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Posted on 03/14/2009 4:53:38 PM PDT by flattorney
SBIP/APBA: Apr 17-19, 19th Annual Miami Super Boat Grand Prix (Season Opener)
NASCAR Talladega: Apr 25-26, Aaron's 312 and Aaron's 499
# # # # #
This has been a very long hours work week. I will try to finish the NHRA Atlanta lead post tonight or early Saturday morning otherwise need to skip this event. My friends and I are attending the Miami SBGP on Sunday. It's always fun and the weather will be nice this weekend. - TAB
I know the feeling. I'm about two pages behind on pings.
Thank you for the work you have done posting here.
I have been amazed at the amount of work that you do; seriously; as I scroll through the threads my mouth is agape at all the work that you have invested.
Thank You. It has been enjoyable to read and see all your good work.
This May I go back to work in the sports world too, but the setup time started last week. Love the summers, but they are work.
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29th annual |
| WEDNESDAY, April 15, 2009 |
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| Sponsor Midway Parking | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM | |
| Competitor Parking, Registration & Tech (all categories) | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM | |
| THURSDAY, April 16, 2009 |
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| Spectator Gates Open |
8:00 AM
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| Registration/Tech Inspection (all categories) |
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
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| Sportsman Qualifying |
9:00 AM
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| Comp Eliminator Qualifying Session |
4:00 PM
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| Secure Track |
5:00 PM
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| FRIDAY, April 17, 2009 |
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| Spectator Gates Open |
7:30 AM
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| Registration/Tech Inspection (Pro's only) |
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
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| Sportsman Qualifying/Eliminations |
8:00 AM
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| Comp Eliminator Qualifying Session |
2:30 PM
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| Pro Stock Qualifying Session (PS Motorcycle / PS Car) |
3:00 PM
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| Nitro Qualifying Session (Funny Car / Top Fuel Dragster) |
4:00 PM
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| Comp Eliminator Qualifying Session |
5:00 PM
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| Pro Stock Qualifying Session (PS Motorcycle / PS Car) |
5:30 PM
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| Nitro Qualifying Session (Funny Car / Top Fuel Dragster) |
6:30 PM
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| Secure Track |
8:00 PM
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| SATURDAY, April 18, 2009 |
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| Spectator Gates Open |
7:30 AM
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| Sportsman Eliminations |
8:00 AM
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| Comp Eliminator - Round 1 |
10:30 AM
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| Pro Stock Qualifying Session (PS Motorcycle / PS Car) |
11:30 AM
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| Nitro Qualifying Session (Top Fuel Dragster / Funny Car) |
12:30 PM
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| Comp Eliminator - Round 2 |
1:30 PM
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| Pro Stock Qualifying Session (PS Motorcycle / PS Car) |
2:00 PM
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| Nitro Qualifying Session (Top Fuel Dragster / Funny Car) |
3:00 PM
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| Secure Track |
7:00 PM
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| SUNDAY, April 19, 2009 |
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| Spectator Gates Open |
7:30 AM
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| Sportsman Eliminations |
9:00 AM
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| Pre-Race Ceremonies |
10:00 AM
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| Final Eliminations |
11:00 AM
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| Secure Event |
4:30 PM
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| Schedule subject to change | ||
FC Ashley and John qualified number 1 and 2 after two rounds:
1. Ashley Force Hood, Castrol GTX Mustang, 4.073 @ 310.05
2. John Force, Castrol GTX Mustang, 4.100 @ 306.19
PS Greg sets both ET and MPH track records in both qualifying runs.
Hopefully this is finally his Wally weekend.
PS Qual 1: 1. Greg Anderson, Summit Racing Equipment GXP, 6.574(*) @ 210.93(*)
PS Qual 2: 1. Greg Anderson, Summit Racing Equipment GXP, 6.568(*) @ 210.93(*)
* Track Record
TF Bob Vandergriff Jr. is finally back. Per track report, team looks like they have been racing all season.
Q1 #5. Bob Vandergriff, Speedco Dragster, 3.895 @ 302.62
Q2 #4. Bob Vandergriff, Speedco Dragster, 3.878 @ 314.39
04.14.09 Speedco speeds into two-race sponsorship with Bob Vandergriff Jr.
Speedco, which already is a sponsor of reigning NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Pro Stock world champ Jeg Coughlin, the NHRA Contingency program, and numerous Sportsman racing entries, will increase its presence with a title sponsorship of Top Fuel racer Bob Vandergriff Jr. at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals in Atlanta. Speedco, which had sponsored Vandergirff's efforts on a smaller scale, also has sponsored drivers in Pro Stock, including Bruce Allen and Tim Freeman, but this marks the company's initial major sponsorship in NHRA's fuel classes.
