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Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2009

Las Vegas Nationals @The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

LAS VEGAS --

Robert Hight raced to his third victory of the season Sunday at the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals and is on the verge of winning his first Funny Car world championship crown.
Spencer Massey, Larry Morgan and Andrew Hines also were winners of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The race is the fifth of six events in the Countdown to 1, NHRA’s championship playoffs.

Hight beat second place driver and teammate Ashley Force Hood in the first round of eliminations and then pulled out a very close final round victory over Jack Beckman to take a 105-point lead in the standings.

“It’s amazing what a win can do and get that confidence back,” said Hight, who powered his Auto Club Ford Mustang to a performance of 4.125 seconds at 304.46 to edge Beckman’s Valvoline/MTS Dodge Charger at the finish line, which trailed with a 4.154 at 303.16. It was Hight's 14th career victory and his second at this track.

“That was a close race in the final,” Hight continued. “All the runs this weekend the car was on its performance. The championship isn’t over yet, but to have a 105-point lead gives you a lot of confidence. You hate to make predictions, but way back in Bristol I said this car is too good and this team is too good and we will still contend for the championship. Back then we weren’t even in the top 10. Sometimes those predictions can come back to bite you, but I believed in our team and now here we are. I may not qualify at Pomona and be out of it, because anything can happen, but the way our car is running right now I like our chances. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”

In Top Fuel, Auto Club Road to the Future nominee Spencer Massey earned his second victory of the season, beating team owner Don “The Snake” Prudomme’s former driver, Larry Dixon, in the final round.

Massey, who outran Shawn Langdon, Steve Torrence and Brandon Bernstein to reach the final, powered his U.S. Smokeless dragster to a 3.827 at 314.53 in the final to beat Dixon, whose Al-Anabi Racing Dragster lost traction at the start and posted a 5.503 at 174.87.

“It’s unbelievable just being able to get to the final round,” said Massey, who replaced Dixon in the cockpit of the Prudhomme-owned dragster in the off-season. Dixon drove Prudhomme’s car for 14 seasons before joining Alan Johnson’s team this season.

“Every race car out here is capable of winning races,” Massey continued. “The competition is so tight out here. Every round was a key round and meant something because for points, we’re down to the wire. And not only for points, but we’re also going for the Wally at the end of the day. It means a whole lot to me personally and to ‘Snake’ and everybody because we’ve been struggling here in the Countdown; we just haven’t been on our game. So it’s nice to come in here and throw down these good numbers and go A to B and not beat ourselves because that’s what we’ve really been doing all year long. We got a handle on it, and now we’ve got some momentum.”

Massey is among four rookies eligible for the Auto Club Road to the Future award, including this weekend’s Funny Car top qualifier Matt Hagan and fellow Top Fuel driver Langdon and Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Doug Horne. Massey says picking the winner this year will be a tough chore for the more than 135 members of the media who will vote to decide it.

“I don’t like to think that I should or shouldn’t [win rookie of the year],” Massey said. “I don’t really think like that. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. I would like for it to happen, but Shawn [Langdon] is an awesome racer and so is Matt Hagan and Doug Horne. Obviously, we’ve got a couple of wins now and the points are the points, but there’s a whole lot of different situations and things that happen for the rookie of the year. I don’t know if it draws a line under it or puts a check by my name or whatever, but I’d love to find out at the end of Pomona that it happened that way."

With the runner-up finish, Dixon now trails series leader and six-time champ Tony Schumacher by one point. Veteran driver Cory McClenathan, who defeated Schumacher in the second round, is in third in the title hunt, 48 points back.

Morgan scored his first win since 2002 and 10th of his career in Pro Stock, outrunning first-time finalist Rickie Jones in the final round. Morgan posted a 6.720 at 205.69 in his Lucas Oil Dodge Stratus to hold off Jones’ Elite Motorsports Stratus, which trailed with a 6.794 at 203.16.

“I threw a hundred dollars in a slot machine and won $1,200, and I thought I might be pretty lucky here,” said Morgan, who beat Jason Line, Mike Edwards and Greg Stanfield in earlier rounds. “I felt relaxed all day and everything was going our way. We put ourselves in a position to win and I guess I drove well enough to beat the bad guys out here.”

Edwards now holds a 139-point lead over second place Greg Anderson. Edwards needs only to qualify at the season finale to clinch the series title.

Hines took his third win of the season and 18th of his career in Pro Stock Motorcycle when series leader Hector Arana fouled at the start in the final round on his Lucas Oil Buell.

