Funny Car

Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Monday

Friday Results for Qualifying Round 1

CLERMONT, Ind. - INDY - Notes from round 1 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 56th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil listing lane, driver name, elapsed time, top speed, and position in order following run: Right Lane: Brian Thiel Runs 4.262/289.07, Now #1 6:51 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 81 degrees, relative humidity 32 percent, barometer 28.94 inches, adjusted altitude 3,094 feet, track temperature 103 degrees. Nice, smooth opening pass for Diehl. We have no clue how that will stack up against the rest of the qualifiers, but it's a good start for Diehl. Left Lane: Melanie Troxel Runs 4.146/303.64, Now #2 Right Lane: Bob Bode Runs 4.109/298.14, Now #1 Bode is a fan favorite with his Brainerd win and Troxel is always a fan favorite, especially with the U.S. flag-wrapped theme on the Pro Care RX Charger. Both teams should be pleased with these runs, Bode with a career-best ET and Troxel with a solid ET and a big speed. Melanie Troxel's incremental times: 60ft-0.915 sec., 330ft-2.356, 660ft-3.343/259.71 mph. Bob Bode's incremental times: 60ft-0.893 sec., 330ft-2.309, 660ft-3.297/258.76 mph. Looks like Bode hurt his engine on this one, the Safety Safari is busily working in the shutdown area in his lane. Left Lane: Jim Head Runs 4.185/271.62, Now #3 Right Lane: Paul Lee Runs 4.920/162.70, Now #5 The Safety Safari took care of the problem with their usual efficiency. Lee lost traction and shut off around the 660 marker. Almost a full pass by Head, might have been spinning the tires on the top end because he only picked up 12 mph from 660 to the stripe . Left Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 4.113/270.27, Now #3 Right Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 4.110/307.02, Now #2 This is the last pair of non-Countdown cars for this session - and both made very good opening runs, sliding in right behind Bode in the order, setting the bar pretty high for the championship contenders. Cruz Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.902 sec., 330ft-2.296, 660ft-3.279/260.51 mph. Jeff Arend's incremental times: 60ft-0.910 sec., 330ft-2.350, 660ft-3.319/264.49 mph. Left Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 4.334/214.59, Now #7 Right Lane: Del Worsham Runs 8.128/81.84, Now #9 The first pair of Countdown cars did not meet the challenge, Worsham rattling the tires and shutting off in the first 100 feet, Pedregon with lots of smoke and slowing from 660 through the finish line. Left Lane: A. Force Hood Runs 4.059/310.98, Now #1 Right Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 4.934/158.95, Now #10 Tasca's headers "went wet" at the 660-foot marker, but Force-Hood broke her own track records on a great pass. Ashley Force Hood's incremental times: 60ft-0.894 sec., 330ft-2.304, 660ft-3.273/265.38 mph. Left Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.153/277.15, Now #7 Right Lane: Ron Capps Runs 4.149/301.40, Now #6 Looked like both cars were spinning the tires on the top end, Wilkerson worse than Capps. Left Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 7.949/80.02, Now #14 Right Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 4.525/189.10, Now #11 Hagan rattled the tires and shut off before half track, Beckman followed suit on the top end. Left Lane: Robert Hight Runs 4.055/310.98, Now #1 Right Lane: John Force Runs 4.058/312.86, Now #2 It will be interesting to see if the Force team shared their tuneups for this first round or took different paths to see what worked best. Ashley's run was almost perfect, and so were these two...look at the numbers! Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.889 sec., 330ft-2.302, 660ft-3.269/265.06 mph. John Force's incremental times: 60ft-0.902 sec., 330ft-2.317, 660ft-3.279/267.16 mph. Hight has the track ET record and three bonus points, John has the track speed record and two bonus points, and poor Ashley just has one bonus point. Tony Pedregon has the 12th spot in the "provisional field" but there are two more sessions tomorrow before the top twelve get to keep their times.

Friday Order for Qualifying Round 1

CLERMONT, Ind. - SUMMIT FastNews - Order after one round of qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 56th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil: Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed 1. Robert Hight AAA of So. Cal Mustang 4.055@ 310.98 2. John Force Castrol GTX Mustang 4.058 312.86& 3. Ashley Force Hood Castrol GTX Mustang 4.059 310.98 4. Bob Bode Alard Machine Products Impala 4.109 298.14 5. Jeff Arend DHL Solara 4.110 307.02 6. Cruz Pedregon Snap-On Solara 4.113 270.27 7. Melanie Troxel Pro Care RX Charger 4.146 303.64 8. Ron Capps NAPA Batteries Charger 4.149 301.40 9. Tim Wilkerson Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang 4.153 277.15 10. Jim Head Head Racing Solara 4.185 271.62 11. Brian Thiel Case Agricultural Impala 4.262 289.07 12. Tony Pedregon Charter Communications Impala 4.334 214.59 --------- Not Qualified --------- 13. Jack Beckman Freightliner/Valvoline Charger 4.525 189.10 14. Paul Lee Jim Dunn/Canidae/Lucas Oil Imp 4.920 162.70 15. Bob Tasca III Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang 4.934 158.95 16. Matt Hagan DieHard Charger 7.949 80.02 17. Del Worsham Al-Anabi Racing Camry 8.128 81.84 @ = Track ET Record & = Track Speed Record

