Funny Car

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Friday Results for Qualifying Round 1

BRISTOL, Tenn. - BRISTOL - Notes from round 1 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, Ninth annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals listing lane, driver name, elapsed time, top speed, and position in order following run: Right Lane: Andy Kelley Runs 4.722/241.67, Now #1 5:40 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 81 degrees, relative humidity 51 percent, barometer 28.52 inches, adjusted altitude 3,789 feet, track temperature 108 degrees.Lots of high clouds and the air and track temperatures are starting to drop, as the evening approaches. Kelly is making his second Funny Car appearence of the season. He has a 0.930 sixty foot time and runs to just about the 330 lights, when the car starts to move towards the center line. He pumps the throttle and gets the car back into the center of the lane, without further drama. Nice job of pedaling! Left Lane: Bob Bode Runs 5.303/202.00, Now #2 Right Lane: Jerry Toliver Runs 6.921/93.76, Now #3 First side by side pair. The entry list show just sixteen Funny Cars, so everyone should make the field in this session. They leave together, run similar numbers off the line, and shut off together. Bode pumps it several times as he drives on down the track, but Toliver may have lost the belt, as the pipes go wet. Left Lane: Jim Head Runs 6.424/98.22, Now #4 Right Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 6.271/108.69, Now #3 Head's new Western Governors University paint scheme is a lot more subdued than his earlier ones, but still looks great. Big advantage off the line for Arend, but Heads the better numbers going down the track. No joy though, as both cars strike the tires right before the 330 lights. Left Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 4.663/251.06, Now #2 Right Lane: Mike Neff Runs 4.231/263.15, Now #1 How would guess that Cruz Pedregon wouldn't be in the top ten, at this point in the season? Rare to see both of these top quality drivers this far down the pack. Pedregon gets off the line first and has the 330 blues. He pumps it successfully and ensures a reasonable time in case the rains come early. Neff catches Pedregon early and makes a full pull to get some numbers to tune with later tonight. He takes over the current #1 position for now. Left Lane: Robert Hight Runs 4.240/274.66, Now #2 Right Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.272/283.61, Now #3 Both cars leave almost together and Hight starts to pull away going down the track. His day gets way too exciting near the 1000 foot lights, as the Ford engine gives up Big Time and fills the cockpit with fire for a long time. He gets the car stopped safely, well before the turnout. No drama for Wilkerson and he moves into the new #3 spot right behind Hight. Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.919 sec., 330ft-2.377, 660ft-3.392/252.85 mph. Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.940 sec., 330ft-2.402, 660ft-3.423/249.63 mph. 5:56 p.m. Time for clean up in the left lane Left Lane: John Force Runs 4.380/218.05, Now #4 Right Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 4.995/156.68, Now #7 6:02 p.m. ...and we are back. Two more Fords come to the line to qualify. The Force and Tasca families have a long history together. Tasca gets a starting line advantage and then has to chase the front end of the Mustang, as the car starts to spin the slicks. He pumps it on down the track. Force had a good looking run until after the 660 lights and then has to lift. Left Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 4.216/274.00, Now #2 Right Lane: A. Force Hood Runs 4.186/288.64, Now #1 Two of the young 'uns come up to qualify. Two solid runs and two new cars in the top two spots. Clean and smooth to make it look easy. Hagen is away first and has a better sixty foot time, but Force Hood drives on by to take the current top spot.. Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.917 sec., 330ft-2.381, 660ft-3.380/256.99 mph. Ashley Force Hood's incremental times: 60ft-0.928 sec., 330ft-2.372, 660ft-3.360/259.16 mph. Left Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 4.245/267.64, Now #6 Right Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 4.233/292.39, Now #4 Pedregon's Impala is sporting Jimmy Johnson Foundation colors this weekend. Both cars leave together and Beckman starts to pull steadily ahead until before the top end, when the engine expired, slowing the Valvoline/MTS Charger. Pedregon has the momentum and gits by to take the current #4 spot. Left Lane: Del Worsham Runs 4.247/284.45, Now #7 Right Lane: Ron Capps Runs 5.275/139.18, Now #13 Last pair of session one. Capps' Charger has a special Adaptive One wrap for the weekend. He gets the advantage off the line and has better numbers until after the 330 lights and then has to lift, when the tires go up in smoke. Worsham's car has a "safe" tuneup and gets to the finish line without any drama. 6:15 p.m. Force Hood stays number one with a 4.186 and Bob Tasca III is on the bump spot at 4.995.