“I felt really good today,” said Hines, who rode his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson to earlier round wins over Fred Camarena, Doug Horne and Matt Smith . “For some reason, I get into these races and get all caught up in the battles and rivalries, but today I was relaxed. Today, I didn’t really care. I just went out there to ride and have fun. I had no pressure today.

“In the final, Hector must have been rattled. He did a neutral burnout. He didn’t put the bike in gear, and that’s never a good thing. When I heard that, I had a feeling that I was going to get the win light.

With the runner-up finish Arana increased his series lead to 54 over defending champ Eddie Krawiec. Arana defeated Krawiec in a titan semifinal match with a holeshot start.

The 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season concludes Nov. 12-15 at the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif.

Sunday's final results from the Ninth annual NHRA Las Vegas Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The race is the 23rd of 24 in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series-

Top Fuel -- Spencer Massey, 3.827 seconds, 314.53 mph def. Larry Dixon, 5.503 seconds, 174.87 mph.

Funny Car -- Robert Hight, Ford Mustang, 4.125, 304.46 def. Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 4.154, 303.16.

Pro Stock -- Larry Morgan, Dodge Stratus, 6.720, 205.69 def. Rickie Jones, Stratus, 6.794, 203.16.

Pro Stock Motorcycle -- Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.998, 190.70 def. Hector Arana, Buell, foul.

Photo highlights

Paul Grant and Bill Jeffery photos

Saturday final qualifying

TF

1 2 Larry Dixon, Brownsburg IN, Hadman-TFX 3.805 318.24 318.24
2 475 Steve Torrence, Kilgore TX, Hadman-BAE 3.831 314.17 314.17
3 5 Antron Brown, Brownsburg IN, Hadman-TFX 3.834 317.42 317.42
4 1 Tony Schumacher, Long Grove IL, Hadman-TFX 3.839 313.07 315.05
5 3 Cory McClenathan, Brownsburg IN, DSR-TFX 3.841 315.42 318.47
6 7 Brandon Bernstein, Lake Forest CA, McKinney-TFX 3.853 317.27 317.27
7 333 Shawn Langdon, Brownsburg IN, Hadman-TFX 3.855 313.29 314.02
8 800 Thomas Nataas, Droyak NP, McKinney-TFX 3.859 307.65 307.65
9 50 Doug Kalitta, Ypsilanti MI, Attac-TFX 3.863 311.34 314.53
10 421 Spencer Massey, Vista CA, McKinney-TFX 3.864 313.66 313.66
11 12 Bob Vandergriff, Alpharetta GA, Hadman-TFX 3.881 304.60 307.44
12 44 David Grubnic, Ypsilanti MI, Attac-TFX 3.912 309.84 309.84
13 111 Urs Erbacher, Arlesheim CH, McKinney-BAE 3.927 295.59 301.33
14 801 Stig Neergaard, Torring DK, Mc Kinney-TFX 3.963 299.40 299.40
15 3516 Terry McMillen, Elkhart IN, Attac-TFX 3.968 304.87 304.87
16 34 Morgan Lucas, Brownsburg IN, Hadman-TFX 3.978 298.01 298.01

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

17 72 Mike Strasburg, Lindon UT, Hadman-TFX 3.990 307.02 307.02
18 497 Troy Buff, Spring TX, Don Long-BAE 3.994 282.72 290.38
19 300 Tim Cullinan, Des Plains IL, Baumgartne-TFX 4.023 281.07 281.07
20 744 Del Cox Jr, Downey CA, McKinney-BAE 4.054 302.62 302.62
21 700 Steven Chrisman, Anaheim CA, McKinney-TFX 4.073 288.15 291.95
22 7727 Ron August, Pleasanton CA, McKinney-BAE 4.191 289.32 289.32
23 5050 Scott Palmer, Marionville MO, McKinney-BAE 4.473 200.14 200.14
24 323 Chris Karamesines, Chicago IL, URC-BAE 4.599 178.85 178.85
25 845 Lex Joon, Zaandam NL, McKinney-TFX 5.819 110.63 270.16
26 723 Rob Passey, Salt Lake City UT, McKinney-TFX NT

