Funny Car

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Thursday Results for Qualifying Round 1

POMONA, Calif. - POMONA 1 - Notes from round 1 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 50th annual Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals presented by Valvoline listing lane, driver name, elapsed time, top speed, and position in order following run: Right Lane: Melanie Troxel Runs 4.296/285.95, Now #1 4:07 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 66 degrees, relative humidity 44 percent, barometer 28.99 inches, adjusted altitude 2,020 feet, track temperature 81 degrees. It's starting to cool off quickly now. This will be the first "official" qualifying pass on the new "In and Out" funny car, after some pre-season testing at Las Vegas. Not too bad! The car stays mostly in the middle of the track and runs to near the 1000 ft lights before the header flames drop. Good place to tune from! Melanie Troxel's incremental times: 60ft-0.940 sec., 330ft-2.430, 660ft-3.450/249.76 mph. Left Lane: Paul Lee Runs 4.734/183.44, Now #2 Right Lane: Jeff Diehl No Time, Now #3 Lee is the new driver in Dunn's Canidae FC. Diehl was supposed to run in the right lane, but motored on down the track after the burnout. It took a long time to clear the track and Lee patiently waited. The Impala left the line and ran to near mid-track before starting to drop cylinders on the right bank. He clicks it early and coasts on down. No good deed goes unpunished! Left Lane: Terry Haddock Runs 11.554/73.27, Now #4 Right Lane: Bob Bode Runs 4.184/264.49, Now #1 Haddock's car starts to bounce and shake off the line and he clicks it off. Bode has near a career best ET after clicking it early. Lots of mixed flames out of the pipes down track. Left Lane: Gary Densham Runs 4.167/293.60, Now #2 Right Lane: Jim Head Runs 4.166/304.74, Now #1 OK! Two almost identical passes, with almost identical ET's. Head has a small lead at the green takes a 0.001 difference into the top spot. Densham's engine wasn't as happy down track, but still slots into the current #2 spot. Gary Densham's incremental times: 60ft-0.901 sec., 330ft-2.350, 660ft-3.342/256.70 mph. Jim Head's incremental times: 60ft-0.938 sec., 330ft-2.379, 660ft-3.364/260.61 mph. Left Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 4.712/175.02, Now #5 Right Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 5.508/138.80, Now #7 Pedregon has the new look Snap-On Solara in the right lane. Both cars struggle, but at different spots on the track. The Cruzer has a bunch of shake, is in and out of the throttle, and gives it up. Arend gets to near half track and the pipes go wet. Left Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 4.109/305.01, Now #1 Right Lane: John Force No Time, Now #10 Hagan has a new sponsor too and the Die Hard Charger looks great! Force has the new 25th anniversary Castrol GTX silver and green colors in the other lane [another collectable?]. We are on a short wait for some clean up near the top end in the right lane and the call goes out to start the engines! OK! A terrific looking pass and likely a great ET, but the incrementals ET's from sixty feet to the finish line are bogus: John Force's incremental times: 60ft-0.583 sec., 330ft-2.013, 660ft-2.999/261.22 mph. Hagan in the left lane, Makes the kind of pass you expect and moves into the top spot for now with a terrific pass. Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.909 sec., 330ft-2.332, 660ft-3.311/263.41 mph. 4:28 p.m. We are on hold while NHRA looks into the right lane timing problem Left Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 4.190/299.26, Now #6 Right Lane: Del Worsham Runs 4.062/312.35, Now #1 4:40 p.m. ...and we are back. Both cars are side by side to near the lights, where the flames go down first on Tasca's Mustang. Worsham's Solara is thundering and runs the third fastest Funny Car speed ever! We have a new #1! Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-99.999 sec., 330ft-99.999, 660ft-99.999/000.00 mph. Del Worsham's incremental times: 60ft-99.999 sec., 330ft-99.999, 660ft-99.999/000.00 mph. Left Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 4.377/270.81, Now #9 Right Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 4.101/310.91, Now #2 Pedregon is stronger at the green and then has to pump the throttle. Beckman has the power and takes the Valvoline/MTS Charger into the current #2 spot with a career best MPH by over four MPH. Tony Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.903 sec., 330ft-2.429, 660ft-3.511/239.53 mph. Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.925 sec., 330ft-2.353, 660ft-3.315/267.00 mph. Left Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.182/294.43, Now #6 Right Lane: Ron Capps Runs 8.725/75.85, Now #14 Cruz Pedregon is on the bump spot at 5.508. Capps smokes the tires and slows. Nice tune up pass for Wilkerson. Left Lane: A. Force Hood Runs 4.093/310.70, Now #3 Right Lane: Robert Hight Runs 4.059/312.86, Now #1 Last pair and it's a great one, with Paul Lee on the bump spot at 4.734. It's Hight from start to finish, as he is away first at the green, and thunders on down the track to set a new personal best and fastest MPH on the way to the #1 position for today. Force Hood has big power too and chases him down the track and misses the #2 spot by 0.03 seconds. Ashley Force Hood's incremental times: 60ft-0.915 sec., 330ft-2.334, 660ft-3.306/265.74 mph. Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.907 sec., 330ft-2.322, 660ft-3.279/268.38 mph. What a great way to end the Thursday qualifying for funny car. 4:56 p.m. Tony Pedregon is on the bump spot at 4.377.