Saturday Results for Qualifying Round 2

CLERMONT, Ind. - INDY - Notes from round 2 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 56th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil 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: John Smith Runs 4.174/299.20, Now #10 No Prior Run Right Lane: Jeff Diehl No Time, Now #19 No Prior Run 5:00 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 74 degrees, relative humidity 32 percent, barometer 29.04 inches, adjusted altitude 2,452 feet, track temperature 108 degrees. Tony Pedregon is on the bump spot at 4.334. Diehl's car goes silent in the staging lights and is pushed back. Smith shows he hasn't forgotten how and sets a career best ET, moving into the field with a near full pass. John Smith's incremental times: 60ft-0.929 sec., 330ft-2.373, 660ft-3.364/259.46 mph. Left Lane: Justin Schriefer Runs 4.624/203.09, Now #15 No Prior Run Right Lane: Del Worsham Runs 6.467/97.55, Now #18 Best prior run: 8.128/81.84, Was #18 Worsham is zero for two, smoking the tires about where he did last night. First pass of the weekend for Schriefer and he struggles down the track. Left Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 4.112/299.86, Now #6 Best prior run: 7.949/80.02, Was #19 Right Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 4.759/168.85, Now #17 Best prior run: 4.934/158.95, Was #17 Brian Thiel is on the bump spot at 4.262. The two cars run close together until near the 660 lights, where Tasca's Mustang kicks the tires again. Hagan gets near a full pass and moves into the top half of the field for now. Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.894 sec., 330ft-2.305, 660ft-3.301/257.33 mph. Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.904 sec., 330ft-2.323, 660ft-3.465/194.83 mph. Left Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 4.803/167.36, Now #14 Best prior run: 4.334/214.59, Was #14 Right Lane: Paul Lee Runs 6.942/97.96, Now #18 Best prior run: 4.920/162.70, Was #18 Jim Head is on the bump spot at 4.185. Both cars have traction issues. Lee was away first and smokes the tires first. Pedregon has much better incrementals, but only gets a little further down the track. Left Lane: Jim Head Runs 5.230/142.54, Now #13 Best prior run: 4.185/271.62, Was #12 Right Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 4.136/303.16, Now #8 Best prior run: 4.525/189.10, Was #15 Jim Head is on the bump spot at 4.185. Beckman gets a good strong baseline run this time and takes over the #8 spot on a clean pass. Head stay with him for a while, but strikes the tires before the 660 lights. Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.904 sec., 330ft-2.344, 660ft-3.332/259.66 mph. Left Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.163/299.26, Now #11 Best prior run: 4.153/277.15, Was #11 Right Lane: Brian Thiel Runs 5.666/125.88, Now #14 Best prior run: 4.262/289.07, Was #14 John Smith is on the bump spot at 4.174. Another strong pass for Wilkerson, running just a little slower than last night with a much better MPH. Thiel was on a good pass too, but smokes the tires after the 330 lights. Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.917 sec., 330ft-2.363, 660ft-3.350/259.51 mph. Left Lane: Melanie Troxel Runs 4.770/169.64, Now #10 Best prior run: 4.146/303.64, Was #9 Right Lane: Ron Capps Runs 4.111/300.66, Now #6 Best prior run: 4.149/301.40, Was #10 Another great Team Schumacher pass and Capps gets bragging rights with a terrific looking into the current top half of the field. Troxel was right behind him until near the 330 lights and then had the slicks start to spin and smoke. Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.893 sec., 330ft-2.305, 660ft-3.300/257.78 mph. Left Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 6.098/110.60, Now #8 Best prior run: 4.113/270.27, Was #8 Right Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 4.541/189.07, Now #5 Best prior run: 4.110/307.02, Was #5 Two broken runs. They leave together with Arend getting the early advantage and keeping it. He has traction problems near the top end and slows. Pedregon's car was good until after the 330 lights and then smoked the tires. Left Lane: A. Force Hood Runs 6.065/114.81, Now #3 Best prior run: 4.059/310.98, Was #3 Right Lane: Bob Bode No Time, Now #4 Best prior run: 4.109/298.14, Was #4 Bode decided to pull out of line, as lat night pass would be hard to beat in the current conditions. It was reported last night that he had oiled the track on the top end end, but it was actually Thiel's FC that had the meltdown. Force Hood had a strong leave and then drives into smoke before the 330 lights and slows. Left Lane: Robert Hight Runs 4.093/306.46, Now #1 Best prior run: 4.055/310.98, Was #1 Right Lane: John Force Runs 4.835/163.91, Now #2 Best prior run: 4.058/312.86, Was #2 Last pair of the session and its a great one. The Prock Rocket shows it power again with the AAA Mustang making the best run of the session. Force's car was not as strong down low and then smoked the tires just before the 660 lights. Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.891 sec., 330ft-2.310, 660ft-3.295/261.57 mph. John Force's incremental times: 60ft-0.916 sec., 330ft-2.341, 660ft-3.499/188.44 mph. 5:32 p.m. John Smith is on the bump spot at 4.174.

