DIVISION 7
Auto Club Dragway at California Speedway
Fontana, Calif., May 4-6
Results will be posted as soon as they are available. For detailed results, go to Drag Race Central
Event preview
Sunday eliminations:
Winners crowned in Fontana
FONTANA, Calif. – The weekend started Friday with more than 600 cars vying for the win at Auto Club Dragway at California Dragway's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. It ended today with 11 winners. Among the winners was Top Alcohol Dragster pilot Jim Whiteley and Top Alcohol Funny Car racer Sean Bellemeur.
Whiteley topped the qualifying field on Saturday while setting the track's elapsed time record. The Grand Junction, Colo., resident made three solid passes in eliminations today and scored the win over Fontana's Thomas Bayer. In the final, Whiteley ran 5.481 seconds at 260.91 mph. For Whiteley, the win was a big one because until recently, he had been sidelined since an accident at the NHRA Winternationals in February in Pomona. Bayer is a rookie in the Top Alcohol Dragster class, having earned his license earlier this year. However, he is a veteran racer and is the reigning division champion in both Super Comp and Super Gas. He made his first final-round appearance after beating defending division champ Duane Shields in the semis with a 5.564-second, 257.43 mph pass to Shields' 5.565-second run at 264.65 mph.
Bellemeur, a Fullerton, Calif., resident, came into eliminations as the No. 6 qualifier and in the semis he knocked off the second place qualifier Don Hudson of Stockton, Calif. In that round he made a 5.792-second, 247.38 mph pass to Hudson's 6.008-second, 241.02 mph run. In the final he faced off against Anaheim Hills, Calif., racer Dennis Taylor who had qualified fourth. Bellemeur's 5.804-second, 247.38 mph lap was just enough to cover Taylor's 5.843-second, 249.49 mph effort.
Jim Cowan, Dewey, Ariz., scored the win in Comp Eliminator over Ed Sigmon of Chatsworth, Calif. Darren Smith, Palmdale, Calif., claimed his third straight Super Stock win, knocking off La Verne's Fred Moreno. Stock Eliminator racer Andy Durham, Chico, Calif., earned the win after taking out Chad Loge, Brentwood, Calif., in the final. In Super Comp, Val Torres, Jr., Valinda, Calif., was the winner over Mark Darsow of Tempe, Ariz. Rick Beckstrom, Novato, Calif., beat Randy Bowers of Riverside in the Super Gas final and Gary Hardee earned the win in Super Street, beating out Dwight Downing, Glendale, Ariz. The Top Sportsman winner was Jed Bourquin, Canyon Country, Calif., over J. Wayne Silvia of Upland. Chino's Ryan Priddy racked up the win in Top Dragster, taking out Downey, Calif., racer Del Cox Jr., who made his third consecutive final round appearance. Las Vegas' Kehea Woods earned the Sportsman Motorcycle win over Jason Whitenack, Boulder City, Nev.
Pacific division racers head to Nevada for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. Top Gun Raceway in Fallon will host the series June 1-3.
The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Auto Club Dragway:
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1) Jim Whiteley, Grand Junction, Colo., 5.470, 263.82 def.
8) Mike Austin, Medford, Ore., 6.299, 165.15;
2) Duane Shields, Boulder City, Nev., 5.486, 266.21 def.
7) Larry Miersch, Huntington Beach, Calif., foul;
6) Tom Bayer, Fontana, Calif., 5.588, 237.17 def.
3) Mark Niver, Phoenix, 11.983, 79.43;
5) Cody Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, 5.498, 239.61 def.
4) Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., broke;
Semifinals
Bayer, 5.564, 257.43 def. Shields, 5.565, 264.65
Whiteley, 5.439, 263.26 def. Perkins, 5.526, 256.31
Final
Whiteley, 5.481, 260.91 def. Bayer, 6.334, 163.53
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
1) Jeff Carroll, Santa Barbara, Calif., '07 Monte Carlo, 5.725, 245.63 def.
8) Von Smith, Santa Clarita, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.816, 245.58
2) Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.736, 243.77 def.
7) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 7.718, 96.98
6) Sean Bellemeur, Fullerton, Calif., '04 Camaro, 5.747, 249.44 def.
3) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '05 Monte Carlo, 5.807, 253.90
4) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim Hills, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.778, 247.66 def.
5) Sean O'Bannon, Ontario, Calif., '07 Charger, 5.797, 246.93
Semifinals
Taylor, 5.810, 242.93 def. Carroll, 6.385, 164.03
Bellemeur, 5.792, 247.84 def. Hudson, 6.008, 241.02
Final
Bellemeur, 5.804, 247.38 def. Taylor, 5.843, 249.49
COMP ELIMINATOR
Jim Cowan, Dewey, Ariz., '04 Cavalier, D/EA, 8.398, 147.73 def.
