Funny Car

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Friday Results for Qualifying Round 1

CHANDLER, Ariz. - PHOENIX - Notes from round 1 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 26th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals listing lane, driver name, elapsed time, top speed, and position in order following run: Left Lane: Jeff Diehl Runs 4.314/274.22, Now #1 2:14 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 78 degrees, relative humidity 26 percent, barometer 28.62 inches, adjusted altitude 3,214 feet, track temperature 102 degrees. The weather man has predicted some bad weather for tomorrow, so today's two session are vital for being in the show on Sunday. We had some good Pro Stock times, so this could be good. Diehl starts the session with a single pass. He gets from start to finish without any drama and will have some good numbers to tune from in session two. Left Lane: Paul Lee Runs 12.199/31.51, Now #3 Right Lane: Melanie Troxel Runs 4.187/285.77, Now #1 Troxel had a pretty good WinterNationals with the new In-N-Out Charger, but Lee's best qualifying pass was DQ'ed, when the car was too light after waiting a long time for Diehl to back up. Both cars leave together and have good sixty foot times, but Lee's Impala is up in smoke before the 330 lights. Troxel's car keeps the tire stuck and makes a strong pass. Nice looking run. Paul Lee's incremental times: 60ft-0.920 sec., 330ft-3.170, 660ft-6.516/057.15 mph. Melanie Troxel's incremental times: 60ft-0.924 sec., 330ft-2.385, 660ft-3.371/261.17 mph. Left Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 8.822/78.89, Now #4 Right Lane: Gary Densham Runs 4.178/290.69, Now #1 Once again, the left lane spins and the right lane flies! Arend is off the line first and gets almost to the 330 lights before the tires are up in smoke. Densham's Impala has better incrementals down low and just motors away for a clean pass. Jeff Arend's incremental times: 60ft-0.916 sec., 330ft-2.938, 660ft-5.749/074.73 mph. Gary Densham's incremental times: 60ft-0.906 sec., 330ft-2.344, 660ft-3.345/252.99 mph. Left Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.233/291.57, Now #3 Right Lane: Jim Head Runs 6.815/94.13, Now #5 Head's Solara fires and falls back for no apparent reason. Wilkerson gets down the left lane and gets some good data for the second session this afternoon. Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.928 sec., 330ft-2.399, 660ft-3.405/254.38 mph. Jim Head's incremental times: 60ft-0.924 sec., 330ft-2.538, 660ft-4.494/109.01 mph. Left Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 6.354/103.60, Now #6 Right Lane: Robert Hight Runs 4.139/302.62, Now #1 Hight steps up the pace, big time, with a great sixty foot time and a strong clean pass into the new #1 spot. Pedregon left right with him with just a 0.001 difference in RT, but could match the pace. Getting to the 330 lights has been a struggle for half of the cars, so far, and Pedregon's Nitro Fish is no exception. Tony Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.920 sec., 330ft-2.519, 660ft-4.262/121.67 mph. Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.908 sec., 330ft-2.347, 660ft-3.335/260.46 mph. Left Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 4.271/286.44, Now #6 Right Lane: A. Force Hood Runs 4.168/298.40, Now #2 OK! We finally get two good passes from both lanes and both cars move up into the top half of the field. Force took the lead at the green and pulled steadily ahead to the finish line. Pedregon had good early numbers, but the engine was struggling by the 660 lights. Cruz Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.917 sec., 330ft-2.388, 660ft-3.429/248.39 mph. Ashley Force Hood's incremental times: 60ft-0.911 sec., 330ft-2.358, 660ft-3.354/257.14 mph. Left Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 4.135/292.58, Now #1 Right Lane: Del Worsham Runs 9.112/77.59, Now #12 Hagan's Charger gets a huge lead at the green and keeps it, as Worsham's Solara leaves hard and then is up in smoke and out of the groove about a 100 feet out. We get a new #1 qualifier and a bump spot from this pair! Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.905 sec., 330ft-2.335, 660ft-3.320/261.62 mph. Del Worsham's incremental times: 60ft-0.907 sec., 330ft-3.131, 660ft-6.131/076.58 mph. Left Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 5.790/118.50, Now #9 Right Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 4.160/301.20, Now #0 Del Worsham is on the bump spot at 9.112. Tasca's Mustang gets a small advantage off the line and has better incrementals, until Beckman's Charges smokes the tires right at the 330 lights. Great pass for the Ford. Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.912 sec., 330ft-2.406, 660ft-3.953/137.92 mph. Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.902 sec., 330ft-2.352, 660ft-3.353/258.42 mph. Left Lane: Ron Capps Runs 7.273/89.13, Now #13 Right Lane: John Force Runs 4.168/300.86, Now #3 In almost a repeat of the prior pair, Force gets a full pass and Capps doesn't to end the session. Capps gets off the line well ahead of Force and matches his 0.912 sixty foot time, but spins the tire at the 330 lights and slows. Force makes a great looking run and splits the other Team Force Mustang's, taking the #3 position for the session. Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.912 sec., 330ft-2.603, 660ft-4.722/099.53 mph. John Force's incremental times: 60ft-0.912 sec., 330ft-2.366, 660ft-3.360/258.81 mph. 2:44 p.m. Matt Hagan is #1 at 4.135 and Jim Head is on the bump spot at 6.815.