Friday Order for Qualifying Round 1

BRISTOL, Tenn. - SUMMIT FastNews - Order after one round of qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, Ninth annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals: Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed 1. Ashley Force Hood Castrol GTX Mustang 4.186 288.64 2. Matt Hagan Shelor.com Charger 4.216 274.00 3. Mike Neff JFR/Ford Mustang 4.231 263.15 4. Tony Pedregon Herzog/Palms Impala 4.233 292.39 5. Robert Hight AAA of So. Cal Mustang 4.240 274.66 6. Jack Beckman Valvoline/MTS Charger 4.245 267.64 7. Del Worsham Al-Anabi Racing Solara 4.247 284.45 8. Tim Wilkerson Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang 4.272 283.61 9. John Force Castrol GTX Mustang 4.380 218.05 10. Cruz Pedregon Advance Auto Parts Solara 4.663 251.06 11. Andy Kelley Serenity Limousine Stratus 4.722 241.67 12. Bob Tasca III Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang 4.995 156.68 --------- Not Qualified --------- 13. Ron Capps NAPA Auto Parts Charger 5.275 139.18 14. Bob Bode Alard Machine Products Impala 5.303 202.00 15. Jeff Arend DHL Solara 6.271 108.69 16. Jim Head Western Governors University S 6.424 98.22 17. Jerry Toliver Canidae Pet Food Monte Carlo 6.921 93.76

Friday Results for Qualifying Round 2

BRISTOL, Tenn. - BRISTOL - Notes from round 2 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, Ninth annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals listing lane, driver name, elapsed time/top speed this round, position in order following run, best prior elapsed time/speed, and position in order prior to run: Left Lane: Jerry Toliver Runs 7.073/96.92, Now #17 Best prior run: 6.921/93.76, Was #17 8:02 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 75 degrees, relative humidity 57 percent, barometer 28.53 inches, adjusted altitude 3,391 feet, track temperature 98 degrees. Two for two, as Toliver can't get the Canidae Monte Carlo pass the 330 lights. He makes a strong leave and is up in smoke with green header flames early on in the run. Left Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 5.598/126.34, Now #16 Best prior run: 6.271/108.69, Was #15 Right Lane: Jim Head Runs 4.166/293.41, Now #1 Best prior run: 6.424/98.22, Was #16 Bob Tasca III is on the bump spot at 4.995. Head used the data from the first pass and parlayed it into the new #1 spot. He had almost the same sixty foot time as Arend and got past the tricky 330 tire smoke spot. The Toyota Solera ran hard to the finish line with header flames over the top of the car into the new top spot. Arend tested the starting line RT and lost. He was on a similar pass as Head, until he spun the tires again near the 330 lights. 8:05 p.m. We have some oil after the lights, so the NHRA guys are out doing a little dusting and cleaning. Left Lane: Ron Capps Runs 4.151/291.95, Now #1 Best prior run: 5.275/139.18, Was #14 Right Lane: Bob Bode Runs 4.210/292.01, Now #4 Best prior run: 5.303/202.00, Was #15 8:10 p.m. All tidy now and the next pair fires and comes to the line. Both cars get off the line together and run past the 330 smoke zone and on down the track together. Capps pulls steadily ahead to capture the new #1 position on the ladder. Left Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 4.163/277.49, Now #3 Best prior run: 4.995/156.68, Was #15 Right Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 4.153/295.53, Now #2 Best prior run: 4.663/251.06, Was #13 John Force is on the twelve car bump spot at 4.380. The two cars are welded together from the start to near the finish line. Tasca leads the way with better incremental times and then clicks it a little early. Great looking pass into the new #2 and #3 spots. Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.912 sec., 330ft-2.328, 660ft-3.325/256.11 mph. Cruz Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.921 sec., 330ft-2.347, 660ft-3.337/259.16 mph. Left Lane: Andy Kelley Runs 6.372/103.43, Now #15 Best prior run: 4.722/241.67, Was #15 Right Lane: John Force Runs 4.154/297.94, Now #3 Best prior run: 4.380/218.05, Was #14 Del Worsham is on the bump spot at 4.247. Force wire to wire with the new #3 spot and fastest Funny Car speed of the race. The car drifted towards the center line, but he kept the Castrol Mustang in his lane. Kelly was up in smoke before the 330 lights. He pumps and then gives up the pass. Left Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.109/295.08, Now #1 Best prior run: 4.272/283.61, Was #14 Right Lane: Del Worsham Runs 4.128/298.93, Now #2 Best prior run: 4.247/284.45, Was #13 Jack Beckman is on the bump spot at 4.245 and is up in the next pair after these tow. Nice passes a pair into the new #1 and #2 spots. Worsham got a small advantage off the line, but Wilkerson drove on by before long. Worsham's Solera had a big flash from under the engine at the lights. Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.912 sec., 330ft-2.330, 660ft-3.301/264.34 mph. Del Worsham's incremental times: 60ft-0.924 sec., 330ft-2.354, 660ft-3.324/263.98 mph. Left Lane: Tony Pedregon No Time, Now #13 Best prior run: 4.233/292.39, Was #12 Right Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 4.184/298.07, Now #8 Best prior run: 4.245/267.64, Was #14 Tony Pedregon is on the bump spot at 4.233 and will try to improve. Pedregon two steps the throttle before the green and he won't get a time, so he clicks it off right away. Beckman gets a full pull this pass with the second fastest MPH of the weekend, so far and into the #8 spot. Left Lane: Mike Neff Runs 4.186/291.01, Now #9 Best prior run: 4.231/263.15, Was #12 Right Lane: Robert Hight No Time, Now #14 Best prior run: 4.240/274.66, Was #14 Ouch! Hight's car is shutoff on the line and will not qualify in the top twelve tonight. Neff's pass looked quick after a 0.920 sixty foot time, but wasn't that quick. He makes a clean pass to move off the bump and into the #9 position. Left Lane: A. Force Hood Runs 4.105/298.67, Now #1 Best prior run: 4.186/288.64, Was #10 Right Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 4.139/295.66, Now #4 Best prior run: 4.216/274.00, Was #12 Matt Hagan is now on the bump spot at 4.216. Force was #1 comming into the session and is now #10 after a great Funny Car session. Hagan is off the line first and then has to watch Force pull ahead and drive steadily quicker on down the race track and into tonight's #1 qualifying position. She also runs the second fastest pass of the class, so far. Hagan finds some new power too and moves eight spots up the ladder into tonight's #4 spot on the ladder. Ashley Force Hood's incremental times: 60ft-0.913 sec., 330ft-2.330, 660ft-3.301/263.98 mph. Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.916 sec., 330ft-2.345, 660ft-3.328/261.37 mph 8:33 p.m. Bob Bode is on the bump spot at 4.210.

