Sunday Results
Three drivers had a shot at their first career NHRA Full Throttle Series win on Sunday at the 29th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway and Funny Car veteran Bob Bode was the lucky one who struck paydirt.
The other winners at the 17th of 23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Series season – and final race in the Countdown to 10 regular season – were Larry Dixon (Top Fuel), Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle).
Also on Sunday, the final five spots in the Countdown to 1 NHRA Playoffs were determined as Dave Grubnic (Top Fuel), Tony Pedregon (Funny Car), Rodger Brogdon (Pro Stock) and Karen Stoffer and Craig Treble (Pro Stock Motorcycle) clinched berths.
And the final two No. 1 seeds were settled as well with John Force (Funny Car) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) joining Dixon (Top Fuel) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) as top seeds.
Bode defeated Cruz Pedregon, Bob Tasca and Tim Wilkerson to reach the final where he proceeded to celebrate a surprisingly easy win when Jack Beckman struck the wheels on his Freightliner Dodge Charger R/T early and slowed to a 8.338 at 86.32. Bode’s official winning run in the Alard Machine Chevy Impala was a 4.248 at 253.66.
"All of this is kind of like a dream I’m afraid I’m gonna wake up from," Bode said. "I didn’t know if it would ever happen, but now that it did, I can’t believe it happened. It’s the best thing that ever happened to me in my entire life in the racing world. I have a wife and kid, wonderful things there, but the racing world, this is it."
Dixon improved to 9-0 in final rounds in the Al-Anabi dragster and 4-0 vs. second-place Cory McClenathan this season with a blistering 3.786-second pass at 312.28 mph to McClenathan’s 3.810 at 314.17.
"I feel fortunate," said Dixon, whose engine suffered damage as he crossed the finish line. "When I lifted (off the throttle), it popped … I got heat-treated a little bit … but I saw the win light."
In Pro Stock, the red-hot Coughlin (6.614 at 208.04) was appearing in his third straight final round in the JEGS.com Chevy Cobalt and he celebrated victory for the second time in that stretch when Auto Club Road to the Future candidate Shane Gray red-lighted in the Tire Kingdom Pontiac GXP to end his bid for his first career win before he got out of first gear.
"This is as close as we’ve been to the points leader all year," said Coughlin, who will trail Mike Edwards by 40 points when the points reset for the Countdown to 1.
"That’s the way the playoff and the Countdown to 1 works. We’ve had that work to our advantage for a couple of years and had that work against us last year. This year, we were probably no way shape or form going to contend for our sixth world title, but we are."
It was Coughlin’s 52nd career win, which tied him with Joe Amato for eighth place on the all-time NHRA Full Throttle Series wins list.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Hines (6.941 at 191.00) completed an impressive weekend hat trick aboard the Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson with his win over first-time finalist Jim Underdahl (7.012 at 188.52) – he was the No. 1 qualifier, he won the race, and he moved around season-long points-leader Hector Arana to clinch the No. 1 seed entering the Countdown to 1 playoffs.
"Big win," Hines said. "I’ve never been No. 1 going into the playoffs so it’s nice to be in this position. Three or four races ago we were looking at the point and Hector had something like a 160-point lead and we just wrote it off that we wouldn’t make it there. Luck turned to our side, the motorcycle started performing better and Hector faltered a little bit and we capitalized on it."
The six-race Countdown to 1 playoffs begin in two weeks with the Labor Day weekend running of the world’s most prestigious drag race, the 56th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis.
Final finish order (1-16) for professional categories at the 29th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. The race is the 17th of 23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.
TOP FUEL:
1. Larry Dixon; 2. Cory McClenathan; 3. Doug Kalitta; 4. David Grubnic; 5. Tony Schumacher; 6. Shawn Langdon; 7. Brandon Bernstein; 8. Antron Brown; 9. Terry McMillen; 10. Morgan Lucas; 11. Steven Chrisman; 12. Steve Torrence; 13. Terry Haddock; 14. Scott Palmer; 15. Chris Karamesines; 16. Luigi Novelli.
FUNNY CAR:
1. Bob Bode; 2. Jack Beckman; 3. Jim Head; 4. Tim Wilkerson; 5. Bob Tasca III; 6. Paul Lee; 7. Robert Hight; 8. Matt Hagan; 9. Jeff Arend; 10. John Force; 11. Del Worsham; 12. Dale Creasy Jr.; 13. Tony Pedregon; 14. Ron Capps; 15. Cruz Pedregon; 16. Ashley Force Hood.
PRO STOCK:
1. Jeg Coughlin; 2. Shane Gray; 3. Johnny Gray; 4. Greg Anderson; 5. Allen Johnson; 6. Jason Line; 7. V. Gaines; 8. Rodger Brogdon; 9. Mike Edwards; 10. Ron Krisher; 11. Ronnie Humphrey; 12. Kurt Johnson; 13. Rickie Jones; 14. Warren Johnson; 15. Larry Morgan; 16. Greg Stanfield.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:
1. Andrew Hines; 2. Jim Underdahl; 3. Mike Berry; 4. Angie Smith; 5. Hector Arana; 6. David Hope; 7. Joe DeSantis; 8. Steve Johnson; 9. Craig Treble; 10. Michael Phillips; 11. Shawn Gann; 12. Matt Smith; 13. Eddie Krawiec; 14. Karen Stoffer; 15. Buddy Robinson; 16. LE Tonglet.
