Sun, 13 Nov 2022, 17:21 PM Funny Car Round 2 Eliminations

By Dave Gerard

POMONA, Calif. - Results of round 2 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series, 57th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals:

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
  700 Steven Densham                          6 Alexis DeJoria               
E2                   0.092  4.065 298.47     ****WINNER****  0.126  3.914 326.56
 Prior rounds:
E1    (M Hagan     ) 0.096  4.170 269.94      (J Campbell  ) 0.161  4.014 266.32
 Qualified:            #14  3.993 287.05                        #6  3.862 333.00

1:56 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 64 degrees, relative humidity 35 percent, barometer 29.98 inches, adjusted altitude 1,754 feet, track temperature 101 degrees.

This is the first time Densham and DeJoria have faced each other in eliminations.

Densham gets a big starting line advantage, but DeJoria's Supra has the power to drive back out in front before the 330 foot lights and pull strong to the finish line and a decisive win.

Steven Densham's incremental times: 60ft-0.898 sec., 330ft-2.301, 660ft-3.266/264.39 mph.
Alexis DeJoria's incremental times: 60ft-0.878 sec., 330ft-2.249, 660ft-3.169/278.86 mph.

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
    5 John Force                              4 Cruz Pedregon                
E2                   0.065  6.495  79.93     ****WINNER****  0.098  3.876 330.96
 Prior rounds:
E1    (B Alexander ) 0.068  3.919 317.49      (J Rupert    ) 0.082  3.862 333.74
 Qualified:             #7  3.864 333.49                        #2  3.840 322.58

Force is 80 - 37 against Pedregon in prior events.

BOOM!

Force gets away first, but the engine is unhappy and dropping cylinders. Right around the tree, there is a tremendous explosion, with massive flames from the engine, and the Camaro body goes flying way up into the air. Force gets the car stopped quickly and he is out of the car and OK! Just a Big Hole in his wallet!

In the other lane, Pedregon makes still another strong three eighty pass to round three. He will have lane choice over DeJoria.

Cruz Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.885 sec., 330ft-2.234, 660ft-3.139/284.09 mph.

2:02p.m. Time out foe some major clean up.

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
    9 Tim Wilkerson                           1 Ron Capps                    
E2                   0.087  3.905 330.55     ****WINNER****  0.083  3.865 330.80
 Prior rounds:
E1    (J Todd      ) 0.075  3.878 331.12      (J Arend     ) 0.088  3.852 334.98
 Qualified:             #8  3.882 333.58                        #1  3.837 337.33

Capps is 49 - 23 against Wilkerson in prior events.

Another do or die round for Capps' Championship chances and he make the best of it with a narrow 0.004 starting line advantage. He runs strong to the finish for the twenty-two foot win.

Wilkerson was right there behind him all the way down the track, but just runs out of race track.

Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.898 sec., 330ft-2.270, 660ft-3.173/285.35 mph.
Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.875 sec., 330ft-2.224, 660ft-3.130/286.01 mph.

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
    3 Bob Tasca III                           8 Robert Hight                 
E2   ****WINNER****  0.060  4.262 224.96                     0.085  6.292 110.92
 Prior rounds:
E1    (P Lee       ) 0.062  3.885 330.63      (C Green     ) 0.077  3.872 330.47
 Qualified:             #5  3.856 322.65                        #4  3.849 334.48

Hight is 32 - 12 against Tasca III in prior events.

Tasca plays spoiler and takes a big win, as Hight's Camaro is up in smoke and coasting before the 330 lights.

Tasca is off the pedal and coasting early too, but still takes the win. He gives up lane choice to Capps next round.

Capps has to win the next round to secure the Championship!

2:15 p.m.

Timing data courtesy of CompuLink

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