FC

1 2814 Matt Hagan, Brownsburg IN, '09 Charger 4.030 313.88 313.88
2 28 Ron Capps, Carlsbad CA, '09 Charger 4.041 310.55 310.55
3 4 Robert Hight, Yorba Linda CA, '09 Mustang 4.065 308.71 308.71
4 5 Tony Pedregon, Brownsburg IN, '09 Impala 4.098 309.20 309.20
5 1777 Bob Tasca III, Cranston RI, '08 Mustang 4.107 307.02 307.02
6 1 Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg IN, '09 Solara 4.114 305.98 305.98
7 2 Tim Wilkerson, Springfield IL, '09 Mustang 4.116 297.22 297.22
8 3 Jack Beckman, North Hills CA, '09 Charger 4.118 304.87 305.01
9 9 Mike Neff, Yorba Linda CA, '08 Mustang 4.128 302.62 302.62
10 388 Jim Head, Columbus OH, '09 Solara 4.132 305.84 305.84
11 7 John Force, Yorba Linda CA, '09 Mustang 4.144 293.09 302.28
12 750 Del Worsham, Chino Hills CA, '09 Solara 4.155 306.12 306.12
13 170 Jeff Arend, San Dimas CA, '08 Solara 4.167 302.69 302.69
14 6 Ashley Force Hood, Yorba Linda CA, '08 Mustang 4.197 292.52 303.23
15 10 Gary Densham, Bellflower CA, '09 Impala 4.197 288.64 290.76
16 728 Grant Downing, Fullerton CA, '03 Monte Carlo 4.211 291.89 291.89

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

17 719 Jeff Diehl, Salinas CA, '07 Monte Carlo 4.224 296.70 296.70
18 340 Bob Bode, Barrington IL, '09 Impala SS 4.281 262.85 262.85
19 767 Jerry Toliver, Temecula CA, '08 Impala 7.074 94.22 279.15

PS

1 4 Mike Edwards, Coweta OK, '09 GXP 6.623 207.75 207.75
2 7406 Vinnie Deceglie, Rancho Cucamonga CA, '07 Stra 6.660 206.23 206.23
3 10 Ron Krisher, Warren OH, '09 Cobalt 6.668 206.80 206.92
4 2 Greg Anderson, Concord NC, '09 GXP 6.670 206.48 207.56
5 31 Johnny Gray, Artesia NM, '07 Stratus 6.677 206.20 206.20
6 7 Allen Johnson, Greeneville TN, '08 Stratus 6.679 206.61 206.61
7 41 Rodger Brogdon, Tomball TX, '08 GXP 6.680 206.10 206.10
8 357 Larry Morgan, Newark OH, '07 Stratus 6.681 205.72 205.72
9 5 Jason Line, Troutman NC, '09 GXP 6.683 206.86 206.86
10 208 Warren Johnson, Sugar Hill GA, '09 GXP 6.685 206.23 206.23
11 1 Jeg Coughlin, Delaware OH, '09 Cobalt 6.688 206.35 206.35
12 8 Greg Stanfield, Bossier City LA, '09 GXP 6.693 206.07 206.07
13 2062 Ronnie Humphrey, Jacksonville NC, '09 GXP 6.718 205.76 206.54
14 199 Ryan Ondrejko, Roslindale MA, '09 GXP 6.725 204.01 204.29
15 317 Rickie Jones, Galesburg IL, '07 Stratus 6.735 204.45 204.98
16 3 Kurt Johnson, Sugar Hill GA, '09 Cobalt 6.742 205.51 206.45

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

17 1214 Matt Hartford, Phoenix AZ, '07 Stratus 6.747 204.48 205.54
18 326 Steve Spiess, Manhattan IL, '09 Cobalt 6.747 204.20 204.35
19 9 V. Gaines, Lakewood CO, '06 Stratus 6.758 203.12 203.68
20 752 Gordie Rivera, Yuma AZ, '09 GXP 6.779 202.73 202.73
21 5266 Danny Gruninger, Littleton CO, '07 Stratus 6.811 202.21 203.06

PSM

1 235 Hector Arana, Milltown IN, Buell XB9R 6.979 192.03 192.03
2 4 Andrew Hines, Brownsburg IN, Harley V-Rod 6.990 192.25 192.25
3 3 Matt Smith, Brownsburg IN, Suzuki TL 1000R 7.000 190.48 190.48
4 1 Eddie Krawiec, Brownsburg IN, Harley V-Rod 7.023 190.40 190.97
5 9 Karen Stoffer, Smith NV, Suzuki TL 1000R 7.035 190.43 190.43
6 202 Junior Pippin, Conyers GA, Buell GSRX 7.043 187.96 187.96
7 412 Michael Phillips, Baton Rouge LA, Suzuki GSXR 7.051 189.47 189.63
8 581 David Hope, Nevada MO, Buell XB9R 7.061 188.78 189.76
9 8 Craig Treble, Harvey LA, Suzuki GSXR 7.075 190.06 190.06
10 36 Douglas Horne, Aberdeen MD, Buell XB9R 7.075 188.86 188.86
11 205 Shawn Gann, Stoneville NC, Buell XB9R 7.076 188.33 188.33
12 7 Steve Johnson, Birmingham AL, Suzuki TL 1000R 7.103 188.96 188.96
13 533 Jim Underdahl, North Branch MN, Suzuki TL1000R 7.161 186.77 188.75
14 601 Larry Cook, West Linn OR, Buell 7.165 184.98 186.36
15 32 Freddie Camarena, Placentia CA, Suzuki 7.176 188.36 190.30
16 573 Mike Berry, Littleton CO, Buell XB9R 7.194 184.30 186.05