Friday Order for Qualifying Round 2

BRISTOL, Tenn. - SUMMIT FastNews - Order after 2 rounds of qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, Ninth annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals: Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed 1. Ashley Force Hood Castrol GTX Mustang 4.105 298.67 2. Tim Wilkerson Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang 4.109 295.08 3. Del Worsham Al-Anabi Racing Solara 4.128 298.93 4. Matt Hagan Shelor.com Charger 4.139 295.66 5. Ron Capps NAPA Auto Parts Charger 4.151 291.95 6. Cruz Pedregon Advance Auto Parts Solara 4.153 295.53 7. John Force Castrol GTX Mustang 4.154 297.94 8. Bob Tasca III Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang 4.163 277.49 9. Jim Head Western Governors University S 4.166 293.41 10. Jack Beckman Valvoline/MTS Charger 4.184 298.07 11. Mike Neff JFR/Ford Mustang 4.186 291.01 12. Bob Bode Alard Machine Products Impala 4.210 292.01 --------- Not Qualified --------- 13. Tony Pedregon Herzog/Palms Impala 4.233 292.39 14. Robert Hight AAA of So. Cal Mustang 4.240 274.66 15. Andy Kelley Serenity Limousine Stratus 4.722 241.67 16. Jeff Arend DHL Solara 5.598 126.34 17. Jerry Toliver Canidae Pet Food Monte Carlo 6.921 96.92

