NHRA Full Throttle coverage is presented by Sonny's Racing Engines.

September 2-6, 2011

THE BIG GO.....INDY

Final round results

Antron Brown raced to his third Lucas Oil Raceway win Monday as racing came to an end at the prestigious Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil.
Mike Neff, Greg Anderson and Hector Arana Jr. were also winners in their respective categories at the final race of the regular season before the start of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, the six-race playoffs to determine the world championships.

Brown became the first driver to win the historic event in both Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcycle when he powered his Matco Tools dragster to a 3.813-second run at 321.73 mph. The final round performance was enough to get past Del Worsham and secure his fifth win of the season and 30th of his career.

“Words cannot describe how this feels,” said Brown. “To come here and win at Indy, the biggest stage in drag racing, means so much. It just goes back to my childhood dream and sitting under those grandstands as a kid and saying ‘I want to do that one day.’ It’s the greatest feeling I’ve ever had.”

With the final regular season race complete, the Top Fuel field is set for the NHRA Countdown to the Championship. Worsham secured his No. 1 spot in the point standings during qualifying, while Kalitta Racing driver David Grubnic locked down the 10th and final spot after both Terry McMillen and Bob Vandergriff lost in the second round.

In Funny Car, Mike Neff drove his Castrol GTX Ford Mustang past Bob Tasca to secure his first Mac Tools U.S. Nationals win. Neff posted a run of 4.068 at 314.61 in the final round to take his fifth win of the season and sixth of his career. It was also John Force Racing’s fifth Mac Tools U.S. Nationals win in the past six seasons.

“This is the big one, the one you dream about,” said Neff. “It’s huge to win here. I’ve never won here as a driver or a crew chief so to be able to do it here as both was great. It probably hasn’t even sunk in yet.”

Neff secured his top spot in the Funny Car standings for the Countdown to the Championship during qualifying, while runner-up Tasca clinched the 10th and final spot after Johnny Gray lost in the first round to Daniel Wilkerson.

Pro Stock points leader Anderson continued his domination at Lucas Oil Raceway when he held off teammate Jason Line to earn his sixth Mac Tools U.S. Nationals win. Anderson and his Summit Racing Pontiac GXP posted a final-round run of 6.552 at 210.50 to get his fifth win of the season and 70th of his career. It was also his fourth win in the past six races.

“I feel like it’s my first and biggest win ever,” said Anderson. “Every time it happens up here it’s just special; it’s just magic. I love this place. I think some of the other racers might miss out on how important it is and what it means to race here. There’s so much history here. It’s just everything about drag racing.”

While Anderson locked up his No. 1 spot in the Countdown to the Championship, Ron Krisher secured the 10th and final spot when 11th-place driver Ronnie Humphrey lost to Allen Johnson in the second round.

Arana Jr. raced to his first career win in Pro Stock Motorcycle when he held off Jerry Savoie in the final round. Arana Jr. rode his Lucas Oil Buell to a 6.867 at 192.60 to take the win in his second consecutive final round appearance for the season.

“It has not sunk in on me yet,” said Arana Jr. “This is the biggest race of the year and I won it in my rookie year. For all my family, this is a hometown event and it just doesn’t get any better than this.”

Eddie Krawiec locked up the No. 1 spot in Pro Stock Motorcycle for the Countdown to the Championship while Jim Underdahl secured the final spot with his semifinal round finish.

The NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship begins at the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals, Sept. 15-18 at zMAX Dragway.

Monday's final results from the 57th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. The race is the 16th of 22 in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series-

Top Fuel -- Antron Brown, 3.813 seconds, 321.73 mph def. Del Worsham, 3.830 seconds, 320.43 mph.

Funny Car -- Mike Neff, Ford Mustang, 4.068, 314.61 def. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.147, 278.00.

Pro Stock -- Greg Anderson, Pontiac GXP, 6.552, 210.50 def. Jason Line, GXP, 6.538, 210.83.

Pro Stock Motorcycle -- Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.867, 192.60 def. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 7.005, 189.36.