Saturday Order for Qualifying Round 2

CLERMONT, Ind. - SUMMIT FastNews - Order after 2 rounds of qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 56th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil: Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed 1. Robert Hight AAA of So. Cal Mustang 4.055@ 310.98 2. John Force Castrol GTX Mustang 4.058 312.86& 3. Ashley Force Hood Castrol GTX Mustang 4.059 310.98 4. Bob Bode Alard Machine Products Impala 4.109 298.14 5. Jeff Arend DHL Solara 4.110 307.02 6. Ron Capps NAPA Batteries Charger 4.111 301.40 7. Matt Hagan DieHard Charger 4.112 299.86 8. Cruz Pedregon Snap-On Solara 4.113 270.27 9. Jack Beckman Freightliner/Valvoline Charger 4.136 303.16 10. Melanie Troxel Pro Care RX Charger 4.146 303.64 11. Tim Wilkerson Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang 4.153 299.26 12. John Smith John Smith Racing Monte Carlo 4.174 299.20 --------- Not Qualified --------- 13. Jim Head Head Racing Solara 4.185 271.62 14. Brian Thiel Case Agricultural Impala 4.262 289.07 15. Tony Pedregon Charter Communications Impala 4.334 214.59 16. Justin Schriefer Creasy Family Camaro 4.624 203.09 17. Bob Tasca III Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang 4.759 168.85 18. Paul Lee Jim Dunn/Canidae/Lucas Oil Imp 4.920 162.70 19. Del Worsham Al-Anabi Racing Camry 6.467 97.55 @ = Track ET Record & = Track Speed Record

Saturday Results for Qualifying Round 3

CLERMONT, Ind. - INDY - Notes from round 3 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 56th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil 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: Bob Bode Runs 4.157/298.21, Now #5 Best prior run: 4.109/298.14, Was #4 Right Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 4.057/311.34, Now #2 Best prior run: 4.113/270.27, Was #8 8:11 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 77 degrees, relative humidity 31 percent, barometer 29.03 inches, adjusted altitude 2,622 feet, track temperature 89 degrees. John Smith is on the bump spot at 4.174. Bode comes back for this session makes a clean and straight pass, but its no match for Cruz Pedregon's Solara. He gets a little excitement near the 330 lights, as the roof hatch blows off going down the track. That's still good enough for the new #2 spot. Bob Bode's incremental times: 60ft-0.907 sec., 330ft-2.342, 660ft-3.341/256.65 mph. Cruz Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.907 sec., 330ft-2.307, 660ft-3.273/265.38 mph. Left Lane: Paul Lee No Time, Now #18 Best prior run: 4.920/162.70, Was #18 Right Lane: A. Force Hood Runs 4.857/88.64, Now #4 Best prior run: 4.059/310.98, Was #4 It's just dark enough now for the header flames to make a big impression. Force Hood is away first and has the advantage until just before the 660 lights, where the Mustang starts to spin the tires. Its full time smoke after that and she lifts. Lee's pass was good enough to have moved the team up to the number 16 spot, but the car drifted over and clipped the top end reflector to DQ the pass. Paul Lee's incremental times: 60ft-0.906 sec., 330ft-2.350, 660ft-3.406/220.84 mph. Left Lane: Del Worsham Runs 7.170/94.75, Now #19 Best prior run: 6.467/97.55, Was #19 Right Lane: Jim Head Runs 4.660/177.86, Now #13 Best prior run: 4.185/271.62, Was #13 Worsham continues to struggle with keeping the car stuck off the starting line. Not too bad initially, but too much too soon. Head's car gets to just past the six sixty and has to lift when the Solara gets right up against the wall. The asphalt zamboni goes out to sweep and drag the right lane around the 330 mark. Left Lane: Brian Thiel Runs 6.525/98.43, Now #15 Best prior run: 4.262/289.07, Was #14 Right Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 4.191/261.52, Now #14 Best prior run: 4.334/214.59, Was #15 Thiel gets away first and strikes the tires, pumps the throttle a couple of times and gives it up. Pedregon gets down the track quick enough this time to move past Thiel and still doesn't move into the top twelve. Tony Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.915 sec., 330ft-2.340, 660ft-3.336/256.99 mph. Left Lane: John Force Runs 7.518/84.78, Now #3 Best prior run: 4.058/312.86, Was #3 Right Lane: Melanie Troxel Runs 5.915/113.45, Now #10 Best prior run: 4.146/303.64, Was #10 Two more broken passes. Troxel gets off the line first and makes a good pass until after the 330 lights before smoking the tires. Force had a better sixty foot time and them smokes the tires hard. Left Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 4.086/306.33, Now #5 Best prior run: 4.759/168.85, Was #17 Tasca gets the single pass and its the one he has been looking for. The car is a little lazy down low, but keeps the tire stuck all the way down the track to move him from outside to the top half of the field. Nice! Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.907 sec., 330ft-2.322, 660ft-3.291/264.39 mph. Left Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 5.245/141.70, Now #8 Best prior run: 4.110/307.02, Was #7 Right Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.104/297.02, Now #6 Best prior run: 4.153/277.15, Was #12 Tim Wilkerson is on the bump spot at 4.153 and he gets a strong pass to move the car up into the top half of the field. It's expensive, as it looked to have been pushing out the head gaskets on the top end. Arend was on a better pass until after the 330 lights, where the slicks started to smoke. Jeff Arend's incremental times: 60ft-0.901 sec., 330ft-2.344, 660ft-3.689/160.23 mph. Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.924 sec., 330ft-2.351, 660ft-3.309/267.96 mph. Left Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 7.170/90.07, Now #11 Best prior run: 4.136/303.16, Was #11 Right Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 4.039/277.89, Now #1 Best prior run: 4.112/299.86, Was #10 Team DSR on the line. Hagan strikes hard and bumps the track record taking over the new #1 spot on a terrific looking pass. He had to have clicked it early, looking at the MPH. Beckman was right behind him until just before the 330 lights, going up in smoke. Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.882 sec., 330ft-2.274, 660ft-3.228/267.75 mph. Left Lane: Ron Capps Runs 4.049/309.77, Now #2 Best prior run: 4.111/300.66, Was #10 Right Lane: Robert Hight Runs 6.428/104.25, Now #3 Best prior run: 4.055/310.98, Was #2 Capps puts nail in the top two spots for Team Schumacher with a beautiful pass to end tonight's session. Good incrementals all the way down to take over the number two spot for tonight. Hight's Mustang was a little lazy off the line and then was up in smoke before the 330 lights. Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.890 sec., 330ft-2.296, 660ft-3.264/266.74 mph. Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.896 sec., 330ft-2.458, 660ft-4.280/116.69 mph. 8:50 p.m. Matt Hagan is number one at 4.039 and Melanie Troxel is on the bump spot at 4.146.