Friday Order for Qualifying Round 1

CHANDLER, Ariz. - SUMMIT FastNews - Order after one round of qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 26th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals: Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed 1. Matt Hagan DieHard Charger 4.135 292.58 2. Robert Hight AAA of So. Cal Mustang 4.139 302.62 3. Bob Tasca III Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang 4.160 301.20 4. John Force Castrol GTX Mustang 4.168 300.86 5. Ashley Force Hood Castrol GTX Mustang 4.168 298.40 6. Gary Densham Densham Motorsports Impala 4.178 290.69 7. Melanie Troxel In-N-Out Burger Charger 4.187 285.77 8. Tim Wilkerson Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang 4.233 291.57 9. Cruz Pedregon Snap-On Solara 4.271 286.44 10. Jeff Diehl Ideal Racing Monte Carlo 4.314 274.22 11. Jack Beckman Valvoline/MTS Charger 5.790 118.50 12. Tony Pedregon Quaker State Impala 6.354 103.60 --------- Not Qualified --------- 13. Jim Head Head Racing Solara 6.815 94.13 14. Ron Capps NAPA Auto Parts Charger 7.273 89.13 15. Jeff Arend DHL Solara 8.822 78.89 16. Del Worsham Al-Anabi Racing Solara 9.112 77.59 17. Paul Lee Jim Dunn/Canidae/Lucas Oil Imp 12.199 31.51