Speedco, the only national network to specialize in quick-lube and tire service for heavy-duty trucks, was quick to see the value in such an association, and Vandergriff will proudly fly the Speedco colors in Atlanta. The marketing agreement also will include the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, and Vandergriff is not only thankful for the support but also believes it will provide a much-needed boost for a number of other potential sponsor programs he is discussing. "Mark Clark and the team at Speedco have been longtime supporters of our racing efforts, and we're thrilled to be able to run the Speedco colors at our home track in Georgia as well as at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis," Vandergriff said.
"Our long relationship with Speedco was the key to this program, and it would benefit both of us if we could put a full sponsor program together and get back out on the tour with Speedco as part of the program in an associate role. They're helping us get on the track this weekend, and hopefully we can help them by using this race to raise our profile and put a full deal together with some of the people we continue to talk to. I don't think there's any substitute for being on the racetrack when it comes to giving a potential sponsor a taste for what we can do and what NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing is all about. You have to see it, and feel it, to believe it." Vandergriff's former crew chief, Jim Dupuy, along with a number of his former crewmembers, will return for both this weekend's race and the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil during Labor Day weekend at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. - Credit: NHRA
TAB, JJ
1987 NHRA Southern Nationals, Atlanta Dragway. In the above photo, Gary's streamliner was his team's answer to Don Garlits' streamliner.January 17, 2009, DSR Press Release: Team owner Don Schumacher announced today that tuner Lee Beard will join Don Schumacher Racing as team manager for the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Beard's responsibilities will include overseeing the operations of each of the six pro teams under the DSR umbrella as well as the in-house research and development programs at the DSR facility in Brownsburg, Ind. Lee Beard had tuned Whit Bazemore to 12 Funny Car national-event wins in 28 final rounds while at DSR from 2001-2005. He's been a crew chief since 1976 and has tuned both Top Fuel and Funny Cars to 57 NHRA national-event victories. His record also includes a Top Fuel crown with the late Gary Ormsby in 1989, and he was instrumental as a team manager when Cruz Pedregon won the 1992 Funny Car championship. He has also tuned for Ed McCulloch, Kenny Bernstein, Cory McClenathan, Rod Fuller and most recently Antron Brown. Beard drove Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars in the early '70s and was named the Crew Chief of the Year and Person of the Year in 1989 by Car Craft Magazine.
1987 At Pomona, Gary's carbon fiber streamliner body shorted out the engine's magneto resulting in a huge explosion and fire.
1989 NHRA Top Fuel Champion (with legendary crew chief Lee Beard)
1990 Almost won second NHRA Top Fuel Championship, again with Lee Beard
1991 With no prior warning, Gary developed gastrointestinal cancer. He lost his battle on August 28th.
<> Gary was a first class individual and drag racer. His untimely death rocked the drag racing community. Here is an excellent October 2008 article about Gary entitled "Lee Beard: Remembering One Of The Best Guys To Ever Enter The Sport". Lee is also an outstanding individual and one of the nicest people you could ever meet at the drag strip. He is currently team manager for Don Schumacher Racing. Press Release included below. ~ FlA
TAB
JFR_Racinghttp://twitpic.com/3inq5 - Afh makes up answers 4 espn
Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed
1. Spencer Massey US Smokeless Dragster 3.820 311.20
2. Brandon Bernstein Budweiser/Lucas Oil Dragster 3.824 315.64
3. Morgan Lucas Geico Powersport/ Lucas Oil 3.844 310.70
4. Tony Schumacher U.S. Army Dragster 3.851 309.98
5. Antron Brown Matco Tools Dragster 3.867 311.99
6. Bob Vandergriff Speedco Dragster 3.878 314.39
7. Larry Dixon Al-Anabi Racing Dragster 3.881 310.98
8. Shawn Langdon Lucas Oil/Dixie Chopper Drag 3.886 305.98
9. Doug Kalitta Kalitta M'Spts No.50 Dragster 3.891 310.41