Thursday Order for Qualifying Round 1

POMONA, Calif. - SUMMIT FastNews - Order after one round of qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 50th annual Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals presented by Valvoline: Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed 1. Robert Hight AAA of So. Cal Mustang 4.059 312.86 2. Del Worsham Al-Anabi Racing Solara 4.062 312.35 3. Ashley Force Hood Castrol GTX Mustang 4.093 310.70 4. Jack Beckman Valvoline/MTS Charger 4.101 310.91 5. Matt Hagan DieHard Charger 4.109 305.01 6. Jim Head Head Racing Solara 4.166 304.74 7. Gary Densham Densham Motorsports Impala 4.167 293.60 8. Tim Wilkerson Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang 4.182 294.43 9. Bob Bode Alard Machine Products Impala 4.184 264.49 10. Bob Tasca III Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang 4.190 299.26 11. Melanie Troxel In-N-Out Burger Charger 4.296 285.95 12. Tony Pedregon Quaker State Monte Carlo 4.377 270.81 --------- Not Qualified --------- 13. Jeff Arend DHL Solara 4.712 175.02 14. Cruz Pedregon Snap-On Solara 5.508 138.80 15. Ron Capps NAPA Auto Parts Charger 8.725 75.85 16. Terry Haddock Terry Haddock Racing Stratus 11.554 73.27 17. Paul Lee Jim Dunn/Canidae/Lucas Oil Imp DQ 18. John Force Castrol GTX Mustang NT

Friday Results for Qualifying Round 2

POMONA, Calif. - POMONA 1 - Notes from round 2 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 50th annual Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals presented by Valvoline 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: Jeff Diehl Runs 4.299/283.91, Now #12 No Prior Run 4:28 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 70 degrees, relative humidity 42 percent, barometer 28.94 inches, adjusted altitude 2,381 feet, track temperature 87 degrees. Tony Pedregon is on the bump with a 4.377 ET. Diehl gets the single in this session. He gets a pass through the lights this time after yesterday's issues and makes a clean run into the current #12 position. That won't last long... Left Lane: John Force Runs 4.066/310.41, Now #3 No Prior Run Right Lane: Paul Lee Runs 4.327/278.58, Now #14 No Prior Run Force let before the tree yesterday and didn't get an "official" time. Lee's good ET was DQ'ed,, when the car was too light after the long delay waiting for Diehl's car to get off the track. Force takes the Mustang "Right Down Broadway" and shows that his prior run would have been a good one. That his fastest 1000ft time too. Lee's pass from yesterday was better and he won't make today's bump. Left Lane: Ron Capps Runs 4.167/289.76, Now #9 Best prior run: 8.725/75.85, Was #18 Right Lane: Terry Haddock Runs 4.422/257.09, Now #17 Best prior run: 11.554/73.27, Was #19 Melanie Troxel is on the bump spot at 4.296. Both cars get off the line without a problem this time, but Haddock has big problems down track, right at the finish line, with a flying burst panel, fire from under underneath the body, and oil on the track. He gets the car stopped safely. He moves up to the new #17 spot. Capps gets his full pull and takes a conservative tune up into the new #9 position with a clean and straight pass. Nice run... Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.905 sec., 330ft-2.333, 660ft-3.335/255.63 mph. 4:38 p.m. Time for some dusting and cleaning in the right lane. Left Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 4.231/301.20, Now #13 Best prior run: 5.508/138.80, Was #19 Right Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 5.809/118.02, Now #19 Best prior run: 4.712/175.02, Was #18 4:50 p.m. Bob Tasca III is on the bump spot at 4.190. Two Solara's to the line. Lots of pedaling for both cars and Arend gives it up early. Pedregon gets a full pass this time and some numbers to tune to for tomorrow. He just misses the bump. Left Lane: Melanie Troxel Runs 6.543/97.90, Now #15 Best prior run: 4.296/285.95, Was #14 Right Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 4.189/305.01, Now #12 Best prior run: 4.377/270.81, Was #17 Troxel was just bumped out and is making only her second attempt to qualify in the new In-N-Out Charger. Pedregon's Nitrofish Monte Carlo is a little lazy off the line, but gets to the finish line without any problems today. Tasca is the only car left that can bump him out of today's field. Troxel's is slow off the line and then shuts off before mid-track. Left Lane: Bob Bode Runs 7.200/90.40, Now #11 Best prior run: 4.184/264.49, Was #11 Right Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 8.528/70.57, Now #13 Best prior run: 4.190/299.26, Was #13 Tony Pedregon is on the bump spot at 4.189. Tasca's Ford chatters the tines and then Bode's Impala smokes them. No joy for either team. Left Lane: Jim Head Runs 7.374/87.27, Now #7 Best prior run: 4.166/304.74, Was #7 Right Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 5.971/134.36, Now #10 Best prior run: 4.182/294.43, Was #10 These two both made strong passes yesterday and are looking to improve. They are both crew chief and driver, a rarity these days. Two broken runs. They leave together and Head's Solara strikes the tires first, quickly followed by Wilkerson's Mustang. They will stay #7 and #10 for now. Left Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 7.562/84.82, Now #5 Best prior run: 4.101/310.91, Was #5 Right Lane: Gary Densham Runs 7.047/106.09, Now #8 Best prior run: 4.167/293.60, Was #8 Dueling shut offs. They leave together, smoke the tires together, and then shut off together. No joy here. Left Lane: Del Worsham Runs 7.983/73.21, Now #2 Best prior run: 4.062/312.35, Was #2 Right Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 9.029/76.25, Now #6 Best prior run: 4.109/305.01, Was #6 Looks like everyone is trying to turn the earth, but the earth is winning! Hagan's car moves back and forth on the track and he clicks it. Worsham's Solara surcums to the dreaded tire smoke at the same time. Left Lane: Robert Hight Runs 8.264/70.82, Now #1 Best prior run: 4.059/312.86, Was #1 Right Lane: A. Force Hood Runs 7.695/62.00, Now #4 Best prior run: 4.093/310.70, Was #4 Last pair for today. Maybe one of them can get down the track. The younger 2/3's of Team Force come to the line to wrap up today's Pro qualifying. That's all folks! Two more tire smokers and we are done. Both cars have good sixty foot numbers, but to no avail. 5:11 p.m. Height stays #1 and Tony Pedregon is on the bump spot at 4.189.