Friday Results for Qualifying Round 2

CHANDLER, Ariz. - PHOENIX - Notes from round 2 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 26th annual NHRA Arizona 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: Paul Lee No Time, Now #17 Best prior run: 12.199/31.51, Was #17 Weather conditions: air temperature 77 degrees, relative humidity 26 percent, barometer 28.56 inches, adjusted altitude 3,142 feet, track temperature 96 degrees. Lee launched hard and was on a good pass until just past half track when it started dropping cylinders on the left side. The car started to drift to the left and collected the finish line cones. Left Lane: Del Worsham Runs 4.153/284.75, Now #4 Best prior run: 9.112/77.59, Was #16 Right Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 4.150/303.37, Now #3 Best prior run: 8.822/78.89, Was #15 5:47 p.m. ...and we are back. With only seventeen cars running so far, this won't be as critical a session as it could be. Tomorrows weather is not looking good for completing two more sessions. Looks like the current AJ blowers are OK! A great looking side by side pass for these two, running within 0.003 of each other. Worsham's Solara gets way too close to the wall at the 1000 foot lights and it may have cost him some ET. Del Worsham's incremental times: 60ft-0.911 sec., 330ft-2.344, 660ft-3.334/258.52 mph. Jeff Arend's incremental times: 60ft-0.917 sec., 330ft-2.366, 660ft-3.345/261.17 mph. Left Lane: Jim Head Runs 10.071/74.53, Now #16 Best prior run: 6.815/94.13, Was #15 Right Lane: Ron Capps Runs 4.120/305.22, Now #1 Best prior run: 7.273/89.13, Was #16 Last weeks runner up at Pomona must have annoyed the Napa Team a bunch. They give Capps a bunch of tune up and he uses it to make a super looking pass into the new top spot in both ET and MPH Head was late off the line and the car was just a tad lazy earlier on, but kicks the tires and he slows. Jim Head's incremental times: 60ft-0.935 sec., 330ft-3.659, 660ft-6.957/071.64 mph. Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.912 sec., 330ft-2.342, 660ft-3.320/262.03 mph. Left Lane: Melanie Troxel Runs 4.469/222.55, Now #10 Best prior run: 4.187/285.77, Was #10 Right Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 4.211/303.23, Now #11 Best prior run: 6.354/103.60, Was #15 Pedregon gets a small advantage off the line, but Troxel has better incrementals until near the 660 lights, where the car noses over and has a bunch of smoke and flame out from underneath the Charger. Pedregon gets a full pass this time and moves up into the new #11 spot behind her. Melanie Troxel's incremental times: 60ft-0.921 sec., 330ft-2.387, 660ft-3.469/227.77 mph. Tony Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.927 sec., 330ft-2.386, 660ft-3.402/255.77 mph. 5:56 p.m. There will be clean up in Melanie lane. Left Lane: Gary Densham Runs 7.733/99.52, Now #9 Best prior run: 4.178/290.69, Was #9 Right Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 4.747/284.51, Now #15 Best prior run: 5.790/118.50, Was #15 5:58 p.m. That didn't take long! Dueling tire smokers near the 330 lights. Densham has to give it up, but Beckman shows his skill and strokes the pedal, gathers it back up, and runs strong enough to stay off the bottom of the ladder. Gary Densham's incremental times: 60ft-0.917 sec., 330ft-2.921, 660ft-5.374/095.31 mph. Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.913 sec., 330ft-2.589, 660ft-3.861/220.40 mph. Left Lane: A. Force Hood Runs 4.119/295.79, Now #1 Best prior run: 4.168/298.40, Was #8 Right Lane: Jeff Diehl Runs 4.313/276.52, Now #14 Best prior run: 4.314/274.22, Was #14 Team Force comes back with a vengeance, as Force Hood just thunders on down the track and nips Capps time by 0.001 of a second and captures the new top spot. Diehl plays bracket racer and runs 0.001 seconds quicker than his first pass to stay #14. The sun is behind the mountains now and the header flames are too cool! Ashley Force Hood's incremental times: 60ft-0.906 sec., 330ft-2.339, 660ft-3.316/262.74 mph. Jeff Diehl's incremental times: 60ft-0.927 sec., 330ft-2.425, 660ft-3.460/247.61 mph. Left Lane: John Force Runs 4.074/304.67, Now #1 Best prior run: 4.168/300.86, Was #8 Right Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 4.276/270.32, Now #13 Best prior run: 4.271/286.44, Was #13 John Force is taking no prisoners! The Mustang is right behind Pedregon at the green and then runs a terrific 0.890 sixty foot time. He has header flames over the roof all the way down and decidedly moves the quick ET even lowe into the "0's". Nice pass for Pedregon again, but he doesn't improve. John Force's incremental times: 60ft-0.890 sec., 330ft-2.305, 660ft-3.276/262.79 mph. Cruz Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.912 sec., 330ft-2.365, 660ft-3.404/246.12 mph. Left Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 7.710/84.12, Now #8 Best prior run: 4.160/301.20, Was #8 Right Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.200/298.67, Now #11 Best prior run: 4.233/291.57, Was #12 Tasca's Ford is too strong for the lane and smokes the tires before the 330 lights, after strong early incrementals. Wilkerson gets another low four twenty pass and moves up to the current#11 spot. Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.900 sec., 330ft-2.655, 660ft-4.964/090.98 mph. Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.936 sec., 330ft-2.396, 660ft-3.386/258.17 mph. Left Lane: Robert Hight Runs 7.837/82.02, Now #5 Best prior run: 4.139/302.62, Was #5 Right Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 4.068/311.34, Now #1 Best prior run: 4.135/292.58, Was #4 Last pair of the session and it's a great one for DSR. Hagan regains his prior #1 qualifying spot with a picture perfect run. He cards both best ET and MPH to upset the Team Force efforts. He'll get the new track MPH record for his efforts. Hight was on a grat looking pass with better incrementals until near the 330 lights, when tire spin and shake ended his hopes. He'll stay #5. Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.909 sec., 330ft-2.690, 660ft-5.027/089.68 mph. Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.910 sec., 330ft-2.324, 660ft-3.285/267.06 mph. 6:14 p.m. Tony Pedregon is on the bump spot at 4.211.