Top Alcohol Dragster -- Bill Reichert, 5.322, 266.53 def. Duane Shields, 5.364, 271.95.

Top Alcohol Funny Car -- Frank Manzo, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.494, 264.55 def. Fred Tigges, Dodge Avenger, 5.595, 256.21.

Competition Eliminator -- Jirka Kaplan, '23-T Ford, 6.951, 211.63 def. Brian Browell, Dragster, 7.846, 125.46.

Super Stock -- Shane Carr, Chevy Cobalt, 8.542, 155.29 def. Gary Richard, Ford Mustang, 9.347, 143.87.

Stock Eliminator -- Jeff Teuton, Dodge Challenger, 11.055, 107.71 def. Sam Pourciau, Chevy Camaro, broke.

Super Comp -- Brian Folk, Dragster, 8.945, 161.40 def. Britt Cummings, Dragster, 8.911, 164.89.

Super Gas -- Ryan Herem, Chevy Corvette, 9.902, 149.03 def. Kevin Kleineweber, Chevy Lumina, 9.850, 159.49.

GSA Pro Mod weekend recap

Eric Dillard raced to his first career win Monday in the NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series at the prestigious Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil.
Dillard powered his R2B2 Race Cars '12 Mustang past runner-up Mike Castellana to a 5.830-second run at 253.99 mph to earn his first win in his first race appearance.

"It's really hard to take it all in," said Dillard. "I did some testing for Roger Burgess early in the year and he told me then that sometime this year I was going to get to race. He picked the U.S. Nationals, which you can't do any better than that."

Dillard held off drivers Kenny Lang, Rickie Smith and Melanie Troxel en route to the win. Kahlid Balooshi kept his top spot in the point standings with his second round appearance.

The NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series will return to action at the O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals, Sept. 15-18 at zMAX Dragway.

Points

1. Del Worsham 1,432
2. Antron Brown 1,322
3. Spencer Massey 1,232
4. Larry Dixon 1,191
5. Tony Schumacher 1,187
6. Doug Kalitta 827
7. Brandon Bernstein 825
8. Shawn Langdon 725
9. Morgan Lucas 704
10. David Grubnic 615
11. Terry McMillen 607
12. Bob Vandergriff 596
13. Rod Fuller 226
14. Troy Buff 218
15. Steve Torrence 207

Funny Car

1. Mike Neff 1,297
2. Jack Beckman 1,082
3. Robert Hight 1,076
4. Cruz Pedregon 1,017
5. Ron Capps 1,009
Matt Hagan 1,009
7. John Force 891
8. Bob Tasca III 827
9. Jeff Arend 812
10. Tim Wilkerson 802
11. Johnny Gray 719
12. Tony Pedregon 587
13. Melanie Troxel 521
14. Paul Lee 480
15. Jim Head 468

Pro Stock

1. Greg Anderson 1,339
2. Jason Line 1,286
3. Mike Edwards 1,200
4. Vincent Nobile 1,033
5. Erica Enders 1,021
6. Allen Johnson 1,001
7. Rodger Brogdon 973
8. Greg Stanfield 923
9. Shane Gray 699
10. Ron Krisher 659
11. Ronnie Humphrey 638
12. Larry Morgan 605
13. V. Gaines 579
14. Kurt Johnson 528
15. Warren Johnson 463

Pro Stock Motorcycle

1. Eddie Krawiec 789
2. LE Tonglet 741
3. Karen Stoffer 721
4. Andrew Hines 624
5. Hector Arana Jr 579
6. Matt Smith 568
7. Hector Arana 564
8. Jerry Savoie 537
9. Michael Phillips 512
10. Jim Underdahl 476
11. Chip Ellis 430
12. David Hope 368
13. Steve Johnson 360
14. Angie Smith 340
15. Mike Berry 334

Pro Mod

1. Khalid Balooshi 563
2. Danny Rowe 495
3. Mike Castellana 432
4. Kenny Lang 398
5. Rickie Smith 374
6. Ed Hoover 369
7. Melanie Troxel 362
8. Mike Janis 354
9. Roger Burgess 342
10. Raymond Commisso 325
11. Troy Coughlin 323
12. Dennis Radford 320
13. Donald Martin 294
14. Jay Payne 286
15. Brad Personett 273

Final qualifying

Cruz Pedregon set a track record for time as he raced to the No. 1 qualifying position in Funny Car on Sunday at the prestigious Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil.
Antron Brown, Jason Line and Andrew Hines also took the top spots in their respective categories at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.

