Championship Drag Racing

Pontiac Performance NHRA Nationals
Columbus, OH
(May 19-22)

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

Sunday Cory McClenathan: 600th eliminations round not as Cory Mac envisioned David Baca: Loss of traction leads to loss Doug Herbert: Herbert takes out the top qualifier in round one Larry Dixon: Dixon posts first-round finish Morgan Lucas: Lucas advances to third-place in points Scott Weis: Three -dollar part ends Weis' day early T.J. Zizzo: Zizzo takes a chance and comes up short Tony Schumacher: Schumacher secures third win of the year with 336-mph run Saturday Cory McClenathan: 600th round of eliminations coming up for McClenathan David Baca: Baca's 4.568-second run holds for No. 4 position Doug Herbert: Herbert aiming to be the first 16th seed to post a victory this season Larry Dixon: Dixon drives to No. 1 spot Scott Weis: Barrett Enterprises team qualifies 11th. T.J. Zizzo: Zizzo powers his way into the 12th position Tony Schumacher: "The Sarge" grabs fifth starting spot Friday Doug Herbert: Herbert qualifies in top half of the field Larry Dixon: Dixon powers to provisional No. 1 position Scott Weis: Weis qualifies fifth, goes low for the session T.J. Zizzo: Zizzo in 14th position after the second round of qualifying Tony Schumacher: Schumacher qualified 10th Pre-race Brandon Bernstein: Bernstein hoping to keep growing performance momentum Cory McClenathan: Cory Mac closes on 600th round of eliminations Dave Grubnic: Grubnic going to Columbus determined to change opinions David Baca: Baca takes momentum into Pontiac Nationals Doug Herbert: Herbert makes his way back to National Trail Raceway Doug Kalitta: Top Fuel points leader Kalitta riding back-to-back victories Jack Beckman: Versatile Beckman returns to Top Fuel in Columbus Larry Dixon: Dixon looking forward to Columbus Morgan Lucas: Lucas wants to defend Russell’s title Scott Kalitta: Kalitta encouraged about Columbus after testing Scott Weis: Barrett Enterprises team expects a warm welcome in Columbus T.J. Zizzo: Zizzo sets high expectation for his second event of the season Tony Schumacher: Schumacher seeks trip to winner’s circle

Sunday Bob Gilbertson: Gilbertson holds on to ninth Cruz Pedregon: Cruz drives to fourth-straight semifinal Del Worsham: Worsham stays luckless in Columbus Eric Medlen: Medlen out in round two, but reclaims seventh place Gary Densham: Densham detonates in first-round disappointment Gary Scelzi: Scelzi rocks to the final round in Ohio John Force: Force claims 117th victory; extends points lead Phil Burkart: Monkey business continues to haunt Burkart Robert Hight: Hight falls in second round Ron Capps: Capps' consistent passes take him to semifinals Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson finds his consistency Tommy Johnson: Johnson Jr. drives to first-round performance Tony Bartone: Bartone goes out early Tony Pedregon: Pedregon out in opening round Whit Bazemore: Bazemore upset in first round Saturday Bob Gilbertson: Gilbertson drives his way into the field Cruz Pedregon: Cruz locks up seventh qualifying spot Del Worsham: Worsham pushes it to the edge, then steps up Gary Densham: Densham looking to turn the tide Gary Scelzi: Scelzi has air of confidence after qualifying sixth Jeff Arend: Arend unable to tame tricky track Phil Burkart: Burkart finishes strong, enters eliminations from the 5 hole Ron Capps: Capps deals with tricky track, qualifies No. 12 Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson holds on to the No. 2 spot Tommy Johnson: Johnson Jr. drives to 10th qualifying position Tony Bartone: Bartone blasts into field Tony Pedregon: Pedregon moves into the 11th qualifying position Whit Bazemore: Bazemore collects his first No. 1 of the year Friday Cruz Pedregon: Cruz makes solid opening statement Del Worsham: Worsham lands 8th on challenging day Gary Densham: Densham takes No. 7 spot in qualifying Phil Burkart: Burkart steps up to grab No 5 spot Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson proud of No. 2 spot Tommy Johnson: Johnson Jr. finishes 9th after first day Tony Pedregon: Pedregon starts weekend in 14th Whit Bazemore: Bazemore low qualifer Pre-race Bob Gilbertson: Gilbertson hangs tough, holds on to ninth in points Cruz Pedregon: Cruz jumps into heart of NHRA season Del Worsham: Defending champ Worsham ready to ride the C-bus Express Eric Medlen: Medlen in another 'home game' Gary Densham: Densham aiming for continued improvement this weekend Gary Scelzi: Scelzi's Mopar/Oakley Dodge back in shape, ready for Ohio Jeff Arend: Arend beginning to hit his stride John Force: Force tries to build on points lead Phil Burkart: Burkart returns to the scene of his first win Robert Hight: Rookie Hight sends Auto Club Ford after second win Ron Capps: Capps and Brut Dodge team in the groove Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson looks for Columbus to be turning point Tommy Johnson: T.J. likes performance of car as series rolls into Ohio Tony Pedregon: Tony ready to tango Whit Bazemore: Bazemore aims for turn-around in Ohio