Friday Order for Qualifying Round 2

CHANDLER, Ariz. - SUMMIT FastNews - Order after 2 rounds of qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 26th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals: Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed 1. Matt Hagan DieHard Charger 4.068 311.34& 2. John Force Castrol GTX Mustang 4.074 304.67 3. Ashley Force Hood Castrol GTX Mustang 4.119 298.40 4. Ron Capps NAPA Auto Parts Charger 4.120 305.22 5. Robert Hight AAA of So. Cal Mustang 4.139 302.62 6. Jeff Arend DHL Solara 4.150 303.37 7. Del Worsham Al-Anabi Racing Solara 4.153 284.75 8. Bob Tasca III Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang 4.160 301.20 9. Gary Densham Densham Motorsports Impala 4.178 290.69 10. Melanie Troxel In-N-Out Burger Charger 4.187 285.77 11. Tim Wilkerson Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang 4.200 298.67 12. Tony Pedregon Quaker State Impala 4.211 303.23 --------- Not Qualified --------- 13. Cruz Pedregon Snap-On Solara 4.271 286.44 14. Jeff Diehl Ideal Racing Monte Carlo 4.313 276.52 15. Jack Beckman Valvoline/MTS Charger 4.747 284.51 16. Jim Head Head Racing Solara 6.815 94.13 17. Paul Lee Jim Dunn/Canidae/Lucas Oil Imp 12.199 31.51 & = Track Speed Record

