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April 2-5, 2009

NHRA Full Throttle Drag racing

NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals

Final qualifying and sportsman round one wrap -up. (CourtesySpeedzone Magazine)

The numbers are in and Drag Racing is relatively alive and well in one of the hardest hit States on the left coast. The same number of Top Fuel cars are on the grounds, four less Top Funny cars, and two less Pro Stockers. The TA classes are mirrors of last year (one less total). The crowd surely is down due to the awful weather Friday where, the TA classes, and Top Fuel did not hit the track (except Arley Langlo who lit up the starting line). Rain, oil downs, computer glitches and wind made Friday one of the worst days in recent memory. Saturday, on the track a couple sportsman incidents were noteworthy and not in a good way but the drivers got off unscathed. Pete Adams in Competition round one elims took on Justin Lamb and Adams had the ride of his life with both he and the car not worse for wear. Adams got loose around 300 feet and spun around without hitting anything despite going up on two wheels. Division seven photog Bob Johnson got a great shot of the run where if you look at it, not too many would think this car did not go over.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Alberta's Ken Webster driver the Synoil Monte Carlo owned by Geoff Goodwin has a ride he would like to forget as well. In the first qualifier, Webster banged the blower so hard it blew the body off the car at half track and it shattered into a bunch of unusable pieces. Again Bob Johnson captured the awesome image. (below)

Ken was unhurt, but the team could not make repairs in time for the final qualifier.

For other North West Drivers, some had good luck some had not so good luck in final qualifying and round one matchups. Todd Hoerner has issues in both qualifiers, and I am sure he will update us in his blog over the next couple days. He shook and both qualifiers and then went red on a strong first round run, a 6.662 @ 209mph would have put him in the #5 spot in the field and a first round pairing with the #16 guy instead of the #10 guy. Bob Marshall on the other hand, advanced to round two. He qualified with a 7.20 (.565 under) and defeated Tom Brown.

In the TA classes, Brian Hough struggled in qualifying but went 5.66 in round one. Unfortunately his opponent (Sean O'Bannon) went 5.63. Calgary's Roger Bateman looks to be a solid top four or five guy again this season as he is #2 in qualifying within striking distance of #1 this weekend, Tony Bartone.

Clint Thompson qualified well, and is off to round two. Dale Carlson, driving for Chilliwack's Hugh Ridley, lost in round one when he got anxious and left before the tree was activated.

Ashley Bart, who anyone with a heart was hoping to do well, after the Gilmour/Bart TAD team had their trailer stolen after Pomona. Through the kindness of sponsors and others they got their spare parts and tools replaced, failed to qualify after two aborted attempts.

Vegas 1

Final qualifying (courtesy NHRA.com)

Rookie Shawn Langdon raced to his first No. 1 qualifying position in Top Fuel Saturday at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals.
Langdon, a two-time Super Comp national champion in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and the 1997 NHRA Jr. Dragster national champion, covered the race distance at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with a performance of 3.874 seconds at 311.41 mph in his Dixie Chopper/Lucas Oil dragster.

Langdon will face Steve Chrisman in the first round of Sunday's 11 a.m. eliminations.

"My first No. 1 is a great feeling," Langdon said. "The car's been running really good, and we've had the potential. We've run good and consistent in qualifying, and we've just struggled a little bit in eliminations. I think Stewie [crew chief John Stewart] is onto something. He showed a little bit today, and hopefully we can get four good runs tomorrow.

"I've been trying to adapt as quickly as possible so as to not slow anybody down. Being a rookie driver, I didn't want to hold the team back. I've got a great team and a great crew chief and great sponsors, and I've just been trying to do my part."

Tony Pedregon and Mike Edwards also were No. 1 qualifiers in the NHRA Full throttle Drag Racing Series event, which will be televised on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD Sunday at 4 p.m. (ET).