Pedregon, who was quickest in four of the five qualifying sessions, powered his Snap-on Tools Toyota Camry to a blazing 4.026-second run at 314.24 mph. It is his fourth No. 1 qualifier of the season and 43rd of his career. Pedregon also set the track record for time at Lucas Oil Raceway in Funny Car.

“We got it all on that one,” said Pedregon. “The car ran our career best speed at halftrack. I’ve got to always credit the track because you can’t do that when the track isn’t there, but the track and weather were there for this run.”

Mike Neff clinched the No. 1 spot in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship with his ninth-place qualifying position in his Castrol GTX Ford Mustang. Neff will face John Force Racing teammate Robert Hight in the first round of eliminations Sunday.

Antron Brown stayed in the No. 1 spot in Top Fuel as qualifying came to an end. Brown drove his Matco Tools dragster to a 3.818 at 322.96 to get his second No. 1 qualifier of the season, second at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis and 28th of his career.

“I think we’re ready for tomorrow for sure,” said Brown. “Tomorrow is going to be just like this but the conditions will be even better. So we have to go back and go to work because tomorrow is going to be a whole new day. And it’s race day; it’s work day.”

Al-Anabi Racing dragster pilot Del Worsham clinched his top spot in the Countdown to the Championship with his second-place qualifying position, while GEICO Powersports/Lucas Oil dragster driver Morgan Lucas secured his spot with his ninth-place qualifying position.

In Pro Stock, Line came out on the last pass of Pro Stock qualifying and took the No. 1 qualifier away from his teammate Greg Anderson. Line drove his Summit Racing Pontiac GXP to a 6.603 at 209.01 to get his fourth No. 1 qualifier of the season and 21st of his career.

“To be honest, I have not done a very good job driving all weekend,” said Line. “I’ve struggled here in the past and I’d really like to get it out of my head, straighten it out and actually do a good job here. I have a good car so if we don’t tomorrow then it’s all on me. That being said, we’ve got a great hot rod and we just have to go up there and get it done.”

Service Central Pontiac GXP driver Shane Gray clinched his spot in the Countdown after qualifying 14th in the field.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Hines took the top spot with a stellar run in the final qualifying session. Hines powered his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson to a 6.909 at 193.90 to get his first No. 1 qualifier of the season, 29th of his career, and second at Lucas Oil Raceway.

“The two runs today were near flawless,” said Hines. “The V-Rod was going nice and straight down the track and that’s all due to the testing we did last week. We were able to work on things during testing and I think it really showed out there today.”

Hector Arana Jr. clinched his spot in the Countdown when he drove his Lucas Oil Buell to the fifth qualifying spot, while Michael Phillips run to the ninth spot in qualifying also clinched his berth in the Countdown to the Championship.

Eliminations for the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals will begin Monday at 11 a.m.

