Southern Nationals, Commerce Georgia

April 25 - 28

Sunday Eliminations

COMMERCE, Ga. --

In a final round for the ages Ashley Force beat father John, becoming the first woman in NHRA history to win a national event in Funny Car at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals in Commerce, Ga.
Ashley faced father and NHRA legend John Force in the final round, driving her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang pass the iconic legend with a run of 4.837 at 320.36. Though John was competing in his 500th race and came within one round win of reaching 1,000, it was the younger Force who stood in the winner's circle at the end of the event.

"I'm just happy to win an event," said Force. "That was the main thing. Being a female, that's exciting for the record books and everything, but my team, we just wanted to get our first win. To get it finally done here in Atlanta, we're just a little bit relieved but so excited as well."

Force's win gave her a 59 point cushion for the lead in Funny Car over Tim Wilkerson.

Antron Brown picked up his second win of the season in Top Fuel, beating points leader Tony Schumacher in the final round. Brown drove his Matco Tools dragster to a 4.537 run at 325.14, beating Schumacher on a holeshot.

"We just take it round by round at each race," said Brown. "I'm just tickled to death to be a part of this race team and this car."

In Pro Stock, Mike Edwards picked up his first win in over two years, driving his Young Life Pontiac GXP to a 6.680 run at 206.20. Edwards' run was just enough to beat runner-up Jason Line, who appeared in his second consecutive final round.

"You just can't describe the feeling of winning one of these races in this class," said Edwards, whose last win had come nearly two years previous. "There are so many good teams and it's been so long since I last won. It's just an unbelievable feeling to win one of these races."

Andrew Hines proved his Screamin' Eagle Vance & Hines Harley Davidson Motorcycle winning with a run of 6.946 at 191.40.

"My motorcycle was just flawless," said Hines. "I can't say enough on what the guys have done for the engines on these things."

Sunday's final results from the 28th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. The race is the sixth of 24 in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series-

Top Fuel -- Antron Brown, 4.537 seconds, 325.14 mph def. Tony Schumacher, 4.521 seconds, 329.58 mph.

Funny Car -- Ashley Force, Ford Mustang, 4.837, 320.36 def. John Force, Mustang, 11.223, 85.97.

Pro Stock -- Mike Edwards, Pontiac GXP, 6.680, 206.20 def. Jason Line, GXP, 6.680, 206.92.

Pro Stock Motorcycle -- Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.946, 191.40 def. Chip Ellis, Suzuki, 6.958, 190.70.

Top Alcohol Dragster -- Spencer Massey, 5.356, 268.92 def. Bill Reichert, 13.147, 84.11.

Top Alcohol Funny Car -- Frank Manzo, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.558, 260.81 def. Steve Harker, Monte Carlo, 5.569, 257.83.

Competition Eliminator -- Rick Brown, Chevy S-10, 8.339, 160.90 def. David Rampy, Bantam, 7.342, 168.28.

Super Stock -- Kevin Helms, Olds Achieva, 9.718, 110.84 def. Jeff Gillman, Pontiac Sunfire, 9.733, 107.50.

Stock Eliminator -- Lee Zane, Pontiac Firebird, 11.020, 101.94 def. Adam Davis, Chevy Camaro, 11.327, 93.98.

Super Comp -- Bubba Watts, Dragster, 8.919, 170.51 def. Tom Ratliff, Chevy Corvette, 8.894, 157.93.

Super Street -- Gary Federico, Buick Grand National, 10.886, 153.42 def. Lamar Stevenson, Chevy Camaro, 10.885, 125.29.

Final qualifying

COMMERCE, Ga. --

The No. 1 provisional qualifiers from Friday in all four categories held on to those top spots as qualifying wrapped up Saturday for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals in Commerce, Ga.
Tim Wilkerson's run of 4.774-second pass at 325.92 mph in his Levy Ray & Shoup Chevy Impala SS from the previous day was enough to keep him in the top spot in Funny Car. It is Wilkerson's third No. 1 qualifier of the season and 13th of his career.

"It's a good feeling to be first, no doubt about that," said Wilkerson. "Hopefully we can win some rounds tomorrow. It would sure be special going in to St. Louis leading the points, especially for the people at Levy Ray & Shoup."