Friday Order for Qualifying Round 2

POMONA, Calif. - SUMMIT FastNews - Order after 2 rounds of qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 50th annual Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals presented by Valvoline: Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed 1. Robert Hight AAA of So. Cal Mustang 4.059 312.86 2. Del Worsham Al-Anabi Racing Solara 4.062 312.35 3. John Force Castrol GTX Mustang 4.066 310.41 4. Ashley Force Hood Castrol GTX Mustang 4.093 310.70 5. Jack Beckman Valvoline/MTS Charger 4.101 310.91 6. Matt Hagan DieHard Charger 4.109 305.01 7. Jim Head Head Racing Solara 4.166 304.74 8. Gary Densham Densham Motorsports Impala 4.167 293.60 9. Ron Capps NAPA Auto Parts Charger 4.167 289.76 10. Tim Wilkerson Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang 4.182 294.43 11. Bob Bode Alard Machine Products Impala 4.184 264.49 12. Tony Pedregon Quaker State Monte Carlo 4.189 305.01 --------- Not Qualified --------- 13. Bob Tasca III Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang 4.190 299.26 14. Cruz Pedregon Snap-On Solara 4.231 301.20 15. Melanie Troxel In-N-Out Burger Charger 4.296 285.95 16. Jeff Diehl Ideal Racing Monte Carlo 4.299 283.91 17. Paul Lee Jim Dunn/Canidae/Lucas Oil Imp 4.327 278.58 18. Terry Haddock Terry Haddock Racing Stratus 4.422 257.09 19. Jeff Arend DHL Solara 4.712 175.02