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

17 310 Joe DeSantis, Rootstown OH, Suzuki GSXR 7.266 185.89 185.89
18 42 James Surber, Whitethorn CA, Buell XB9R 7.303 181.94 181.94
19 457 Redell Harris, Prairieville LA, Buell GSRX 7.424 172.96 182.77
20 69 Bailey Whitaker, Miami FL, Buell XB9R 7.462 175.43 182.26
21 745 Katie Sullivan, Corning CA, Susuki GSXR 7.477 178.95 178.95
22 485 GT Tonglet, Metairie LA, Buell 7.695 180.50 184.12

Friday Qualifying

Top Fuel

1 2 Larry Dixon, Brownsburg IN, Hadman-TFX 3.805 318.24 318.24
2 475 Steve Torrence, Kilgore TX, Hadman-BAE 3.831 314.17 314.17
3 1 Tony Schumacher, Long Grove IL, Hadman-TFX 3.839 313.07 313.07
4 333 Shawn Langdon, Brownsburg IN, Hadman-TFX 3.855 313.29 313.29
5 800 Thomas Nataas, Droyak NP, McKinney-TFX 3.859 307.65 307.65
6 3 Cory McClenathan, Brownsburg IN, DSR-TFX 3.860 315.86 315.86
7 5 Antron Brown, Brownsburg IN, Hadman-TFX 3.860 314.09 314.09
8 7 Brandon Bernstein, Lake Forest CA, McKinney-TFX 3.863 315.27 315.27
9 50 Doug Kalitta, Ypsilanti MI, Attac-TFX 3.863 311.34 311.34
10 12 Bob Vandergriff, Alpharetta GA, Hadman-TFX 3.881 304.60 304.60
11 421 Spencer Massey, Vista CA, McKinney-TFX 3.884 309.84 309.84
12 111 Urs Erbacher, Arlesheim CH, McKinney-BAE 3.927 295.59 301.33

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

13 845 Lex Joon, Zaandam NL, McKinney-TFX 3.933 270.16 270.16
14 44 David Grubnic, Ypsilanti MI, Attac-TFX 3.978 301.74 301.74
15 72 Mike Strasburg, Lindon UT, Hadman-TFX 3.996 305.91 305.91
16 700 Steven Chrisman, Anaheim CA, McKinney-TFX 3.998 291.95 291.95
17 744 Del Cox Jr, Downey CA, McKinney-BAE 4.032 252.61 252.61
18 497 Troy Buff, Spring TX, Don Long-BAE 4.043 262.23 262.23
19 3516 Terry McMillen, Elkhart IN, Attac-TFX 4.097 276.52 276.52
20 34 Morgan Lucas, Brownsburg IN, Hadman-TFX 4.389 276.29 276.29
21 5050 Scott Palmer, Marionville MO, McKinney-BAE 4.998 147.02 147.02
22 801 Stig Neergaard, DK, 5.494 121.56 121.56
23 723 Rob Passey, Salt Lake City UT, McKinney-TFX 6.132 109.10 109.10
24 300 Tim Cullinan, Des Plains IL, Baumgartne-TFX 6.582 100.10 100.10
25 323 Chris Karamesines, Chicago IL, URC-BAE 11.805 44.72 44.72
26 7727 Ron August, Pleasanton CA, McKinney-BAE 15.323 49.30 49.30

Funny Car

1 2814 Matt Hagan, Brownsburg IN, '09 Charger 4.030@ 313.88& 313.88
2 28 Ron Capps, Carlsbad CA, '09 Charger 4.041 310.55 310.55
3 4 Robert Hight, Yorba Linda CA, '09 Mustang 4.065 308.71 308.71
4 5 Tony Pedregon, Brownsburg IN, '09 Impala 4.098 309.20 309.20
5 1777 Bob Tasca III, Cranston RI, '08 Mustang 4.107 307.02 307.02
6 1 Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg IN, '09 Solara 4.114 305.98 305.98
7 2 Tim Wilkerson, Springfield IL, '09 Mustang 4.116 297.22 297.22
8 3 Jack Beckman, North Hills CA, '09 Charger 4.118 304.87 305.01
9 9 Mike Neff, Yorba Linda CA, '08 Mustang 4.128 302.62 302.62
10 388 Jim Head, Columbus OH, '09 Solara 4.132 305.84 305.84
11 7 John Force, Yorba Linda CA, '09 Mustang 4.144 293.09 302.28
12 750 Del Worsham, Chino Hills CA, '09 Solara 4.155 306.12 306.12