Ed Sigmon, Chatsworth, Calif., '34 Chevy, C/SR, 8.736, 154.07
SUPER STOCK
Darren Smith, Palmdale, Calif., '68 Dart, SS/GA, 9.777, 133.50 def.
Fred Moreno, La Verne, Calif., '69 Mustang, SS/GA, 9.780, 133.50
STOCK ELIMINATOR
Andy Durham, Chico, Calif., '70 Camaro, C/SA, 10.831, 121.23 def.
Chad Loge, Brentwood, Calif., '70 GTX, B/SA, 10.665, 120.03.
SUPER COMP
Val Torres Jr., Valinda, Calif., dragster, 8.904, 159.85 def.
Mark Darsow, Tempe, Ariz., dragster, foul
SUPER GAS
Rick Beckstrom, Novato, Calif., '03 Grand Am, 9.916, 168.64 def.
Randy Bowers, Riverside, Calif., '69 Camaro, 9.865, 137.55
SUPER STREET
Gary Hardee, Cressey, Calif., '78 Pinto, 10.916, 127.32 def.
Dwight Downing, Glendale, Ariz., '79 Arrow, 10.948, 131.28
TOP SPORTSMAN
Jed Bourquin, Canyon Country, Calif., '93 Daytona, 7.785, 174.30 def.
J Wayne Silvia, Upland, Calif., '04 Cavalier, 7.345, 186.67.
TOP DRAGSTER
Ryan Priddy, Chino, Calif., dragster, 7.298, 171.90 def.
Del Cox Jr., Downey, Calif., dragster, 6.789, 196.96
SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
Kehea Woods, Las Vegas, '95 Suzuki, 8.703, 151.41 def.
Jason Whitenack, Boulder City, Nev., '02 Kawasaki, 8.794, 138.43
Saturday qualifying:
Whitely, Hudson best qualifiers at Fontana
FONTANA, Calif. – In the final rounds of qualifying and time trials at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Auto Club Dragway at California Speedway, more than 600 cars took to the quarter-mile in hopes of being around for eliminations on Sunday. In the course of today's action, the track elapsed time record in Top Alcohol Dragster was reset for the third time in two days by No. 1 qualifier, Jim Whitley of Grand Junction, Colo. Santa Barbara, Calif.'s Jeff Carroll set the pace in Top Alcohol Funny Car.
Whitely, who until recently had been sidelined since a crash at the season's opening national event in Pomona, laid down a 5.388-second, 262.69 mph pass to reset the track record. No. 2 qualifier, Duane Shields, Boulder City, Nev., set the mark on Friday with his 5.393-second run. He did not improve on those numbers today and was eclipsed by Whitely. Rookie Top Alcohol Dragster pilot Thomas Bayer of Fontana, qualified in the sixth spot with a 5.459-second, 263.92 mph effort. Until he earned his Alcohol license earlier this year, Bayer competed in NHRA's Super Comp and Super Gas classes and in 2006 he earned the division championship in both categories.
In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Carroll made a 5.658-second, 244.21 mph run to take over the top spot. Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., was No. 1 after Friday's qualifying action and he improved his numbers today with a 5.693-second run at 242.67 mph but it wasn't enough to pass Carroll. In his first event in Top Alcohol Funny Car, Sean O'Bannon of Ontario, qualified in the No. 5 spot with a 5.788-second, 248.61 mph effort. Until earlier this year, O'Bannon campaigned a Top Alcohol Dragster.
Ontario's John Mihovetz remained the top qualifier in Comp Eliminator and Alta Loma resident Ryan McClanahan took over the top spot in Stock Eliminator. In Super Stock, Jimmy DeFrank, Chatsworth, Calif., grabbed the No. 1 position while Chip Rumis, Ramona, Calif., stayed No. 1 in Top Sportsman and Derik Milanesio , Strathmore, Calif., held on to No. 1 in Top Dragster. Tom Medlin, La Mirada, Calif., remained the top qualifier in Sportsman Motorcycle.
The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series continues Sunday at Auto Club Dragway. Gates open at 7 a.m. and eliminations start at 8 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run first round at noon.
Tickets are $25 and children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information call Auto Club Dragway, (909) 429-5060, or visit www.CaliforniaSpeedway.com.