Saturday Results for Qualifying Round 3

BRISTOL, Tenn. - BRISTOL - Notes from round 3 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, Ninth annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals listing lane, driver name, elapsed time/top speed this round, position in order following run, best prior elapsed time/speed, and position in order prior to run: Right Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 4.258/290.88, Now #13 No Prior Run 1:33 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 81 degrees, relative humidity 47 percent, barometer 28.49 inches, adjusted altitude 3,765 feet, track temperature 124 degrees. The weather conditions are significantly different than yesterday. The TF's were making way too much power for the track conditions. We don't usually see Pedregon in this position on Saturday. He gets the car from end to end without the dreaded shake and spin after a conservative 0.923 sixty foot time. It's slower than yesterday's best, but may be good enough to stay in the now sixteen car field. Left Lane: Robert Hight Runs 5.924/130.04, Now #15 No Prior Run Right Lane: Jerry Toliver Runs 4.510/213.13, Now #14 No Prior Run Hight has had a terrible weekend, so far. Things don't improve this round as he is pumping the throttle before the 330 lights. Toliver gets so close to the centerline that the body definitely crossed over the centerline after the 660 lights. Left Lane: Bob Bode Runs 5.837/121.96, Now #12 Best prior run: 4.210/292.01, Was #12 Right Lane: Andy Kelley Runs 4.633/201.10, Now #15 No Prior Run Bode stays #12 for now, as he losses to tire smoke right after the 330 lights. Kelly gets to the 660 lights, before having to lift. Left Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 4.661/190.46, Now #10 Best prior run: 4.184/298.07, Was #10 Right Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 4.335/280.02, Now #14 No Prior Run Robert Hight is on the bump spot at 5.924 and Arend should be the last car of the session that can move the bump spot. ...and he does so with a safe low thirty pass to go into the new #14 position. Beckman has cylinder out issues and slows from yesterday. Left Lane: Jim Head Runs 5.288/139.76, Now #9 Best prior run: 4.166/293.41, Was #9 Right Lane: Mike Neff Runs 4.269/286.19, Now #11 Best prior run: 4.186/291.01, Was #11 Andy Kelley is on the bump spot at 4.633. Head fires and falls back before the 660 lights with traction issues. Neff makes a safe, but slow, pass as the Mustang has far less than eight cylinders firing through the lights. Left Lane: John Force Runs 4.194/285.65, Now #7 Best prior run: 4.154/297.94, Was #7 Right Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 5.248/139.54, Now #8 Best prior run: 4.163/277.49, Was #8 Old School vs. New School. Quickest pass of the session for Force's Mustang with all cylinders firing. No improvement, but great in these conditions. Tasca has a yellow fuel cloud around the car at the 660 and has to lift. Left Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 6.500/98.05, Now #6 Best prior run: 4.153/295.53, Was #6 Right Lane: Ron Capps Runs 4.208/289.51, Now #5 Best prior run: 4.151/291.95, Was #5 Another clean pass for Capps after a 0.931 sixtyfoot time. Second best of the session. Pedregon was first off the line and had better numbers initially, but kicked the tires before the 330 lights. Left Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 4.270/267.27, Now #4 Best prior run: 4.139/295.66, Was #4 Right Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.223/289.14, Now #2 Best prior run: 4.109/295.08, Was #2 Almost side by side down the track. Hagan was off the line first and pulling away, until the Charger dropped some cylinders and made a hard move. Wilkerson's tune up is softer and he gets the car from start to finish without any drama. Left Lane: Del Worsham Runs 7.490/87.49, Now #3 Best prior run: 4.128/298.93, Was #3 Right Lane: A. Force Hood Runs 4.917/161.83, Now #1 Best prior run: 4.105/298.67, Was #1 Too much power for both cars. Worsham is first to strike the tires just after the 330 lights, followed by Force near the 660 lights. 2:01 p.m. Force stays number one and Andy Kelley is on the bump spot at 4.633. These passes won't be much help tomorrow, as a significant cooling into the sixties is expected for first round.

Saturday Order for Qualifying Round 3

BRISTOL, Tenn. - SUMMIT FastNews - Order after 3 rounds of qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, Ninth annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals: Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed 1. Ashley Force Hood Castrol GTX Mustang 4.105 298.67 2. Tim Wilkerson Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang 4.109 295.08 3. Del Worsham Al-Anabi Racing Solara 4.128 298.93 4. Matt Hagan Shelor.com Charger 4.139 295.66 5. Ron Capps NAPA Auto Parts Charger 4.151 291.95 6. Cruz Pedregon Advance Auto Parts Solara 4.153 295.53 7. John Force Castrol GTX Mustang 4.154 297.94 8. Bob Tasca III Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang 4.163 277.49 9. Jim Head Western Governors University S 4.166 293.41 10. Jack Beckman Valvoline/MTS Charger 4.184 298.07 11. Mike Neff JFR/Ford Mustang 4.186 291.01 12. Bob Bode Alard Machine Products Impala 4.210 292.01 13. Tony Pedregon Herzog/Palms Impala 4.258 292.39 14. Jeff Arend DHL Solara 4.335 280.02 15. Jerry Toliver Canidae Pet Food Monte Carlo 4.510 213.13 16. Andy Kelley Serenity Limousine Stratus 4.633 241.67 --------- Not Qualified --------- 17. Robert Hight AAA of So. Cal Mustang 5.924 274.66

