Fri, 12 Nov 2010, 09:16 PM Force Moves Back to within Two Rounds of Hagan

Courtesy of NHRA Communications Photo copyright 2010 Auto Imagery, Inc. Dixon Stays No. 1 in TF, Schumacher Closes Gap to 84; Force Hood, Gaines, Krawiec also #1

POMONA, Calif. --

Ashley Force Hood

John Force picked up a critical bonus point in qualifying Friday at the 46th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals to move back within two rounds of points-leader Matt Hagan in the race for the 2010 Funny Car championship.

The one bonus point he earned for the third-quickest pass during Friday's second qualifying session drew him to within 39 points of Hagan, who was shut out of the bonus points after earning three on Thursday.

Meanwhile, three of the four categories had new provisional No. 1 qualifiers - Ashley Force Hood in Funny Car, V Gaines in Pro Stock and Eddie Krawiec in Pro Stock Motorcycle. Larry Dixon remained atop the Top Fuel order.

There will be two more qualifying sessions on Saturday - and two more chances for Hagan and Force to earn bonus points - before Sunday's 23rd and final race in the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season.

"This could jump around back and forth . this is going to be a showdown and I love a showdown," the 14-time champion Force said.

Force Hood led a 1-2-3 in qualifying for the John Force Racing team with a 4.076 at 309.98 mph in her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang.

"Track's good, conditions are good. I'm excited. It's good to be back," said Force Hood, who is in position to earn her sixth No. 1 of the season and second straight. "It just all came together for us that round. In racing you can go from zero to hero so (Saturday) is a fresh start for us."

Larry Dixon

There are still a maximum of six qualifying bonus points available (per driver) in each of the final two qualifying sessions (based on the 3-2-1 system for the top three ETs of each session) in addition to the points awarded based on final qualifying position.

Dixon's 3.813 at 318.39 in his Al-Anabi Racing dragster from Thursday held up, but second-place Schumacher earned two bonus points during the Friday session to pull to within 84 points of Dixon. Barring a national record, Schumacher would need to cut the deficit to 80 points to have a shot at the championship on Sunday.

"I'm not worried about two points . not yet," Dixon said. "I have a lot of confidence in my team and my car. I am still depending on that, that we don't have to be defensive. Don't play defense, play offense, it's more fun."

V Gaines

Dixon slowed to a 5.708 at 117.21 in his qualifying pass on Friday, meaning that he wasn't in contention for any of the bonus points.

"Whether it's a good run or a bad run, it's good information, the clutch was slipping too fast. I'm thrilled it happened today and not Sunday," Dixon said.

In Pro Stock, V Gaines moved atop the qualifying ladder in his Kendall Dodge with a 6.561 at 210.83 mph that would be the first No. 1 career if it holds. Greg Anderson, who needs to qualify to secure his fourth championship, has his Summit Racing Pontiac safely in the field right now at No. 4.

"We've got two sessions to go, but that was certainly a big lift after our attempt to scrape the wall (Thursday)," Gaines said.

Eddie Krawiec

Screamin' Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson rider Eddie Krawiec moved into the provisional No. 1 spot with a track record 6.865 at 194.21 that would be his first this season and sixth of his career.

"Those three points are pretty valuable (for Harley-Davidson teammate Andrew Hines competing for the championship) and also for me. I'm competing with Matt Smith for (third place)," said Krawiec, who has gained four bonus points so far to pull even with Smith for the moment heading into Saturday's final two qualifying sessions.

NHRA: 10 Most Recent Entries [ top ]

Feb 10- Wally Parks 75th Anniversary Appreciation Fund Part of $27 Million Overall Purse
Feb 08- NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League Releases 2026 Schedule
Feb 07- Huge List of Legends Set to Appear at Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals
Feb 05- NHRA and Legends Global Extend Merchandise Partnership Ahead of 75th Anniversary Season
Feb 04- Doug Foley Announces Addition of Ron Douglas as Consultant to Foley Lewis Racing Top Fuel Team
Feb 04- Tickets Now on Sale for NHRA's Debut at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park and Rockingham Dragway
Feb 04- Reed, Zetterström to Share Driving Duties of Reed Trucking & Excavating Top Fuel Dragster
Jan 29- NHRA to Honor Iconic John Force in 2027 with "50 Years Of Force"
Jan 28- Top Fuel All-Star Callout Returns to Open NHRA's 75th Anniversary Season at Gatornationals
Jan 28- John Force Racing Announces Crew Chiefs for NHRA's 75th Anniversary Season