Championship Drag Racing

ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals
Gainesville, FL
(March 16-19)

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

Sunday Bob Vandergriff: Vandergriff reaches quarterfinal Brandon Bernstein: Budweiser dragster victim of tire smoke Cory McClenathan: McClenathan reaches quarterfinals; new chassis works well Dave Grubnic: Grubnic claims second NHRA win of career Dave Grubnic: Grubnic wins in Gainesville Doug Herbert: Herbert races to semifinal finish Hillary Will: Consistent run for Will ends in first-round exit Larry Dixon: Dixon drives to quarterfinal finish Melanie Troxel: Troxel reaches fourth straight final round, builds points lead Morgan Lucas: Lucas advances to quarterfinals Rod Fuller: Fuller continues his first-place points battle Tony Schumacher: Schumacher loses in first round Saturday Bob Vandergriff: Vandergriff begins from the 11th position Clay Millican: Millican fails to qualify Cory McClenathan: Bent framerail forces crew to change chassis Dave Grubnic: Grubnic qualifies No. 3 Doug Herbert: Herbert qualifies on final attempt Hillary Will: Will qualifies No. 6 Larry Dixon: Dixon saves best for last, qualifies second Melanie Troxel: Troxel works her way into No. 12 Morgan Lucas: Lucas qualifies No. 4 Scott Weis: Weis starts eliminations from lucky position 13 Tony Schumacher: Schumacher bolts to No. 1 Friday Bob Vandergriff: Vandergriff ends Friday in 10th position Larry Dixon: Dixon sits sixth Friday Morgan Lucas: Lucas ties Top Fuel low e.t. Tony Schumacher: Schumacher not in show Pre-race Brandon Bernstein: Bernstein looking for more family history in Florida Clay Millican: Tennessee fan Millican would like to take home Gatornationals trophy Cory McClenathan: McClenathan, Fram Boost ready to win rounds at Gators Dave Grubnic: Grubnic going to Gainesville to garner greater accolades Doug Herbert: Herbert attempting to qualify for 50th consecutive NHRA event Doug Kalitta: Kalitta looks to defend Top Fuel title in Gainesville Hillary Will: Will hopes for milestones at Gainesville Larry Dixon: Dixon eager to return to historic Gatornationals Melanie Troxel: Troxel faces new challenges in Gainesville Morgan Lucas: Lucas has POWERade points chase on his mind Rod Fuller: After his fill of well-deserved praise, Fuller ready to race again Scott Weis: Weis feeling at home in Gainesville Tony Schumacher: Schumacher eyes first win of the year

Sunday Cruz Pedregon: Pedregon reaches Funny Car quarterfinals Del Worsham: Worsham loses by width of an electron for second straight race Gary Scelzi: Scelzi out in first round, new Charger performs John Force: Despite final-round loss, Force just two rounds back in points Phil Burkart: Burkart chops down the Tree again, taking round one on a holeshot Ron Capps: Capps takes out force to win first Funny Car title of year Tommy Johnson: Johnson Jr. drives to first-round performance Tony Bartone: Bartone has career weekend Tony Pedregon: Pedregon back on course after Gatornationals Whit Bazemore: Bazemore back on course, despite first-round loss Saturday Del Worsham: Worsham's mantra, "improve, improve, improve," comes 75%true Gary Scelzi: Scelzi collects No. 8 in qualifying Phil Burkart: Burkart get better, gets better again, and stays the same Ron Capps: Capps pulls out a No. 6 in final qualifying Scott Kalitta: Kalitta fails to qualify Tim Wilkerson: Problem plagued passes keep Wilkerson out of the show Tommy Johnson: Johnson Jr. finishes in No. 13 spot Tony Bartone: Bartone resets career best e.t., qualifies third Whit Bazemore: Bazemore qualifies No. 2 Friday Del Worsham: Worsham runs 4.874 ("yay!") then improves to 4.863 ("boo!") Phil Burkart: Burkart ends Friday in 12th spot Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson struggles with recurring problem Tommy Johnson: Johnson Jr. winds up seventh Pre-race Bob Gilbertson: Gilbertson looking to gain ground on points leaders Cruz Pedregon: Cruz anxious to keep momentum going Del Worsham: Worsham geared for Gainesville glory Eric Medlen: Medlen trying to put title bid back on track after slow start Gary Scelzi: Conquering track, earning bonus points are Scelzi's goals for Gainesville Jeff Arend: Back to business John Force: Force brings 'Redemption Tour' to Gatornationals Mike Ashley: Ashley remains focused and determined heading into Gainesville Phil Burkart: Burkart to fly K&N colors in Gainesville Robert Hight: Hight riding a rollercoaster in pursuit of Funny Car title Ron Capps: Funny Car points leader Capps staying on course Scott Kalitta: Kalitta ready to race in Gainesville with a little help from his friends Terry Haddock: Haddock to compete at Gatornationals with a little help from some friends Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson headed to Gatornationals for some hard work Tommy Johnson: Johnson Jr. aims to continue strong performance Tony Pedregon: Pedregon looking for third Gatornats win Whit Bazemore: Defending Gainesville champion Bazemore looks to repeat