10. Cory McClenathan Fram Dragster 3.901 307.86
11. Terry Haddock Dragster 3.915 301.47
12. Clay Millican MPE Motorsports Dragster 3.917 311.92
13. Terry McMillen Amalie Oil Dragster 3.958 304.32
14. Joe Hartley Hartley Racing Dragster 3.959 304.19
15. Bobby Lagana Jr. NTB Dragster 3.976 304.19
16. Troy Buff Bill Miller Racing/Okuma Drags 3.997 259.91
--------- Not Qualified ---------
17. Todd Paton Tim Horton's Dragster 4.038 285.05
18. Luigi Novelli National Machine Repair Dragst 4.180 296.96
19. Chris Karamesines Strange/Chizler Dragster NT
FUNNY CAR Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed
1. Ashley Force Hood Castrol GTX Mustang 4.073 310.05
2. John Force Castrol GTX Mustang 4.100 306.19
3. Ron Capps NAPA Auto Parts Charger 4.101 299.26
4. Tony Pedregon Herzog/Palms Impala 4.104 303.71
5. Matt Hagan Shelor.com Charger 4.114 303.84
6. Tim Wilkerson Levi, Ray, Shoup Mustang 4.120 304.53
7. Jack Beckman Valvoline/MTS Charger 4.120 304.05
8. Mike Neff JFR/Ford Mustang 4.125 303.43
9. Jim Head Team Strange Apparel Solara 4.142 300.66
10. Robert Hight AAA of So. Cal Mustang 4.144 299.86
11. Bob Tasca III Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang 4.148 297.81
12. Cruz Pedregon Advance Auto Parts Solara 4.154 303.23
13. Jeff Arend DHL Solara 4.160 301.33
14. Mike Smith Diamond Trucking Monte Carlo 4.192 297.75
15. Jerry Toliver Canidae Pet Food Monte Carlo 4.201 299.13
16. Del Worsham Al-Anabi Racing Solara 4.210 298.34
--------- Not Qualified ---------
17. Andy Kelley Serenity Limousine Stratus 4.401 279.90
PRO STOCK Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed
1. Greg Anderson Summit Racing Equipment GXP 6.557@ 210.93
2. Mike Edwards Young Life/Penhall GXP 6.565 210.28
3. Jason Line Summit Racing Equipment GXP 6.570 211.13
4. Ron Krisher Valvoline Cobalt 6.574 209.69
5. Jeg Coughlin Jegs.com Cobalt 6.578 210.14
6. Greg Stanfield Attitude Apparel GXP 6.581 210.01
7. Allen Johnson Mopar/JJ Racing Stratus 6.582 209.85
8. Warren Johnson KN Filters GXP 6.598 211.26&
9. Johnny Gray Johnny Gray Racing Stratus 6.599 209.14
10. Larry Morgan Lucas Oil Stratus 6.604 209.14
11. Rickie Jones Quarter-Max/RJ Stratus 6.616 208.94
12. V. Gaines Kendall Oil Stratus 6.617 208.26
13. Rodger Brogdon Charter GXP 6.624 208.94
14. Tom Hammonds Race For Achievement Cobalt 6.625 208.65
15. Steve Spiess Spiess Construction Cobalt 6.629 208.55
16. Kurt Johnson AC Delco Cobalt 6.638 209.10
--------- Not Qualified ---------
17. Ronnie Humphrey Troy Humphrey Stratus 6.640 208.71
18. Justin Humphreys RaceRedi Motorsports GXP 6.692 207.66
19. Dave Northrop Nitro Fish Wear Stratus 6.723 207.62
20. Erica Enders Dragstar Racing Mustang 6.731 204.63
21. John Gaydosh Jr Gaydosh Performance GTO 6.769 204.01
## @ = Track ET Record | & = Track Speed Record
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE Psn Rider Vehicle ET Speed
1. Andrew Hines Screamin' Eagle/Vance-Hines 6.877@ 195.25&
2. Eddie Krawiec Screamin' Eagle/Vance-Hines 6.881 195.05
3. Matt Smith Nitrofish Suzuki 6.890 194.63
4. Karen Stoffer Geico Suzuki 6.912 193.24
5. Douglas Horne Horne Racing Buell 6.915 193.57
6. Hector Arana Lucas Oil Buell 6.924 194.02
7. Craig Treble Team Scream Suzuki 6.929 194.52
8. Junior Pippin Stone Mtn-Granite Mtn 6.938 192.25
9. Shawn Gann Rum Bum Racing Buell 6.959 190.27
10. Matt Guidera Rocklin Motorsports Buell 6.963 191.13
11. Wesley Wells Kendall Suzuki 6.986 191.21
12. Michael Phillips MPR-Damn Sport Suzuki 6.987 195.08
13. Angie McBride NitroFish/MSR/Redline Oil 6.992 188.44
14. Steve Johnson Steve Johnson Racing Wyotech 7.003 189.71
15. LE Tonglet Suzuki 7.077 188.78
16. Mike Berry MB Machining/LAT Racing Oil 7.081 187.83
--------- Not Qualified ---------
17. David Hope VRoom Racing Buell 7.107 187.96
18. Katie Sullivan Susuki 7.120 186.46
19. Ryan Schnitz Team Muzzy Kawasaki 7.139 185.28
20. Darin McCurdy GM Racing Suzuki 7.152 186.92
21. Bailey Whitaker Rum Bum Buell 7.157 185.56
22. Joe DeSantis Javelina H-D Green H-D Suzuk 7.200 189.82
23. Redell Harris Master P/No Limit Record Suzuk 7.463 180.00
24. James Surber South County Cycles Racing NT
## @ = Track ET Record | & = Track Speed Record
Qualifying Notes & Track Update:
Atlanta Dragway's racing surface was ground smooth during the off-season. The sand trap was also updated. Per track reports both lanes were about the same during the four qualifying sessions.
