looking for first win of season close to home Tommy Johnson: Johnson Jr. excited to continue strong 2005 showing Tony Pedregon: T-Ped's many Chicago successes have him excited about weekend Whit Bazemore: Three-time Route 66 champ Bazemore eyes another win

Sunday Dave Connolly: Connolly loses in quarterfinals Greg Anderson: Anderson takes over points lead Jason Line: Line defends Pro Stock title Jim Yates: Yates battles back from clutch problem Ken Koretsky: Despite first-round setback, Koretsky, Guarnaccia pleased Richie Stevens: Stevens goes to semi’s; moves up in points Warren Johnson: An unlikely culprit cuts WJ’s day short Saturday Dave Connolly: Connolly wins King Demon Crown in first race for new owner Erica Enders: Enders still fighting to end DNQ streak Jeg Coughlin: Semifinal finish in King Demon preps Jeg for race day Jim Yates: Pressure run puts Yates 14th in field Kurt Johnson: KJ’s up and down day places him second Richie Stevens: Stevens qualifies ninth in hot Chicago Warren Johnson: WJ powers to the No. 1 position Friday Jeg Coughlin: Coughlin opens strong Kurt Johnson: KJ sits second Warren Johnson: WJ opens qualifying in third Pre-race Dave Connolly: Ownership worries over, Connolly can concentrate on title chase Erica Enders: Enders hopes Chicago is turning point Jeg Coughlin: Jeg poised on the brink of a breakthrough race Jim Yates: Yates resumes quest for race win at Route 66 Raceway Ken Koretsky: Koretsky eyes $50,000 King Demon payoff at Route 66 Raceway Kurt Johnson: Johnson ready for a clutch performance in Chicago Larry Morgan: Morgan ready for King Demon Crown Richie Stevens: Stevens seeks first 2005 win at team owner's home track Warren Johnson: W.J. aims to tame 'Jekyll and Hyde' Joliet

Sunday Andrew Hines: Hines being No. 1 qualifier tops his weekend Angelle Sampey: Sampey loses in semifinals Antron Brown: Brown exits in second round Chip Ellis: Ellis wins, moves into second place Craig Treble: Team moving in right direction GT Tonglet: Tonglet maintains top ranking Saturday Angelle Sampey: Sampey drops three spots Antron Brown: Brown to start second Chip Ellis: Ellis ends qualifying at No. 3 Craig Treble: Treble saves best for last Friday Angelle Sampey: Sampey qualifies fourth Antron Brown: Brown takes eighth spot Chip Ellis: Ellis No. 2 after first day Pre-race Angelle Sampey: Angelle ready to race, win Antron Brown: Brown determined to get the job done Chip Ellis: G Squared races without injured crew chief Connie Cohen: Cohen ready to ride in Chicago Geno Scali: Team Trim-Tex focused for a hometown win in Chicago Karen Stoffer: Stoffer in search of points lead

About these reports