The following are Saturday's final qualifying results and Sunday's first-round pairings for TAD and TAFC at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Auto Club Dragway:
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Jim Whiteley, Grand Junction, Colo., 5.388 seconds, 262.69 mph
2) Duane Shields, Boulder City, Nev., 5.393, 273.88
3) Mark Niver, Phoenix, 5.411, 260.11
4) Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., 5.427, 265.06
5) Cody Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, 5.431, 264.75
6) Tom Bayer, Fontana, Calif., 5.459, 263.92
7) Larry Miersch, Huntington Beach, Calif., 5.490, 257.33
8) Mike Austin, Medford, Ore., 5.547, 264.49
Not Qualified
9) Brian Smith, Fullerton, Calif., 5.592, 260.76
10) Randy Eakins, Carson City, Nev., 5.633, 240.00
11) Johnny Ahten, Sagus, Calif., 6.048, 216.62
12) Ed Vickroy, Fontana, Calif., 6.808, 200.77
First round TAD pairings
1) Jim Whiteley, Grand Junction, Colo., 5.388 seconds, 262.69 mph vs.
8) Mike Austin, Medford, Ore., 5.547, 264.49
2) Duane Shields, Boulder City, Nev., 5.393, 273.88 vs.
7) Larry Miersch, Huntington Beach, Calif., 5.490, 257.33
3) Mark Niver, Phoenix, 5.411, 260.11 vs.
6) Tom Bayer, Fontana, Calif., 5.459, 263.92
4) Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., 5.427, 265.06 vs.
5) Cody Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, 5.431, 264.75
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Jeff Carroll, Santa Barbara, Calif., '07 Monte Carlo, 5.658 seconds, 244.21 mph
2) Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.693, 242.67
3) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '05 Monte Carlo, 5.717, 255.48
4) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim Hills, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.727, 250.74
5) Sean O'Bannon, Ontario, Calif., '07 Charger, 5.788, 248.61
6) Sean Bellemeur, Fullerton, Calif., '04 Camaro, 5.802, 247.52
7) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.819, 242.23
8) Von Smith, Santa Clarita, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.829, 242.19
Not Qualified
9) Jason Rupert, Yorba Linda, Calif., '03 Camaro, 5.838, 247.97
10) Alexis De Joria, Venice, Calif., '07 Charger, 5.839, 239.70
11) Kirk Kuhns, Huntington Park, Calif., '05 Monte Carlo, 5.842, 245.18
12) Larry Miner, Woodbridge, Calif., '05 Monte Carlo, 5.872, 243.19
13) Rian Konno, Rosemead, Calif., '02 Firebird, 5.892, 242.10
14) Paul Crifasi, Henderson, Nev., '02 Firebird, 5.932, 232.87
15) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.936, 246.39
16) Mark Woznichak, Ontario, Calif., '02 Camaro, 6.024, 239.27
17) Russ Parker, Salem, Ore., '00 Avenger, 6.074, 246.12
18) Ron August Jr., Pleasanton, Calif., '04 Camaro, 6.997, 145.88
First round TAFC pairings
1) Jeff Carroll, Santa Barbara, Calif., '07 Monte Carlo, 5.658 seconds, 244.21 mph vs.
8) Von Smith, Santa Clarita, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.829, 242.19
2) Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.693, 242.67 vs.
7) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.819, 242.23
3) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '05 Monte Carlo, 5.717, 255.48 vs.
6) Sean Bellemeur, Fullerton, Calif., '04 Camaro, 5.802, 247.52
4) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim Hills, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.727, 250.74 vs.