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

13 6 Ashley Force Hood, Yorba Linda CA, '08 Mustang 4.163 303.23 303.23
14 10 Gary Densham, Bellflower CA, '09 Impala 4.167 290.76 290.76
15 767 Jerry Toliver, Temecula CA, '08 Impala 4.241 279.15 279.15
16 728 Grant Downing, Fullerton CA, '03 Monte Carlo 4.323 245.32 245.32
17 719 Jeff Diehl, Salinas CA, '07 Monte Carlo 4.439 221.13 221.13
18 340 Bob Bode, Barrington IL, '09 Impala SS 5.621 126.74 126.74

Pro Stock

1 4 Mike Edwards, Coweta OK, '09 GXP 6.623@ 207.75& 207.75
2 7406 Vinnie Deceglie, Rancho Cucamonga CA, '07 Stra 6.660 206.23 206.23
3 10 Ron Krisher, Warren OH, '09 Cobalt 6.668 206.80 206.92
4 2 Greg Anderson, Concord NC, '09 GXP 6.670 206.48 207.56
5 31 Johnny Gray, Artesia NM, '07 Stratus 6.677 206.20 206.20
6 7 Allen Johnson, Greeneville TN, '08 Stratus 6.679 206.61 206.61
7 41 Rodger Brogdon, Tomball TX, '08 GXP 6.680 206.10 206.10
8 357 Larry Morgan, Newark OH, '07 Stratus 6.681 205.72 205.72
9 5 Jason Line, Troutman NC, '09 GXP 6.683 206.86 206.86
10 208 Warren Johnson, Sugar Hill GA, '09 GXP 6.685 206.23 206.23
11 1 Jeg Coughlin, Delaware OH, '09 Cobalt 6.688 206.35 206.35
12 8 Greg Stanfield, Bossier City LA, '09 GXP 6.693 206.07 206.07

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

13 3 Kurt Johnson, Sugar Hill GA, '09 Cobalt 6.695 206.45 206.45
14 1214 Matt Hartford, Phoenix AZ, '07 Stratus 6.699 205.54 205.54
15 2062 Ronnie Humphrey, Jacksonville NC, '09 GXP 6.708 206.54 206.54
16 317 Rickie Jones, Galesburg IL, '07 Stratus 6.720 204.91 204.98
17 199 Ryan Ondrejko, Roslindale MA, '09 GXP 6.726 204.05 204.29
18 326 Steve Spiess, Manhattan IL, '09 Cobalt 6.729 204.35 204.35
19 9 V. Gaines, Lakewood CO, '06 Stratus 6.750 203.58 203.68
20 5266 Danny Gruninger, Littleton CO, '07 Stratus 6.815 203.06 203.06
21 752 Gordie Rivera, Yuma AZ, '09 GXP 6.824 202.24 202.39

Pro Stock Motorcycle

1 235 Hector Arana, Milltown IN, Buell XB9R 6.979 192.03 192.03
2 4 Andrew Hines, Brownsburg IN, Harley V-Rod 6.990 192.25 192.25
3 3 Matt Smith, Brownsburg IN, Suzuki TL 1000R 7.000 190.48 190.48
4 1 Eddie Krawiec, Brownsburg IN, Harley V-Rod 7.029 190.14 190.97
5 9 Karen Stoffer, Smith NV, Suzuki TL 1000R 7.035 190.43 190.43
6 202 Junior Pippin, Conyers GA, Buell GSRX 7.043 187.96 187.96
7 412 Michael Phillips, Baton Rouge LA, Suzuki GSXR 7.051 189.47 189.47
8 581 David Hope, Nevada MO, Buell XB9R 7.061 188.78 189.76
9 8 Craig Treble, Harvey LA, Suzuki GSXR 7.075 190.06 190.06
10 36 Douglas Horne, Aberdeen MD, Buell XB9R 7.075 188.86 188.86
11 205 Shawn Gann, Stoneville NC, Buell XB9R 7.076 188.33 188.33
12 7 Steve Johnson, Birmingham AL, Suzuki TL 1000R 7.106 184.62 186.38