TF Don Prudhomme's rookie driver Spencer Massey ran very fast in all four rounds of qualifying and is #1 with a 3.820 @ 311.20. Bob Vandergriff, Jr. skipped the final session to save parts and settled for #6.
FC Princess and Pop's Force remained strong in Q4 and finished at #1 and #2. Will John play dead possum again tomorrow? Team Force Robert Hight is on John's side of the eliminations ladder. Ashley and Mike Neff are on the other side. If both Ashley and Mike win E1 they face each other in E2. Same for John and Robert.
PS Q3: For the third time this weekend Anderson resets track ET record and is still No. 1 qualifier:
1. Greg Anderson Summit Racing Equipment GXP 6.557 @ 210.93
--- After four sessions, Greg is still King of the Hill.
PSM Andrew Hines' Screamin' Eagle is screaming this weekend. In Q2 he set a track ET record and Q4 set a track MPH record.
Sunday Weather Forecast: Chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the morning...then showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Some thunderstorms may be severe in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 60s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70-80%. -- The current hourly forecast calls for light rain to start at 10 am tomorrow and turn into thunder showers by 1 pm, lasting the rest of daylight hours. # JJ
Credit: NHRA, Summit FastNews, NWS, FlA & Co.
MAR, JJ
SBIP/APBA: Apr 17-19, 19th Annual Miami Super Boat Grand Prix (Season Opener)
Be safe tomorrow. Flat side up!
I'm excited for Ashley in Atlanta. Another win would be grand! Hope no rain tomorrow.
Spring Nats FedX came Monday,,, marvey! Fla you missed the count. In the Sunday afternoon group pic I counted 73 heads.
Hubby and I watched on cable the Darrell Gwynn Foundation car being auctioned at Palm Beach. DG looked and sounded grand. His efforts and wheelchairs program is wonderful,,,, God bless him!
Been meaning to ask,,,,what in the world is going on with her in your posted pic? Wild times ;-)
Bests to everyone!
Lewislynn, my hubby loves this forum. Thx for letting us know about it.
Hope your wife is doing better,,, prayers.
The H.A.M.B (Jalopy Journal) Has over 70,000 members from all over the world...It is THEE go to place for hot rodders...It's my opinion that The H.A.M.B. is the FreeRepublic of hot rodding.
Glad your husband enjoys it.
Oh I wouldn’t say it’s any worse than any other place that packs in 200,000 people. Traffic does seem to move faster south than north, so it also depends on where you are heading after the race.
Not sure if they are discounting like other tracks now, but I’ve paid from $40, front row backstretch, to $140, midway up front stretch. There are combination packages for all the races, trucks too in the fall, that run about $120-170. The lower you sit, the cheaper the tickets because you can’t see as much. The lower you go though, the more you “feel” the horsepower. I’d recommend front front for everyone at least once. ;)
Can't wait for tonight's eliminations show...hopefully John will not have to face a teammate so he can win one!!
 Morgan Lucas
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The other winners at the sixth of 24 races in the NHRA Full Throttle Series season were Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle). Pro Stock was postponed by rain with Jeg Coughlin and Mike Edwards scheduled to meet in the final round Monday morning.
It took Lucas five years and five final-round appearances to get his first win so waiting out the five hours of rain delays was only a minor hurdle. The 26-year old Lucas pedaled his GEICO Powersports/Lucas Oil dragster to a 5.231 at 162.86 to narrowly beat the 27-year old Massey's tire-spinning 5.418 at 145.25 in his U.S. Smokeless dragster.