Saturday Results for Qualifying Round 4

BRISTOL, Tenn. - BRISTOL - Notes from final, round 4 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, Ninth annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals listing lane, driver name, elapsed time/top speed this round, position in order following run, best prior elapsed time/speed, and position in order prior to run: Left Lane: Andy Kelley Runs 8.830/88.63, Now #16 Best prior run: 4.633/201.10, Was #16 4:25 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 80 degrees, relative humidity 50 percent, barometer 28.40 inches, adjusted altitude 3,848 feet, track temperature 121 degrees. Andy Kelley is on the bump spot at 4.633 and will be the first car out on a single. Only Robert Hight can bump him and he is in the next pair. No joy for the Serenity Limousine Team, as the slicks are up in smoke at the hit. Left Lane: Jerry Toliver Runs 4.456/223.65, Now #15 Best prior run: 4.510/213.13, Was #15 Right Lane: Robert Hight Runs 5.229/229.98, Now #17 Best prior run: 5.924/130.04, Was #17 Hight has the lane where most of the TF full passes were made, but the AA od So. Cal Mustang once again has traction problems and won't make the show for the first time since Houston 2008. He won't get his 28th mark. Toliver's run wasn't pretty, but he is in the field. Both cars has similar RT's and sixty foot numbers, but Hight has to start pumping at the 330 mark. Left Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 4.342/279.50, Now #14 Best prior run: 4.335/280.02, Was #14 Right Lane: Bob Bode Runs 4.292/292.90, Now #12 Best prior run: 4.210/292.01, Was #12 Neither car improves, but they get to the finish line under power and without any apparent shake or spin. Jeff Arend's incremental times: 60ft-0.925 sec., 330ft-2.434, 660ft-3.483/244.07 mph. Bob Bode's incremental times: 60ft-0.941 sec., 330ft-2.443, 660ft-3.465/252.52 mph. Left Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 4.218/291.38, Now #13 Best prior run: 4.258/290.88, Was #13 Right Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 4.325/282.95, Now #10 Best prior run: 4.184/298.07, Was #10 Pedregon is used to running on Sunday from the top half of the ladder, but it will take better than a 4.163 to do so this weekend. He makes his best run of the weekend, but stays #13 with a better ET and MPH. Beckman's tune up was just too conservative and he slows from his prior best. Left Lane: Mike Neff Runs 4.810/170.75, Now #11 Best prior run: 4.186/291.01, Was #11 Right Lane: Jim Head Runs 4.266/292.84, Now #9 Best prior run: 4.166/293.41, Was #9 Neff was on a strong pass, pulling steadily ahead of Head, until just before half track, where he shuts it off after kicking the tires. Head has a good tune up for today and gets to the finish like without any problems. Mike Neff's incremental times: 60ft-0.920 sec., 330ft-2.373, 660ft-3.519/193.46 mph. Jim Head's incremental times: 60ft-0.935 sec., 330ft-2.412, 660ft-3.434/250.46 mph. Left Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 4.181/289.88, Now #8 Best prior run: 4.163/277.49, Was #8 Right Lane: John Force Runs 4.223/292.90, Now #7 Best prior run: 4.154/297.94, Was #7 Nice pass for Tasca, running close to his best of the weekend. Force has better sixty foot time and then has to watch Tasca pull away. He has a clean pass for the conditions. Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.929 sec., 330ft-2.367, 660ft-3.356/258.47 mph. John Force's incremental times: 60ft-0.923 sec., 330ft-2.381, 660ft-3.392/252.90 mph. Left Lane: Ron Capps Runs 4.228/279.79, Now #5 Best prior run: 4.151/291.95, Was #5 Right Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 4.234/290.44, Now #6 Best prior run: 4.153/295.53, Was #6 Two nice passes for the conditions and Capps gets bragging rights for the better numbers down the track. Pedregon left first and stayed out in front, but .006 slower. Left Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 6.095/109.44, Now #2 Best prior run: 4.109/295.08, Was #2 Right Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 6.846/98.72, Now #4 Best prior run: 4.139/295.66, Was #4 Boom! Hagan gets off the line first and Wilkerson is running him down, when the slicks started to spin and the engine went off like a hand grenade. Wilkerson had representative numbers down low, but was done before the 330 lights with tire smoke. Left Lane: A. Force Hood Runs 5.865/124.43, Now #1 Best prior run: 4.105/298.67, Was #1 Right Lane: Del Worsham Runs 4.265/281.83, Now #3 Best prior run: 4.128/298.93, Was #3 Last pair of Funny Cars to attempt too improve on their prior times. Right lane, up in smoke before the 660 lights. Left lane, full pull, but no cigar. 4:56 p.m. Force stays #1 and Andy Kelley ends up on the bump spot at 4.633.

