Sun, 30 Jul 2006, 07:35 PM Top Fuel Round 3 Eliminations

By Rick Green

SONOMA, Calif. - Results of round 3 eliminations in Top Fuel at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 19th annual FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals:

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
  763 Hillary Will                          373 J.R. Todd                    
E3                   0.101  4.673 317.49     ****WINNER****  0.092  4.678 308.92
 Prior rounds:
E2    (L Dixon     ) 0.075  4.725 301.67      (D Grubnic   ) 0.090  5.152 270.81
E1    (M Troxel    ) 0.046  4.976 236.13      (A Bradshaw  ) 0.093  4.690 295.08
 Qualified:             #7  4.597 322.27                        #6  4.586 321.19

Weather conditions: air temperature 85 degrees, relative humidity 33 percent, barometer 30.09 inches,adjusted altitude 1,730 feet, track temperature 126 degrees.

This is the fourth time these two rookies have faced each other this year and Todd has two wins. Todd is out of the gate first and has the power to hold on for a hole shot win. J.R. Todd's MOV: 0.0049 seconds (approximately 2 feet). For the second time in the last three races Todd is going to the final.

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
    1 Tony Schumacher                         3 Doug Kalitta                 
E3   ****WINNER****  0.083  4.585 326.40                     0.085  4.597 322.42
 Prior rounds:
E2    (B Vandergrif) 0.077  4.570 328.86      (R Fuller    ) 0.031  4.943 283.25
E1    (S Chrisman  ) 0.110  4.549 328.22      (D Baca      ) 0.062  4.796 298.01
 Qualified:             #1  4.486 326.48                        #5  4.582 326.48

Kalitta holds the points lead and also a 22 to 18 advantage in head to head match ups. They leave together and this is a great drag race. Schumacher with the win by 0.0140 seconds (approximately 7 feet). Tony Schumacher's incremental margins: 60ft(0.010), 330 ft(0.019), 660ft(0.009), 1,000ft(0.006). MOV: 0.0140 seconds (approximately 7 feet).Tony Schumacher's incremental times: 60ft-0.848 sec., 330ft-2.163, 660ft-3.108/266.00mph, 1,000ft-3.904
Doug Kalitta's incremental times: 60ft-0.856 sec., 330ft-2.180, 660ft-3.115/269.62mph, 1,000ft-3.908 Schumacher will have lane choice in the final.

Timing data courtesy of CompuLink