Saturday Results for Qualifying Round 3

POMONA, Calif. - POMONA 1 - Notes from round 3 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 50th annual Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals presented by Valvoline 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: Robert Hight Runs 4.103/307.58, Now #1 Best prior run: 4.059/312.86, Was #1 1:06 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 73 degrees, relative humidity 34 percent, barometer 28.91 inches, adjusted altitude 2,579 feet, track temperature 97 degrees. Terrific weather for the fuel cars. Blue skies, just a slight breeze and a warm, but not hot, track. We will get our sixteen car bump spot this round, with nineteen FC already down the track earlier. Hight will get a single to start off the third round of qualifying. He had a broken run in round two, but is still the number one qualifier. He doesn't run as well as he did on Thursday, but this is a great looking pass right down the track. This ET would still be good enough to take over the #6 spot. Left Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 4.091/308.64, Now #4 Best prior run: 4.109/305.01, Was #6 Right Lane: Del Worsham Runs 7.562/83.95, Now #2 Best prior run: 4.062/312.35, Was #2 Worsham fires and falls back with some tire smoke before the tree. Hagan shows off his new DieHard sponsorship well, with a terrific looking pass up into the current #4 position. The chutes don't fully come out after the 1000ft mark, but he quickly has the speed down enough to easily make the turn off. Left Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 4.646/199.91, Now #13 No Prior Run Right Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 4.453/208.78, Now #6 Best prior run: 4.101/310.91, Was #6 Two great looking 660 passes, but Tasca and then Beckman spin, lift, and slow. One more try later this afternoon. Left Lane: A. Force Hood Runs 4.126/303.43, Now #5 Best prior run: 4.093/310.70, Was #5 Right Lane: Jim Head Runs 7.575/84.82, Now #7 Best prior run: 4.166/304.74, Was #7 Yesterday's session was a lot of tire smoke for most cars, but Force Hood gets to the finish line under power today. Nice pass for the conditions. Head's slicks are up in smoke before the sixty foot mark. Left Lane: Gary Densham Runs 4.244/280.14, Now #8 Best prior run: 4.167/293.60, Was #8 Right Lane: Bob Bode Runs 5.547/127.53, Now #11 Best prior run: 4.184/264.49, Was #11 The right lane bites again. Bode, this time. Lots of smoke from Densham's engine in the lights and he slows from his prior best. Gary Densham's incremental times: 60ft-0.914 sec., 330ft-2.369, 660ft-3.385/248.84 mph. Left Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.568/238.17, Now #10 Best prior run: 4.182/294.43, Was #10 Right Lane: Melanie Troxel Runs 4.184/304.67, Now #11 No Prior Run There is a brief delay to clean up a little "Stuff" in Densham's lane way down track. 1:23 p.m Time to go racing! That should keep the In-N-Out car if the field for a while. A little soft down low, but she successfully navigates the tough right lane for a good clean pass. Wilkerson's early times were close to Troxel's but the tires are up in smoke before mid-track. Left Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 4.440/220.66, Now #14 No Prior Run Right Lane: Jeff Diehl Runs 5.869/114.69, Now #16 No Prior Run We will get the first 2010 sixteen car dump spot with this pair. Well, nothing to write home about,as Diehl is up in smoke after the 330 lights. Arend is dropping cylinders down track and still improves on his earlier 4.712 time. Left Lane: Terry Haddock Runs 4.652/194.35, Now #16 No Prior Run Right Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 6.844/91.98, Now #18 No Prior Run Haddock had some major engine damage in yesterday session, but is back to try again. The engine drops a cylinder earlier and he stays with to move into the new dump spot. Another costly pass. Pedregon was #14 going into the session and won't get into the field on this pass, as the right lane spin and smoke gets him well before the 660 lights. Left Lane: Paul Lee Runs 8.165/56.63, Now #19 No Prior Run Right Lane: Ron Capps Runs 4.144/301.54, Now #7 Best prior run: 4.167/289.76, Was #9 I don't want to guess at the combined ages of the crew chiefs. Let's just say that its a lot more than 100 and leave it at that. Another great looking pass for Capps to move up into the top half of the field. Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.915 sec., 330ft-2.349, 660ft-3.337/260.26 mph. Lee's Impala is quicker to sixty feet with a 0.910 time and then strikes the tires. There is a clean up starting after the 1320, so we will have a brief delay before the last pair of the session. 1:36 p.m. Left Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 4.201/303.71, Now #13 Best prior run: 4.189/305.01, Was #13 Right Lane: John Force Runs 4.488/249.58, Now #3 Best prior run: 4.066/310.41, Was #3 1:46 p.m. Terry Haddock is on the bump spot at 4.652. Both drivers want to move up the ladder, but it's going to be tough. Both cars off the line well, but Force's Mustang is struggling by the 660 lights and he slows. Pedregon makes a good clean pass for the conditions, but both cars stay in their current #3 and #13 qualifying spots. 1:48 p.m. Robert Hight is still #1 with a 4.059 ET and Terry Haddock is on the bump spot at 4.652.

Saturday Order for Qualifying Round 3

POMONA, Calif. - SUMMIT FastNews - Order after 3 rounds of qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 50th annual Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals presented by Valvoline: Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed 1. Robert Hight AAA of So. Cal Mustang 4.059 312.86 2. Del Worsham Al-Anabi Racing Solara 4.062 312.35 3. John Force Castrol GTX Mustang 4.066 310.41 4. Matt Hagan DieHard Charger 4.091 308.64 5. Ashley Force Hood Castrol GTX Mustang 4.093 310.70 6. Jack Beckman Valvoline/MTS Charger 4.101 310.91 7. Ron Capps NAPA Auto Parts Charger 4.144 301.54 8. Jim Head Head Racing Solara 4.166 304.74 9. Gary Densham Densham Motorsports Impala 4.167 293.60 10. Tim Wilkerson Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang 4.182 294.43 11. Melanie Troxel In-N-Out Burger Charger 4.184 304.67 12. Bob Bode Alard Machine Products Impala 4.184 264.49 13. Tony Pedregon Quaker State Monte Carlo 4.189 305.01 14. Jeff Arend DHL Solara 4.440 220.66 15. Bob Tasca III Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang 4.646 299.26 16. Terry Haddock Terry Haddock Racing Stratus 4.652 257.09 --------- Not Qualified --------- 17. Jeff Diehl Ideal Racing Monte Carlo 5.869 283.91 18. Cruz Pedregon Snap-On Solara 6.844 301.20 19. Paul Lee Jim Dunn/Canidae/Lucas Oil Imp 8.165 278.58