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

13 32 Freddie Camarena, Placentia CA, Suzuki 7.111 190.30 190.30
14 601 Larry Cook, West Linn OR, Buell 7.127 185.69 186.36
15 533 Jim Underdahl, North Branch MN, Suzuki TL1000R 7.132 188.75 188.75
16 573 Mike Berry, Littleton CO, Buell XB9R 7.165 186.05 186.05
17 485 GT Tonglet, Metairie LA, Buell 7.239 184.12 184.12
18 69 Bailey Whitaker, Miami FL, Buell XB9R 7.252 182.26 182.26
19 457 Redell Harris, Prairieville LA, Buell GSRX 7.286 182.77 182.77
20 310 Joe DeSantis, Rootstown OH, Suzuki GSXR 7.291 184.57 184.57
21 745 Katie Sullivan, Corning CA, Susuki GSXR 7.452 176.74 176.74
22 42 James Surber, Whitethorn CA, Buell XB9R 7.457 180.55 180.55

NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing

Event preview

LAS VEGAS --

As the Countdown to 1, NHRA's championship playoffs, comes to the season's penultimate race in Las Vegas, each professional category in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series features its own dramatic storyline.
In Top Fuel, every championship contender is gunning to remove a category dominator from the throne he has held for the past five seasons.

In Funny Car, a female driver is trying to make history and become the first of her gender to win a world championship crown in the wildly unpredictable category which her father has dominated for most of two decades. In order to do it, she'll need to stop five other men who are also in contention, including one multi-time champ, her former driving instructor, a teammate, last season's series runner-up, and a driver who's finished second in the championship standings three times.

In Pro Stock, a highly-spiritual and mild-mannered journeyman in the 200 mph category is having a dream season and is on the verge of winning his much sought after first series title. Only a three-time champ stands in his way.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, another popular veteran has emerged as the rider to beat in the competitive two-wheel category and is eight rounds away from making his lifetime dream come true. He will need to hold off the defending world champ to make it happen.

Those storylines and many more will unfold at the ninth annual NHRA Las Vegas Nationals, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, at the spectacular Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The race, which will be televised on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD, is the 23rd of 24 races in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series for 2009, and the fifth of six races in the Countdown to 1, NHRA's championship playoffs.

Tony Schumacher
Tony Schumacher is in a familiar place as the series leader in Top Fuel with two races to go. The U.S. Army dragster driver has won the last five championship titles, and six overall, and appears poised to add another trophy to his collection. He has raced to five victories this season and holds a 47-point advantage over two-time champ Larry Dixon entering the final two races. Veteran driver Cory McClenathan (68 points back), regular season champ Antron Brown (81 back) and Virginia winner Brandon Bernstein (120 back) are all realistically in the championship mix.

"Legitimately, there's two or three, probably four cars that can still win the championship, and it's going to come down to, you know, you're still in charge of your own destiny," said Dixon, also a five-time winner this season in his Al-Anabi Racing dragster. "If you go out there and you win out those two races, you've done as much as you can do and hope it's enough and try and get the Full Throttle Championship."

While Schumacher was the driver who won the championship the past five years, Dixon's current teammates were the ones who provided Schumacher with the outstanding car.

"I've read and heard (Tony) say he gets pumped up when he races us and a lot of the guys on that team is his old team," Dixon said. "But for me, when I look over it's still the Army car and he's still got the No. 1 on it. So I'm trying to do everything I can to help change that."

Robert Hight
Robert Hight has made an incredible leap in the playoffs, powering his Auto Club Ford Mustang from 10th to first in the Funny Car point standings with victories at Charlotte and Dallas. He holds a 13-point lead over Ashley Force Hood, his teammate, who is trying to become the first female in NHRA history to win a championship in the 7,000-horsepower category. Her father, John Force, has won 14 series championships since 1990.

Also in the mix are two-time champ and former Force teammate Tony Pedregon, three-time series runner-up Ron Capps, last season's series runner-up Tim Wilkerson and former drag racing instructor Jack Beckman.

All six drivers are separated by 86 points. Bob Tasca III is also still hanging by a mathematical thread in his Motorcraft Quick Lane Shelby Mustang at 103 points back.

Force Hood knows the competition for the title is insane; arguably the most intense of any of the four pro categories. She's just glad to be in position to be a part of it.

"It's the best spot that we could be in," Force Hood said. "At the beginning of the year when we have our big team meetings and we get ready to head off to the Winternationals, that's always our goal. Obviously Robert and I are not the only ones, but we are one and two. So (the others) are going to have to catch up and go around us. If we can just keep doing what we have been doing and not have anything go wrong, no mistakes, no mess-ups; the tuners can get Vegas and Pomona figured out as far as the tune-up and how they want to set up the car, we will just better our chances of getting the championship."