Sunday Dave Connolly: Fluke malfunction leads to close quarterfinal loss Jeg Coughlin: Hometown heartbreaker for Jeg Coughlin Jim Yates: Pinched spark plug wire, Edwards stop Yates Ken Koretsky: Team makes progress despite first-round setback Kurt Johnson: KJ powers to a runner-up finish Mark Pawuk: 'Cowboy' bucked off in Buckeye State Richie Stevens: Stevens advances to second round, seventh in points Warren Johnson: WJ reaches the second round Saturday Dave Connolly: Connolly parks in fifth spot Erica Enders: Enders paying dues, moving forward Jeg Coughlin: Coughlin to battle familiar foe in Round 1 Jim Yates: Yates qualifies 13th Ken Koretsky: Koretsky qualifies on final pass Kurt Johnson: KJ steps up, will start second Richie Stevens: Stevens qualifies seventh Ron Krisher: Krisher continues to shine Warren Johnson: WJ powers to the No. 1 position Friday Jeg Coughlin: Coughlin cruises on opening day Kurt Johnson: KJ starts strong, third midway through time trials Mike Edwards: Edwards a close second Warren Johnson: WJ rolls to the No. 1 position Pre-race Dave Connolly: Bullet Motorsports wants to rebound following unexpected DNQ Erica Enders: Enders ready for a new place to race Jeg Coughlin: Under pressure, Coughlin hopes to please Jim Yates: Yates looking for success at National Trail Raceway Ken Koretsky: Guarnaccia's back; Koretsky praises Morgan's engines Kurt Johnson: KJ zeroes in on a winning combination Mark Pawuk: Pawuk gearing up for Pontiac Nationals Richie Stevens: Stevens seeks good results in teammate's hometown Warren Johnson: Johnson looks to marshal a win in Columbus

Sunday Angelle Sampey: Sampey exits in second round Antron Brown: Brown falls in first round Chip Ellis: Ellis advances to semifinals Craig Treble: Treble’s day cut short Karen Stoffer: Stoffer second in points Saturday Angelle Sampey: Sampey qualifies ninth, draws Brown Antron Brown: Brown will race teammate in round one Chip Ellis: Ellis nails No. 6 qualifying spot Craig Treble: Treble qualifies 11th Friday Angelle Sampey: Troubled Sampey sits just 14th Antron Brown: Brown slides into sixth spot Chip Ellis: Ellis No. 8 after Day 1 Pre-race Angelle Sampey: Sampey intent on shrugging off slow start Antron Brown: Brown says team showing signs of life Chip Ellis: Rebound is order of weekend for Ellis Connie Cohen: Cohen hoping to return to the saddle in Ohio Craig Treble: Treble brings new discoveries to Columbus Geno Scali: Scali approaches Columbus with continuing momentum Karen Stoffer: Columbus crash long behind Stoffer

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