Saturday Results for Qualifying Round 3

CHANDLER, Ariz. - PHOENIX - Notes from final, round 3 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 26th annual NHRA Arizona 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: Terry Haddock Runs 5.138/159.23, Now #14 No Prior Run Right Lane: Paul Lee Runs 4.238/298.34, Now #13 No Prior Run 2:07 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 62 degrees, relative humidity 52 percent, barometer 28.64 inches, adjusted altitude 2,219 feet, track temperature 74 degrees. The weather is finally cooperating with a blue patch of sky overhead. No direct sun on the track though, as the sun is still behind the many clouds. This will be Haddock's one and only attempt to qualify. Lee smoked the tires and took out some cones earlier. Lee finally gets a full pass and its not too bad. Lee runs a career best ET and Speed, but it may not hold. Haddock was spectacular again with smoke, fire and a big blower bang right after the 330 lights. He got good air time with the body burst panel though and landed it in the middle of the return road. Terry Haddock's incremental times: 60ft-0.967 sec., 330ft-2.543, 660ft-3.771/186.15 mph. Paul Lee's incremental times: 60ft-0.930 sec., 330ft-2.413, 660ft-3.423/256.16 mph. Left Lane: Jim Head Runs 4.145/302.89, Now #7 No Prior Run Right Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 4.133/307.30, Now #5 No Prior Run 2:47 p.m. ... that took a while, as the Safety Safari had to clean the track and then lay down "Gold Dust" from before the 330 lights until the 660. The Asphalt Zamboni and sweepers made a bunch of passes, before they sprayed VHT on the track again. A few more passes by the Zamboni and the call goes out to start the engines. Both Beckman and Head had problems on their earlier passes with traction and need something close to a full pass to ensure a place on the ladder. Both cars get down the track successfully this time and well into the current top half of the field. Beckman was late and Head was dead late off the line, but that doesn't count for today. They had similar incremental, but Beckman got the best of the deal. Jim Head's incremental times: 60ft-0.925 sec., 330ft-2.365, 660ft-3.342/261.93 mph. Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.920 sec., 330ft-2.360, 660ft-3.338/262.79 mph. Left Lane: Melanie Troxel Runs 8.781/70.86, Now #12 Best prior run: 4.187/285.77, Was #12 Right Lane: Jeff Diehl Runs 7.930/89.77, Now #17 No Prior Run Diehl is waaay early and then has hisFC make a hard move towards the center line, before shutting off with traction issues. He won't qualify this weekend. Troxel got the green, ran a 0.908 sixty foot time and then smoked the tires. She'll stay #12 for now. Left Lane: Gary Densham Runs 4.188/284.99, Now #11 Best prior run: 4.178/290.69, Was #11 Right Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 4.364/248.75, Now #16 No Prior Run Another good run for Densham and he'll stay #11 for now. Pedregon's car wasn't as sharp off the line and starts to drop cylinders down track, but still improves almost a tenth over his best time. Gary Densham's incremental times: 60ft-0.899 sec., 330ft-2.350, 660ft-3.345/255.68 mph. Cruz Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.937 sec., 330ft-2.420, 660ft-3.455/245.81 mph. Left Lane: Bob Tasca III No Time, Now #10 Best prior run: 4.160/301.20, Was #10 Right Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 7.015/88.28, Now #14 Best prior run: 4.211/303.23, Was #14 2:57 p.m. OH NO! It's started to rain again. The two cars are pushed back to the fence. Cruz Pedregon is on the bump spot at 4.364. 3:19 p.m. Time to go racing. After the brief rain showers, the sun is actually shining on the track for the first time today. Both cars are in the field, after only one good run each. I have no idea what happened to Tasca's car on the starting line. They team was making their final adjustments and tire cleaning and then the engine goes quiet. Pedregon leaves on a single with a 0.897 sixty foot time and then has shake, spin, and smoke about a hundred feet out. He coasts on down the track. No joy for either team.Tony Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.897 sec., 330ft-2.535, 660ft-4.557/104.40 mph. Left Lane: Del Worsham Runs 4.084/305.56, Now #3 Best prior run: 4.153/284.75, Was #9 Right Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.206/267.48, Now #13 Best prior run: 4.200/298.67, Was #13 Both cars make good three quarter passes together, but only Worsham can get to the lights under power. The Al-Anabi Solara gets from start to finish without any drama and keeps the candles lit to move six spots up the ladder into the current #3 spot on the ladder. Nice looking pass. Wilkerson's Levi, Ray and Shoup Mustang gets an 0.033 advantage off the line, but can't match the McCullough tune up. He runs to near the top end and then has smoke and Stuff out from underneath the car 3:26 p.m. Another delay for oil in Wilkerson's lane. Del Worsham's incremental times: 60ft-0.900 sec., 330ft-2.318, 660ft-3.290/265.12 mph. Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.917 sec., 330ft-2.377, 660ft-3.366/259.86 mph. Left Lane: Robert Hight Runs 4.094/302.96, Now #4 Best prior run: 4.139/302.62, Was #7 Right Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 7.187/93.13, Now #9 Best prior run: 4.150/303.37, Was #9 3:35 p.m. Three pair to go in FC qualifying. Both cars had one good pass and one bad one earlier. Arend is one for three, as the Solara is up in smoke before the 330 lights to stay #9. Height makes it two out of three, getting to the finish line under power and improving three spots on the ladder with a snakey pass. The Mustang moves out of the groove near the 660 lights and he has to haul it back into the groove. Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.895 sec., 330ft-2.322, 660ft-3.294/263.92 mph. Jeff Arend's incremental times: 60ft-0.896 sec., 330ft-2.597, 660ft-4.757/098.48 mph. Left Lane: A. Force Hood Runs 7.336/86.30, Now #5 Best prior run: 4.119/295.79, Was #5 Right Lane: Ron Capps Runs 4.159/301.07, Now #6 Best prior run: 4.120/305.22, Was #6 Both cars were a little soft off the line and Force Hood's Castrol FC strikes the tires and coasts before the 330 lights. Capps has a safe, clean pass and runs close to his prior best to stay #6 on the ladder. Ashley Force Hood's incremental times: 60ft-0.908 sec., 330ft-2.691, 660ft-4.856/101.44 mph. Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.913 sec., 330ft-2.363, 660ft-3.352/259.46 mph. Left Lane: John Force Runs 4.063/308.78, Now #1 Best prior run: 4.074/304.67, Was #2 Right Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 7.608/85.75, Now #2 Best prior run: 4.068/311.34, Was #1 All three Force cars ran in the left lane and only John get it done. Both of the other two were up in smoke before the 330 lights. A great pass that is good enough to steal away the number one spot from a slowing Hagan. Hagan is away first by 0.019 and almost matches Force's sixty foot time. Things go bad after that, as the slicks are up in smoke, like a lot of the others, before the 330 lights. John Force's incremental times: 60ft-0.896 sec., 330ft-2.317, 660ft-3.278/268.38 mph. Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.898 sec., 330ft-2.626, 660ft-4.912/091.49 mph. 3:45 p.m. This is Force's seventh number one spot here and his first since Indy of 2006. Cruz Pedregon is on the bump spot at 4.364.