Mike Edwards
Mike Edwards can wrap up his first Pro Stock world championship at Las Vegas if he can go two rounds more than three-time champ Greg Anderson. Edwards, who earned a perfect 150-point race total at the last event in Virginia by producing a stunning national record elapsed time of 6.509 seconds, has had an incredible season behind the wheel of his A.R.T./Young Life Pontiac GXP. He's earned five race victories and 14 No. 1 qualifying positions to hold a 128-point advantage over Anderson entering the final two stops on the tour.

"I'm thinking (championship), but I don't have it yet," Edwards said. "It's close, but you've still got to stay focused. You've still got to keep your goals ahead. Those two Summit cars are going to be burning the midnight oil to try and get back up there with me. I'm not going to count my chickens yet before they hatch. But I'm living my dream right now, and I'm real close to it."

Hector Arana
Like Edwards, Hector "The Hammer" Arana can make his lifelong Pro Stock Motorcycle dream a reality with strong performances on his Lucas Oil Buell at the final two races. He leads defending series champ Eddie Krawiec by 28 points. Much like Edwards, he is a veteran in his category who has always showed promise but never claimed the big prize. Also like Edwards, he is producing amazing performances on the track this season. At Memphis earlier this month he lowered the national elapsed time record to 6.851 seconds.

"I'm really pleased with the performance of the bike and this S&S motor," said Arana, who has won five races this season, including the prestigious Mac Tools U.S. Nationals and the first two playoff races in Charlotte and Dallas. "It's a helluva piece, and (Pro Stock driver) Larry Morgan's guys are working hard to keep me winning rounds and races and the title, something we've always dreamed of. It's amazing how everything has turned around for me to win five races this season; now I just need to win (two) more and I'll be good."

SCHEDULE: Pro qualifying sessions for the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals are scheduled for 12:30 and 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30 and will continue at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. Final professional eliminations begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1.

TICKETS: Tickets are available for the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals by calling (800) 644-4444, or by visiting www.lvms.com.

TELEVISION: ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 11:30 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, Oct. 31. On Sunday, Nov. 1, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will feature NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute pre-race show, at 2:30 p.m. (ET), and three hours of eliminations coverage at 7:30 p.m. (ET).

LUCAS OIL SERIES: The NHRA Las Vegas Nationals also will feature competition in seven categories in the NHRA Lucas Oil Series, where the future stars of the NHRA Full Throttle Series earn their racing stripes. Lucas Oil Series qualifying begins at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29. Lucas Oil Series eliminations begin at 8 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 30.

Fan Fest Thursday

LAS VEGAS -- NHRA Vegas Style Fan Fest, the official kickoff to the 2009 NHRA Las Vegas Nationals, will take place Thursday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 8 p.m on Fremont Street in Las Vegas. NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series stars Antron Brown, Larry Dixon, Tony Pedregon, Tim Wilkerson, Bob Tasca III, Jeff Arend, Jeg Coughlin, Allen Johnson, Michael Phillips, Bob Bode, David Hope, Lex Joon, and others will participate in the autograph session.
The first 500 fans in the autograph line will receive a free special-edition poster featuring select drivers in NHRA's Countdown to 1 playoffs.

The Fremont Street Experience is an incredible entertainment complex that treats visitors to a captivating display of imagery and pulsating music via its 12.5 million LED Viva Vision screen and 555,000-watt sound system.

The Fan Fest will take place on the 3rd Street section of Fremont Street near the Four Queens Hotel & Casino, FitzGerald Casino & Hotel, and the Fremont Hotel and Casino. The Fremont Street Experience is at 425 Fremont St., Las Vegas, NV 89101. For more information about Fremont Street, log on to www.vegasexperience.com.

Vegas Odds for this weekend's Las Vegas Nationals

LAS VEGAS -- Fred Crespi, oddsmaker for the sports books at The Palms Resort & Casino and the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas predicts Tony Schumacher, Robert Hight and Mike Edwards will win final-round eliminations on Sunday at the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Defending Top Fuel Dragster champion Schumacher (5/2) is no stranger to The Strip at LVMS' NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series victory circle celebrations. Edwards (6/5) has all but clinched the Pro Stock crown and probably will do so officially in Las Vegas. And Hight (3/1) holds a slim points lead over teammate Ashley Force Hood.

But don't count out Top Fuel's Larry Dixon, a past Las Vegas winner at 3/1 and Tony Pedregon, who is 4/1 in the Funny Car category. And perennial Pro Stock behemoth Greg Anderson is lurking at an enticing 3/1.