Top Fuel

1. Antron Brown Aaron's Dragster 3.818 322.96
2. Del Worsham Al-Anabi Dragster 3.836 321.12
3. Brandon Bernstein Copart Dragster 3.846 318.99
4. Spencer Massey Prestone/Fram Dragster 3.848 321.19
5. Larry Dixon Al-Anabi Racing Dragster 3.850 319.60
6. Tony Schumacher U.S. Army Dragster 3.856 320.36
7. Rod Fuller Yas Marina Circuit Dragster 3.885 319.37
8. Doug Kalitta MAC Tools Dragster 3.888 318.54
9. Morgan Lucas Geico Powersport/ Lucas Oil Dr 3.891 313.80
10. Terry McMillen Amalie Oil/UNOH Dragster 3.893 317.64
11. Bob Vandergriff C&J Energy Services Dragster 3.905 316.01
12. David Grubnic Candlewood Suites Dragster 3.913 310.91
13. Brady Kalivoda Warrior Racing Dragster 3.919 308.64
14. T.J. Zizzo Peak Motor Oil Dragster 3.919 301.27
15. Troy Buff Bill Miller Racing/Okuma Drags 3.930 305.77
16. Shawn Langdon Lucas Oil/Speedco Dragster 3.936 311.63
--------- Not Qualified ---------
17. Keith Murt Murtco Inc Dragster 3.949 305.91
18. Bruce Litton Lucas Oil/Stoops Dragster 3.971 311.70
19. Clay Millican Parts Plus Dragster 3.974 301.27
20. Pat Dakin Commercial Metal Fabrications 4.012 305.42
21. Cory McClenathan Rapisarda Racing Dragster 4.057 308.35
22. Fred Farndon Fabricating Technics Inc Drags 4.070 286.38
23. Chris Karamesines Lucas Oil Dragster 4.085 279.61
24. Luigi Novelli National Machine Repair Dragst 5.565 279.09
25. Scott Palmer Farmer's Insurance Dragster 9.332 162.94

Funny Car

1. Cruz Pedregon Snap-On Solara 4.026@ 314.24
2. Melanie Troxel ProCare RX Solara 4.068 313.73
3. Ron Capps NAPA Charger 4.069 314.31&
4. Matt Hagan Mopar Charger 4.071 309.13
5. Jack Beckman NextGen Charger 4.082 312.93
6. Daniel Wilkerson Summit Racing Equipment Mustan 4.090 307.37
7. John Force Castrol GTX Mustang 4.097 313.15
8. Robert Hight AAA of So. Cal Mustang 4.098 312.06
9. Mike Neff Ford Drive One Mustang 4.118 309.63
10. Bob Tasca III Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang 4.120 309.06
11. Johnny Gray Service Central Charger 4.124 308.85
12. Paul Lee Jim Dunn/Rislone/Bars Leaks Im 4.136 307.86
13. Tim Wilkerson Levi Ray & Shoup Mustang 4.138 302.96
14. Jim Head Head Racing Solara 4.147 305.63
15. Bob Bode Alard Machine Products Solara 4.185 295.79
16. Jeff Arend DHL Solara 4.195 299.60
--------- Not Qualified ---------
17. Tony Pedregon K Love Impala SS 4.208 299.26
18. Jon Capps Biesenbach Inc. Monte Carlo 4.230 287.53
19. Terry Haddock Acme Refining Solara 4.276 296.24
20. Justin Schriefer Creasy Family Camaro 4.415 279.79

Pro Stock

1. Jason Line Summit Racing Equipment GXP 6.603 209.01
2. Greg Anderson Summit Racing Equipment GXP 6.610 208.55
3. Mike Edwards Penhall/K&N/Interstae GXP 6.613 208.59
4. Allen Johnson Mopar/J & J Racing Avenger 6.623 208.33
5. Ronnie Humphrey Genuine Hot Rod Hardware GXP 6.630 207.88
6. Vincent Nobile Mountainview Tire Avenger 6.633 208.42
7. Rodger Brogdon The Edge GXP 6.637 207.15
8. Erica Enders ZaZa Energy Cobalt 6.645 207.43
9. Kurt Johnson Pietroj #1 GXP 6.646 207.62
10. V. Gaines Kendall Oil Avenger 6.648 207.53
11. Chris McGaha Elite Motorsports GXP 6.656 206.95
12. Ron Krisher Valvoline GXP 6.662 207.72
13. Greg Stanfield Nitrofish GXP 6.663 206.61
14. Shane Gray Service Central GXP 6.665 206.51
15. Mark Martino Desantis Crane Service GXP 6.671 206.54
16. Buddy Perkinson Wealth Mgt Strategies/AXA Must 6.674 206.70
--------- Not Qualified ---------
17. Steve Kent Kent Trucking & Services GXP 6.683 206.70
18. Larry Morgan Lucas Oil/Summit Mustang 6.688 206.48
19. Warren Johnson K&N Filters GXP 6.689 207.02
20. Steve Spiess Billet Specialties Cobalt 6.702 204.20
21. Grace Howell Cunningham Sand & Gravel Musta 6.715 204.60
22. Bob Benza BNB Racing GXP 6.726 205.04
23. Steve Schmidt Family Leisure Cobalt 6.748 204.11
24. Mark Hogan EMSI Inc. GTO 6.777 204.76
25. Paul Pittman Twist & Shout Racing Cobalt 6.788 203.34
26. Kevin Lawrence Modern Carriage Werks Cobalt 6.817 201.46
27. Frank Gugliotta F5 Motorsports Mustang NT
28. Dave River River Racing Cobalt NT