Saturday Order for Qualifying Round 4

BRISTOL, Tenn. - SUMMIT FastNews - Final order after 4 rounds of qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, Ninth annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals: Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed 1. Ashley Force Hood Castrol GTX Mustang 4.105 298.67 2. Tim Wilkerson Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang 4.109 295.08 3. Del Worsham Al-Anabi Racing Solara 4.128 298.93 4. Matt Hagan Shelor.com Charger 4.139 295.66 5. Ron Capps NAPA Auto Parts Charger 4.151 291.95 6. Cruz Pedregon Advance Auto Parts Solara 4.153 295.53 7. John Force Castrol GTX Mustang 4.154 297.94 8. Bob Tasca III Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang 4.163 289.88 9. Jim Head Western Governors University S 4.166 293.41 10. Jack Beckman Valvoline/MTS Charger 4.184 298.07 11. Mike Neff JFR/Ford Mustang 4.186 291.01 12. Bob Bode Alard Machine Products Impala 4.210 292.90 13. Tony Pedregon Herzog/Palms Impala 4.218 292.39 14. Jeff Arend DHL Solara 4.335 280.02 15. Jerry Toliver Canidae Pet Food Monte Carlo 4.456 223.65 16. Andy Kelley Serenity Limousine Stratus 4.633 241.67 --------- Not Qualified --------- 17. Robert Hight AAA of So. Cal Mustang 5.229 274.66