Place your bets, drag racing fans: Fred says these odds will be posted in the aforementioned casinos bright and early Wednesday morning.

TOP FUEL DRAGSTER
Tony Schumacher 5/2
Larry Dixon 3/1
Cory McClenathan 9/2
Antron Brown 6/1
Brandon Bernstein 6/1
Morgan Lucas 6/1
Spencer Massey 7/1
Doug Kalitta 10/1
Shawn Langdon 12/1
David Grubnic 12/1
Field (all others) 12/1

FUNNY CAR
Robert Hight 3/1
Ashley Force Hood 7/2
Tony Pedregon 4/1
Ron Capps 6/1
Del Worsham 6/1
Tim Wilkerson 8/1
"Fast Jack" Beckman 8/1
Bob Tasca III 10/1
Cruz Pedregon 11/1
John Force 12/1
Field (all others) 15/1

PRO STOCK
Mike Edwards 6/5
Greg Anderson 3/1
Jason Line 9/2
Jeg Coughlin Jr. 6/1
Kurt Johnson 8/1
Allen Johnson 10/1
Greg Stansfield 10/1
Ron Krisher 12/1
Ronnie Humphrey 18/1
Warren Johnson 20/1
Field (all others) 15/1

Event fast facts

LAS VEGAS --

The Ninth annual NHRA Las Vegas Nationals, 23rd of 24 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series and the fifth of six races in the Countdown to 1, NHRA's championship playoffs. The top 10 drivers in four categories - Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle - earn points leading to 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships.
WHERE: The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas. Track is located approximately 15 miles north of downtown Las Vegas off Interstate 15.

WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 29 - Nov. 1

SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY, Oct. 29 - Sportsman qualifying begins at 8 a.m.

FRIDAY, Oct. 30 - Sportsman eliminations begin at 8 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

SATURDAY, Oct. 31 - Sportsman eliminations begin at 8 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, Nov. 1 - Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:
Saturday, Oct. 31, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 11:30 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Nov 1, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will air NHRA Race Day, at 2:30 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Nov. 1, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of final eliminations at 7:30 p.m. (ET).

2008 EVENT WINNERS: Tony Schumacher, Top Fuel; Cruz Pedregon, Funny Car; Jeg Coughlin, Pro Stock; Chris Rivas, Pro Stock Motorcycle.

TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel - 3.781 seconds by Tony Schumacher, Oct. '08; 318.92 mph by Schumacher, Oct. '08
Funny Car - 4.043 seconds by Robert Hight, Oct. '08; 310.05 mph by Ashley Force Hood, Oct. '08
Pro Stock - 6.656 seconds by Mike Edwards, April '09; 206.70 mph by Greg Anderson, April '09
Pro Stock Motorcycle - 6.979 seconds by Matt Smith, Oct. '08; 191.08 mph by Matt Hines, Oct. '02

(Top Fuel and Funny Car race distance is 1,000 feet; Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle race distance is 1,320 feet)

NATIONAL RECORDS:
Top Fuel - 3.771 sec. by Tony Schumacher, Oct. '08, Richmond, Va.; 319.60 mph by Antron Brown, Oct. '09, Richmond, Va.
Funny Car - 4.023 sec. by Ron Capps, Feb. '09, Chandler, Ariz.; 312.13 mph by Ashley Force Hood, April '09, Atlanta
Pro Stock - 6.509 sec. by Mike Edwards, Oct. '09, Richmond, Va.; 212.36 mph by Greg Anderson, Oct. '09, Richmond, Va.
PS Motorcycle - 6.851 sec. by Hector Arana, Sept. '09, Memphis, Tenn.; 197.45 mph by Andrew Hines, March '05, Gainesville, Fla.

(Top Fuel and Funny Car race distance is 1,000 feet; Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle race distance is 1,320 feet)

TICKETS: For tickets call Las Vegas Motor Speedway at (800) 644-4444, or visit www.LVMS.com.

GENERAL ADMISSION (includes pit pass) - Thursday: Adult, $16; Junior (6-12 years), free. Friday: Adult, $34; Junior (6-12 years), $11. Saturday: Adult, $55; Junior (6-12 years), $11. Sunday: Adult, $55; Junior (6-12 years) $16. Children five years and under admitted free to general admission and pit areas each day.

RESERVED SEATS (includes pit pass) - Friday: Adult, $44; Junior (6-12 years), $21; Child (Five and under), $11. Saturday: Adult, $65; Junior (6-12 years), $26; Child (Five and under), $11. Sunday: Adult, $65; Junior (6-12 years) $27; Child (Five and under), $11