Cory McClenathan and his FRAM dragster entered Saturday qualifying in the No. 1 spot, and by the end of the day, his run of 4.562 at 327.03 was strong enough for the top spot in Top Fuel. This is McClenathan's first No. 1 qualifier of the season, 31st of his career and third at Atlanta Dragway.

"When things are going good, you just roll with it," said McClenathan, who comes off a win in Las Vegas. "My guys are on a natural high right now. It's been incredible. When we went to Las Vegas, we beat the odds and put the FRAM dragster in the winner's circle and entering this event we've done the same."

Ron Krisher held on to the No. 1 spot, driving his Valvoline Chevy Cobalt to a 6.644 at 207.69 for the top spot in Pro Stock. It is his first No. 1 qualifier of the season, 14th of his career and first in over five years.

"There's a lot of emotion involved in this," said Krisher, referring to his five-years since his last No. 1. "At this race track we had qualified at 77 straight races and on the 78th race we didn't qualify by a thousandth. This track owed me."

Andrew Hines kept his Screamin' Eagle Vance & Hines Harley Davidson Motorcycle in the No. 1 spot, driving to a 6.950 a 191.40 for the Pro Stock Motorcycle top qualifying position as well as the track record for time. It's his first No.1 qualifier of the season, 22nd of his career and second at the track.

"It can be a good thing and it can be a bad thing," said Hines, referring to entering Sunday in the No. 1 spot. "At the same time it makes you feel good entering into Sunday. Especially with the motorcycle I have right now. It's really a tribute to my team."

Funny Car

1 347 Tim Wilkerson, Springfield IL, '08 Impala 4.774 325.92 325.92
2 71 Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg IN, '08 Impala 4.812 314.53 314.53
3 427 Tony Bartone, Long Island City NY, '05 Monte C 4.829 318.02 318.02
4 782 Gary Densham, Bellflower CA, '08 Impala 4.849 308.78 308.78
5 1 Tony Pedregon, Brownsburg IN, '08 Impala 4.853 316.90 316.90
6 750 Del Worsham, Chino Hills CA, '08 Impala 4.858 313.95 313.95
7 2 Robert Hight, Yorba Linda CA, '08 Mustang 4.860 312.93 312.93
8 7701 Mike Neff, Yorba Linda CA, '08 Mustang 4.867 284.45 309.42
9 7 John Force, Yorba Linda CA, '08 Mustang 4.868 313.80 313.80
10 28 Ron Capps, Carlsbad CA, '08 Charger 4.882 310.34 310.34
11 10 Ashley Force, Yorba Linda CA, '08 Mustang 4.897 310.05 310.05
12 1777 Bob Tasca III, Cranston RI, '08 Mustang 4.898 316.30 316.30
13 5 Jack Beckman, North Hills CA, '08 Charger 4.900 314.17 314.17
14 388 Jim Head, Columbus OH, '07 Solara 4.901 318.39 318.39
15 729 Jerry Toliver, Temecula CA, '08 Charger 4.911 311.70 311.70
16 3 Gary Scelzi, Fresno CA, '08 Charger 4.939 306.95 311.92

------------ Not Qualified ------------

17 507 Melanie Troxel, Avon IN, '08 Charger 4.971 304.39 314.53
18 222 Frank Hawley, Gainesville FL, '08 Charger 4.983 304.12 304.12
19 33 Tommy Johnson Jr., Avon IN, '08 Charger 4.993 303.03 303.03
20 206 Bob Gilbertson, Charolette NC, '06 Stratus 5.028 303.09 311.27
21 319 Scott Kalitta, Ypsilanti MI, '08 Solara 5.639 185.77 316.60

 