Saturday Order for Qualifying Round 3

CHANDLER, Ariz. - SUMMIT FastNews - Final order after 3 rounds of qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 26th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals: Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed 1. John Force Castrol GTX Mustang 4.063 308.78 2. Matt Hagan DieHard Charger 4.068 311.34 3. Del Worsham Al-Anabi Racing Solara 4.084 305.56 4. Robert Hight AAA of So. Cal Mustang 4.094 302.96 5. Ashley Force Hood Castrol GTX Mustang 4.119 298.40 6. Ron Capps NAPA Auto Parts Charger 4.120 305.22 7. Jack Beckman Valvoline/MTS Charger 4.133 307.30 8. Jim Head Head Racing Solara 4.145 302.89 9. Jeff Arend DHL Solara 4.150 303.37 10. Bob Tasca III Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang 4.160 301.20 11. Gary Densham Densham Motorsports Impala 4.178 290.69 12. Melanie Troxel In-N-Out Burger Charger 4.187 285.77 13. Tim Wilkerson Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang 4.200 298.67 14. Tony Pedregon Quaker State Impala 4.211 303.23 15. Paul Lee Jim Dunn/Canidae/Lucas Oil Imp 4.238 298.34 16. Cruz Pedregon Snap-On Solara 4.364 286.44 --------- Not Qualified --------- 17. Jeff Diehl Ideal Racing Monte Carlo 7.930 276.52 18. Terry Haddock Terry Haddock Racing Stratus DQ

Sunday Results for Elimination Round 1

CHANDLER, Ariz. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 1 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 26th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals: W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed (W) Jack Beckman (Valvoline/MTS Charger) 0.092 4.132 307.37 (L) Bob Tasca III (Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustan 0.055 4.196 299.20 3:21 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 68 degrees, relative humidity 47 percent, barometer 28.68 inches, adjusted altitude 2,531 feet, track temperature 88 degrees. After a long weather delay, the call goes out to start the engines. The local weather radar looks very promising for getting Professional Eliminations completed today. We start the round with a Dodge/Ford match up. Beckman is sporting the new Valvoline/MTS colors on his Charger and Tasca has his regular Motorcraft/Quick Lane scheme on his Mustang. Beckman is 2 - 0 against Tasca III in prior events and he takes another close one with a great side by pass. Tasca gets a lead at the green and stays out in front to near the 660 lights, where Beckman just gets on by and slowly increases his lead to the finish line. What a good 'ol drag race. Jack Beckman's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.025), 330 ft(-0.004), 660ft(0.013). MOV: 0.0276 seconds (approximately 12 feet). Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.941 sec., 330ft-2.402, 660ft-3.389/260.97 mph. Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.929 sec., 330ft-2.369, 660ft-3.339/264.60 mph. (W) Ashley Force Hood (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.100 4.104 306.81 (L) Melanie Troxel (In-N-Out Burger Charger) 0.125 4.426 207.05 Troxel is 1 - 0 against Force Hood in prior events. Another good start for both cars, with Force Hood getting the hole shot and leading the way down the track. Troxel's In-N-Out Charger gave it a valiant try until after the 330 lights, where the tires started to spin and move the car out of the groove and towards the center line. She has to give it up at that point. Ashley Force Hood's MOV: 0.3472 seconds (more than 100 feet). Melanie Troxel's incremental times: 60ft-0.917 sec., 330ft-2.348, 660ft-3.368/232.39 mph. Ashley Force Hood's incremental times: 60ft-0.913 sec., 330ft-2.331, 660ft-3.308/262.03 mph. (W) John Force (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.141 4.142 305.01 (L) Cruz Pedregon (Snap-On Solara) 0.083 4.201 290.76 Whoa! Force is late at the green and it almost costs him the win. Pedregon gave him all the race he needed and stayed out in front to finish just six inches behind in the lights! Close one! John Force's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.055), 330 ft(-0.050), 660ft(-0.022). MOV: 0.0012 seconds (approximately 6 inches). Cruz Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.929 sec., 330ft-2.372, 660ft-3.377/257.38 mph. John Force's incremental times: 60ft-0.926 sec., 330ft-2.364, 660ft-3.341/261.47 mph. (W) Tony Pedregon (Quaker State Impala) 0.060 4.198 300.06 (L) Del Worsham (Al-Anabi Racing Solara) 0.125 4.181 304.74 Hole shot win for Pedregon as his 0.060 light puts him well out in front of Worsham's 0.125 RT at the green. They hold their position all the way down the track and there is just a 0.017 difference in ET in the lights. Tony Pedregon's incremental margins: 60ft(0.048), 330 ft(0.049), 660ft(0.047). MOV: 0.0486 seconds (approximately 22 feet). Tony Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.959 sec., 330ft-2.409, 660ft-3.397/263.00 mph. Del Worsham's incremental times: 60ft-0.942 sec., 330ft-2.393, 660ft-3.379/260.81 mph. (W) Matt Hagan (DieHard Charger) 0.097 4.307 216.90 (L) Paul Lee (Jim Dunn/Canidae/Lucas Oil Impala 0.117 7.147 92.14 This is the first time Lee and Hagan have faced each other in eliminations. Ouch! Hagan takes a decisive lead off the line and is pulling away hard until right after the 660 light, when the engine goes BANG. The burst panel goes flying and he slows. His early incrementals were the best of the round, so far, and that keeps him out and front for the easy win. Lee was second off the line and then smoked the tires at the 330 lights. Paul Lee's incremental times: 60ft-0.925 sec., 330ft-2.590, 660ft-4.673/101.35 mph. Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.916 sec., 330ft-2.330, 660ft-3.305/250.83 mph. 3:35 p.m. Trucks are rolling down track for a little dusting and cleaning way down track. (W) Robert Hight (AAA of So. Cal Mustang) 0.106 4.075 308.99 (L) Tim Wilkerson (Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang) 0.100 4.113 295.66 3:44 p.m. All of the clean up was way down track towards the last turn out. Hight is 8 - 7 against Wilkerson in prior events. It's Mustang vs. Mustang and Height takes no prisoners. He runs the quickest and fastest run of the session to take the fourteen foot win. Wilkerson had a 0.006 RT lead, but the AAA Mustang was out in front by sixty feet. They stay close together, as Wilkerson makes his best run of the weekend trying to catch him. Robert Hight's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(0.011), 330 ft(0.018), 660ft(0.016). MOV: 0.0323 seconds (approximately 14 feet). Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.918 sec., 330ft-2.339, 660ft-3.306/265.22 mph. Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.901 sec., 330ft-2.315, 660ft-3.284/264.29 mph. (W) Ron Capps (NAPA Auto Parts Charger) 0.094 4.097 307.65 (L) Gary Densham (Densham Motorsports Impala) 0.109 4.250 249.76 Capps is 20 - 9 against Densham in prior events. Capps is away first, but Densham's 60 foot numbers put him briefly out in front. The NAPA car quickly regains the lead and pulls steadily ahead of a slowing Densham. Gary Densham's incremental times: 60ft-0.894 sec., 330ft-2.343, 660ft-3.358/249.95 mph. Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.919 sec., 330ft-2.337, 660ft-3.305/264.39 mph. (W) Jim Head (Head Racing Solara) 0.094 4.170 304.87 (L) Jeff Arend (DHL Solara) 0.113 4.346 229.20 This is the first time Arend and Head have faced each other in eliminations. Head is off the line first, but the car is lazy. Arend drives on by before sixty feet and pulls ahead all the way to the 660 lights, where the DHL Solara gets loose and drives the car towards the center line. He tries to save it, but to no avail. Head runs close to his qualifying time to get a big win. 3:55 p.m. In round two, he'll give up lane choice to John Force. In other pairings, Height has lane choice over Force Hood; Beckman over Hagan; and Capps over Pedregon.