Saturday Results for Qualifying Round 4

POMONA, Calif. - POMONA 1 - Notes from final, round 4 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 50th annual Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals presented by Valvoline 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: Cruz Pedregon Runs 4.300/269.83, Now #14 Best prior run: 6.844/91.98, Was #18 5:24 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 73 degrees, relative humidity 32 percent, barometer 28.88 inches, adjusted altitude 2,563 feet, track temperature 81 degrees. Last chance time! Terry Haddock is on the bump spot at 4.652. Pedregon's earlier 4.231 time would have had him in field already, but this run is good enough for now to move him up four positions into the current #14 spot. White Knuckle time. Cruz Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.929 sec., 330ft-2.391, 660ft-3.435/246.93 mph. Left Lane: Jeff Diehl No Time, Now #18 Best prior run: 5.869/114.69, Was #18 Right Lane: Paul Lee Runs 14.294/74.57, Now #19 Best prior run: 8.165/56.63, Was #19 Bob Tasca III is on the bump spot at 4.646 after a 4.190 before today. Well, that was odd! Once again Diehl and Lee have issues on the line. It's reported that Diehl's funny car body was loose at the back of the car and would latch. After a long delay again, Lee is directed to stage and run. He staged, took the green, and then just motored on down the track. Hmmmm! I bet the Fireman is really happy right now... Left Lane: Bob Bode No Time, Now #12 Best prior run: 4.184/264.49, Was #12 Right Lane: Terry Haddock Runs 4.869/195.82, Now #17 Best prior run: 4.652/194.35, Was #17 Bode has problems this time and after a long delay gets the car into a short quick burnout and up to the line and stages. It just gets weirder and weirder, as we go! Bode is shut off on the line and Haddock takes the single. He leaves with a 0.919 sixty foot time and has good header flames until the near 660 lights. The cylinders start to mix up at that point and the engine expired big time right at the 1000 foot lights with a blower bang and a bunch of fire out of the top of the engine and underneath the car. The burst panel flew way up into the air. The car continued on down the track, still on fire, without any chutes. Haddock tries to get it stopped and the car snaked around, as it slowed. He must have been getting too hot, as he then started to get out through the roof hatch while the car was still moving. The Stratus drifted over into the left lane and just nudged into the wall with Haddock more out of the car, than in. It finally rolled to a stop right before the sand trap and he jumped down to the ground. He seems to be OK, but has a big hole in his wallet! His earlier 4.422 would have got him in the field for now. Left Lane: Melanie Troxel Runs 4.180/302.28, Now #11 Best prior run: 4.184/304.67, Was #11 Right Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 4.075/306.88, Now #4 Best prior run: 4.646/199.91, Was #16 5:52 p.m. Time to qualify again... That will get the Tasca Mustang off the bump Big Time. It's full dark now and the header flames are spectacular. A solid 0.905 sixty foot time sets the pace and the car thunders on down the track and into the new #4 spot for now. Troxel stays close to him until mid-track and then has to watch the Ford pull steadily away. Melanie Troxel's incremental times: 60ft-0.929 sec., 330ft-2.384, 660ft-3.374/259.51 mph. Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.905 sec., 330ft-2.320, 660ft-3.283/266.11 mph. Left Lane: Jim Head Runs 4.131/304.74, Now #8 Best prior run: 4.166/304.74, Was #9 Right Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 4.200/281.13, Now #15 Best prior run: 4.440/220.66, Was #16 Jeff Arend is on the bump spot at 4.440. Two clean passes and both cars move up the ladder one spot for now. Jim Head's incremental times: 60ft-0.916 sec., 330ft-2.351, 660ft-3.330/261.62 mph. Jeff Arend's incremental times: 60ft-0.925 sec., 330ft-2.374, 660ft-3.371/257.92 mph. Left Lane: Ron Capps Runs 7.868/83.13, Now #9 Best prior run: 4.144/301.54, Was #9 Right Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 4.151/307.58, Now #10 Best prior run: 4.189/305.01, Was #14 Cruz Pedregon is safe on the bump spot at 4.300, as the slower cars have already run. Capps won't get back into the top half of the field as the flames go down after the 330, when the car gets out of the groove and smokes the tires. Pedregon finds some power and puts it to the ground on a strong pass to move four spots up the ladder. Tony Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.924 sec., 330ft-2.371, 660ft-3.357/263.46 mph. Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.902 sec., 330ft-2.705, 660ft-5.101/087.65 mph. Left Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 4.104/307.93, Now #7 Best prior run: 4.101/310.91, Was #7 Right Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.167/298.73, Now #11 Best prior run: 4.182/294.43, Was #13 Beckman makes another strong pass and just slows 0.003 from his best ET. Good looking pass. Wilkerson gets it all together this time and improves enough to move two spots up the ladder into the current #11 spot. Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.918 sec., 330ft-2.343, 660ft-3.312/264.86 mph. Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.924 sec., 330ft-2.372, 660ft-3.356/260.26 mph. Left Lane: John Force Runs 4.091/310.13, Now #3 Best prior run: 4.066/310.41, Was #3 Force gets the single this session, as Densham chooses not to run. The Force Bain Trust puts together another strong pass. The 25th Anniversary Castrol Mustang runs straight and true to the finish line. Pretty! John Force's incremental times: 60ft-0.909 sec., 330ft-2.336, 660ft-3.303/265.74 mph. Left Lane: Del Worsham Runs 4.131/306.88, Now #2 Best prior run: 4.062/312.35, Was #2 Right Lane: A. Force Hood Runs 7.011/86.96, Now #6 Best prior run: 4.093/310.70, Was #6 Force smokes the tires before the 330 lights and lifts. Worsham had an identical 0.908 sixty foot time and finally makes another clean pass, slowing a little from his best. Del Worsham's incremental times: 60ft-0.908 sec., 330ft-2.341, 660ft-3.332/260.66 mph. Ashley Force Hood's incremental times: 60ft-0.908 sec., 330ft-2.612, 660ft-4.634/108.52 mph. Left Lane: Robert Hight Runs 7.291/89.44, Now #1 Best prior run: 4.059/312.86, Was #1 Right Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 4.783/167.43, Now #5 Best prior run: 4.091/308.64, Was #5 The DSR team moves Hagan over a half a car to the left before his burnout. No joy here, as both casr surcum to traction problems. Height is first, before the 330 lights and then Hagan beforethe 660 lights. Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.910 sec., 330ft-2.606, 660ft-4.751/098.64 mph. Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.907 sec., 330ft-2.314, 660ft-3.466/190.14 mph. That's a wrap for Funny Car qualifying. 6:14 p.m. Hight stays #1 at 4.059 and Cruz Pedregon is on the bump spot at 4.300.

