HomeRace Track NewsIllinoisBrown, Worsham, Skillman, Arana Jr. Win at AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals...

Brown, Worsham, Skillman, Arana Jr. Win at AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park

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Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Del Worsham (Funny Car), Drew Skillman (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were all winners at the 4th annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park.

2015 NHRA winners at Gateway Motorsports Park
2015 NHRA winners at Gateway Motorsports Park

For Antron Brown it was his fourth consecutive win at Gateway Motorsports Park in as many years. He outlast Dave Connolly who was hoping to win his first Top Fuel Wally trophy. Brown ran 3.721 ET / 325.82 mph to Connolly’s 3.753 ET / 328.94. For Antron he adds to his 2015 Countdown to the Championship in Top Fuel points lead.

“Truly Blessed,” is how Brown described winning for the fourth consecutive year at Gateway.

Brown had great praise for the Gateway Motorsports Park owner (Curtis Francois) and track management.

“They brought it back better than ever,” said Brown. “The stands are full.”

Brown has dominated this year winning six races and extended his season championship points lead over his teammate Tony Schumacher to 77 points but he concedes there is still a long way to go.

 

CLICK HERE FOR SUNDAY PHOTOS FROM THE AAA INSURANCE NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS – AT GATEWAY MOTORSPORTS PARK!

 

“We had a 200 point lead in 2012 and almost lost the championship,” said Brown. “You have to be great at every level. There are a million ways to lose and only a few ways to win.”

Antron Brown
Antron Brown

For Brown he has definitely found the right few ways to dominate and win at Gateway.

While Brown was dominating in Top Fuel at Gateway, Del Worsham former Top Fuel driver who won at Gateway in 2003 and 2009, now has his third victory and first Funny Car win at Illinois race track.

“In my 25 years of racing, I don’t know if I  have ever driven a Funny Car that made so many good runs,” said Worsham.

The top two qualifying cars in Funny Cars put on classic final dual. Matt Hagan and Del Worsham cars were one-thousandth of a second of each other at the start and were going 270 mph in the 1/8 mile mark when Worsham edged out by a half car length Hagan for the win. Then Worsham’s engine blew and was uninjured after quickly jumping out of the car when it stopped.

“It made a hard dart to the right it went ‘kaboom,” said Worsham. “It [engine] blew up. Lucky the chutes deployed themselves.”

2015_Del_Worsham_Head
Del Worsham

Besides the crazy finish in the final, it was a weekend to remember for Worsham because he also set a national elapsed time record of 3.899 seconds during qualifying yesterday at Gateway.

“This was the best weekend ever in Funny Cars,” said Worsham.

For Worsham this is his second consecutive victory after winning last week in Charlotte. He now has 35 career wins. He won 2011 Top Fuel Championship.

Worsham advanced to his fifth final round of the season.

Erica Enders who has been dominating Pro Stocks by winning the last three consecutive races tried continue her mastery. But Drew Skillman, Enders Elite Motorports teammate, won his first Pro Stock race ending her streak.

Drew Skillman
Drew Skillman

“Erica has been insane on the treee,” said Skillman. “I knew we had to step up and little luck came our way.”

And the luck he received was from Enders. Even though she once again got the fast start from the line, she began to slide and had to overreact to keep control of the car while in the meantime Skillman kept a straight line to the victory with a run of 6.529 ET / 211.63 mph.

“When it comes to the final, you need luck,” said Skillman once again describing the way he won.

Skillman has been racing for some years and has won at NHRA events in the amateur ranks but this his first year of professional racing. He has had to learn a lot in every aspect of racing and really gives credit to Erica Enders for helping him out.

“It has been a great experience from the first day,” said Skillman. “She spent the first week teaching me everything and she continues to help.”

Even though Enders lost, she was able to still increase her lead in the Countdown to the Championship over her rival Greg Anderson. Her lead is now by 113 points.

Hector Arana Jr.
Hector Arana Jr.

Every class was a story of dominance and Pro Stock Motorcycle was no different. The final race for weekend Pro Stock Motorcycle championship was between two teammates and very special ones at that. The Arana’s, Hector the father matched up against Hector the son.