Sunday Results for Elimination Round 2

CHANDLER, Ariz. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 2 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 26th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals: W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed (W) John Force (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.109 4.044 309.77 (L) Jim Head (Head Racing Solara) 0.123 8.927 79.54 5:00 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 69 degrees, relative humidity 41 percent, barometer 28.69 inches, adjusted altitude 2,544 feet, track temperature 82 degrees. Force is 13 - 6 against Head in prior events. It's only the second race of the year and the resurgent John Force Team gives him a new career best ET and the round win. Force did his part with a hole shot lead over Head and an easy win, as the Solara shakes, spins, and smokes the tires. John Force's incremental margins: 60ft(0.036), 330 ft(0.868), 660ft(2.790). MOV: 4.8975 seconds (more than 100 feet). Jim Head's incremental times: 60ft-0.915 sec., 330ft-3.151, 660ft-6.031/079.46 mph. John Force's incremental times: 60ft-0.893 sec., 330ft-2.297, 660ft-3.255/265.90 mph. (W) Tony Pedregon (Quaker State Impala) 0.111 4.195 304.05 (L) Ron Capps (NAPA Auto Parts Charger) 0.092 4.911 216.06 Pedregon is 26 - 19 against Capps in prior events. Pedregon didn't get the hole shot, but Capp's Charger shuttered and spun the tires right after the 330 lights to give the Nitro Fish FC the easy win. Tony Pedregon's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.042), 330 ft(0.137), 660ft(0.477). MOV: 0.6976 seconds (more than 100 feet). Tony Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.936 sec., 330ft-2.398, 660ft-3.396/260.61 mph. Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.913 sec., 330ft-2.554, 660ft-3.892/211.76 mph. (W) Jack Beckman (Valvoline/MTS Charger) 0.104 4.136 303.78 (L) Matt Hagan (DieHard Charger) 0.102 6.968 126.84 Beckman is 3 - 1 against Hagan in prior events. The two teammates don't get a chance to bid on bragging rights, as they leave together, and then Hagan's car strikes the tires right after that. He pumps it and then slows. Beckman basically repeats his first round performance and will get lane choice over Pedregon in round three. Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-1.031 sec., 330ft-3.677, 660ft-5.246/146.16 mph. Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.934 sec., 330ft-2.358, 660ft-3.335/262.13 mph. (W) Robert Hight (AAA of So. Cal Mustang) 0.105 4.107 302.69 (L) Ashley Force Hood (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.074 4.144 295.01 Hight is 6 - 3 against Force Hood in prior events. Another two team members meet to see who races John next round. Force Hood gets a great 0.074 RT and it's enough to keep her Mustang out in from until after the 660 lights. It's all Prock Power after that, as the blue car just gets on by for a close three foot win. Robert Hight's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.012), 330 ft(-0.007), 660ft(-0.002). MOV: 0.0062 seconds (approximately 3 feet). Ashley Force Hood's incremental times: 60ft-0.921 sec., 330ft-2.349, 660ft-3.330/259.21 mph. Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.902 sec., 330ft-2.325, 660ft-3.301/261.07 mph. 5:12 p.m. John Force will have lane choice in the round three.