Saturday Order for Qualifying Round 4

POMONA, Calif. - SUMMIT FastNews - Final order after 4 rounds of qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 50th annual Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals presented by Valvoline: Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed 1. Robert Hight AAA of So. Cal Mustang 4.059 312.86 2. Del Worsham Al-Anabi Racing Solara 4.062 312.35 3. John Force Castrol GTX Mustang 4.066 310.41 4. Bob Tasca III Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang 4.075 306.88 5. Matt Hagan DieHard Charger 4.091 308.64 6. Ashley Force Hood Castrol GTX Mustang 4.093 310.70 7. Jack Beckman Valvoline/MTS Charger 4.101 310.91 8. Jim Head Head Racing Solara 4.131 304.74 9. Ron Capps NAPA Auto Parts Charger 4.144 301.54 10. Tony Pedregon Quaker State Impala 4.151 307.58 11. Tim Wilkerson Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang 4.167 298.73 12. Gary Densham Densham Motorsports Impala 4.167 293.60 13. Melanie Troxel In-N-Out Burger Charger 4.180 304.67 14. Bob Bode Alard Machine Products Impala 4.184 264.49 15. Jeff Arend DHL Solara 4.200 281.13 16. Cruz Pedregon Snap-On Solara 4.300 301.20 --------- Not Qualified --------- 17. Terry Haddock Terry Haddock Racing Stratus 4.652 257.09 18. Jeff Diehl Ideal Racing Monte Carlo 5.869 283.91 19. Paul Lee Jim Dunn/Canidae/Lucas Oil Imp 8.165 278.58

