Championship Drag Racing

Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals
Reading, PA
(September 15-18)

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

Sunday Cory McClenathan: Cory Mac sees red Doug Herbert: Herbert makes another semifinal appearance Larry Dixon: Dixon drives to runner-up finish Melanie Troxel: Troxel sets new career-best et, advances to second round Morgan Lucas: Lucas advances to fifth in standings Scott Weis: Weis hits Schumacher juggernaut Tony Schumacher: Schumacher avenges Indy loss to Dixon Saturday Clay Millican: Millican squares off against Troxel in first round Cory McClenathan: Cory Mac No. 6 Doug Herbert: Herbert snags another top three position Larry Dixon: Dixon qualifies second Melanie Troxel: Troxel pumped up after No. 5 qualifying effort Morgan Lucas: Consistency rules for Lucas T.J. Zizzo: Zizzo is fifteenth on the ladder Tony Schumacher: Schumacher to start from number one spot Friday Doug Herbert: Herbert running at the top again Larry Dixon: Dixon grabs provisional No. 2 position T.J. Zizzo: Zizzo hopes to improve from the No. 13 spot Tony Schumacher: Schumacher pockets provisional pole Pre-race Brandon Bernstein: Budweiser team looking for race day consistency Clay Millican: Millican to drive special Nitro Fish dragster Cory McClenathan: Cory Mac eyes Budweiser Shootout points at Reading Dave Grubnic: Grubnic enjoying career year Doug Herbert: Herbert ready for victory in Reading Doug Kalitta: Doug intent on regaining points lead Larry Dixon: Dixon continues charge towards 2005 title Melanie Troxel: Troxel ready for good times in Reading Morgan Lucas: Keystone State offers home-track advantage for Lucas Scott Kalitta: Scott looking up, wanting more T.J. Zizzo: Zizzo confident Reading will be a turning point Tony Schumacher: Schumacher ready to pad his lead

Sunday Bob Gilbertson: Frustratiing weekend ends early Del Worsham: Worsham bitten by first round strangeness Eric Medlen: Medlen up to fourth despite early loss Gary Densham: Densham has close encounter of the worst kind Gary Scelzi: Scelzi's stellar reading run end in semi’s, pads points lead John Force: Force runner-up, closes gap in points race Phil Burkart: Burkart ambushed in round one Robert Hight: Hight beats Capps before bowing out Ron Capps: Without lane choice, Capps is out in first round Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson will try it again next week Tommy Johnson: Johnson drives to second-round effort Tony Bartone: Bartone exits eliminations early Tony Pedregon: Pedregon wins first as team owner Whit Bazemore: Bazemore is semifinal finisher for fourth time in six races Saturday Bob Gilbertson: Gilbertson races to 14th spot Cruz Pedregon: Cruz misses field Del Worsham: Worsham clones two solid Saturday runs Gary Densham: Densham bumps in the field during final round Gary Scelzi: Scelzi holds on to No. 1, gains five points on Hight Mike Ashley: Ashley qualifies for first career Funny Car eliminations Phil Burkart: Burkart stays consistent, lands 12th Ron Capps: Capps misses one round, qualifies No. 9 Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson hangs onto No. 15 spot Tommy Johnson: Johnson Jr. qualifies third Tony Bartone: Bartone maintains consistency with another strong qualifying effort Tony Pedregon: Pedregon qualifies in fifth Whit Bazemore: Bazemore snares seventh spot Friday Bob Gilbertson: Gilbertson races to 12th spot Cruz Pedregon: Cruz starts weekend in 15th Del Worsham: The hits just keep on comin' for Worsham Gary Densham: Densham aims for better results Gary Scelzi: Scelzi No. 1 in qualifying Phil Burkart: Burkart gets "glitched," then bounces back Ron Capps: Capps not in field; questions NHRA decision Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson qualified No. 13 Tony Pedregon: Pedregon opens weekend in fourth Pre-race Bob Gilbertson: Gilbertson ready for Reading Cruz Pedregon: Pedregon focused on improving Del Worsham: Worsham returns to earth, lands in Reading Eric Medlen: Already adept at talking the talk, Medlen trying to walk that walk Gary Densham: Densham draws on good vibrations picked up in Indy Gary Scelzi: Scelzi on hot seat for Reading John Force: Force is still the driver to beat Mike Ashley: Funny Car driver Ashley eyes first elimination berth Phil Burkart: 'Giant killer' Burkart ready for Reading challenge Robert Hight: Hight in Scelzi's rearview mirror Ron Capps: Capps gunning for top spot in Reading Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson hopes his playing won't be a setback Tommy Johnson: Johnson Jr. focused on strong finish Tony Bartone: Bartone and Dunn Racing at peak performance Tony Pedregon: Pedregon up for Reading challenge Whit Bazemore: Bazemore looks for more in Reading

Sunday Dave Connolly: Eight-thousandths of second separate Connolly and Morgan Erica Enders: Enders earns first round win at Maple Grove Jeg Coughlin: Coughlin nipped at finish line in Round 1 Jim Yates: Yates scores runner-up Kurt Johnson: KJ sees red in semifinals Warren Johnson: WJ gets locked out in quarterfinals Saturday Dave Connolly: Connolly qualifies with 6.760-second run Erica Enders: Déjà vu for Enders at Maple Grove Greg Anderson: Anderson qualifies second Jason Line: Line uses final qualifying session to grab pole Jeg Coughlin: Coughlin gets quicker, eyes Round 1 showdown with old rival Jim Yates: Yates No. 5 qualifier Kurt Johnson: KJ qualifies third Richie Stevens: Stevens relies on four consistent runs to qualify No. 12 Warren Johnson: WJ will roll off sixth Friday Jeg Coughlin: Coughlin preps for Saturday morning with two good pulls Kurt Johnson: KJ leads the field midway through qualifying Warren Johnson: WJ opens qualifying in third Pre-race Dave Connolly: Possible end of recent slump excites Connolly Erica Enders: Enders ready to go rounds in Reading Jeg Coughlin: Former track record-older, winner, ready for more heroics Jim Yates: Yates hopes more runs will yield round wins Ken Koretsky: Koretsky wants to run well before home crowd Kurt Johnson: K.J. looks to make his points in Reading Richie Stevens: Nomadic Stevens looks to maintain momentum in Reading

Sunday Andrew Hines: Hines and Tonglet go rounds at Maple Grove Angelle Sampey: Sampey victorious in Reading for sixth time Antron Brown: Brown fouls out in first round Chip Ellis: Ellis to semifinals; Smith out early Saturday Angelle Sampey: Sampey ends up fourth Antron Brown: Brown qualifies in fifth Chip Ellis: Ellis remain No. 2, Smith No. 3 Friday Angelle Sampey: Sampey takes seventh position Antron Brown: Brown qualifies in fourth Chip Ellis: Ellis No. 1; Smith No. 3 Pre-race Angelle Sampey: Angelle hopes for more Reading magic Antron Brown: Brown fighting to stay in chase Chip Ellis: Ellis gains a teammate Connie Cohen: Cohen thrilled to be racing at Maple Grove Raceway Craig Treble: Treble busy en route to Reading. Geno Scali: Scali looking for more rounds in Reading Karen Stoffer: Extra time in Indy should help Stoffer Matt Smith: Smith gains a sponsor, gets a ride

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