5) Sean O'Bannon, Ontario, Calif., '07 Charger, 5.788, 248.61
COMP ELIMINATOR
1) John Mihovetz, Ontario, Calif., '02 Cougar, AA/AT, 6.537 seconds, -0.643 (under index)
2) Vinnie Deceglie, Alta Loma, Calif., '63 Corvette, A/A, 6.563, -0.597
3) Alan Ellis, Mapleton, Utah, '23 roadster, A/AP, 6.810, -0.590
4) Bud Hammer, Oxnard, Calif., dragster, B/ND, 7.216, -0.584
5) Jim Cowan, Dewey, Ariz., '04 Cavalier, D/EA, 8.320, -0.570
6) Ed Sigmon, Chatsworth, Calif., '34 Chevy, C/SR, 8.609, -0.561
7) David Beckley, Wildomar, Calif., '63 Corvette, A/AA, 6.721, -0.559
8) Scott Hedlund, Anaheim Hills, Calif., '02 Cavalier, A/SM, 7.918, -0.542
9) J.D. Zink, Chico, Calif., '04 Uyehara, A/ND, 6.963, -0.537
10) Doug Lambeck, Corona Del Mar, Calif., '05 Sunfire, D/SMA, 8.508, -0.532
SUPER STOCK
1) Jimmy DeFrank, Chatsworth, Calif., '98 Grand Am, SS/BS, 8.910 seconds, -1.140 (under index)
2) Darren Smith, Palmdale, Calif., '68 Dart, SS/GA, 9.727, -1.123
3) Fred Moreno, La Verne, Calif., '69 Mustang, SS/GA, 9.748, -1.102
4) Kip Martin, Phoenix, '64 Mustang, SS/L, 10.457, -1.093
5) Joe Schweigert, Ontario, Calif., '85 Camaro, SS/KA, 10.470, -1.080
6) Wayne Taylor, Chino, Calif., '00 Dodge, GT/HA, 10.282, -1.068
7) Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., '05 Sunfire, GT/AA, 9.342, -1.058
8) Steven Wann, Modesto, Calif., '70 Barracuda, SS/FA, 9.706, -1.044
9) Rick Houser, Pasadena, Calif., '68 Barracuda, SS/AH, 8.811, -0.989
10) Chuck Stubeck, Chatsworth, Calif., '69 Roadrunner, SS/FA, 9.768, -0.982
STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Ryan McClanahan, Alta Loma, Calif., '02 Firebird, A/FIA, 10.089 seconds, -1.211 (under index)
2) Robert Pond, Riverside, Calif., '67 Fairlane, A/S, 10.082, -1.168
3) Harry Doolittle, Wickenburg, Ariz., '02 Firebird, H/FIA, 12.340, -1.110
4) Bobby DeArmond, Gallup, N.M., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.230, -1.070
5) Mike Johnston, Beaumont, Calif., '97 Firebird, C/FIA, 10.936, -1.064
6) Nick Ariotti, Boulder City, Nev., '76 Volare, I/SA, 11.552, -1.048
7) John Schloe, Garden Grove, Calif., '69 Firebird, D/SA, 10.803, -1.047
8) Joe Accardo, Phoenix, '67 Camaro, D/SA, 10.829, -1.021
9) Bryan Phillips, Alta Loma, Calif., '67 Firebird, E/SA, 10.992, -1.008
10) Leo Glasbrenner, San Dimas, Calif., '68 Firebird, F/SA, 11.159, -0.991
TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Chip Rumis, Ramona, Calif., '07 Cobalt, 7.164 seconds, 190.97 mph
2) Brad Wagner, Henderson, Nev., '97 Cutlass, 7.230, 191.67
3) J Wayne Silvia, Upland, Calif., '04 Cavalier, 7.267, 189.10
4) Joe Roubicek, Westlake Village, Calif., '63 Corvette, 7.290, 187.50
5) Roger Hall, Las Vegas, '63 Corvette, 7.376, 187.36
6) Billy Creme, Palmdale, Calif., '56 Belair, 7.532, 188.28
7) Gary Ross, Trabuco Canyon, Calif., '03 Grand Am, 7.621, 180.79
8) Dean Hall, Guerneville, Calif., '62 Chevy, 7.626, 181.67
9) Jed Bourquin, Canyon Country, Calif., '93 Daytona, 7.652, 178.85
10) Chris Newman, Lancaster, Calif., '99 Chevy, 7.722, 176.90
TOP DRAGSTER
1) Derik Milanesio, Strathmore, Calif., dragster, 6.500 seconds, 211.33 mph
2) Del Cox Jr., Downey, Calif., dragster, 6.742, 198.03
3) Paul Gladden, Tracy, Calif., dragster, 6.745, 199.91
4) Russell Suyenaga, Bellflower, Calif., dragster, 6.750, 194.52
5) Chip Rumis, Ramona, Calif., dragster, 6.795, 198.55
6) Joe Roubicek, Westlake Village, Calif., dragster, 6.860, 195.19
7) Adam Burnham, Henderson, Nev., dragster, 6.869, 193.63
8) Jimmy Johnson, Santa Rose, Calif., dragster, 6.873, 200.14
9) Will Boxold, Orangevale, Calif., dragster, 7.015, 193.96
10) Jim Momjian, Apple Valley, Calif., dragster, 7.015, 191.51
SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
1) Tom Medlin, La Mirada, Calif., '86 Suzuki, SMC, 0.001 seconds reaction time
2) Don Tanklage, Huntington Beach, Calif., '00 Trac, SMC, 0.002
3) Rick Newport, West Valley, Utah, '95 Suzuki, SMC, 0.011
4) Jay Matthews, Henderson, Nev., '98 Suzuki, SMC, 0.029
5) Jordan Miclette, Redway, Calif., '97 Suzuki, SMC, 0.045
6) Pete Miclette, Garberville, Calif., '97 Suzuki, SMC, 0.047
7) Kehea Woods, Las Vegas, '95 Suzuki, SMC, 0.049
8) Jason Whitenack, Boulder City, Nev., '02 Kawasaki, SMC, 0.050
9) Greg Liskey, Salinas, Calif., '95 Suzuki, SMC, 0.058
10) Sean Conner, Boulder City, Nev., '77 Kawasaki, SMC, 0.063
Friday qualifying:
Shields,
Hudson take top spots
FONTANA, Calif. – In the opening rounds of qualifying at Auto Club Dragway at California Speedway's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, Top Alcohol Dragster competitors traded track records back and forth until Duane Shields punctuated the session with a 5.403-second pass at 273.88 mph. That was the run that catapulted him to the No. 1 qualifying spot and gave him both the track elapsed time and speed records. Phoenix resident Mark Niver is in the No. 2 spot with a 5.411-second, 260.11 mph pass.
