Championship Drag Racing

Pontiac Performance NHRA Nationals
Columbus, OH
(May 18-21)

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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 Brandon Bernstein: Bernstein notches 10th career victory Cory McClenathan: McClenathan takes runner-up finish Doug Herbert: Herbert endures tough first round defeat Hillary Will: Will out after one, looks to Topeka J.R. Todd: Small engine fire prevents Todd from advancing Larry Dixon: Dixon races to semifinal performance Melanie Troxel: Troxel pads points lead after second-round loss Morgan Lucas: Lucas’ first round streak snapped Rod Fuller: Fuller remains one of the top runners Scott Weis: Weis advances to quarterfinals at Columbus Tony Schumacher: Schumacher out in first round Saturday Bob Vandergriff: Vandergriff starts from No. 2 position Doug Herbert: Seeking third Columbus victory, Herbert qualifies 13th Hillary Will: Will hopes to duplicate Muldowney’s win here 30 years ago Larry Dixon: Dixon will start from No. 6 position Melanie Troxel: Troxel qualifies No. 5 Rod Fuller: Fuller welcomes mom with a third place qualifying effort Scott Weis: Weis holds onto the bump spot Tony Schumacher: Schumacher pockets fifth pole of the year Friday Bob Vandergriff: Vandergriff blasts to No. 2 position Cory McClenathan: McClenathan's 4.523-second run comes before rain Larry Dixon: Dixon finishes fourth on rain-shortened day Scott Weis: Weis shakes down new car Tony Schumacher: Schumacher on provisional pole Pre-race Bob Vandergriff: Vandergriff on the right track to Columbus Brandon Bernstein: Bernstein hopes performance and tenacity will bring second victory Cory McClenathan: McClenathan to drive Jeg’s Top Fuel dragster in Columbus Dave Grubnic: Grubnic looking to NHRA legends on his team for winning edge in Columbus Doug Herbert: Herbert optimistic as the Snap-on team heads to Columbus Doug Kalitta: Kalitta trying for three consecutive NHRA event wins in sponsor’s backyard Hillary Will: Confidence one key in winning for rookie driver Will Larry Dixon: Dixon eyes return to winning ways at Columbus Melanie Troxel: Troxel not yet feeling the pressure Morgan Lucas: Old track brings new ideas for Lucas Rod Fuller: Fuller hits the trail fourth in points Scott Weis: Weis ready to race in Columbus Tony Schumacher: Schumacher still seeking spark

Sunday Bob Gilbertson: Gilbertson back on track, holds on to 13 in points Cruz Pedregon: Cruz retains top-10 point standing Del Worsham: First-round drama, second-round smoke Gary Scelzi: Scelzi goes to quarterfinals Ron Capps: Capps and Force out in opening round Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson felled by a stone Tommy Johnson: Johnson Jr. drives to semifinal finish Tony Pedregon: Pedregon wins Columbus for second consecutive victory Whit Bazemore: Out of the doldrums and into the final for Bazemore Saturday Bob Gilbertson: Gilbertson claws his way into field Del Worsham: "O-Fer" leaves Worsham frustrated (and 12th) Gary Scelzi: Scelzi qualifies No. 6; switches to Stratus Paul Lee: Career-best numbers highlight team’s event Phil Burkart: Thousandths of a second bite Burkart again Ron Capps: Capps earns No. 9 in new Charger Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson takes No. 14 qualifying spot Tommy Johnson: Johnson Jr. qualifies seventh Whit Bazemore: Bazemore continues to improve, grabs No. 4 Friday Del Worsham: 1-for-2 leaves Worsham 12th Phil Burkart: Burkart's early run leaves him clinging to 16th spot Tim Wilkerson: Wilkerson hopes for a brighter tomorrow Pre-race Bob Gilbertson: Gilbertson ready for C-bus Cruz Pedregon: Test has Cruz thinking big Del Worsham: Worsham aims to continue points climb in Columbus Eric Medlen: Pontiac Nationals a 'home game' for Medlen Gary Scelzi: Scelzi wants to 'close the deal' in Columbus John Force: Force tries to close gap on Capps Mike Ashley: Ashley is on a mission for success at Columbus Paul Lee: Lee headed to sponsor's home track Phil Burkart: 'Madman' Burkart returns to scene of first career win Robert Hight: Hight on target in title bid at National Trail Raceway Ron Capps: Capps geared up for all weather conditions in Columbus Scott Kalitta: Kalitta remains calm and collected heading to Columbus Tim Wilkerson: Break in routine helps Wilkerson prepare for Columbus Tommy Johnson: Johnson Jr. hopes an old friend can help right the ship Tony Pedregon: Pedregon wants to keep momentum going Whit Bazemore: Bazemore back in groove for Columbus

Sunday Dave Connolly: Faulty shift light leads to quarterfinal loss Dave Northrop: Northrop happy with progress after early loss Greg Anderson: Anderson out in round two Jason Line: Line advances to the semifinals Jim Yates: Yates returns to winner’s circle Richie Stevens: Stevens Jr. exits first round Saturday Dave Connolly: Connolly's 6.693 puts him sixth overall Dave Northrop: Northrop qualifies14th; faces Line Greg Anderson: Anderson qualifies No. 8 Jason Line: Line qualifies No. 3 Jim Yates: Yates to race Howard in opening round Richie Stevens: Stevens Jr. earns No. 9 Shaun Carlson: Carlson makes progress, but misses field Warren Johnson: WJ will start 10th Friday Dave Connolly: Ohio native Connolly provisional top qualifier Pre-race Dave Connolly: Connolly goes for Pro Stock victory at hometown track Dave Northrop: Northrop optimistic about C-bus Greg Anderson: Anderson after win No. 5 at National Trail Raceway Jason Line: Can 1, 2, 3 equal 4 for Line at Columbus? Jim Yates: Yates hopes to realize team’s potential with win at Pontiac Nationals Kurt Johnson: K.J. and crew work to continue their charge in Columbus Mike Thomas: Thomas looking to build on Atlanta success Richie Stevens: Stevens Jr. has list of goals heading into Columbus Rickie Smith: New car has Skull Gear team back on track Shaun Carlson: Rookie Carlson tests car changes en route to Columbus Warren Johnson: W.J. aims for an efficient, error-free weekend in Columbus

Sunday Andrew Hines: Hines back in second place after another strong showing Angelle Sampey: Sampey takes third victory of the year Antron Brown: Brown out in first round GT Tonglet: GT stays consistent in Columbus Karen Stoffer: Productive weekend for Stoffer Ryan Schnitz: Schnitz Trees Hines, comes up short Tom Bradford: Bradford nipped by Tonglet Saturday Angelle Sampey: Sampey to start ninth Antron Brown: Brown qualifies 12th Ryan Schnitz: Schnitz loses Round 3, stuck in 15th Tom Bradford: Bradford a strong 10th Friday Andrew Hines: Hines runs to the top Angelle Sampey: Sampey finishes 15th Antron Brown: Brown winds up 10th Ryan Schnitz: Schnitz not happy with 12th Tom Bradford: Bradford mid-pack Pre-race Andrew Hines: Hines aiming for third consecutive final in Columbus Angelle Sampey: Sampey looks to continue successful ways Antron Brown: Brown likes view from the top Chip Ellis: Ellis looks for consistency GT Tonglet: Tonglet needs to make up ground in Ohio Karen Stoffer: Stoffer looking to keep advancing Matt Smith: Smith ready to make noise

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