Saturday Order for Qualifying Round 3

CLERMONT, Ind. - SUMMIT FastNews - Order after 3 rounds of qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 56th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil: Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed 1. Matt Hagan DieHard Charger 4.039@ 299.86 2. Ron Capps NAPA Batteries Charger 4.049 309.77 3. Robert Hight AAA of So. Cal Mustang 4.055 310.98 4. Cruz Pedregon Snap-On Solara 4.057 311.34 5. John Force Castrol GTX Mustang 4.058 312.86& 6. Ashley Force Hood Castrol GTX Mustang 4.059 310.98 7. Bob Tasca III Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang 4.086 306.33 8. Tim Wilkerson Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang 4.104 299.26 9. Bob Bode Alard Machine Products Impala 4.109 298.21 10. Jeff Arend DHL Solara 4.110 307.02 11. Jack Beckman Freightliner/Valvoline Charger 4.136 303.16 12. Melanie Troxel Pro Care RX Charger 4.146 303.64 --------- Not Qualified --------- 13. John Smith John Smith Racing Monte Carlo 4.174 299.20 14. Jim Head Head Racing Solara 4.185 271.62 15. Tony Pedregon Charter Communications Impala 4.191 261.52 16. Brian Thiel Case Agricultural Impala 4.262 289.07 17. Justin Schriefer Creasy Family Camaro 4.624 203.09 18. Paul Lee Jim Dunn/Canidae/Lucas Oil Imp 4.920 162.70 19. Del Worsham Al-Anabi Racing Camry 6.467 97.55 @ = Track ET Record & = Track Speed Record