Pro Stock Motorcycle

1. Andrew Hines Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 6.909 193.90
2. Matt Smith Matt Smith Racing Buell 6.936 190.97
3. Karen Stoffer Geico Suzuki 6.940 192.11
4. LE Tonglet Nitrofish Suzuki 6.947 190.38
5. Hector Arana Jr Lucas Oil Buell 6.950 193.65
6. Eddie Krawiec Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines 6.953 192.28
7. Hector Arana Lucas Oil Buell 6.961 192.55
8. Chip Ellis Kuryakyn Buell 6.962 190.92
9. Michael Phillips The Edge Suzuki 6.985 193.29
10. Mike Berry Varoom/ LAT Racing Oil Buell 6.985 188.44
11. David Hope VRoom Racing Buell 6.987 190.30
12. Angie Smith Matt Smith Racing Buell 7.012 190.73
13. Steve Johnson Steve Johnson Racing Suzuki 7.022 190.14
14. Jerry Savoie SAF & Motorcycles Specalities 7.024 190.75
15. Jim Underdahl Suzuki Extended Protection Suz 7.041 190.35
16. Shawn Gann Dirt World Nation Buell 7.047 188.31
--------- Not Qualified ---------
17. Michael Ray GottSpeed/Star Racing Buell 7.066 186.74
18. Matt Guidera Rocklin Motorsports Buell 7.066 187.05
19. Bailey Whitaker Rum Bum Buell 7.099 188.10
20. Justin Finley Nextlevel Suzuki 7.133 187.44
21. James Surber Kosman Specialties Buell 7.185 185.38
22. Dawn Minturn Red Dawn Racing Suzuki 7.216 183.29
23. Redell Harris No Limit Racing Buell 7.320 185.33
24. Wesley Wells Kendall Suzuki 7.354 182.70
25. Odolph Daniels L'Juas Restaurant Suzuki 7.936 176.01
26. Joe DeSantis Gruene Harley-Davidson Suzuki 12.146 185.23
27. GT Tonglet GT Motorsports Suzuki NT

TAD

1. Chase Copeland Snowman Racing A/FD 5.280 279.90
2. Bill Reichert Bars Leak/Rislone A/FD 5.350 266.37
3. Chris Demke Peen-Rite-Abrasive Finishing B 5.374 266.37
4. Richard Bourke Bourke Bros. A/FD 5.412 260.91
5. Duane Shields Shortline Express 5.417 266.79
6. Robin Samsel Samsel/Goodson A/FD 5.435 254.76
7. Rich McPhillips Audubon Service Center A/FD 5.445 260.11
8. Marty Thacker Rapid Transit B/AD 5.449 262.95
9. Brandon Booher AB Construction/Goodson B/AD 5.470 259.11
10. Sidnei Frigo Artivinco Racing A/FD 5.472 260.06
11. Jared Dreher SmallEngineFuel A/FD 5.483 254.38
12. Brian Mans Bolt Tech B/AD 5.518 263.31
13. Randy Meyer Meyer Truck Center A/FD 5.522 261.47
14. Karen Stalba A.A. Auto Salvage A/FD 5.563 249.21
15. Michael Manners COSMO Aquygen A/FD 5.597 260.66
16. Matthew Cummings Cummings Leasing B/AD 5.605 255.92
--------- Not Qualified ---------
17. Jerry Powell Medicine Man B/AD 5.621 253.04
18. Dave Hirata Friction Unlimited A/FD 5.629 254.71