Hector Arana Jr held off his father to win the “Wally” at Gateway. This is second time the two have faced off in the finals and for the second time Hector Jr won.

“It was bittersweet,” said Hector Arana Jr. “I want to see him win and at the same time I want to win.”

But winning the race at Gateway was not the only big thing going on in Hector Jr’s life. Early in the week he asked his girlfriend to marry him and she accepted.

“This has been a great week,” said Arana Jr. “I don’t know if I could ask for anything more.

 

Summary of Race action Sunday at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals

Top Fuel

Finals

Antron Brown in Top Fuel wins his fourth consecutive win at Gateway Motorsports Park outlasting Dave Connolly who was hoping to win his first Top Fuel final. For Antron he adds to his 2015 Countdown to the Championship in Top Fuel.

Semi Final

Antron Brown, season points leader, added to his points total by beating Steve Torrence to make it to the finals.

Dave Connolly will join Brown in the final after beating Brittany Force.

Round Two

Antron Brown continued his dominance at Gateway by out lasting Shawn Langdon.

“Got to keep marching,” said Brown. “We had to step up on this one.”

Dave Connolly who last year won the Pro Stock race at Gateway, moved to Top Fuel this year and pulled off a major upset knocking off this weekend’s top qualifier Steve Torrence.

Brittney Force edged out Doug Kalitta for a  major upset and  for the moment moved up to fourth in season points championship.

Billy Torrence 14th qualifier upset Tony Schumacher.

 

Round One Recap

Friday Night’s top qualifying car of Larry Dixon was eliminated in the first round Billy Torrence. For Dixon his bad luck continues at Gateway where former NHRA season champion has yet to win in St. Louis.
Top Fuel - Great Clip story photoThe best race as between Doug Kalitta and Wayne Newby. Kalita had a 9 thousandth of lead at the start and that ended up being the difference at the finish line.

“Great round [race] for the fans,” said Kalitta “Need to keep the power, the whole team is ready.”

Kalitta will face Brittany Force in the next round.

Steve Torrence, top qualifier was able to move to next round. He had the best low ET at 3.718. Billy Torrence had the best speed of 329.91.  Dave Connelly, Antron Brown, Shawn Langdon, Tony Schumacher will also be in the next round.

 

 

Funny Car

Final

The top two qualifying cars in Funny Car put on classic final dual. Matt Hagan and Del Worsham cars were 1 thousandth of a second of each other in the start and were going 270 mph in the 1/8 mile mark and Worsham edged out by a half car length Hagan for the win. Then Worsham’s engine blew and was uninjured after quickly jumping out of the car when it stopped.  For Worsham this is his second consecutive victory.

 

Del Worsham currently holds the National Record, set yesterday with a 3.899 second pass. Worsham has two previous wins at Gateway Motorsports Park in 2003 and 2009.

Worsham advances to his fifth final round of the season.

Semi Final

Del Worsham will be heading to his 59th final round race after Cruz Pedregon smoked his tires at the start of the race and never got on track. Worsham continues to dominate the competition in Funny Car as he pads his season points lead.

In a crazy race Matt Hagen smoked his towers and did not record a time but still won because Ron Capps crossed the line and hit two cones and  was automatically disqualified.

Round Two

Cruz Pedregon beat Jack Beckman who’s luck continue to swirl downward since Friday’s top qualifying run.

Cruz Pedregon
Cruz Pedregon

“We had a misfiring fuel line in the first round,” said Pedregon. “Feels good to win in the countdown.”

Matt Hagen and John Force put on a side-by-side show and Hagen outlasted the legend to move to the next round.

Del Worsham continues to march towards a Funny Car Season Championship by ending Tim Wilkerson’s great weekend. Wilkerson’s time would have won if he were racing

“Tough round,” said Worsham. “We kept it together and we are looking forward to the semi final.

Ron Capps beat Alexia DeJoria.

Round One Recap

Jack Beckman, who had the best time on Friday and qualified third overall, had the best luck in round 1 because he smoked the tires and made it down the track with a 135 mp pass and only made to the next round when John Bojec red-lighted at the start of the race.

“Funny we want to be great,” smiled Beckman “That run was good enough.”

Matt Hagen, polesitter for Funny Car, had no issue passing Brian Stewart to make it to the next round.