Sunday Results for Elimination Round 1

BRISTOL, Tenn. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 1 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, Ninth annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals: W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed (W) Tim Wilkerson (Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang) 0.080 4.165 291.57 (L) Jerry Toliver (Canidae Pet Food Monte Carlo 0.129 7.289 87.10 12:51 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 64 degrees, relative humidity 46 percent, barometer 28.58 inches, adjusted altitude 2,337 feet, track temperature 88 degrees. Wilkerson is 7 - 3 against Toliver in prior events. Big advantage off the line for Wilkerson and then Toliver is off the peddle before the 330 lights, as the slicks chatter and spin. Wilkerson's Mustang starts to drop cylinders down track and can't run the big numbers. A win is a win and he'll be back for round two. (W) Del Worsham (Al-Anabi Racing Solara) 0.095 4.378 254.57 (L) Jeff Arend (DHL Solara) 0.068 5.321 179.04 Worsham is 4 - 1 against Arend in prior events. Arend gets a small advantage off the line and joins the shake, lift, shake, lift club just after the sixty foot lights. Worsham gets the win, but it's not pretty, as he is dropping cylinders as he drives down the track. (W) Ashley Force Hood (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.138 4.361 236.59 (L) Andy Kelley (Serenity Limousine Stratus) 0.094 7.047 98.95 Kelley is making his first start in Nitro Funny Car this weekend and made the field. He gets away first and then has the slicks starts to spin and smoke, after the car gets out of the grove. The track is winning in the left lane after the 660 lights, as Force's Mustang starts to spin the tires. She pumps the throttle and gets the easy win. NOTE: This race has never been won from the #1 qualifying position. (W) Ron Capps (NAPA Auto Parts Charger) 0.090 4.217 251.16 (L) Bob Bode (Alard Machine Products Impala SS) 0.119 6.594 102.15 In a near repeat of the last pair, both cars have broken runs. Capps was away first this time and has big engine problems with a long-term fire under the car near the 1000 foot finish line. The blower was knocked loose and was sitting crooked on the engine as the car made the turnout at the end of the track. The last third of the track is really tough on the Funny Cars this morning. Bode car was a little lazy off the line and was quiet well before the 330 lights, as traction problems bit early. 1:05 p.m. Lots of clean up in the left lane all the way to the turnout. (W) Cruz Pedregon (Advance Auto Parts Solara) 0.106 5.149 205.44 (L) Mike Neff (JFR/Ford Mustang) 0.060 5.501 183.59 1:31 p.m. Well,that took a while. It was a multi-bagger of kitty litter from near the 1000 foot lights all the way around the corner of the turnout at the end of the track. Pedregon is 3 - 0 against Neff in prior events. This was a wild one , as both cars are in and out of the throttle after the 330 lights. Neff's starting line advantage held for a while [-0.056 at the 330 lights], but it was first to have to start the pedal fest. Pedregon was loose right after that and both cars were in and out of the throttle down the track. Neff got way sideways and almost drove over the centerline after the 660 lights. Cruz Pedregon's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.029), 330 ft(-0.056), 660ft(0.169). MOV: 0.3065 seconds (approximately 83 feet). Pedregon will give up lane choice to Worsham in round two. (W) Tony Pedregon (Herzog/Palms Impala) 0.161 4.195 296.89 (L) Matt Hagan (Shelor.com Charger) -9.999(R) NT-Broke Before Staging Pedregon is 4 - 0 against Hagan in prior events. Hagan's engine went BANG as they attempted to start it and left a huge puddle of oil underneath the engine. Pedregon had a great pass for the conditions and runs the second quickest run of the session. He'll have lane choice over Capps next round. 1:35 p.m. More clean up. The starting line this time. (W) Jack Beckman (Valvoline/MTS Charger) 0.082 5.138 180.84 (L) John Force (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.074 DQ-Centerline 1:44 p.m. ...and we are back to racing. Beckman is 7 - 5 against Force in prior events and 2-4 in the first round. Oh, WOW!! Scary!! Typical for this session, two good leaves, with Force getting the advantage. Beckman's Charger was up in smoke right after the sixty foot lights and he started pedaling. Force's Mustang was marching away until just before the 660 light, when the tires went up in smoke and the car went dead sideway towards the center line. The front end took out the first reflector and John was barely able to keep from crashing into Beckman's car. He straighten out the car and took out the finish line reflector getting back into his lane. Beckman gives up lane choice to Wilkerson later in the day. (W) Jim Head (Western Governors University Sola 0.060 4.732 244.16 (L) Bob Tasca III (Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustan 0.116 4.964 242.32 Tasca III and Head have each won 1 times against the other in prior events. There is definitely a pattern here as both cars are up in smoke, with Head getting away first and striking the tires first. Tasca quickly follows. Head gathers it back up and gets to the finish line first. He will Ashley Hood Force in round two without lane choice.

Sunday Results for Elimination Round 2

BRISTOL, Tenn. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 2 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, Ninth annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals: W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed (W) Tim Wilkerson (Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang) 0.087 4.187 295.27 (L) Jack Beckman (Valvoline/MTS Charger) 0.084 4.233 297.48 3:09 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 66 degrees, relative humidity 42 percent, barometer 28.56 inches, adjusted altitude 2,498 feet, track temperature 91 degrees. Earlier after getting the win, Beckman reflected on the close call in round one. After smoking the tires, he pumped it and then watched the Force Mustang come flying into his lane, right at him: "So I'm trying to squeeze the throttle down and by that time he'd started moving over some, and I kind of shot between him. Other than that, it was a pretty uneventful run," he said with a laugh. How close? "Too close. There should be a minimum of a 30-foot distance between these cars. It's never as close as it looks from the side or behind because there's overlap in your vision. But I don't think there was more than 15 feet between us. And I don't recommend that at 200 mph unless you're driving in left turns." Wilkerson and Beckman have each won 4 times against the other in prior events. Great drag race with Wilkerson getting off the line first and winning the first sixty feet. Wilkerson drove on by and pulled steadily ahead for almost a car length win. Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.930 sec., 330ft-2.374, 660ft-3.369/257.97 mph. Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.928 sec., 330ft-2.396, 660ft-3.411/252.85 mph. (W) Tony Pedregon (Herzog/Palms Impala) 0.108 4.143 300.26 (L) Ron Capps (NAPA Auto Parts Charger) 0.045 4.503 262.90 Capps gets a big advantage at the green and then has the slicks start to shake and chatter. Pedregon drives on by and disappears from Capps view, down the track. Nice clean pass for Pedregon to set low Funny Car ET, so far, in eliminations. (W) Ashley Force Hood (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.142 4.171 298.73 (L) Jim Head (Western Governors University Sola 0.079 6.216 106.35 Head gets the big starting line advantage at the green and then has to pump it. The car made a hard move towards the centerline and he drove hard to keep it in his lane. Force was back ahead of the other Ford right after the sixty foot lights and was on a clean pass until near the finish line, when the car abruptly moved towards the guard rail. Good driving keep the car in her lane for the win, but she'll give up lane choice to Pedregon in round three. (W) Del Worsham (Al-Anabi Racing Solara) 0.091 4.105 298.27 (L) Cruz Pedregon (Advance Auto Parts Solara) 0.078 4.170 296.57 Pedregon gets a small advantage off the line, but Worsham is quickly back ahead before sixty feet. Big power keeps him out in front for a car length win. Team Al-Anabi continues to show big improvements and has now won six rounds in a row. Del Worsham's MOV: 0.0523 seconds (approximately 23 feet). Del Worsham's incremental times: 60ft-0.909 sec., 330ft-2.336, 660ft-3.301/265.64 mph. Cruz Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.933 sec., 330ft-2.362, 660ft-3.353/258.32 mph. 3:22 p.m. Worsham will keep lane choice in the next round against Wilkerson.