TAFC

1. Frank Manzo Al Anabi Racing Monte Carlo 5.559 259.91
2. Tony Bartone Centre Pointe Collision Mustan 5.574 259.46
3. Fred Hagen Dark Horse Mustang 5.606 256.11
4. John Lombardo Jr. NAPA/Pro Series/Lucas Oil Mont 5.654 256.55
5. Alexis De Joria Tequila Patron Monte Carlo 5.655 259.16
6. Fred Tigges Tigges Racing Avenger 5.663 253.71
7. Thomas Carter Jawbreaker Motorsports Mustang 5.674 254.52
8. Cassie Simonton Kon Rodz Racing Monte Carlo 5.688 253.99
9. Jay Payne FireIce Mustang 5.703 256.06
10. Shane Westerfield CP Pistons Monte Carlo 5.708 253.09
11. Steve Gasparrelli Gasparrelli Racing Monte Carlo 5.712 254.38
12. John Bojec PAC Valve Springs Monte Carlo 5.719 250.23
13. Vern Moats Kendall Motor Oil Mustang 5.771 252.43
14. Brian Harvanek All Time Trucking Camaro 5.778 247.75
15. Kris Hool Gripper Monte Carlo 5.780 254.42
16. Brent Henry 21Ten Life Shotz Monte Carlo 5.789 250.27
--------- Not Qualified ---------
17. Paul Noakes Sportz Truck Tents Trans Am 5.814 251.49
18. Bryan Brown EmpireIronWorks.com Monte Carl 5.825 247.11
19. Tony Bogolo Victory Valves Mustang 5.914 239.65
20. Rick Cortino D3 Outdoor Firebird 5.948 239.48
21. Don Devault Devault Motorsports Camaro 6.026 242.58
22. Chris Foster AmeriGas Mustang 9.415 97.55
23. Steve Franke Franke Motorsports Camaro 11.798 46.27

Pro Mod

1. Melanie Troxel RoadRage.com *'53 Corvette 5.907 251.25
2. Mike Castellana Al-Anabi n'69 Camaro 5.931 240.12
3. Jay Payne FireIce *'68 Camaro 5.953 240.21
4. Rickie Smith IDG n'12 Camaro 5.968 236.38
5. James Eric Dillard R2B2 Racing '12 Mustang 5.973 251.72
6. Mike Janis Eaton *'11 Mustang 5.974 240.68
7. Khalid Balooshi Speedtech n'68 Camaro 5.985 240.29
8. Burton Auxier Al-Anabi '68 Firebird 5.996 238.55
9. Donald Martin Sterling Bridge *'68 Camaro 6.020 242.32
10. Troy Coughlin Jeg's t'07 GTO 6.025 248.84
11. Rickie Jones Quarter Max n'69 Camaro 6.032 239.74
12. Kenny Lang Summit Racing Equipment *'69 C 6.055 235.43
13. Dave Pierce Dave's RV '68 Camaro 6.065 234.37
14. Dennis Radford Radford Trucking n'70 Duster 6.066 234.74
15. Raymond J Matos n'70 Barracuda 6.066 232.27
16. Scott Ray Ohio Crankshaft *'53 Corvette 6.078 234.13
--------- Not Qualified ---------
17. Danny Rowe Sterline Bridge *'68 Camaro 6.084 242.67
18. Ed Hoover Trussell *'68 Camaro 6.092 236.26
19. Leah Pruett ProCare RX '68 Camaro 6.106 242.58
20. Dan Stevenson Stevenson Crane Rental '70 Cam 6.128 232.11
21. Ike Maier *'63 Corvette 6.136 229.39
22. Matt Smith IDG '11 Camaro 6.164 237.34
23. Chuck Cheeseman *'63 Corvette 6.167 231.83
24. Pete Farber T.J. & Sons Auto Repair *'69 D 6.183 236.92
25. Steve Matusek Roush Yates t'10 Mustang 6.426 235.10
26. Chip King Strutmasters t'69 Daytona 13.087 65.62