Sunday’s final results from the 29th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. The race is the 17th of 23 in the
NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series:
Top Fuel — Larry Dixon, 3.786 seconds, 312.28 mph def. Cory McClenathan, 3.810 seconds, 314.17 mph.
Funny Car — Bob Bode, Chevy Impala SS, 4.248, 253.66 def. Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 8.338, 86.32.
Pro Stock — Jeg Coughlin, Chevy Cobalt, 6.614, 208.04 def. Shane Gray, Pontiac GXP, foul.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.941, 191.00 def. Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 7.012, 188.52.
Final round-by-round results from the 29th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway, the 17th of 23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series:
TOP FUEL:
ROUND ONE — Antron Brown, 3.843, 310.48 def. Morgan Lucas, 3.950, 297.68; David Grubnic, 4.198, 290.44 def. Terry Haddock, 5.660, 135.10; Tony Schumacher, 3.846, 309.70 def. Terry McMillen, 3.931, 308.43; Shawn Langdon, 4.175, 303.50 def. Steven Chrisman, 4.154, 278.92; Doug Kalitta, 4.016, 259.06 def. Luigi Novelli, no time; Brandon Bernstein, 3.900, 305.56 def. Scott Palmer, 7.289, 108.83; Larry Dixon, 3.917, 302.01 def. Steve Torrence, 5.167, 143.87; Cory McClenathan, 3.847, 302.28 def. Chris Karamesines, 7.490, 75.41;
QUARTERFINALS — Dixon, 3.823, 314.53 def. Langdon, 3.874, 311.34; Grubnic, 3.858, 305.15 def. Bernstein, 3.906, 305.08; McClenathan, 3.831, 312.86 def. Schumacher, 3.833, 310.84; Kalitta, 3.822, 320.13 def. Brown, 6.256, 110.98; SEMIFINALS — McClenathan, 3.802, 314.53 def. Grubnic, 3.904, 298.73; Dixon, 3.794, 318.24 def. Kalitta, 3.835, 317.34; FINAL — Dixon, 3.786, 312.28 def. McClenathan, 3.810, 314.17.
FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE — Paul Lee, Chevy Impala SS, 4.259, 281.19 def. Ashley Force Hood, Ford Mustang, 5.842, 139.06; Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.150, 298.07 def. John Force, Mustang, 4.164, 291.13; Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 4.057, 304.32 def. Del Worsham, Toyota Camry, 4.172, 293.28; Robert Hight, Mustang, 4.099, 294.24 def. Tony Pedregon, Impala SS, 4.191, 284.27; Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.068, 297.29 def. Dale Creasy Jr., Impala SS, 4.180, 293.41; Bob Bode, Impala SS, 4.159, 304.05 def. Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Solara, 5.106, 170.84; Jim Head, Solara, 4.252, 296.83 def. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.467, 222.55; Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.152, 301.33 def. Jeff Arend, Solara, 4.155, 294.37; QUARTERFINALS — Wilkerson, 4.149, 296.31 def. Lee, 4.563, 197.10; Bode, 4.140, 299.20 def. Tasca III, 4.128, 296.31; Head, 4.421, 214.86 def. Hagan, 5.493, 152.40; Beckman, 4.080, 306.33 def. Hight, 5.313, 135.39; SEMIFINALS — Bode, 4.162, 293.35 def. Wilkerson, 4.688, 176.05; Beckman, 4.089, 300.66 def. Head, 4.193, 288.89; FINAL — Bode, 4.248, 253.66 def. Beckman, 8.338, 86.32.