Sunday Results for Qualifying Round 4

CLERMONT, Ind. - INDY - Notes from round 4 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 56th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil 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: John Smith Runs 4.166/299.46, Now #14 No Prior Run Right Lane: Paul Lee Runs 4.120/300.20, Now #11 No Prior Run 12:59 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 75 degrees, relative humidity 35 percent, barometer 29.15 inches, adjusted altitude 2,381 feet, track temperature 99 degrees. We have reset all of the 13 through 19 qualifiers ET's and will start the session without a bump spot. We had a great Pro Stock Bike and Car session, so this should be good! Nice side by side passes to start the next to last session. Both cars run better than they have all weekend, but the test will be whether these times are good enough to stay in the field. They left together and aLee began a slow but steady march ahead of Smith going down the track. John Smith's incremental times: 60ft-0.915 sec., 330ft-2.355, 660ft-3.355/258.17 mph. Paul Lee's incremental times: 60ft-0.910 sec., 330ft-2.333, 660ft-3.315/262.23 mph. Left Lane: Justin Schriefer Runs 4.402/229.16, Now #16 No Prior Run Right Lane: Jeff Diehl Runs 4.255/276.80, Now #15 No Prior Run Diehl gets his full pass and its good enough to slide him into the 15th spot for now. Schriefer sets a new personal best ET on a clean pass and will take the bump spot on this pass. Justin Schriefer's incremental times: 60ft-0.945 sec., 330ft-2.399, 660ft-3.435/241.89 mph. Jeff Diehl's incremental times: 60ft-0.925 sec., 330ft-2.385, 660ft-3.409/250.23 mph. Left Lane: Robert Hight Runs 4.095/305.29, Now #3 Best prior run: 4.055/310.98, Was #3 Right Lane: John Force Runs 4.127/298.47, Now #5 Best prior run: 4.058/312.86, Was #5 These two JFR team members both had problems in last nights session. No issues today, with both cars making full passes without any drama. Hight leaves first and stays there with better incrementals down the track. They will stay in their current #3 and 35 positions for now. Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.905 sec., 330ft-2.324, 660ft-3.299/263.72 mph. John Force's incremental times: 60ft-0.905 sec., 330ft-2.331, 660ft-3.318/260.86 mph. Left Lane: Melanie Troxel Runs 4.232/293.92, Now #13 Best prior run: 4.146/303.64, Was #13 Right Lane: Del Worsham Runs 4.154/297.16, Now #14 No Prior Run Worsham finally gets his tune up pass. It's not spectacular, but good enough for now. Troxel is dropping cylinders and can't match her prior best. Melanie Troxel's incremental times: 60ft-0.930 sec., 330ft-2.386, 660ft-3.401/250.23 mph. Del Worsham's incremental times: 60ft-0.910 sec., 330ft-2.352, 660ft-3.342/259.36 mph. Left Lane: A. Force Hood Runs 4.077/306.19, Now #6 Best prior run: 4.059/310.98, Was #6 Right Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 4.076/302.96, Now #7 Best prior run: 4.136/303.16, Was #12 Jeff Diehl is on the bump spot at 4.255. Two more side by side passes with both cars running almost identical ET's. Beckman gets a small advantage off the line and slowly pulls ahead right on down the track to move five spot up the ladder into the top half of the field. Force Hood has a clean pass, but doesn't improve on her #6 position. Ashley Force Hood's incremental times: 60ft-0.899 sec., 330ft-2.314, 660ft-3.286/265.33 mph. Jack Beckman's incremental times: 60ft-0.888 sec., 330ft-2.304, 660ft-3.279/263.00 mph. Left Lane: Jim Head Runs 4.095/296.96, Now #9 No Prior Run Right Lane: Brian Thiel Runs 7.569/91.83, Now #19 No Prior Run Terrific pass for Head, running better than his season best ET. He goes from outside to near the middle of the field. Thiel get waay loose and has the back end of the Impala swinging back and forth off the line. He wisely clicks it off. Jim Head's incremental times: 60ft-0.897 sec., 330ft-2.318, 660ft-3.291/264.13 mph. Left Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 5.419/134.23, Now #19 No Prior Run Right Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 4.147/302.82, Now #12 Best prior run: 4.110/307.02, Was #12 Pedregon is now down to his last chance, as he loses traction right before the 660 lights and lifts. Arend can't improve his ET or position, but runs his fastest run of the weekend to stay #12. Jeff Arend's incremental times: 60ft-0.907 sec., 330ft-2.348, 660ft-3.344/259.81 mph. Left Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 5.510/129.75, Now #10 Best prior run: 4.104/297.02, Was #10 Right Lane: Bob Bode Runs 4.126/281.36, Now #11 Best prior run: 4.109/298.14, Was #11 Bode continues to show his new found power and makes another full pass, close to his prior best. The car drops a cylinder and has a engine flash right near the near the lights. Wilkerson's Mustang wasn't happy at the green and finally kicks the tires after the 330 lights and slows. Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.933 sec., 330ft-2.396, 660ft-3.825/149.55 mph. Bob Bode's incremental times: 60ft-0.891 sec., 330ft-2.302, 660ft-3.288/256.45 mph. Left Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 4.633/169.93, Now #4 Best prior run: 4.057/311.34, Was #4 Right Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 4.127/302.55, Now #8 Best prior run: 4.086/306.33, Was #8 They leave together and Pedregon has better numbers down low, but strike the tires right at the 66o lights and slows. Tasca keeps the candles lit and runs a nice four twelve to stay #8. Cruz Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.904 sec., 330ft-2.306, 660ft-3.385/206.80 mph. Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.905 sec., 330ft-2.335, 660ft-3.325/261.02 mph. Left Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 4.107/297.88, Now #1 Best prior run: 4.039/277.89, Was #1 Right Lane: Ron Capps Runs 4.209/253.28, Now #2 Best prior run: 4.049/309.77, Was #2 Lots of cleaning in Pedregon's lane after the finish line lights, so we have a brief delay. 1:42 p.m. ...and we are back [finally]. The rest of the DSR FC's come to the line. Hagan gets the best of it with a nice four ten to wrap up the session. Capps was right with him until near the lights, where the car slowed. 1:45 p.m. John Smith is on the bump spot at 4.166.

Sunday Order for Qualifying Round 4

CLERMONT, Ind. - SUMMIT FastNews - Order after 4 rounds of qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 56th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil: Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed 1. Matt Hagan DieHard Charger 4.039@ 299.86 2. Ron Capps NAPA Batteries Charger 4.049 309.77 3. Robert Hight AAA of So. Cal Mustang 4.055 310.98 4. Cruz Pedregon Snap-On Solara 4.057 311.34 5. John Force Castrol GTX Mustang 4.058 312.86& 6. Ashley Force Hood Castrol GTX Mustang 4.059 310.98 7. Jack Beckman Freightliner/Valvoline Charger 4.076 303.16 8. Bob Tasca III Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang 4.086 306.33 9. Jim Head Head Racing Solara 4.095 296.96 10. Tim Wilkerson Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang 4.104 299.26 11. Bob Bode Alard Machine Products Impala 4.109 298.21 12. Jeff Arend DHL Solara 4.110 307.02 13. Paul Lee Jim Dunn/Canidae/Lucas Oil Imp 4.120 300.20 14. Melanie Troxel Pro Care RX Charger 4.146 303.64 15. Del Worsham Al-Anabi Racing Camry 4.154 297.16 16. Jeff Diehl Rimz One Monte Carlo 4.255 276.80 --------- Not Qualified --------- 17. Justin Schriefer Creasy Family Camaro 4.402 229.16 18. Tony Pedregon Charter Communications Impala 5.419 261.52 19. Brian Thiel Case Agricultural Impala 7.569 289.07 20. John Smith John Smith Racing Monte Carlo NT @ = Track ET Record & = Track Speed Record