1 796 Cory McClenathan, Brownsburg IN, Hadman-TFX 4.562 327.03 327.03
2 2 Rod Fuller, Las Vegas NV, Hadman-TFX 4.572 320.74 320.74
3 1 Tony Schumacher, Long Grove IL, Hadman-TFX 4.582 324.44 324.44
4 91 Larry Dixon, Indianapolis IN, McKinney-TFX 4.597 313.66 313.66
5 3 Brandon Bernstein, Fairview TX, McKinney-TFX 4.601 320.05 320.05
6 48 Hillary Will, Ypsilanti MI, Attac-TFX 4.604 324.67 324.67
7 22 Doug Kalitta, Ypsilanti MI, Attac-TFX 4.620 323.58 323.58
8 44 David Grubnic, Ypsilanti MI, Attac-TFX 4.628 319.90 319.90
9 123 Antron Brown, Pittsboro IN, Hadman-TFX 4.635 313.29 314.83
10 6 Doug Herbert, Lincolnton NC, McKinney-BAE 4.656 310.91 310.91
11 530 Alan Bradshaw, Odessa TX, Hadman-TFX 4.701 299.13 299.13
12 7 J.R. Todd, Brownsburg IN, Hadman-TFX 4.725 299.20 299.20
13 5 Bob Vandergriff, Alpharetta GA, McKinney-TFX 4.729 314.83 314.83
14 743 Morgan Lucas, Brownsburg IN, Hadman-TFX 4.739 317.27 317.27
15 3516 Terry McMillen, Elkhart IN, McKinney-TFX 4.740 280.31 315.19
16 304 Todd Paton, Bluff City TN, McKinney-TFX 6.474 0.00 0.00

Pro Stock

1 351 Ron Krisher, Warren OH, '08 Cobalt 6.644 207.69 207.69
2 5 Jason Line, Troutman NC, '08 GXP 6.650 207.53 207.53
3 1568 Justin Humphreys, Monrovia MD, '08 GXP 6.655 207.24 207.24
4 4 Allen Johnson, Greeneville TN, '06 Stratus 6.656 207.66 207.69
5 44 Mike Edwards, Coweta OK, '08 GXP 6.656 206.83 206.83
6 3 Dave Connolly, Elyria OH, '08 Cobalt 6.662 207.05 207.05
7 2 Greg Anderson, Mooresville NC, '08 GXP 6.662 206.39 207.24
8 1 Jeg Coughlin, Delaware OH, '08 Cobalt 6.668 206.67 206.92
9 8 Warren Johnson, Sugar Hill GA, '08 GXP 6.673 207.98 207.98
10 10 V. Gaines, Lakewood CO, '06 Stratus 6.673 205.72 205.72
11 6 Kurt Johnson, Sugar Hill GA, '08 Cobalt 6.684 206.86 206.86
12 118 Dave Northrop, Perkasie PA, '06 GTO 6.684 205.91 205.91
13 317 Rickie Jones, Galesburg IL, '06 Stratus 6.684 205.47 205.47
14 445 Greg Stanfield, Bossier City LA, '08 GXP 6.707 205.44 206.86
15 6157 Todd Hoerner, Deer Park WA, '06 Stratus 6.726 204.94 205.51
16 324 Bill Glidden, Whiteland IN, '06 GTO 6.728 205.44 205.66

------------ Not Qualified ------------

17 1214 Matt Hartford, Phoenix AZ, '06 Stratus 6.731 205.04 205.79
18 103 Max Naylor, New Buffalo PA, '06 Stratus 6.733 202.61 203.74
19 107 Kenny Koretsky, Richboro PA, '08 GXP 6.734 204.42 205.29
20 31 Johnny Gray, Artesia NM, '06 Stratus 6.736 203.89 205.69
21 14 Jim Yates, Occoquan VA, '08 GXP 6.738 203.49 205.07
22 7 Larry Morgan, Newark OH, '06 Stratus 6.750 204.60 205.29
23 20 Tom Hammonds, Crestview FL, '08 Cobalt 6.758 203.77 204.94
24 109 Jim Cunningham, Crownsville MD, '07 Mustang 6.807 201.13 201.97
25 2006 Matt Scranton, Land O Lakes FL, '06 GTO 6.833 200.56 201.04
26 4904 Lamar Swindoll Jr., Baytown TX, '06 GTO 6.837 202.82 203.22
27 1525 John Nobile, Melville NY, '06 Stratus 12.840 0.00 205.88