In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., laid down a 5.788-second, 240.81 mph run that put him in the top spot just ahead of Doug Gordon. Gordon, of Paso Robles, Calif., ran 5.789 seconds at 250.46 mph.
Ontario resident John Mihovetz is the top qualifier in Comp Eliminator and Darren Smith of Paldale, Calif., is No. 1 in Super Stock. Harry Doolittle, Wickenburg, Ariz., took the to place in Stock Eliminator, Chip Rumis, Ramona, Calif., set the pace in Top Sportsman and Derik Milanesio, Strathmore, Calif., is No. 1 in Top Dragster. The best qualifier in Sportsman Motorcycle is Tom Medlin, La Mirada, Calif.
Another local racer, Thomas Bayer of Fontana, qualified in the No. 5 spot in Top Alcohol Dragster. After competing in successfully in Super Comp and Super Gas for several years (he is the division's reigning champion in both classes), he earned hit Top Alcohol Dragster license earlier this year. Bayer is wheeling the dragster of the defending Northwest division champ Steve Federlin who remains the crew chief on the car.
The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series continues Saturday and Sunday at Auto Club Dragway. Gates open at 7 a.m. both days. Final qualifying and time trials start at 8 a.m. Saturday. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will qualify at noon and 4 p.m. Eliminations start Sunday morning at 8. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run first round at noon.
Tickets are $25 Saturday and $25 Sunday. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information call Auto Club Dragway, (909) 429-5060, or visit www.CaliforniaSpeedway.com.
The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Auto Club Dragway:
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Duane Shields, Boulder City, Nev., 5.403 seconds, 273.88 mph
2) Mark Niver, Phoenix, 5.411, 260.11
3) Jim Whiteley, Grand Junction, Colo., 5.438, 262.69
4) Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., 5.445, 263.56
5) Tom Bayer, Fontana, Calif., 5.459, 262.64
6) Larry Miersch, Huntington Beach, Calif., 5.490, 254.14
7) Mike Austin, Medford, Ore., 5.547, 264.49
8) Brian Smith, Fullerton, Calif., 5.592, 260.76
Not Qualified
9) Cody Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, 5.593, 226.05
10) Johnny Ahten, Sagus, Calif., 6.313, 212.29
11) Randy Eakins, Carson City, Nev., 16.592, 60.88
12) Ed Vickroy, Fontana, Calif., 18.227, 63.01
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.788 seconds, 240.81 mph
2) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '05 Monte Carlo, 5.789, 250.46
3) Sean Bellemeur, Fullerton, Calif., '04 Camaro, 5.832, 243.37
4) Jason Rupert, Yorba Linda, Calif., '03 Camaro, 5.838, 243.81
5) Sean O'Bannon, Ontario, Calif., '07 Charger, 5.857, 224.43
6) Kirk Kuhns, Huntington Park, Calif., '05 Monte Carlo, 5.956, 231.12
7) Larry Miner, Woodbridge, Calif., '05 Monte Carlo, 5.984, 243.19
8) Russ Parker, Salem, Ore., '00 Avenger, 6.074, 229.66
Not Qualified
9) Rian Konno, Rosemead, Calif., '02 Firebird, 6.388, 172.36
10) Paul Crifasi, Henderson, Nev., '02 Firebird, 8.667, 90.05
11) Ron August Jr, Pleasanton, Calif., '04 Camaro, 8.699, 103.82
12) Jeff Carroll, Santa Barbara, Calif., '07 Monte Carlo, 9.058, 80.17
13) Mark Woznichak, Ontario, Calif., '02 Camaro, 10.108, 74.98
14) Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., '06 Monte Carlo, 10.338, 77.75
15) Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 15.219, 56.49
16) Alexis De Joria, Venice, Calif., '07 Charger, (no time)
17) Dennis Taylor, Anaheim Hills, Calif., '02 Camaro, (no time)
COMP ELIMINATOR
1) John Mihovetz, Ontario, Calif., '02 Cougar, AA/AT, 6.537 seconds, -0.643 (under index)
2) Vinnie Deceglie, Alta Loma, Calif., '63 Corvette, A/A, 6.563, -0.597