In Funny Car, Pedregon posted a 4.100 at 302.62 in his Herzog/Q-Horsepower Chevy Impala to earn his first No. 1 of the season and 35th of his career. He will face Del Worsham in the first round.

"It was just good conditions going into that last session," Pedregon said. "I'm surprised that some other cars didn't take advantage of the conditions. It was a good racetrack out there. The car finally did what we told it to do. We're getting back on track, and I feel really confident about the car.

"We've got a pretty good history in this town. I love it. This is without question one of the nicest facilities that we race at, and if the weatherman's right, we should have the same conditions tomorrow, so I feel good."

Edwards took his third No. 1 qualifying performance of the season in Pro Stock with a track record time of 6.656 at 206.16 in his Young Life/Penhall Pontiac GXP. Edwards will race Steve Spiess in the opening round.

"The conditions were really good, and the track was really good," Edwards said. "We've had an awesome start this year, that's for sure. All my guys are doing an outstanding job. I've never really done good on Sunday here, but hopefully tomorrow I can turn that around. Hopefully, we can keep the momentum going."

In other Pro Stock news for the day, Houston winner Ron Krisher failed to qualify in his Valvoline Chevy Cobalt.

Top Fuel

1 333 Shawn Langdon, Brownsburg IN, Hadman-TFX 3.874 311.41 311.41
2 5 Antron Brown, Pittsboro IN, Hadman-TFX 3.878 312.86 312.86
3 2 Larry Dixon, Brownsburg IN, Hadman-TFX 3.907 311.70 311.70
4 1 Tony Schumacher, Long Grove IL, Hadman-TFX 3.908 313.88 313.88
5 3 Cory McClenathan, Brownsburg IN, Hadman-TFX 3.918 306.74 306.74
6 421 Spencer Massey, Vista CA, McKinney-TFX 3.951 305.08 305.08
7 13 David Baca, Brentwood CA, McKinney-BAE 3.957 303.30 303.30
8 34 Morgan Lucas, Brownsburg IN, Hadman-TFX 3.987 301.81 301.81
9 524 Joe Hartley, Portland OR, McKinney-BAE 3.989 305.63 305.63
10 50 Doug Kalitta, Ypsilanti MI, Attac-TFX 3.991 301.07 301.07
11 7 Brandon Bernstein, Lake Forest CA, Hadman-TFX 4.027 281.13 281.13
12 497 Troy Buff, Spring TX, Don Long-BAE 4.078 276.92 276.92
13 121 Terry Haddock, Woodinville WA, Hadman-BAE 4.084 291.82 291.82
14 111 Urs Erbacher, Arlesheim CH, Harman-BAE 4.098 292.01 292.01
15 72 Mike Strasburg, Lindon UT, Hadman-TFX 4.213 220.73 220.73
16 700 Steven Chrisman, Anaheim CA, McKinney-TFX 4.243 273.16 281.95

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

17 735 Steve Faria, Tulare CA, Uyehara-TFX 4.837 189.39 189.39
18 723 Rob Passey, Salt Lake City UT, McKinney-TFX 19.041 42.41 42.41

Funny Car

1 5 Tony Pedregon, Brownsburg IN, '09 Impala 4.100 302.62 302.62
2 4 Robert Hight, Yorba Linda CA, '09 Mustang 4.115 305.15 305.15
3 9 Mike Neff, Yorba Linda CA, '09 Mustang 4.125 304.46 304.46
4 6 Ashley Force Hood, Yorba Linda CA, '09 Mustang 4.139 303.23 303.23
5 340 Bob Bode, Barrington IL, '09 Impala SS 4.145 303.43 303.43
6 28 Ron Capps, Carlsbad CA, '09 Charger 4.148 297.94 297.94
7 7 John Force, Yorba Linda CA, '09 Mustang 4.149 300.00 302.35
8 71 Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg IN, '09 Solara 4.167 301.67 301.67
9 1777 Bob Tasca III, Cranston RI, '09 Mustang 4.167 301.67 301.67
10 2 Tim Wilkerson, Springfield IL, '09 Mustang 4.169 293.86 298.93
11 717 Brian Thiel, Pleasant Grove CA, '06 Monte Carlo 4.182 298.47 298.47
12 2814 Matt Hagan, Christianburg VA, '09 Charger 4.185 301.33 301.33
13 3 Jack Beckman, North Hills CA, '09 Charger 4.202 302.69 302.69
14 10 Gary Densham, Bellflower CA, '09 Impala 4.212 289.94 289.94
15 170 Jeff Arend, San Dimas CA, '09 Solara 4.251 297.88 297.88
16 750 Del Worsham, Chino Hills CA, '09 Solara 4.278 283.61 283.61