Sunday Erica Enders: Second career final round vaults Enders into third place Greg Anderson: Surprising second round exit for Anderson Jim Yates: Fuel system problem slows Yates to first-round finish Richie Stevens: Stevens Jr. exits first round Saturday Greg Anderson: Anderson captures third No. 1 of season Jason Line: Line qualifies No. 2, seeks second consecutive Gainesville win Jim Yates: Yates to race Rickie Smith in first round Mike Thomas: Early end to event for Thomas, Northrop Richie Stevens: Stevens Jr. posts career-best et to qualify No. 5 Shaun Carlson: Despite missing field, rookie Carlson remains upbeat Warren Johnson: WJ will roll off 14th Friday Kurt Johnson: KJ sits 10th at qualifying midpoint Warren Johnson: WJ starts strong, slots 5th midway through qualifying Pre-race Dave Connolly: Skull Gear Cobalt’s positive test results please Connolly Dave Northrop: Northrup set to make '06 debut Greg Anderson: Anderson starts 2006 with authority Jason Line: Line will be after his second consecutive win at Gainesville Jim Yates: Yates looks for continued improvement at Gatornationals Kurt Johnson: KJ ready to rebound and wrestle away a win Mike Edwards: Edwards off to strong start Mike Thomas: Thomas welcomes teammate, braces for G-ville Richie Stevens: Stevens forges ahead to Gatornationals after testing Shaun Carlson: Carlson hopes third time is the charm Warren Johnson: W.J. preps to cement status as Top Gator in Gainesville Swamp

Sunday Andrew Hines: Reigning champ Hines reaches semis Angelle Sampey: Sampey beats Brown in U.S. Army motorcycle final Antron Brown: Brown runner-up to teammate Chip Ellis: Ellis reaches quarterfinals Connie Cohen: Clock strikes 12 on Cohen’s Cinderella story Karen Stoffer: Stoffer successful in NHRA return Matt Smith: Transmission problems stall Smith Ryan Schnitz: No win for Schnitz, but lots of TV time Tom Bradford: Bradford takes the blame Saturday Angelle Sampey: Sampey qualifies fifth Antron Brown: Brown qualifies second Ryan Schnitz: Schnitz snags his second No. 1 qualifier Tom Bradford: Bradford hopes 7th is lucky Friday Angelle Sampey: Sampey sits 12th Antron Brown: Brown swipes provisional pole Ryan Schnitz: Schnitz skates into second Tom Bradford: Bradford in third Pre-race Angelle Sampey: Sampey set for Pro Stock Motorcycle opener Antron Brown: New rules should benefit Brown, Suzukis Chip Ellis: Ellis ready for season opener Chris Rivas: Mohegan Sun Racing looks forward to a big season Connie Cohen: Cohen will race thanks to generous supporters Karen Stoffer: Stoffer back in the saddle Matt Smith: Testing complete, Smith ready for action Steve Johnson: Johnson, Snap-on Suzuki to defend motorcycle title at Gainesville

About these reports