"I've had five years to think about this. It's probably one of the most exciting moments of my life, if not the most exciting moment. I don't even know how to talk right now I'm so excited," said Lucas, who was competing in his 107th career race. "This is what I've dreamed about for years." It was also Massey's best NHRA event of the season.
 Jack Beckman
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"On paper, Ashley's car had us whipped," said Beckman, who lost to Force Hood two races earlier in final round in Houston. "That car has been the class of the field. But, that's why we race. Anything can happen when you have 8,000 horsepower of nitro in the tank. It's such an awesome feeling after losing to Ashley at the Spring Nationals."
Beckman defeated a quartet of Ford Mustangs - including Robert Hight, John Force and Tim Wilkerson - en route to his first win of the year and seventh of his career. And by day's end Beckman moved up from seventh to second place and Force Hood remained in third place in the Full Throttle Points Standings.
 Eddie Krawiec
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"This is something I was waiting for - to get my first Wally and be able to put it up on my mantle next to my (2008 NHRA Full Throttle Series) championship trophy is just awesome," Krawiec said.
Mike Edwards Closes Out Rain-delayed Southern Nationals with first 2009 Pro Stock Win
 Edwards (near lane) vs Coughlin
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It was the first win of 2009 for Edwards, who solidified his third-place position in the Pro Stock standings; Coughlin, who slowed to a 7.190 in the final round, remained in first place after six of 24 races in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season have been completed.
 Mike Edwards
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"It doesn't matter if you win on Sunday or Monday - it's an unbelievable challenge to win (a Pro Stock race). You can't make a mistake and win in this class," Edwards said.
For Edwards, the win was a bit of personal vindication as his A.R.T./Young Life Pontiac GXP has been at the head of the ultra-competitive Pro Stock category with a class-best three No. 1 qualifiers, but no wins before Monday.
"Our performance has been good all year, as good as anybody's in (Pro Stock). We've just had a little bit of trouble on Sunday (raceday)," Edwards said. "If that's what it takes to win (racing on Monday instead of Sunday), we'll come back on Monday every race."
Southern Nationals NHRA Full Throttle Series Final Results:
Top Fuel: Morgan Lucas, 5.231 seconds @ 162.86 mph defeats Spencer Massey, 5.418 @ 145.25
Funny Car: Jack Beckman, 4.128 @ 303.43 def Ashley Force Hood, 4.157 @ 248.39
Pro Stock: Mike Edwards, 6.645 @ 208.17 def Jeg Coughlin, 7.190 @ 155.11
Pro Stock Motorcycle: Eddie Krawiec, 6.902 @ 192.91 def Douglas Horne, 6.949 @ 191.13
04.19.09: John Force Racing Final Atlanta Report: “Fast Jack” Beckman avenged a final round loss to Ashley Force Hood at last month’s O’Reilly Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park, spoiling what could have been a career day for the driver of the Castrol GTX Ford Mustang at Atlanta Dragway. Beckman, who taught Ashley and her sisters to drive in the Super Comp class, saved his best run for last Sunday and his 4.128 second effort was just good enough to hold off Ashley’s No. 1-qualifying Ford, which encountered problems down track and slowed to 4.157 at only 248.39 miles per hour in the final round of the 29th annual Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals.
It was an unexpected result, especially since Ashley had recorded the quickest time and fastest speed during the qualifying phase and then repeated that performance in each of the first three rounds with times of 4.078, 4.082 and 4.079 seconds. Her three best speeds on race day – 310.48, 311.41 and 312.13 mph – were the three fastest since the course was shortened from a quarter mile to 1,000 feet last year following the death of two-time world champion Scott Kalitta.
While Ashley was turning heads with the performance of her green-and-white Mustang, the other three Team Castrol Fords were making an early exit and two of them also were victimized by Beckman’s Dodge. Robert Hight was the first to fall in the Automobile Club of Southern California Ford and, after Mike Neff had lost to Ashley, John Force fell to Beckman by a margin of .003 of a second. The victory enabled Beckman to move up to second in points behind teammate Ron Capps, one point ahead of Force Hood, who was bidding for her second straight victory at Atlanta Dragway.
The NHRA Full Throttle Series resumes May 1 - 3 with the 13th annual O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway International Raceway, St. Louis. FlA & Co. has news and insider updates to be posted the first week of May. -- Credits: DRO, Summit FastNews Network, JFR, edits/adds FlA & Co.
TAB
Thanks for the Ping!
I’m happy that Schumacher/Force did not win; some fresh air in drag racing.
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