Sunday Results for Qualifying Round 5

CLERMONT, Ind. - INDY - Notes from final, round 5 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 56th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil 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: Brian Thiel Runs 4.328/266.53, Now #18 Best prior run: 7.569/91.83, Was #19 Right Lane: John Smith Runs 4.297/233.52, Now #17 No Prior Run Weather conditions: air temperature 80 degrees, relative humidity 30 percent, barometer 29.06 inches, adjusted altitude 2,867 feet, track temperature 112 degrees. Jeff Diehl is on the bump spot at 4.255. At the end of four days of qualifying, we are down to the final session. It's the warmest it has been all weekend, with the sun still high in the sky, heating the track. It's going to be tough for the heavy hitters to improve their positions on the final ladder. The call goes out to start the engines on the first pair. Smith's prior run was DQ'ed, as the car was ten pounds too light after the last run, so he has no qualifying times. Smith was on a strong pass until near the top end lights, where it abruptly slowed. Thiel gets a good pass, but its not strong enough to bump into the field. Left Lane: Jeff Diehl Runs 4.249/294.37, Now #17 Best prior run: 4.255/276.80, Was #16 Right Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 4.151/297.48, Now #15 Best prior run: 5.419/134.23, Was #20 Pedregon is uncharacteristically not in the field at this field. He shares the longest consecutive qualifying stream with Hight. Everyone can take a big breath, as the Impala runs straight and true into the new #15 spot. No joy for Diehl, as he improves his ET and MPH, but not enough to stay in the field. Left Lane: Del Worsham Runs 4.106/308.28, Now #11 Best prior run: 4.154/297.16, Was #16 Right Lane: Justin Schriefer Runs 4.337/259.66, Now #20 Best prior run: 4.402/229.16, Was #20 Del Worsham is on the bump spot at 4.154. Worsham's team responds to the pressure and cranks off a clean and straight pass into the current #11 spot. Schriefer can be proud with a career best ET, but misses the stout field. Del Worsham's incremental times: 60ft-0.914 sec., 330ft-2.338, 660ft-3.313/263.26 mph. Justin Schriefer's incremental times: 60ft-0.979 sec., 330ft-2.453, 660ft-3.468/250.00 mph. Right Lane: Melanie Troxel Runs 5.973/113.40, Now #15 Best prior run: 4.146/303.64, Was #15 Lee pulls out of line, as he can't be bumped. That gives Troxel a single. The Charger makes a strong pass, running close to her prior best in the tougher conditions. Melanie Troxel's incremental times: 60ft-0.909 sec., 330ft-2.412, 660ft-4.046/130.53 mph. Left Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 4.135/306.26, Now #13 Best prior run: 4.110/307.02, Was #13 Right Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.175/292.14, Now #10 Best prior run: 4.104/297.02, Was #10 While both cars can't improve on their prior best,they make a great side by side pass for the conditions. Sweet! Jeff Arend's incremental times: 60ft-0.908 sec., 330ft-2.348, 660ft-3.337/261.32 mph. Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.933 sec., 330ft-2.370, 660ft-3.350/257.83 mph. Left Lane: Bob Bode Runs 4.811/168.37, Now #12 Best prior run: 4.109/298.14, Was #12 Right Lane: Jim Head Runs 7.546/94.77, Now #9 Best prior run: 4.095/296.96, Was #9 Head has run a season best ET getting into the number nine position in his twenty ninth appearance at Indy. Too much shake and spin and he won't improve. Bode gets a little further, but clicks it early too. Left Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 4.170/300.93, Now #8 Best prior run: 4.086/306.33, Was #8 Right Lane: A. Force Hood Runs 4.147/301.94, Now #6 Best prior run: 4.059/310.98, Was #6 Now, that was nice! They make a great looking side by side pass from start to finish with power through the lights. A good tune up check for tomorrow. Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.922 sec., 330ft-2.366, 660ft-3.361/259.01 mph. Ashley Force Hood's incremental times: 60ft-0.913 sec., 330ft-2.345, 660ft-3.338/257.68 mph. Left Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 4.951/156.44, Now #7 Best prior run: 4.076/302.96, Was #7 Right Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 5.116/146.42, Now #4 Best prior run: 4.057/311.34, Was #4 They run together to near the 660 lights and then strike the tire at near the same time. Good low end times, but too much power for the track. Left Lane: John Force Runs 4.186/260.41, Now #5 Best prior run: 4.058/312.86, Was #5 Right Lane: Robert Hight Runs 4.103/305.15, Now #3 Best prior run: 4.055/310.98, Was #3 The team gets busy on Forces car getting it started. He has to make a short burnout to not delay Hight. Hight runs the quickest pass of the session on a strong pass. Force was right with him until well after the 660 light and then slows. John Force's incremental times: 60ft-0.907 sec., 330ft-2.340, 660ft-3.331/258.76 mph. Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.901 sec., 330ft-2.324, 660ft-3.303/261.78 mph. Left Lane: Ron Capps Runs 4.115/301.87, Now #2 Best prior run: 4.049/309.77, Was #2 Right Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 4.094/301.07, Now #1 Best prior run: 4.039/277.89, Was #1 Hagan shows why he is number one with a sub four ten pass to wrap up the session in style. Beautifully looking pass. Capps runs right behind him and gets his hot weather tune up test for tomorrow too. Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.901 sec., 330ft-2.315, 660ft-3.308/259.21 mph. Matt Hagan's incremental times: 60ft-0.901 sec., 330ft-2.312, 660ft-3.289/261.67 mph. 5:27 p.m. Tony Pedregon is on the bump spot at 4.151.

