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NHRA Full Throttle National event coverage at SpeedZone can be sponsored by you. Call (604 826 5775) or email
July 9-12, 2009 Mile High Nationals Denver Colorado NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Sunday Elims MORRISON, Colo. --
"I could hear her car over there," said Capps, who powered his NAPA Dodge Charger to a 4.187 second run at 297.22 mph to hold off Force Hood's Castrol GTX Ford Mustang, which finished in 4.231 at 296.96. "Fortunately, out car got through the early part of the track and pulled away. I talked to 'Ace' (crew chief Ed McCulloch) during the off-week and he said, 'We're going to get the points lead back.' I've never heard him talk like that before."
"As a competitor in this class, you have to embrace the fact that Ashley is a big deal," Capps said. "Not only is she a big deal, but she has shouldered that more than anybody I've ever known. It reminds me of Shirley Muldowney who did it back when there were several barriers to be broken." Antron Brown, Allen Johnson and Eddie Krawiec also were winners in their categories at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event.
"The monkey of winning from No. 1 is finally off our back," Brown said. "There was a lot of pressure on us this weekend. All these guys were cutting lights on me, and my crew chiefs had to stay on top of the weather that was changing constantly. This trophy is worthwhile because of the stout competition. You always want to win. That's what puts you in the record books and makes history. The championship is the big picture, but you're always upset after a semifinal or runner-up because you lost. Winning makes you heal from all those times that you lost before. This is my Robitussin."
"I love Denver," Johnson said. "We have a combination here that's really hard to beat. We test our butts off here so we can do well for Mopar. I think I had the most butterflies I've ever had in my life when I raced in the first round. By the time we got to the semis, I settled down and told myself, 'We've got the combination.' We really didn't make a good run in the final. In fact, we burned the clutch up pretty good, but to give it to my guys on the holeshot feels very good." Jeg Coughlin, who advanced to the semis in his JEGS.com Chevy Cobalt, increased his Pro Stock points lead to 83 over Mike Edwards, who lost in the second round in his ART/Young Life GXP.
"We didn't have the best bikes every single round, but Andrew and I did our jobs as riders and got it done," Krawiec said. "I've been to six straight finals, which is something I've never dreamed of. To have two straight all-Harley finals is incredible, and I'm just so happy for our team. We broke a throttle cable in the semis at his race last year, and I really thought that was going to be my first win. I love Bandimere, and it was nice to win against Andrew in the final. We're teammates, but we're probably the two most competitive people in the pits. Whether we're walking or cutting the grass, we try to race each other doing it." The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series continues next weekend with the second stop on the Western Swing, the 22nd annual NHRA Northwest Nationals, July 17-19 at Pacific Raceways near Seattle. Sunday's final results from the 30th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway. The race is the 13th of 24 in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series- Top Fuel -- Antron Brown, 3.944 seconds, 295.21 mph def. Doug Kalitta, 11.363 seconds, 43.13 mph. Funny Car -- Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 4.187, 297.22 def. Ashley Force Hood, Ford Mustang, 4.231, 296.96. Pro Stock -- Allen Johnson, Dodge Stratus, 7.004, 195.87 def. Jason Line, Pontiac GXP, 7.001, 195.76. Pro Stock Motorcycle -- Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 7.450, 175.62 def. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, foul. Super Stock -- Justin Lamb, Chevy Cobalt, 9.612, 123.05 def. Tim Nicholson, Chevy II, 10.807, 117.11. Stock Eliminator -- Dan Fletcher, Chevy Camaro, 11.237, 114.00 def. Doug Young, Ford Mustang, 11.897, 111.36. Super Comp -- Ray Groves, Dragster, 9.507, 147.84 def. Gary Stinnett, Dragster, 9.556, 162.22. Super Gas -- Dennis Hay, Chevy Corvette, 10.504, 149.08 def. Kevin Moore, Chevy Roadster, 10.500, 145.56. Top Fuel
1. Antron Brown 1,056 Funny Car 1. Ron Capps 965 Pro Stock 1. Jeg Coughlin 1,145
1. Eddie Krawiec 739 Final qualifying MORRISON, Colo. --
"There's been a change in 'Ace' this year," Capps said. "He has the eye of the tiger and wants to rip everyone's throats out during qualifying. We looked back at all the points we lost in qualifying last year, and we lost several rounds worth of them. What's cool is that 'Ace' can go for it during qualifying, but he can still go back to the approach of getting the car down the track that helps during hot conditions."
Top Fuel points leader Brown claimed his fifth No. 1 position of the season, crossing the finish line in 3.862 at 318.39 in his Matco Tools dragster. Brown will meet Rob Passey in the opening round of eliminations. "We broke a belt before the finish line," Brown said. "Our half-track numbers were great, so it might have gone 319 or 320 mph if it stayed together. Our team is just having so much fun out here. Hats off to everyone on the Bandimere crew, because this is easily one of the best tracks I've ever driven on. We threw everything at it, and it still wouldn't spin the tires. It's like Disneyland right now. It's too bad that it will be warmer tomorrow."
"It's very rewarding to come out here and qualify No. 1," Edwards said. "Our program has really turned around this year. We lost a handle on it a little bit yesterday, but our team worked hard and got it back. I feel tickled and blessed. I feel bad for (Allen Johnson), because he had transmission trouble on his last run, and it's his sponsor's race. I told everybody before the last run that I think we can get second but not first. [Johnson's crew chief] Mark Ingersoll is spectacular on that mountain." By qualifying in that position, Edwards becomes the second Pro Stock driver to secure his position in the Countdown to 1, NHRA's playoffs.
"What an awesome feeling," Arana said. "We had some left in it yesterday, and we decided to get a little aggressive. I knew the opportunity was there in the final session, because I watched the air get 800 feet better. We have a fast and consistent bike, and my goal is to win tomorrow." |