3) Alan Ellis, Mapleton, Utah, '23 roadster, A/AP, 6.810, -0.590
4) Bud Hammer, Oxnard, Calif., dragster, B/ND, 7.218, -0.582
5) Jim Cowan, Dewey, Ariz., '04 Cavalier, D/EA, 8.320, -0.570
6) David Beckley, Wildomar, Calif., '63 Corvette, A/AA, 6.721, -0.559
7) Scott Hedlund, Anaheim Hills, Calif., '02 Cavalier, A/SM, 7.918, -0.542
8) J.D. Zink, Chico, Calif., '04 Uyehara, A/ND, 6.963, -0.537
9) Bryan Fitzgerald, Newbury Park, Calif., '04 Cavalier, F/AA, 8.117, -0.523
10) Bryan Morrison, Alta Loma, Calif., '02 Firebird, G/AA, 8.443, -0.517
SUPER STOCK
1) Darren Smith, Palmdale, Calif., '68 Dart, SS/GA, 9.796 seconds, -1.054 (under index)
2) Kip Martin, Phoenix, '64 Mustang, SS/L, 10.502, -1.048
3) Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif., '05 Sunfire, GT/AA, 9.360, -1.040
4) Rick Houser, Pasadena, Calif., '68 Barracuda, SS/AH, 8.811, -0.989
5) Fred Moreno, La Verne, Calif., '69 Mustang, SS/GA, 9.862, -0.988
6) Jimmy DeFrank, Chatsworth, Calif., '98 Grand Am, SS/BS, 9.062, -0.988
7) Steven Wann, Modesto, Calif., '70 Barracuda, SS/FA, 9.787, -0.963
8) Richard Salcido, Whittier, Calif., '95 Achieva, GT/CA, 9.754, -0.946
9) Tony DeFrank, Chatsworth, Calif., '07 Cobalt, GT/BA, 9.618, -0.932
10) Dan Mason, San Clemente, Calif., '85 Camaro, GT/BA, 9.620, -0.930
STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Harry Doolittle, Wickenburg, Ariz., '02 Firebird, H/FIA, 12.340 seconds, -1.110 (under index)
2) John Schloe, Garden Grove, Calif., '69 Firebird, D/SA, 10.803, -1.047
3) Robert Pond, Riverside, Calif., '67 Fairlane, A/S, 10.223, -1.027
4) Bobby DeArmond, Gallup, N.M., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.275, -1.025
5) Bryan Phillips, Alta Loma, Calif., '67 Firebird, E/SA, 10.997, -1.003
6) Mike Johnston, Beaumont, Calif., '97 Firebird, C/FIA, 11.006, -0.994
7) Joe Accardo, Phoenix, '67 Camaro, D/SA, 10.859, -0.991
8) Chris Whitney, Sun Valley, Calif., '67 Fairlane, B/S, 10.533, -0.967
9) Bob Pott, Cornville, Ariz., '88 Mustang, F/FI, 11.895, -0.955
10) Don Keen, Palmdale, Calif., '69 Mustang, C/S, 10.711, -0.939
TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Chip Rumis, Ramona, Calif., '07 Cobolt, 7.164 seconds, 190.08 mph
2) Brad Wagner, Henderson, Nev., '97 Cutlass, 7.230, 191.67
3) J Wayne Silvia, Upland, Calif., '04 Cavalier, 7.283, 188.23
4) Joe Roubicek, Westlake Village, Calif., '63 Corvette, 7.290, 187.47
5) Roger Hall, Las Vegas, '63 Corvette, 7.376, 187.36
6) Billy Creme, Palmdale, Calif., '56 Belair, 7.532, 188.28
7) Gary Ross, Trabuco Canyon, Calif., '03 Grand Am, 7.621, 180.79
8) Dean Hall, Guerneville, Calif., '62 Chevy, 7.626, 181.67
9) Jed Bourquin, Canyon Country, Calif., '93 Daytona, 7.652, 178.85
10) Chris Newman, Lancaster, Calif., '99 Chevy, 7.722, 176.90
TOP DRAGSTER
1) Derik Milanesio, Strathmore, Calif., dragster, 6.500 seconds, 211.33 mph
2) Del Cox Jr, Downey, Calif., dragster, 6.742, 197.51
3) Paul Gladden, Tracy, Calif., dragster, 6.745, 199.82
4) Chip Rumis, Ramona, Calif., dragster, 6.795, 198.55
5) Russell Suyenaga, Bellflower, Calif., dragster, 6.836, 194.52
6) Joe Roubicek, Westlake Village, Calif., dragster, 6.865, 194.66
7) Adam Burnham, Henderson, Nev., dragster, 6.869, 193.63
8) Jimmy Johnson, Santa Rose, Calif., dragster, 6.874, 198.44
9) Jim Momjian, Apple Valley, Calif., dragster, 7.015, 191.35
10) Will Boxold, Orangevale, Calif., dragster, 7.031, 192.82
SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
1) Tom Medlin, La Mirada, Calif., '86 Suzuki, SMC, 0.001 seconds reaction time
2) Don Tanklage, Huntington Beach, Calif., '00 Trac, SMC, 0.002
3) Jay Matthews, Henderson, Nev., '98 Suzuki, SMC, 0.029
4) Rick Newport, West Valley, Utah, '95 Suzuki, SMC, 0.033
5) Jordan Miclette, Redway, Calif., '97 Suzuki, SMC, 0.045