Sunday Order for Qualifying Round 5

CLERMONT, Ind. - SUMMIT FastNews - Final order after 5 rounds of qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 56th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil: Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed 1. Matt Hagan DieHard Charger 4.039@ 301.07 2. Ron Capps NAPA Batteries Charger 4.049 309.77 3. Robert Hight AAA of So. Cal Mustang 4.055 310.98 4. Cruz Pedregon Snap-On Solara 4.057 311.34 5. John Force Castrol GTX Mustang 4.058 312.86& 6. Ashley Force Hood Castrol GTX Mustang 4.059 310.98 7. Jack Beckman Freightliner/Valvoline Charger 4.076 303.16 8. Bob Tasca III Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang 4.086 306.33 9. Jim Head Head Racing Solara 4.095 296.96 10. Tim Wilkerson Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang 4.104 299.26 11. Del Worsham Al-Anabi Racing Camry 4.106 308.28 12. Bob Bode Alard Machine Products Impala 4.109 298.21 13. Jeff Arend DHL Solara 4.110 307.02 14. Paul Lee Jim Dunn/Canidae/Lucas Oil Imp 4.120 300.20 15. Melanie Troxel Pro Care RX Charger 4.146 303.64 16. Tony Pedregon Charter Communications Impala 4.151 297.48 --------- Not Qualified --------- 17. Jeff Diehl Rimz One Monte Carlo 4.249 294.37 18. John Smith John Smith Racing Monte Carlo 4.297 299.20 19. Brian Thiel Case Agricultural Impala 4.328 289.07 20. Justin Schriefer Creasy Family Camaro 4.337 259.66 @ = Track ET Record & = Track Speed Record

Monday Results for Elimination Round 1

CLERMONT, Ind. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 1 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 56th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil: W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed (W) Ashley Force Hood (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.080 4.059 313.07 (L) Del Worsham (Al-Anabi Racing Camry) 0.056 4.457 233.48 11:21 a.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 77 degrees, relative humidity 37 percent, barometer 29.05 inches, adjusted altitude 2,721 feet, track temperature 98 degrees. Force Hood is 11-5 against Worsham, 7-2 in the first round. Top Fuel started with three upsets, on holeshots, and Worsham tried to start Funny Car the same way, getting a small edge on the tree, but he started hazing the tires before the 330-foot mark and Force Hood sailed by, resetting the track speed record enroute to the win. Ashley Force Hood's incremental times: 60ft-0.910 sec., 330ft-2.314, 660ft-3.279/266.69 mph. (W) Cruz Pedregon (Snap-On Solara) 0.074 4.103 309.42 (L) Jeff Arend (DHL Solara) 0.077 4.531 197.94 Cruz holds a 7-3 record against Arend, 7-2 in round one meetings. This was pretty close to just before the 660 mark, then Arend lost traction, the car getting very sideways very quickly. Pedregon had no visible problems, making a smooth, straight run. (W) Melanie Troxel (Pro Care RX Charger) 0.097 4.131 308.64 (L) Ron Capps (NAPA Batteries Charger) 0.099 4.165 302.75 Capps is 3-1 against Troxel, but it's 1-1 in prior round one meetings. Capps is seeking his first-ever win at Indy, one of the few events that have eluded him so far. This was a great drag race, Capps leading past the 330-foot marker, then Troxel taking the point and the win. Melanie Troxel's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.014), 330 ft(-0.015), 660ft(0.016). MOV: 0.0361 seconds (approximately 16 feet). That's a season-best speed for Troxel and she needed every bit of it to pull this one out for just her fourth round win of the year. After winning, she announced that she will be competing in all the remaining Full Throttle events this year. (W) Matt Hagan (DieHard Charger) 0.076 4.096 303.09 (L) Tony Pedregon (Charter Communications Impal 0.063 5.075 152.24 Pedregon is 6-5 against Hagan in prior events, but only 2-4 in round one. Pedregon had the toughest time of any of the Countdown contestants in qualifying, barely making the field on his last try, while Hagan dominated the final qualifying sessions. Pretty much according to form, Hagan went right down the lane, Pedregon had traction problems past the 330-foot marker. (W) Paul Lee (Jim Dunn/Canidae/Lucas Oil Impala 0.087 4.114 277.26 (L) Robert Hight (AAA of So. Cal Mustang) 0.114 4.473 267.37 Hight is 1-0 against Lee, their only other meeting coming in Houston this year. So much for "prior rounds," Hight lost traction in the middle of the run and Lee was "clean and green," bringing a smile to the face of his usually dour car owner Jim Dunn, who pointed his finger at the Team Force crew and shot them down. Lee faces another of the Force cars next round, Ashley Force Hood, who will have lane choice. (W) John Force (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.082 4.090 311.05 (L) Bob Bode (Alard Machine Products Impala SS) 0.090 5.025 195.25 Force is 7-0 against Bode, all in round one. Make it 8-0, Bode losing traction fairly early in the run, Force with no visible problems. Force will have lane choice against Cruz Pedregon in round two. (W) Jack Beckman (Freightliner/Valvoline Charge 0.084 4.512 219.97 (L) Tim Wilkerson (Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang) 0.085 6.167 110.19 Wilkerson is 7-5 against Beckman, 3-1 in the first round, but Beckman outqualified Wilkerson this weekend. Wilkerson lost traction before the 330-foot marker, then Beckman "got wacky" around the 660-foot mark, but Wilkerson was coasting by then. Beckman will not have lane choice when he meets Troxel next round. (W) Bob Tasca III (Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustan 0.119 4.095 304.87 (L) Jim Head (Head Racing Solara) 0.066 4.233 267.80 Tasca is 3-2 against Head, all in round one matchups. Head had the early edge, but Tasca made that up and slowly pulled ahead to win by over a car length, both cars making "full pulls." Tasca meets Hight in round two and has lane choice by a thousandth of a second.

