Sat, 16 Aug 2014, 16:20 PM Top Alcohol Dragster Round 1 Eliminations

By Larry Sullivan

BRAINERD, Minn. - Results of round 1 eliminations in Top Alcohol Dragster at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, 33rd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals:

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
  613 Joey Severance                             Bye
E1   ****WINNER****  0.081  5.267 269.56     
 Qualified:             #1  5.289 268.44                     Bye

2:54 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 83 degrees, relative humidity 60 percent, barometer 28.54 inches, adjusted altitude 4,103 feet, track temperature 115 degrees.

Severance used his bye run to once again run low ET of the meet. His worst run this weekend, a 5.309, is still quicker than anyone else has run this weekend.

Joey Severance's incremental times: 60ft-0.890 sec., 330ft-2.329, 660ft-3.462/218.72 mph, 1,000ft-4.436.

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
  596 Randy Meyer                            58 Dean Dubbin                  
E1   ****WINNER****  0.165  5.412 265.74                     0.028 14.048  55.12
 Qualified:             #2  5.333 269.56                       #13  6.199 252.61

So far, Meyer has come closest to being able to run with Severance.

Meyer's tries spun on the launch, killing his chances of catching up with Severance. Dubbin has struggled all weekend and was off the pace once again, slowing almost immediately.

Meyer will get a free tuning pass in the quarterfinals, he has a bye to the semifinals.

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
 5050 Scott Palmer                          589 Gordon Gingles               
E1                         No Time           ****WINNER****  0.077  5.682 256.60
 Qualified:            #12  6.005 180.91                        #3  5.358 270.27

Palmer was a no-show, breaking on his final qualifying run earlier today.

Gingles was off-pace and slowed before the stripe.

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
  539 Clif Bakx                               7 Rich McPhillips              
E1   ****WINNER****  0.064  5.527 258.71                           No Time      
 Qualified:            #10  5.557 256.26                        #5  5.368 260.76

Bakx was supposed to face McPhillips, but McPhillips was also a no-show, so "The Bull" and "The Bull II" were both unchallenged in the first round.

Bakx used the competition bye to make his best run of the event.

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
  489 Chase Copeland                        765 Duane Shields                
E1                   0.070  5.567 256.80     ****WINNER****  0.083  5.481 265.90
 Qualified:             #9  5.492 253.42                        #6  5.371 264.44

Copeland and Shields have each won 1 time against the other in prior events.

Great drag race, but Shields ran Copeland down before half track and pulled away for the win.

Duane Shields' incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.051), 330 ft(-0.016), 660ft(0.021), 1,000ft(0.047). MOV: 0.0738 seconds (approximately 28 feet). He will have lane choice against Gingles in the quarterfinals.

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
  144 Tripp Tatum                             9 Robin Samsel                 
E1   ****WINNER****  0.086  5.418 262.59                     0.097  5.418 261.57
 Qualified:             #7  5.429 259.31                        #8  5.430 261.32

This is Trip Tatum's first year and his first national event, so it's the first time he and Samsel have faced each other in eliminations.

Tatum had a small holeshot, then they ran identical ETs and Tatum's small holeshot turned into a narrow win.

Tripp Tatum's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(0.034), 330 ft(0.003), 660ft(-0.003), 1,000ft(0.004). MOV: 0.0115 seconds (approximately 4 feet).

Tripp Tatum's incremental times: 60ft-0.952 sec., 330ft-2.478, 660ft-3.615/220.91 mph, 1,000ft-4.579.
Robin Samsel's incremental times: 60ft-0.975 sec., 330ft-2.470, 660ft-3.601/220.76 mph, 1,000ft-4.572.

Tatum will face Severance in the quarterfinals, Severance has lane choice.

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
   47 Aaron Tatum                             5 Bill Reichert                
E1                   0.040  5.734 255.63     ****WINNER****  0.080  5.492 259.11
 Qualified:            #11  5.632 260.11                        #4  5.366 264.39

Tatum left first, but Reichert had the lead ebfore they went 60 feet and then steadily pulled away for the win. He will have lane choice against Bakx in the quarterfinals.

Timing data courtesy of CompuLink



NHRA: 10 Most Recent Entries [ top ]

Oct 27- Penwell Knights Raceway Joins NHRA Member Track Network for the First Time in Division 4
Oct 27- LAS VEGAS - Ted Wiens Trick or Traction Award Returns
Oct 26- LAS VEGAS - JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Series Preview
Oct 26- Little River Dragway Latest Track to Join Growing NHRA Member Track Network
Oct 26- Cordova Dragway Joins NHRA West Central Division
Oct 25- LAS VEGAS - Event Preview
Oct 22- NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Awards Ceremony Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino
Oct 22- NHRA Breakfast at 2026 SEMA Show Features Legends, Champs & A Rookie Talking Funny Car Showdown
Oct 22- DALLAS - Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Wrap Up
Oct 22- Five NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Drivers Currently Eligible for 2026 Rookie of the Year