Sunday Results for Elimination Round 1

POMONA, Calif. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 1 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 50th annual Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals presented by Valvoline: W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed (W) Matt Hagan (DieHard Charger) 0.082 4.524 270.00 (L) Gary Densham (Densham Motorsports Impala) 0.102 4.572 278.69 11:42 a.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 71 degrees, relative humidity 30 percent, barometer 28.94 inches, adjusted altitude 2,341 feet, track temperature 92 degrees. Based on their qualifying times, both Hight and Worsham have the opportunity to reset the Nation Funny Car Speed Record today. The first pair to run this morning are the #5 and #12 qualifiers. Hagan is 1 - 0 against Densham in prior events. Mixed results, lane to lane, in TF round 1, so the two cars swap lanes before starting. Local Hero and low buck racer, Densham, will be running selected events this year, while Hagan's Die Hard team will be contesting the National Championship in Funny Car at all 23 events. Great old style drag race with a bunch of pumping and throttle stabbing to the finish line. Hagan gets away first and starts to pull away. Densham smokes the tires before the 330 and recovers quickly. It' Hagan's turn about the 660 mark and the car gets a little sideways. Densham is catching him quick, but runs out of race track. (W) John Force (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.079 4.132 308.07 (L) Bob Bode (Alard Machine Products Impala SS) 0.099 6.109 113.40 Force is 3 - 0 against Bode in prior events and he adds one more to the score with a decisive win. He gets out first and just motors away for a 100 foot plus win. Bode car left hard and then was up in smoke before the 330 lights. (W) Del Worsham (Al-Anabi Racing Solara) 0.095 4.188 302.82 (L) Jeff Arend (DHL Solara) 0.080 4.205 301.67 Worsham is 6 - 1 against Arend in prior events. A great side by side race from start to finish, withWorsham just 14 inches ahead at the finish line. I love it! Arend got a small advantage off the line and stays out in front until after the 660 lights, where Worsham just sneaks on by. Del Worsham's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.025), 330 ft(-0.013), 660ft(-0.002). MOV: 0.0026 seconds (approximately 14 inches). Jeff Arend's incremental times: 60ft-0.928 sec., 330ft-2.390, 660ft-3.394/257.28 mph. Del Worsham's incremental times: 60ft-0.938 sec., 330ft-2.388, 660ft-3.381/259.61 mph. (W) Cruz Pedregon (Snap-On Solara) 0.060 4.330 251.81 (L) Robert Hight (AAA of So. Cal Mustang) 0.045 DQ-Centerline Hight is 10 - 4 against Pedregon in prior events. He takes the "bad" left lane. Bad choice, as he leaves first, pulls hard and then starts to smoke the tires just past the 330 lights. The car starts a hard move towards he center line and he just pulls it back enough to miss the 660 lights. He hammers the throttle again a nd the car powers back to the center line again, taking out the 1000ft. reflectors. Pedregon gets a straight and clean pass, running close to his qualifying times and will go onto round two. Cruz Pedregon's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.003), 330 ft(-0.019), 660ft(0.118). MOV: 0.4756 seconds (more than 100 feet). (W) Bob Tasca III (Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustan 0.058 4.191 301.33 (L) Melanie Troxel (In-N-Out Burger Charger) 0.109 4.197 304.32 Tasca III is 2 - 0 against Troxel in prior events. The In-N-Out Team received the Best Appearing Crew award earlier today. Another great 'ol drag race. Tasca was away first. That really helped his chances, as Troxel was right behind him, running just 0.006 seconds slower. Bob Tasca III's MOV: 0.0576 seconds (approximately 26 feet). Bob Tasca III's incremental margins: 60ft(0.056), 330 ft(0.071), 660ft(0.063). MOV: 0.0576 seconds (approximately 26 feet).Melanie Troxel's incremental times: 60ft-0.940 sec., 330ft-2.400, 660ft-3.393/259.76 mph. Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.935 sec., 330ft-2.380, 660ft-3.381/257.87 mph. (W) Ashley Force Hood (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.120 4.121 307.72 (L) Tim Wilkerson (Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang) 0.067 4.720 185.95 Wilkerson is 6 - 4 against Force Hood in prior events. Force Hood took the left lane too, but uses all of it to run the best ET of the round, so far. She meet her Dad in round two for her efforts! Wilkerson got a big advantage at the green and stay out in front until just before the 660 lights, where the slicks begin to smoke. He is in and out of the throttle, but the lady is long gone. Ashley Force Hood's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.025), 330 ft(-0.005), 660ft(0.161). MOV: 0.5466 seconds (more than 100 feet). Ashley Force Hood's incremental times: 60ft-0.914 sec., 330ft-2.343, 660ft-3.325/261.62 mph. Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.942 sec., 330ft-2.391, 660ft-3.539/208.65 mph. (W) Jack Beckman (Valvoline/MTS Charger) 0.092 4.164 306.12 (L) Tony Pedregon (Quaker State Impala) 0.066 4.210 306.33 Beckman is 6 - 4 against Pedregon in prior events. Pedregon gets an RT advantage off the line, but Beckman's Valvoline Charger is out in front by a hundred feet. He continues to stay in front and gets a narrow win. Jack Beckman's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.004), 330 ft(0.013), 660ft(0.020). MOV: 0.0206 seconds (approximately 9 feet). Tony Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.962 sec., 330ft-2.420, 660ft-3.412/261.22 mph. Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.940 sec., 330ft-2.381, 660ft-3.366/262.08 mph. (W) Ron Capps (NAPA Auto Parts Charger) 0.092 4.174 301.20 (L) Jim Head (Head Racing Solara) 0.076 5.825 98.88 The final pair of the round. Capps is 6 - 1 against Head in prior events. Head is out first, but Capps is quickly by and pulling away. Head spins the tires and then bangs the blower just after the 330 light. Capps is long gone for the easy win. Ron Capps' incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.002), 330 ft(0.042), 660ft(0.454). MOV: 1.6356 seconds (more than 100 feet). Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.926 sec., 330ft-2.370, 660ft-3.365/258.57 mph. Jim Head's incremental times: 60ft-0.940 sec., 330ft-2.428, 660ft-3.835/148.76 mph. 12:10 p.m. In round two: Capps will have lane choice over Cruz Pedregon; Tasca over Hagan; Beckman over Worsham; and Force Hood over Force.