Monday Results for Elimination Round 2

CLERMONT, Ind. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 2 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 56th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil: W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed (W) Ashley Force Hood (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.094 4.137 306.95 (L) Paul Lee (Jim Dunn/Canidae/Lucas Oil Impala 0.097 4.446 206.16 1:21 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 82 degrees, relative humidity 32 percent, barometer 29.09 inches, adjusted altitude 2,997 feet, track temperature 111 degrees. Force Hood is 13-4 against Lee, 4-0 in round two, but Lee took out one of the Force team cars in round one. The race was pretty even to half track, then Lee started spinning the tires and Force Hood pulled ahead for the win. (W) Matt Hagan (DieHard Charger) 0.092 4.119 291.13 (L) Bob Tasca III (Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustan 0.091 4.197 295.08 Tasca is 3-0 against Hagan and won the only time they let in round two before today, but Hagan was the dominant car in final qualifying and the two cars were just a thousandth apart in round one. This was another good drag race, but Hagan steadily pulled further ahead at every timing increment and was more than a car length ahead at the stripe. (W) John Force (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.037 4.143 306.74 (L) Cruz Pedregon (Snap-On Solara) 0.055 5.758 122.23 These two have met 81 times in prior events, Force holding a 56-25 edge, 10-4 in round two. Pedregon ran out of traction about 300 feet out, Force made a full pass. However, Force will not have lane choice against Hagan in the semifinals. (W) Jack Beckman (Freightliner/Valvoline Charge 0.095 4.205 294.43 (L) Melanie Troxel (Pro Care RX Charger) 0.077 4.893 177.46 Troxel is 2-1 against Beckman in prior events, winning the only other time they met in the second round. This time it was the car in the favored left lane that ran out of traction before the finish line, Troxel's car fishtailing and slowing around the 500-foot mark. Beckman faces Force Hood in the second DSR vs. JFR matchup of the semifinals, Force Hood will have lane choice.

Monday Results for Elimination Round 3

CLERMONT, Ind. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 3 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 56th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil: W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed (W) Ashley Force Hood (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.084 4.156 306.74 (L) Jack Beckman (Freightliner/Valvoline Charge 0.080 4.209 298.93 3:06 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 84 degrees, relative humidity 30 percent, barometer 29.07 inches, adjusted altitude 3,136 feet, track temperature 121 degrees. Beckman is 4-3 against Force Hood and this is the first time they have faced off in a semifinal round. Good race, but Force Hood took the lead before the 330-foot marker and pulled away to win by a car length. Ashley Force Hood's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.004), 330 ft(0.009), 660ft(0.030). MOV: 0.0495 seconds (approximately 22 feet). (W) John Force (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.068 4.710 244.65 (L) Matt Hagan (DieHard Charger) 0.072 5.302 189.04 Force is 4-1 against Hagan and this is the first time they have met in a semifinal round. Force left first, then Hagan started to smoke the tires and it looked like Force was home free. Then he also started to smoke the tires and it turned into an old-fashioned pedal-fest. Force had the advantage of a little mor momentum and a lot more experience, winning by several car lengths. It will be Force against Force Hood, Father against Daughter, in the final round and "Ladies First," Ashley will have lane choice.

Monday Results for Final Round

CLERMONT, Ind. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of final, round 4 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 56th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil: W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed (W) Ashley Force Hood (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.061 4.141 308.07 (L) John Force (Castrol GTX Mustang) 0.095 7.246 91.61 4:50 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 88 degrees, relative humidity 30 percent, barometer 29.05 inches, adjusted altitude 3,413 feet, track temperature 121 degrees. Force is 6 - 5 against Force Hood in prior events and Force Hood is 1 - 0 against Force in prior final rounds. Force Hood is perfect against her father in final rounds, Force rattling the tires and shutting off before half track, Force Hood streaking down her lane for a surprisingly easy win.

---