6) Kehea Woods, Las Vegas, '95 Suzuki, SMC, 0.049
7) Jason Whitenack, Boulder City, Nev., '02 Kawasaki, SMC, 0.056
8) Sean Conner, Boulder City, Nev., '77 Kawasaki, SMC, 0.063
9) Pete Miclette, Garberville, Calif., '97 Suzuki, SMC, 0.064
10) Augustine Herrera, La Mirada, Calif., '06 Kawasaki, SMC, 0.131
Event preview:
Division 7 revs up again in Southern California
FONTANA, Calif. – Auto Club Dragway at California Speedway will host the NHRA Pacific division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, May 4-6. The race is the fourth of seven on the division schedule and will feature drivers in eight categories, including 250 mph Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, vying for points leading to divisional and national championships. The division's Sunset Racecraft Top Sportsman Series, Hughes Performance Top Dragster Series and the Sportsman Motorcycle Series presented by Harley Davidson will also run in conjunction with the event.
Former division Top Alcohol Dragster champion Duane Shields of Boulder City, Nev., comes into the event with a big points advantage over the second place racers, Chris Demke of Sunland, Calif., and Larry Miersch of Huntington Beach, Calif. Demke is the reigning division champ with three straight titles to his credit. Shields has made it to the final round of the division's first three Lucas Oil events and he scored the win over Demke at Firebird Int'l Raceway in Chandler, Ariz., and beat Miersch in the final at Southwestern Int'l Raceway in Tucson, Ariz. Demke and Miersch each have a semifinal-round finish to their credit and they both failed to make the eight-car field at the division's last race, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
In Top Alcohol Funny Car, there are only 22 points separating first place from third. Von Smith, a former NHRA Southeast division TAFC champion from Oak Ridge, Tenn., is currently leading the points. Ron August Jr. of Pleasanton, Calif., is in second place and Fullerton, Calif.'s Sean Bellemeur is in third. At the season opener in Chandler, August took the win over Bellemeur and Bellemeur earned the win in Tucson over Smith. Smith grabbed a win at an out-of-division race in Houston. At the division's last race, in Las Vegas, August earned his second win in as many races while both Bellemeur and Smith failed to qualify.
At this race a year ago, Demke wheeled his TAD to a runner-up finish behind Ontario, Calif., resident Sean O'Bannon. However, O'Bannon will not be defending his TAD event title as he is now running in the TAFC category. He made TAFC debut at the divisional event in Las Vegas but missed the field. O'Bannon is one half of a two-car team. The other car is driven by another former Auto Club Dragway winner, Alexis De Joria of Venice, Calif.
De Joria drove her Super Comp dragster to the win at the NHRA SPORTSnationals race here in September last year. She earned her TAFC license in January but was sidelined in March after a freak incident where another competitor's parachute caught on her car as it was being towed from the top end and damaged it beyond repair. The rookie TAFC driver was back out with a new car in Vegas but missed the cut.
Gates at Auto Club Dragway open at 7 a.m. each day. Qualifying and time trials start at 8 a.m. Friday and continue Saturday at 8 a.m. Racers in Top Sportsman, Top Dragster and Comp Eliminator will have two qualifying runs on Friday, at noon and 4 p.m., and one on Saturday, at 10:30 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car competitors will have one qualifying pass on Friday, at 3 p.m., and two on Saturday, at noon and 4 p.m. Eliminations begin Sunday morning at 8. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run first round of eliminations at noon.
