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POMONA, Calif. - Results of round 1 eliminations in Top Fuel at the 39th annual NHRA AutoZone Winternationals: Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed 8 Cory McClenathan 4.631 307.09 Q 9 Doug Herbert 4.634 312.93 *****WINNER***** 0.493 4.632 316.45 E1 0.469 4.687 300.66 11:06 AM and we're right on time, under beautiful skies, not a cloud in sight here in (it-never-rains-in) southern California. We're seeing 52 degrees air temp, with 85 degrees on the starting line asphalt. Cory Mac says he feels much better today, and I'm sure that's the case after this run. This was a great drag race, only 0.031 seconds separating them at the finish, less than 14 feet. Both cars were clean and straight to the stripe, no evidence of problems in either lane. Cory will face off against the winner of the Dunn-Sarver matchup in the next round. Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed 7 Kenny Bernstein 4.625 306.81 Q 10 Doug Kalitta 4.647 312.50 *****WINNER***** 0.454 4.751 316.38 E1 0.480 4.748 313.29 King Kenny holds the speed record at this track, and he runs a big number here to take the win. A great driving job by both men, the cars showing just a wisp of smoke off the rear tires but they were quick to catch it and motor to the finish. The margin was 0.023 seconds, barely 10 at the finish. You can see the chatter marks on the pavement from the Bud car, clear evidence of tire shake.
Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
5 Robert Reehl 4.591 304.46 Q 12 Jim Head 4.683 299.33
0.538 4.923 222.77 E1 *****WINNER***** 0.514 4.678 278.52
Head betters his qualifying effort and still just runs 278mph, to take this win. Reehl left some serious black tire tracks from the start, the front end in the air and the car very close to the center line at the 400' mark. Over in the 'marbles', he lost traction and then the engine let go from the extra RPM. He had some pretty major flames going as he crossed the finish line, then drifted across the center line just past the last timing cone. No evidence of what happened to Head, but you know he'll plug in another bullet and be ready for round two, regardless. Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed 4 Tony Schumacher 4.584 306.67 Q 13 Tim Gibson 4.687 295.21 *****WINNER***** 0.653 4.575 317.79 E1 0.000 (Broke) Gibson was just too anxious, staging then leaving just before the tree was activated, resulting in no time or speed being recorded. His early departure surely rattled Schumacher, resulting in his late light, but at that point he was going to the next round, regardless. Tony clicked it a bit early, we hear him say from the top end, and still records a career-best ET and speed here. That gives him lane choice over Head, too.
Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
3 Gary Scelzi 4.570 302.89 Q 14 Bob Vandergriff 4.691 313.00
0.489 4.652 320.13 E1 *****WINNER***** 0.506 4.605 290.69
Today is Vandergriff's 34th birthday, and we couldn't think of a better present than to put out the Winston champ in round one. These two faced off in round one here last year, and the result was exactly the same... does that predict another championship for Scelzi?? Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed 1 Mike Dunn 4.503 312.35 Q 16 Bruce Sarver 4.769 307.23 *****WINNER***** 0.515 4.513 312.50 E1 0.446 9.739 80.93 You'd think that a guy that made the quickest run ever would back off on the tuneup for today, but you'd be wrong. Sarver was up in smoke right away, but Dunn was straight and true to the finish, and he runs quick enough to back up the run last night for a National Record. Just like last night, the Mopar machine trashed the engine in the lights, but they have plenty of parts and they're willing to use 'em up. Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed 2 Eddie Hill 4.535 313.80 Q 15 Don Lampus 4.711 309.56 *****WINNER***** 0.551 4.545 303.57 E1 0.444 12.503 85.76 Lampus is up in smoke within 50' of the start, while Hill runs the to the finish without problems and garners lane choice over King Kenny in the next round. By the way, Dunn's low ET of the day gives him lane choice, of course, over Cory Mac. Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed 6 Larry Dixon 4.593 311.77 Q 11 Connie Kalitta 4.680 308.35 *****WINNER***** 0.482 4.552 313.07 E1 0.495 8.879 93.81 The final pair of the round, and now both Kalitta cars are on the sidelines. Conrad is up in smoke right away, and Dixon betters his qualifying time by over 0.04 seconds and 2 mph, earning lane choice over Vandergriff next time. By the way, in the drawing for the $50,000 Winston No Bull Challenge during today's per-race ceremonies, the Funny Car guys got the nod for this race, and the #10 qualifier was chosen. That means Jeff Arend will get a $50K bonus if he wins the event. In Pro Stock, it'll be the #15 qualifier, Robert Patrick, running for the bonus.   NHRA: 10 Most Recent Entries [ top ] Apr 08- Hood Scoops Set to Return to NHRA Pro Stock Category in 2027 Apr 07- PowerEdge Returns as Presenting Sponsor of DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway Apr 07- GESi Pro Stock No. 1 Qualifier Award Returns for 2026 Season Apr 06- POMONA 1 - Funny Car Preview Apr 02- Revchem Composites Plays Critical Role in Ron Capps Motorsports' Continued Success Apr 01- Second Wave of NHRA 75th Anniversary Commemorative Tickets Include Wealth of Legends Mar 30- CHARLOTTE - Event Preview Mar 30- BELLE ROSE - Super Gas Round 5 Eliminations Mar 30- BELLE ROSE - HEMI Chootout Round 3 Eliminations Mar 30- BELLE ROSE - Competition Eliminator Final, Round 5 Eliminations |
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