Tue, 21 Jun 2011, 02:32 PM Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Special Awards

Courtesy of NHRA Communications

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Special awards from the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.

K&N Filters Horsepower Challenge award ($3,000 to the No. 1 qualifier in Pro Stock) - Allen Johnson, Greeneville, Tenn., Team Mopar/J&J Racing Dodge Avenger, 6.668 seconds, 206.89 mph.

Best Engineered Vehicle - Alan O'Brien, Top Dragster entry, Ronceverte, W. Va.

NHRA Best Appearing Car - Steve Matusek, Pro Mod entry, '10 Mustang, Olathe, Kan.

NHRA Best Appearing Crew - Chris Roe crew, Super Comp entry, Morriston, Fla.

Perfectly Strange Awards:
Super Comp: Luke Bogacki, Carterville, Ill.
Super Gas: Billy Smith, Cynthiana, Ky.

Full Throttle Hard-Working Crew Award ($3,000 each to Top Fuel and Funny Car, $1,500 to Pro Stock and $750 to Pro Stock Motorcycle for the crews that are recognized as the hardest working of the event):
Top Fuel: Chris Karamesines crew, Strang Engineering/Chizler dragster, for getting his first round win since 1990.
Funny Car: Robert Hight crew, Auto Club Ford Mustang, for beating Jeff Arend in the semifinal round and setting the fastest Funny Car speed ever.
Pro Stock: Erica Enders crew, ZaZa Energy Chevy Cobalt, for making it to her second career final round appearance.