Sunday Results for Elimination Round 2

POMONA, Calif. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 2 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 50th annual Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals presented by Valvoline: W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed (W) Bob Tasca III (Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustan 0.083 4.196 301.00 (L) Matt Hagan (DieHard Charger) 0.104 4.636 237.25 1:39 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 78 degrees, relative humidity 28 percent, barometer 28.90 inches, adjusted altitude 2,757 feet, track temperature 106 degrees. Tasca III is 1 - 0 against Hagan in prior events. Tasca gets a nice starting line advantage and basically repeats his round one performance to take an easy win over a tire spinning Hagan. Hegan had better incrementals until after the 330 light, when the tires started to smoke and he had to give it up. Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.923 sec., 330ft-2.379, 660ft-3.596/197.59 mph. Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.928 sec., 330ft-2.384, 660ft-3.384/257.78 mph. (W) Ron Capps (NAPA Auto Parts Charger) 0.129 4.153 299.60 (L) Cruz Pedregon (Snap-On Solara) 0.016 4.307 284.45 Capps is 20 - 16 against Pedregon in prior events. Capps was way late off the line, as Pedregon cards a great 0.016 sixty foot time. He stays in front until after mid-track, but a dropped cylinder costs him the win. Capps makes a clean and straight pass to improve on his round one times. Ron Capps' incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.093), 330 ft(-0.060), 660ft(-0.005). MOV: 0.0419 seconds (approximately 17 feet). Cruz Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.941 sec., 330ft-2.404, 660ft-3.449/246.26 mph. Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.921 sec., 330ft-2.351, 660ft-3.341/258.07 mph. (W) John Force (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.096 4.120 305.49 (L) Ashley Force Hood (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.178 4.187 305.98 What a mess! Force Hood's parachute comes out of the pack as she goes up for the burnout. John does his normal long burnout and slowly backs up while the crew frantically repack the chute. One of the prior pair was still on the track at the last turnout, so Stewart holds John up. He finally tell them both to shut off and then runs back and waves them both up. John is way out in front at the green and snakes his way down the track for the easy win. Ashley is way late and apparently didn't need to do a burn out, as her Ford runs a representative ET in the loss. (W) Jack Beckman (Valvoline/MTS Charger) 0.092 4.183 304.32 (L) Del Worsham (Al-Anabi Racing Solara) 0.135 4.587 244.38 Beckman is 9 - 1 against Worsham in prior events and takes another one, as Worsham smokes the tires before the 330 lights. Beckman makes another four teen pass for the easy win. 1:53 p.m. In the next round: Capps will have lane choice over Tasca and Force over Beckman.

Sunday Results for Elimination Round 3

POMONA, Calif. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 3 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 50th annual Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals presented by Valvoline: W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed (W) Ron Capps (NAPA Auto Parts Charger) 0.075 4.158 300.46 (L) Bob Tasca III (Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustan 0.093 12.686 46.02 3:08 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 79 degrees, relative humidity 23 percent, barometer 28.89 inches, adjusted altitude 2,897 feet, track temperature 104 degrees. Capp's Team had a lot of excitement and thrashing after the Charger's rear end locked up on the track after his semi-final win. They had to bring the FC back to the pits on a flatbed truck and then go back for the body. Several of the DSR team members from Hagan's crew provided help to hurry and prep the car for the final. They had completed the rear end swap and normal maintenance within 35 minutes. Capps is 8 - 2 against Tasca III in prior events. The extra effort pays off, as Capps takes an easy win. He was off the line first and long gone, when Tasca's Mustang smoked the tires right off the line. Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.924 sec., 330ft-2.358, 660ft-3.348/258.71 mph. (W) John Force (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.075 4.125 305.56 (L) Jack Beckman (Valvoline/MTS Charger) 0.086 5.658 132.02 Beckman is 10 - 5 against Force in prior events. It's been a long dry spell for the Force team and he finally gets to run for the money, as Beckman's Challenger smokes the tires at the 330 lights. Force had a small lead at the green and both car's had identical 0.0915 sixty foot time. After Beckman's car slowed, Force thundered on down the track for an easy. He cards another four twelve to ensure lane choice over Capp's in the finals. Great looking run. John Force's incremental times: 60ft-0.915 sec., 330ft-2.345, 660ft-3.325/261.93 mph. 3:16 p.m.

Sunday Results for Final Round

POMONA, Calif. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of final, round 4 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 50th annual Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals presented by Valvoline: W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed (W) John Force (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.057 4.124 298.67 (L) Ron Capps (NAPA Auto Parts Charger) 0.073 4.123 305.08 5:22 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 74 degrees, relative humidity 28 percent, barometer 28.88 inches, adjusted altitude 2,611 feet, track temperature 83 degrees. Force is 41 - 21 against Capps in prior events and Force is 7 - 5 against Capps in prior final rounds. Capps is looking to repeat his win here in 2009 and Force is looking for his first win in over a year to celebrating his 25th year with Castrol. It's 2010 Charger vs. 2010 Ford Mustang [supposedly with "Chrysler" and "Ford" engines]. WOW! What a great looking race. Force is away first and thunders right down the track in the lead from start to finish to take the seven foot win on a hole shot. Capps was right there behind him, all the was down the track and is 0.001 seconds quicker and almost seven MPH faster in the lights. This is Force's fist win at the new 1000ft race track length. What a great way to start the season! John Force's incremental margins: 60ft(0.020), 330 ft(0.014), 660ft(0.018). MOV: 0.0159 seconds (approximately 7 feet). Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.935 sec., 330ft-2.352, 660ft-3.325/263.05 mph. John Force's incremental times: 60ft-0.931 sec., 330ft-2.354, 660ft-3.323/265.12 mph.

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