PRO STOCK:
ROUND ONE — Greg Anderson, Pontiac GXP, 6.625, 207.59 def. Ronnie Humphrey, GXP, 6.639, 207.30; V. Gaines, Dodge Avenger, 6.636, 207.82 def. Larry Morgan, Ford Mustang, 6.668, 207.66; Shane Gray, GXP, 6.632, 207.40 def. Rickie Jones, GXP, 6.655, 206.92; Jeg Coughlin, Chevy Cobalt, 6.612, 208.49 def. Ron Krisher, Cobalt, 6.619, 208.81; Johnny Gray, GXP, 6.633, 207.78 def. Warren Johnson, GXP, 6.656, 207.30; Rodger Brogdon, GXP, 6.647, 207.05 def. Mike Edwards, GXP, 6.593, 209.04; Allen Johnson, Avenger, 6.639, 208.94 def. Greg Stanfield, GXP, foul; Jason Line, GXP, 6.628, 207.30 def. Kurt Johnson, GXP, 6.650, 207.59; QUARTERFINALS — J. Gray, 6.632, 207.50 def. Gaines, 6.656, 207.37; S. Gray, 6.620, 207.94 def. A. Johnson, 6.615, 209.04; Anderson, 6.637, 207.69 def. Brogdon, 18.896, 43.52; Coughlin, 6.617, 208.52 def. Line, 6.626, 207.43; SEMIFINALS — S. Gray, 6.660, 207.08 def. J. Gray, 6.637, 207.56; Coughlin, 6.609, 207.72 def. Anderson, 6.643, 207.24; FINAL — Coughlin, 6.614, 208.04 def. S. Gray, foul.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:
ROUND ONE — Hector Arana, Buell, 7.025, 187.55 def. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.134, 183.17; Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 6.952, 190.83 def. Craig Treble, Suzuki, 6.969, 187.96; David Hope, Buell, 6.968, 185.41 def. Michael Phillips, Suzuki, 6.991, 192.55; Angie Smith, Buell, 7.097, 179.92 def. Shawn Gann, Buell, 7.023, 186.77; Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.022, 185.15 def. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 7.042, 189.47; Mike Berry, Buell, 7.153, 180.94 def. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 36.932, 23.33; Joe DeSantis, Suzuki, 7.100, 185.69 def. Matt Smith, Buell, 7.036, 185.26; Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.904, 192.38 def. Buddy Robinson, Suzuki, foul;
QUARTERFINALS — A. Smith, 7.027, 184.75 def. Johnson, 7.102, 182.30; Berry, 7.140, 183.27 def. Hope, foul; Underdahl, 6.986, 190.06 def. DeSantis, 7.097, 187.83; Hines, 7.008, 188.28 def. Arana, foul; SEMIFINALS — Hines, 6.928, 191.13 def. A. Smith, 9.033, 97.28; Underdahl, 7.038, 187.94 def. Berry, 7.129, 180.65; FINAL — Hines, 6.941, 191.00 def. Underdahl, 7.012, 188.52.
Point standings (top 10) for NHRA professional categories following the 29th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway, the 17th of 23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series –
Top Fuel
1. Larry Dixon, 1,639; 2. Cory McClenathan, 1,359; 3. Tony Schumacher, 1,346; 4. Doug Kalitta, 1,243; 5. Antron Brown, 1,180; 6. Brandon Bernstein, 1,109; 7. Shawn Langdon, 815; 8. Morgan Lucas, 758; 9. Steve Torrence, 704; 10. David Grubnic, 682.
Funny Car
1. John Force, 1,250; 2. Robert Hight, 1,249; 3. Jack Beckman, 1,155; 4. Matt Hagan, 1,136; 5. Ron Capps, 1,048; 6. Tim Wilkerson, 1,035; 7. Bob Tasca III, 1,016; 8. Ashley Force Hood, 984; 9. Del Worsham, 929; 10. Tony Pedregon, 764.
Pro Stock
1. Mike Edwards, 1,631; 2. Allen Johnson, 1,303; 3. Jeg Coughlin, 1,227; 4. Greg Anderson, 1,095; 5. Jason Line, 931; 6. Shane Gray, 857; 7. Ron Krisher, 847; 8. Greg Stanfield, 804; 9.
Johnny Gray, 792; 10. Rodger Brogdon, 728.
Pro Stock Motorcycle
1. Andrew Hines, 903; 2. Hector Arana, 890; 3. Michael Phillips, 778; 4. Matt Smith, 759; 5. Steve Johnson, 699; 6. Eddie Krawiec, 597; 7. LE Tonglet, 584; 8. David Hope, 574; 9. Karen Stoffer, 543; 10. Craig Treble, 508.
LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES RESULTS
Sunday’s final results from the 29th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. The race is the 17th of 23 in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series:
Top Fuel — Larry Dixon, 3.786 seconds, 312.28 mph def. Cory McClenathan, 3.810 seconds, 314.17 mph.
Funny Car — Bob Bode, Chevy Impala SS, 4.248, 253.66 def. Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 8.338, 86.32.
Pro Stock — Jeg Coughlin, Chevy Cobalt, 6.614, 208.04 def. Shane Gray, Pontiac GXP, foul.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.941, 191.00 def. Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 7.012, 188.52.
Top Alcohol Dragster — Chris Demke, 5.281, 269.40 def. Duane Shields, 5.322, 262.49.
Top Alcohol Funny Car — Frank Manzo, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.584, 258.37 def. Thomas Carter, Ford Mustang, 5.692, 247.25.
Competition Eliminator — Al Ackerman, Dragster, 8.004, 164.03 def. Lou Ficco Jr., Pontiac GXP, 7.266, 186.56.
Super Stock — Rick Johnson, Dodge, 9.638, 134.71 def. Jimmy DeFrank, Chevy Cobalt, 8.954, 153.11.
Stock Eliminator — Dan Fletcher, Chevy Camaro, 11.188, 108.89 def. Ben Line, Ford Mustang, 10.649, 123.70.
Super Comp — Gary Stinnett, Dragster, 8.893, 180.91 def. Dustin Long, Dragster, 8.835, 173.67.
Super Gas — Lance Trujillo, Chevy Corvette, 9.885, 158.37 def. Stan Moulzolf, Opel, 9.855, 146.65.
Pro Stock Snowmobile — Adam Fricke, Ski Doo, 8.560, 148.79 def. Louie Wirbel, Ski Doo, 8.464, 152.66.