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

17 767 Jerry Toliver, Temecula CA, '06 Monte Carlo 4.340 268.44 268.44

Pro Stock

1 4 Mike Edwards, Coweta OK, '09 GXP 6.656@ 206.16 206.16
2 2 Greg Anderson, Concord NC, '09 GXP 6.668 206.70& 206.70
3 8 Greg Stanfield, Bossier City LA, '09 GXP 6.690 205.94 205.94
4 5 Jason Line, Troutman NC, '09 GXP 6.697 205.82 205.82
5 7 Allen Johnson, Greeneville TN, '06 Stratus 6.699 205.10 205.26
6 208 Warren Johnson, Sugar Hill GA, '09 GXP 6.703 206.26 206.26
7 20 Tom Hammonds, Crestview FL, '09 Cobalt 6.706 205.13 205.13
8 1 Jeg Coughlin, Delaware OH, '09 Cobalt 6.708 204.48 204.94
9 3 Kurt Johnson, Sugar Hill GA, '09 Cobalt 6.715 205.10 205.38
10 357 Larry Morgan, Newark OH, '06 Stratus 6.723 204.91 204.91
11 31 Johnny Gray, Artesia NM, '06 Stratus 6.737 204.29 204.29
12 317 Rickie Jones, Galesburg IL, '06 Stratus 6.739 204.63 204.63
13 6 Dave Connolly, Bradenton FL, '06 Stratus 6.751 203.22 203.22
14 700 David Beckley, Wildomar CA, '06 Stratus 6.755 203.95 204.76
15 9 V. Gaines, Lakewood CO, '06 Stratus 6.758 203.61 203.61
16 326 Steve Spiess, Manhattan IL, '09 Cobalt 6.759 203.65 203.74

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

17 41 Rodger Brogdon, Tomball TX, '09 GXP 6.764 204.32 204.32
18 752 Gordie Rivera, Yuma AZ, '09 GXP 6.777 202.00 202.39
19 701 Ben Watson, Concord CA, '06 GTO 6.781 201.97 202.18
20 10 Ron Krisher, Warren OH, '09 Cobalt 6.782 204.57 204.57
21 430 Erica Enders, Houston TX, '09 Mustang 6.854 199.11 199.11

TAD

1 2 B/AD Jim Whiteley, Grand Junction CO, CNE-BAE 5.327 268.33 268.33
2 72 B/AD Chris Demke, Sunland CA, Uyehara-BAE 5.361 263.51 263.51
3 8 TA/D Shawn Cowie, Delta BC, Santos-BAE 5.401 264.23 264.23
4 51 B/AD Edwin Schmeeckle, Gothenburg NE, Uyehara 5.426 264.65 264.65
5 65 B/AD Justin Davis, Murrieta CA, CNE-BAE 5.437 266.16 266.16
6 7107 A/FD Jeff Isbell, Erda UT, Hadman-BAE 5.452 261.42 261.42
7 734 TA/D Johnny Ahten, Saugus CA, Uyehara-BAE 5.482 249.26 249.26
8 75 A/FD Del Cox Jr., Downey CA, Hadman-TFX 5.521 263.20 263.20
9 613 B/AD Joey Severance, Spanaway WA, Hadman-MBR 5.522 262.39 262.39
10 777 A/FD Mark Niver, Phoenix AZ, Frameworks-BAE 5.528 250.46 251.20
11 745 A/FD Brittany Force, Yorba Linda CA, McKinney 5.596 252.24 252.24
12 6455 TA/D Dale Carlson, Yelm WA, Hadman-BAE 5.601 236.63 236.63
13 6610 A/FD Brandon Johnson, Shelton WA, Hadman-BAE 5.603 265.27 265.27
14 712 A/FD Larry Miersch, Huntington Beach CA, Spit 5.614 247.93 247.93
15 7222 TA/D Dennis Swearingen, Rolling Hills Estates 5.819 247.34 247.34
16 6715 A/FD Doug Hegge, Vancouver WA, Sarmento-Reic 5.837 248.29 248.29