Pro Stock Motorcycle

1 2 Andrew Hines, Brownsburg IN, Harley V-Rod 6.950@ 192.28 192.30
2 3 Chip Ellis, Brownsburg IN, Suzuki TL 1000 6.973 191.67 191.67
3 1 Matt Smith, King NC, Buell 6.999 188.17 188.89
4 44 Chris Rivas, Fresno CA, Buell 7.008 189.10 189.92
5 235 Hector Arana, Milltown IN, Buell 7.010 191.48 191.48
6 7 Eddie Krawiec, Brownsburg IN, Harley V-Rod 7.012 189.52 189.52
7 9 Steve Johnson, Irondale AL, Suzuki TL 1000 7.022 190.51 192.25
8 8 Karen Stoffer, Smith NV, Suzuki TL 1000 7.037 187.78 191.32
9 25 Matt Guidera, Loomis CA, Buell 7.038 186.87 188.38
10 205 Shawn Gann, Stoneville NC, Suzuki TL 1000 7.063 188.28 188.28
11 5 Angelle Sampey, Decatir TX, Buell 7.068 185.87 185.87
12 6 Craig Treble, Houston TX, Suzuki TL 1000 7.075 190.46 190.46
13 186 Edward Murphy, Bridgeport CT, Suzuki GSXR 7.101 187.99 187.99
14 573 Mike Berry, Littleton CO, Suzuki TL 1000 7.119 185.89 187.44
15 202 Junior Pippin, Conyers GA, Buell 7.147 187.18 187.18
16 412 Michael Phillips, Baton Rouge LA, Suzuki GSXR 7.198 186.36 189.04

------------ Not Qualified ------------

17 457 Redell Harris, Prairieville LA, Buell 7.246 180.52 182.58
18 257 Darin McCurdy, Port Charlotte FL, Suzuki TL 10 7.312 181.84 181.84
19 371 Wes Wells, Greenwood IN, Suzuki GSXR 7.346 183.29 183.29
20 77 Angie McBride, King NC, Buell 10.728 74.40 102.32

 

Pro Mod

1 1090 Raymond Commisso, Toronto ON, *'68 Firebird 5.957 244.87 244.87
2 38 Danny Rowe, Laguna Hills CA, '68 Camaro 5.993 236.09 240.34
3 320 Steve Engel, Shandon OH, *'63 Corvette 5.999 241.32 242.32
4 1986 John Russo, Middleton MA, *'86 Firebird 6.011 240.47 240.47
5 24 Troy Coughlin, Delaware OH, *'06 GTO 6.021 239.57 239.57
6 1211 Mike Ashley, Melville NY, *'68 Camaro 6.031 240.51 240.51
7 763 Kirk Kuhns, Yorba Linda CA, '41 Willys 6.044 229.98 233.08
8 8 Shelly Payne, Ontario CA, '05 Stratus 6.046 233.68 233.68
9 272 Roger Burgess, Duluth GA, *'63 Corvette 6.048 228.42 238.09
10 3 Jay Payne, Ontario CA, '68 Camaro 6.056 236.38 236.38
11 1941 Eddie Ware, Marietta GA, *'67 Firebird 6.056 236.30 236.30
12 1152 Tony Pontieri, Bolton ON, *'57 Bel Air 6.066 236.42 236.42
13 1212 Scott Ray, Greenville OH, *'53 Corvette 6.069 233.52 233.52
14 7 Harold Laird, Baton Rouge LA, '63 Corvette 6.070 234.98 236.84
15 402 Taylor Lastor, Knoxville NC, '67 Camaro 6.072 238.55 238.55
16 9 Rick Stivers, Lexington KY, *'67 Shelby GT 6.099 233.36 233.36

------------ Not Qualified ------------

17 6 Tim Tindle, Santa Rosa FL, '67 Shelby GT 6.153 240.34 240.34
18 2103 Joe Baker, Milton FL, *'41 Willys 6.165 234.94 235.19
19 348 Brad Personett, Elkhart IN, '53 Corvette 6.273 233.80 233.80
20 501 Mike Knowles, Grand Junction CO, *'68 Camaro 8.376 114.64 114.64