Alexis DeJoria who qualified 12th upset Tommy Johnson Jr.

Springfield’s Tim Wilkerson also pulled an upset over Courtney Force and in the next round will have to face Del Worsham, on the hottest racers in Funny Car.

“They [Worsham] have one of the best cars on the circuit,” said Wilkerson. “But we’ll have something for them.”

John Force, Ron Capps, and Cruz Pedregon will also be in the next round.

 

Pro Stock

Final

In Pro Stock Finals, Drew Skillman won his first Pro Stock race ending teammate Erica Enders three race win streak.

Semi Final

Drew Skillman will be in his 4th final in his rookie season after Allen Johnson redlighted at the start of the race.

Erica Enders
Erica Enders

Erica Enders should be know as clutch foot with as many holeshots she wins and it was the same in this match as she holeshot to beat Bo Butter to move to the final.

It will be an all Elite Team final between Enders and Skillman.

 

Round Two

Erica Enders number one in NHRA Pro Stock countdown beat Vincent Nobile to advance to semi-final.

“We could not do much worse in the 1st round,” said Enders. “We analyzed and we need to go after it. Two to go.”

Bo Butner is going to the semi-finals for the first time in his career after beating Larry Morgan.

Deric Kramer red-lighted at the start of the race and that allowed Drew Stillman to advance.

Greg Johnson and Allen Johnson were ready to start when it began to mist and delay the action. After a 10 minute delay Allen Johnson upset the weekend’s top qualifier.

“That little rained probably messed us both up,” said Allen Johnson.

 

 

Round One Recap

Top qualifier Greg Anderson had no trouble with Matt Hogan to advance to round two.

Season points leader Erica Enders had the slowest winning time in round one but still won over Alex Laughlin.

Allen Johnson benefited from Shawn Gray’s red light to advance to the next round.

There were several upsets in this round. 12th seed Deric Kramer upset Johnathon Gray.

“We have been racing Johnathon [Gray] a lot this year,” said Kramer. “Happy one went my way.”

Drew Skillman, Bo Butner, Harry Morgan and Vincent Nobile will run in round two also.

 

Pro Stock Motorcyle

Finals

In Pro Stock Finals, Hector Arana Jr beat his father Hector Arana Sr. This is second time the two have faced off in the finals and for the second time Hector Jr won.

Semi Final

It will be an all Arana final – father Hector Arana Sr. will face Hector Arana Jr.

Hector Arana Jr - photo storyThis will be the second time father will face son. Last year in Chicago, Hector Jr. beat his father.

 

Round Two

Hector Arana Sr. knocked off top qualifier Jerry Savoie.

Chas Ellis beat Chad Kennedy.

Karen Stoffer red-lighted allowing Steve Johnson to advance.

Hector Arana Jr. takes down the Harley driver and season points leader Alndew Hines. Hector Jr will join his dad who celebrated with his son at the end of the race track.

“We’re both excited,” exclaimed Hector Arana Jr. “The bike is bad to the bone. That was a close race. I didn’t know what was going to happen.”

 

Round One Recap

Top qualifier Jerry Savoie did not have his best run but beat Scotty Pollacheck.

Karen Stoffer and Adam Arana both had slow starts but Stoffer was able to hold on with a 6.91 ET / 194.41 mph pass.

“Top end was not too sport,” said, Stoffer, “We have been working hard all weekend.”

The closest race in round one was a battle between Hector Arana Sr. who beat Mike Berry by 6 thousandth of a second at the finish line.

Second in season points, Eddie Krawiec was upset by Chad Kennedy by a half bike at the end of the race.

“Hard to squeeze by these Harley guys,” said a happy Chad Kennedy. “We are going give them hell one race at a time.”

Chip Ellis, Andrew Hines, Steve Johnson, and Hector Arana Jr, will be heading to the next round also.

 

 

Pro Mod action:

CLICK HERE FOR SUNDAY PHOTOS FROM THE PRO MOD ACTION- AAA INSURANCE NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS – AT GATEWAY MOTORSPORTS PARK!

 

Story by Kevin Proot

Photos by Larry Vancil

St. Louis Motor Racing News / www.stlracing.com

 

 

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