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

17 744 A/FD Courtney Force, Yorba Linda CA, McKinney 5.870 250.74 250.74
18 6121 TA/D Ashley Bart, High River AB, Hadman-BAE 6.295 164.83 164.83
19 7303 A/FD Brooks Brown, Costa Mesa CA, Swindahl-TFX 6.635 168.94 168.94
20 7388 TA/D Art Trautman, Wadell AZ, Hadman-KB 6.716 203.98 203.98
21 6672 B/AD Greg Tacke, Great Falls MT, Hadman-Fonta 6.771 156.26 156.26
22 77 TA/D Cody Perkins, Bluffdale UT, CNE-BAE 7.568 104.77 104.77
23 716 TA/D Bill Dunlap, Capitola CA, Sterling-TFX 9.947 98.73 98.73

TAFC

1 457 Tony Bartone, Long Island City NY, '09 Mustang 5.586 255.15 255.68
2 10 Sean O'Bannon, Ontario CA, '06 Monte Carlo 5.626 256.99 256.99
3 4 Roger Bateman, Winnipeg MB, '08 Mustang 5.628 254.09 254.09
4 3 Jay Payne, Claremont CA, '09 Mustang 5.671 256.16 256.16
5 7735 Steve Gasparrelli, W. Covina CA, '09 Mustang 5.691 253.14 253.14
6 779 Daniel Oliver, Whittier CA, '06 Monte Carlo 5.723 252.61 252.61
7 63 Clint Thompson, Klamath Falls OR, '06 Monte Ca 5.728 251.86 251.86
8 717 Brian Thiel, Pleasant Grove CA, '02 Camaro 5.730 248.61 248.61
9 714 Dennis Taylor, Anaheim Hills CA, '02 Camaro 5.736 252.80 252.80
10 72 Doug Gordon, Paso Robles CA, '06 Monte Carlo 5.746 257.14 257.14
11 77 Mark Woznichak, Riverside CA, '02 Camaro 5.756 250.92 250.92
12 7338 Brian Smith, Fullerton CA, '02 Camaro 5.763 245.05 247.07
13 828 Leif Andreasson, Solna SW, '06 Stratus RT 5.791 243.85 243.85
14 777 John Patton, Surpise AZ, '09 Mustang 5.838 229.24 229.24
15 7 Brian Hough, Junction City OR, '06 Monte Carlo 5.853 206.99 206.99
16 766 Jason Rupert, Yorba Linda CA, '02 Camaro 5.911 240.12 240.12

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

17 727 Ron August Jr, Pleasanton CA, '08 Mustang 5.952 236.51 236.51
18 7976 Keeter Ray, Newport Beach CA, '09 Mustang 6.036 224.02 224.02
19 715 Mike Drake, Glendora CA, '01 Avenger 6.258 233.44 233.44
20 771 Charles McLaws, Winslow AZ, '02 Firebird 6.487 215.44 215.44
21 7507 Paul Crifasi, Henderson NV, '05 Firebird 7.074 210.93 210.93
22 6843 Ken Webster, Red Deer AB, '06 Monte Carlo 9.242 66.56 66.56