Sunday Results for Elimination Round 3

BRISTOL, Tenn. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 3 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, Ninth annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals: W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed (W) Tony Pedregon (Herzog/Palms Impala) 0.098 4.119 302.28 (L) Ashley Force Hood (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.106 4.130 304.94 4:33 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 66 degrees, relative humidity 42 percent, barometer 28.54 inches, adjusted altitude 2,560 feet, track temperature 92 degrees. Two great passes in the just completed TF round should make for some supper FC runs. Pedregon is 7 - 3 against Force Hood in prior events. Pedregon enforces the "NO Winner From The Number One Qualifier" rule with a great side by side race with Force. He gets off the line first and is never less than 0.01 ahead of a charging Force all the way down the track in taking the close win. Tony Pedregon's MOV: 0.0191 seconds (approximately 9 feet). Tony Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.926 sec., 330ft-2.345, 660ft-3.319/263.92 mph. Ashley Force Hood's incremental times: 60ft-0.931 sec., 330ft-2.355, 660ft-3.331/262.95 mph. (W) Del Worsham (Al-Anabi Racing Solara) 0.042 4.121 286.44 (L) Tim Wilkerson (Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang) 0.086 4.127 301.60 Worsham is 13 - 10 against Wilkerson in prior events and now makes it seven round wins in a row with a great pass and the near car length win. He leaves first by 0.046 and continually opens up the lead in a terrific side by side pass against a strong Wilkerson. Who says that 1000 racing isn't exciting! Del Worsham's incremental margins: 60ft(0.049), 330 ft(0.052), 660ft(0.068). MOV: 0.0508 seconds (approximately 22 feet). Del Worsham's incremental times: 60ft-0.911 sec., 330ft-2.327, 660ft-3.293/263.87 mph. Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.916 sec., 330ft-2.335, 660ft-3.317/259.76 mph. Tony Pedregon will have lane choice in the final by 0.002 second. 4:41 p.m. Lots of "Stuff" in Worsham's lane, as the FC stops on the track about half way to the turn out.

Sunday Results for Final Round

BRISTOL, Tenn. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of final, round 4 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, Ninth annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals: W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed (W) Del Worsham (Al-Anabi Racing Solara) 0.038 4.075 304.67 (L) Tony Pedregon (Herzog/Palms Impala) 0.051 4.152 293.22 5:54 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 63 degrees, relative humidity 44 percent, barometer 28.53 inches, adjusted altitude 2,322 feet, track temperature 83 degrees. Pedregon is running the Jimmy Johnson Foundation colors on his Quaker State Funny Car this weekend. Worsham is in his second final round in a row, after winning two weeks ago at St. Louis, but has never won at Bristol. He has won 23 races in 36 previous final round appearances. He is currently second in NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car standings. What a great old drag race by two top competitors. Worsham runs the table will all of the numbers in this round. He runs the quickest ET of the weekend and is just a quarter of a mile and hour from the fastest. Both cars run straight and clean from start to finish with big nitro header flames over the roofs. It was a game attempt by Pedregon, but Worsham opened up the lead all the way down the track to take the 2009 Thunder Valley Funny Car Championship. That two wins in a row and he will stay #2 in the points. Tony Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.943 sec., 330ft-2.380, 660ft-3.349/265.53 mph. Del Worsham's incremental times: 60ft-0.924 sec., 330ft-2.327, 660ft-3.282/267.80 mph.

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