TAD

1 1 A/FD Bill Reichert, Owosso MI, Bowen-Reich 5.293 273.66 273.66
2 7 A/FD Spencer Massey, Fort Worth TX, Monden-TFX 5.341 273.77 273.77
3 122 A/FD Arthur Gallant, Boxboro MA, Dan Page-BAE 5.352 266.27 266.27
4 7334 A/FD Shawn Langdon, Avon IN, Hadman-BAE 5.359 268.65 273.16
5 311 TA/D Jeff Bohr, Plymouth MI, Spitzer-GBR 5.374 270.48 270.48
6 466 A/FD Diana Harker, Gainesville GA, Spitzer-BAE 5.386 249.35 258.71
7 185 TA/D Mike Kosky, Cuddy PA, Kosky-BAE 5.422 261.32 261.32
8 34 B/AD Ken Perry, Richmond Hill ON, Hadman-MBR 5.426 235.35 260.11
9 7000 A/FD Darryl Hitchman, Celeste TX, Swindahl-BAE 5.465 255.15 255.15
10 1712 B/AD Dave DeAngelis, Middlesex NJ, Yancer-BAE 5.478 259.16 259.16
11 8 A/FD John Finke, Selkirk NY, McKinney-BAE 5.491 263.67 263.67
12 499 A/FD Brandon Lewis, Broken Arrow OK, Monden-B 5.525 247.29 262.74
13 25 A/FD Artie Allen, Jacksonville FL, McKinney-B 5.553 255.58 255.58
14 222 B/AD Dana Stripe, Galesburg IL, Hadman-BAE 5.577 252.43 252.43
15 23 A/FD Bill Evans, Miramar FL, Spitzer-BAE 5.614 254.04 254.04
16 114 TA/D Peter Gallen, Broomall PA, Precision-Chr 5.620 237.96 237.96

------------ Not Qualified ------------

17 24 A/FD Robin Samsel, Marion IN, Canode-BAE 5.640 251.44 251.44
18 104 A/FD Gene Arrigoni, Yorktown Hts NY, Heads up 5.821 239.70 239.70
19 267 B/AD Dan Lucas, Cumming GA, Canode-KB 5.887 239.36 239.36
20 237 A/FD Ron Griffis, Gainesville FL, Innovative- 6.325 236.13 236.13

TAFC

1 1 Frank Manzo, Morganville NJ, '06 Monte Carlo 5.550 263.20 263.20
2 308 Marc White, Glendale Hts. IL, '08 Mustang 5.608 259.56 259.56
3 5 Steve Harker, Gainesville GA, '06 Monte Carlo 5.613 253.18 257.68
4 6 Mickey Ferro, Stamford CT, '06 Monte Carlo 5.657 255.87 255.87
5 2777 Nick Bastiao, Sacramento CA, '05 Monte Carlo 5.661 255.48 255.97
6 34 Andy Bohl, Racine WI, '07 Mustang 5.663 255.68 255.68
7 302 John Bojec, Chardon OH, '03 Avenger 5.680 250.55 250.83
8 25 Mark Billington, Norcross GA, '01 Avenger 5.703 252.47 253.04
9 17 Paul Gill, Brockton MA, '08 Mustang 5.713 252.90 252.90
10 289 John Sullivan, Montgomery AL, '02 Trans Am 5.762 249.49 249.90
11 497 Brandon Lewis, Broken Arrow OK, '02 Camaro 5.770 248.98 248.98
12 23 Keeter Ray, Newport Bch CA, '08 Mustang 5.772 253.90 253.90
13 1117 John Anderika, Pittson PA, '02 Camaro 5.795 248.52 248.52
14 33 Marty Nothstein, Orefield PA, '08 Impala 5.810 249.76 249.76
15 28 Mark Rogers, Highlands NC, '02 Firebird 5.865 241.89 241.89
16 15 Dan Pomponio, Berlin NJ, '00 Camaro 5.969 246.62 246.62

------------ Not Qualified ------------

17 196 Bill Naves, Salisbury NC, '01 Avenger 6.250 224.66 224.66
18 204 Bobby Martindale, Glen Allen VA, '96 Daytona 6.516 217.74 217.74