Tickets for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Auto Club Dragway are $15 Friday, $25 Saturday and $25 Sunday. A three-day pass is $60. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult.
Auto Club Dragway is located on the grounds of California Speedway at 9300 Cherry Ave., in Fontana. The quarter-mile Auto Club Dragway is located in the parking lot on the north side of the Speedway. For more information call the track, (909) 429-5060, or visit
www.CaliforniaSpeedway.com.
NHRA Pacific division Lucas Oil Series racers' next stop is in Fallon, Nev. Top Gun Raceway will host the event June 1-3.
NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet
WHAT: NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, where drivers earn points leading to divisional and national championships. Categories include Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The event is the fourth of seven in Pacific Division competition. The division's Sunset Racecraft Top Sportsman Series, Hughes Performance
Top Dragster Series and Sportsman Motorcycle Series presented by Harley Davidson will also run in conjunction with the event.
WHERE: Auto Club Dragway at California Speedway, Fontana, Calif. Track is located on the grounds of California Speedway at 9300 Cherry Avenue, Fontana. The quarter-mile Auto Club Dragway is located in the parking lot on the north side of the Speedway.
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, May 4-6, 2007
SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series:
FRIDAY, May 4 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 8 a.m. Top Sportsman, Top Dragster and Comp Eliminator qualifying is scheduled at noon and 4 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 3 p.m.
SATURDAY, May 5 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials begin at 8 a.m. Top Sportsman, Top Dragster and Comp Eliminator qualifying is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at noon and 4 p.m.
SUNDAY, May 6 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Eliminations begin at 8 a.m. First round of eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car are scheduled at noon.
TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $15 Friday, $25 Saturday, $25 Sunday. A three-day ticket is $60. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please call Auto Club Dragway at California Speedway, (909) 429-5060.
PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $181,400, as well as a chance at a share of the year-end purse of more than $560,000.
2006 EVENT WINNERS: Sean O'Bannon, Top Alcohol Dragster; Doug Gordon, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Dean Carter, Comp Eliminator; Frank Grossi, Super Stock; Tibor Kadar, Stock Eliminator; Justin Morgan, Super Comp; Thomas Bayer, Super Gas; Mike Lang, Super Street
BONUS PROGRAMS:
NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES POINTS FUND: a $561,000 point fund from Lucas Oil, which will be shared by 2006 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional champions and national champions. Divisional awards include $8,500 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car champions; $3,000 to the champions in both Competition and Super Stock; $2,000 each to the champions in Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The seven national champions will share a bonus of $135,000.
JEGS ALLSTARS: The best of the best from each of NHRA's seven divisions will compete for a share of the $100,000 point fund from Jegs High Performance. The 2008 Jegs Allstars event will culminate a year-long points battle between drivers in each of NHRA's Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series' eight classes. The top points earner in each category will qualify to represent his/her division at the 2008 Jegs Allstars. Points are based on in-division races only.
The winning division's team will share $20,000 and individual awards include $7,000 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car champions, $6,000 to champions in Comp Eliminator and Super Stock, and $4,500 to the Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street champions. Runners-up in all categories will earn $2,000 apiece. Each Allstars competitor will also receive a share of a $20,000 towing fund to get to the event.
Event sponsor, Jegs High Performance, is offering a "double up" bonus to Jegs Allstars participants. Any 2008 Jegs Allstars champion who also wins the national event will have his/her Allstars prize doubled.
NHRA SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE SERIES presented by HARLEY DAVIDSON: The NHRA Sportsman Motorcycle Series presented by Harley Davidson, run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, is an opportunity for competitors in NHRA's Sportsman Motorcycle class to earn points toward divisional championships. The $14,000 champions' purse posted by Harley Davidson will be paid to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place points finishers in NHRA divisions that host Sportsman Motorcycles.
SUNSET RACECRAFT TOP SPORTSMAN SERIES: The Sunset Racecraft Top Sportsman Series, run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, is an opportunity for competitors in the Pacific division's Top Sportsman class to earn points toward divisional championships. The $3,500 champions' purse posted by Sunset Racecraft will be paid to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place points finishers.
HUGHES PERFORMANCE TOP DRAGSTER SERIES: The Hughes Performance Top Dragster Series, run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, is an opportunity for competitors in the Pacific division's Top Dragster class to earn points toward divisional championships. The $3,500 champions' purse posted by Hughes Performance will be paid to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place points finishers.
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