Sunday Results for Elimination Round 3

CHANDLER, Ariz. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 3 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 26th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals: W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed (W) Jack Beckman (Valvoline/MTS Charger) 0.186 5.023 262.64 (L) Tony Pedregon (Quaker State Impala) 0.115 9.335 91.65 6:34 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 66 degrees, relative humidity 44 percent, barometer 28.70 inches, adjusted altitude 2,379 feet, track temperature 71 degrees. After a full day of weirdness, it's almost dark and we are down to tha last four cars in FC competition. One of these two will face a Team Force car in the final round. That has been another long delay, this time for the last pair of TF'er. Beckman is 7 - 4 against Pedregon in prior events. Pedregon gets another starting line advantage, but it doesn't help this time, as the slicks are spinning and smoking right at the hit. Beckman appears to be on a strong pass and then has his own traction issues further out and has to pump the throttle to get the FC to the finish line. It was ugly, but a win is a win. (W) John Force (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.079 4.080 309.06 (L) Robert Hight (AAA of So. Cal Mustang) 0.123 20.952 36.81 Hight is 10 - 7 against Force in prior events. Force just dominates the race with a strong lead off the line and another four-oh pass to ensure lane choice in the final round over Beckman. Jippy is making terrific decisions with the tune up to get another commanding win. Hight gets further than Pedregon before kicking the tires and then has the chutes come out to boot. Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-1.007 sec., 330ft-4.230, 660ft-9.797/032.86 mph. John Force's incremental times: 60ft-0.905 sec., 330ft-2.324, 660ft-3.289/265.33 mph. 6:41 p.m. That's a wrap for today's activities. Eliminations will continue tomorrow morning, as weather permits.

Monday Results for Final Round

CHANDLER, Ariz. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of final, round 4 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 26th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals: W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed (W) Jack Beckman (Valvoline/MTS Charger) 0.088 4.121 301.13 (L) John Force (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.084 6.316 106.24 2:44 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 56 degrees, relative humidity 40 percent, barometer 29.82 inches. track 82 degrees. We have had a couple of false starts already today with getting the track almost ready to run and then rain spoiling the efforts. Not quite a day later, the Funny Car final comes to the line. Force is looking for two in a row and Beckman is looking for his first win of the year. Beckman is 10 - 6 against Force in prior events and each has won 1 times against the other in final rounds. They left virtually together and ran that way until near the 330 lights, where the Castrol Mustang started to spin the tires and slowed. Beckman's tune up matches the tracks capacity and the Valvoline/MTS funny car drives away for an easy win. He runs a little quicker that two of the three prior rounds, but the race was over right off the line. Great looking pass for a great guy! Jack Beckman's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(0.005), 330 ft(0.177), 660ft(0.939). MOV: 2.1913 seconds (more than 100 feet). Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.927 sec., 330ft-2.356, 660ft-3.321/264.96 mph. John Force's incremental times: 60ft-0.936 sec., 330ft-2.537, 660ft-4.264/123.33 mph.

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