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NHRA Gateway Elimination Round Updates

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Sunny skies and comfortable 72 degrees weather greeted racers and fans at Gateway Motorsports Park for the 7th annual AAA Insurance Midwest Nationals Elimination Sunday Finals.

 

Click here for Final Eliminations and Post Race

Click here for Semi Final Race Action

Click here for Round 2 Race Action

Click here for Round 1 Race Action

Top Fuel

Finals

Steve Torrence is two for two in countdown finish wins. Torrence had a 3.770 ET / 326.66 MPH to beat Clay Millican who is currently in second place in season points championship.

 

LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Steve TorrenceWIN 1 .043 .849 2.150 3.031 288.33 3.770 323.66
Right Clay Millican 2 .083 .868 2.171 3.053 286.80 3.798 320.28

Weather conditions: air temperature 70 degrees, relative humidity 53 percent, barometer 29.54 inches, adjusted altitude 2,504 feet, track temperature 118 degrees. Torrence is 9 – 8 against Millican in prior events and this is the first time they have faced each other in a final round. Torrence with the starting line advantage and never trailed for the win. Steve Torrence’s MOV: 0.0685 seconds (approximately 32 feet). Torrence wins his seventh Wally this season and the the 23rd of his career. Torrence wins his second consecutive Countdown to the Championship Wally and increases his points lead heading to Dallas.

Semi Finals

Pat Dakin ran out of good fortune as he could not keep up with Clay Millican, the weekend #2 qualifier.

Steve Torrence continued his march to the weekend and season championship with close victory over Leah Pritchett.

The weekend top two qualifiers will meet for Midwest Nationals championship.

“It was a slugfest all week battling with them [Torrence Team],” said Millican. “this is fun”

 

LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Pat Dakin 14 .063 .927 2.571 4.793 93.25 7.703 70.54
Right Clay MillicanWIN 2 .076 .855 2.162 3.084 274.50 3.857 310.41

Weather conditions: air temperature 82 degrees, relative humidity 44 percent, barometer 29.56 inches, adjusted altitude 2,620 feet, track temperature 117 degrees. Dakin is 2 – 1 against Millican in prior events. Dakin with the starting line advantage, but was dropping cylinders right at the hit and clicked it off. Millican made up the difference by the time they went by the Christmas tree and never trailed from there on for the win He dropped a cylinder, but stayed with it for the win. He is going to his third final this season and the 12th of his career.

LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Steve TorrenceWIN 1 .059 .841 2.143 3.029 286.86 3.772 325.22
Right Leah Pritchett 5 .054 .853 2.160 3.060 282.54 3.809 322.11

2nd Round

Pat Dakin upset Tony Schumacher. This race for Tony Schumacher was his 500th career race. The most in NHRA history. But his day ended early by Pat Dakin for his second upset of the day. Earlier he beat #3 qualifier Billy Torrence.

Leah Pritchett beat Blake Alexander.

Richard Hogan, crew chief for Steve Torrence, watch the race prior and saw Blake Alexander smoke tires so at the last second he had his team switch lanes which is legal. The change paid off as Torrence won as his competitor Mike Salinas smoked his tires.

But in the next race Clay Millican in  the lane under distress but did not have the ability to switch but it did not batter as he upset Antron Brown to go to the next round.

 

LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Tony Schumacher 6 .074 .857 2.167 3.219 236.84 4.115 270.43
Right Pat DakinWIN 14 .082 .845 2.186 3.134 267.37 3.946 286.13

Weather conditions: air temperature 80 degrees, relative humidity 50 percent, barometer 29.61 inches, adjusted altitude 2,453 feet, track temperature 114 degrees. Schumacher with the starting line advantage, but was up in smoke early. Dakin grabbed the lead by the time they went past the Christmas tree and was dropping cylinders, but held on for the win. He used up an engine for the win.

LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Leah PritchettWIN 5 .076 .856 2.161 3.056 283.49 3.802 322.73
Right Blake Alexander 4 .082 .849 2.738 5.199 85.21 8.032 80.82

Pritchett is 2 – 1 against Alexander in prior events. Pritchett with the starting line advantage and never trailed for the win. Alexander was up in smoke right at the hit.

LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Steve TorrenceWIN 1 .072 .843 2.146 3.031 287.35 3.771 325.30
Right Mike Salinas 9 .082 .905 3.454 6.555 72.02 9.692 74.79

There was a lane swap as they pulled up to stage. Torrence is 4 – 1 against Salinas in prior events. Torrence with the starting line advantage and never trailed for the win. Torrence with the quickest pass of round two and will have lane choice over Pritchett in the semifinal.

LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Antron Brown 7 .065 .867 2.182 3.092 280.89 3.842 323.66
Right Clay MillicanWIN 2 .083 .860 2.163 3.059 284.56 3.803 323.04

Brown is 24 – 2 against Millican in prior events. Brown with the starting line advantage, but Millican has the lead at 330 feet and never trails from there on. He will have lane choice over Dakin in the semifinal. The word from the starting line was when Millican fired the car it showed no oil pressure, and he did a very short burnout. After the burnout the car had oil pressure again and they sent him on down track for the win. Clay Millican’s MOV: 0.0212 seconds (approximately 10 feet).

 

1st Round

Top Fuel dragsters kicked off Sunday’s action with two power house racers and team competing: Antron Brown and Doug Kalitta, 5th and 6th respectively in the season points championship. Brown was able to outlast Kalitta even though he had engine issues at the end of his run.

The upset of the round was Pat Daiken 16th place qualifier beating 3rd place qualifier Billy Torrence. Daiken had a near perfect start with .006.  Billy Torrence is the father of season points leader Steve Torrence. The loss foiled the Torrence plan of having Billy upset some of Steves competitors for the season championship.

“Total guess, Not me,” laughed Daiken after the run. “We got away with one.”

Mike Salinas upset reigning Top Fuel Champion Brittany Force to advance to the next round.

Season points leader, Steve Torrence, advanced without issue. He will face . Blake Alexcander, Lea Pritchett, Clay Millican, and Tony Schumacher advanced to next round.

 

LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Doug Kalitta 10 .048 .853 2.167 3.049 287.41 3.792 323.58
Right Antron Brown WIN 7 .064 .844 2.122 2.997 291.32 3.728 328.86
LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Terry McMillen 13 .075 .852 2.186 3.545 155.31 5.158 137.69
Right Blake Alexander WIN 4 .059 .839 2.129 3.000 290.63 3.730 330.72
LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Shawn Reed 15 .130 .881 2.237 3.521 164.59 5.084 138.39
Right Clay Millican WIN 2 .075 .849 2.140 3.020 288.21 3.758 325.61
LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Pat Dakin WIN 14 .006 .855 2.165 3.066 282.54 3.814 322.58
Right Billy Torrence 3 .066 .842 2.152 3.317 199.70 4.589 170.49
LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Bill Litton 16 .087 .909 2.257 3.218 245.54 4.245 211.66
Right Steve Torrence WIN 1 .123 .838 2.141 3.017 289.51 3.751 327.19
LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Scott Palmer 12
Right Leah Pritchett WIN 5 .075 .841 2.218 3.782 137.15 5.568 125.37
LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Richie Crampton 11 .071 .850 2.243 3.775 137.72 5.641 115.95
Right Tony Schumacher WIN 6 .080 .847 2.139 3.168 239.19 4.067 257.73
LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Mike Salinas WIN 9 .083 .836 2.131 3.017 288.15 3.758 324.36
Right Brittany Force 8 .106 .838 2.156 3.314 206.26 4.483 186.56

 

 

Funny Car

Finals

An incredible finish in Funny Car. Tim Wilkerson and Robert Hight battled when both cars began to have trouble nearing the finish line. Wilkerson tires began to smoke as he lost transaction and speed but then Hights car exploded. The body of the car blew off 30 feet in the air, off the track and flew into the large video screen and tearing off the right side of it. Hight then ran hard into the wall. Fortunately the chutes opened slowing the car to a stop. The safety crew was on-site within seconds and assist Hight who got out of the car and was standing and communicating. Hight was taken off the track by ambulance to track care center. The extent of his injuries are not known at this time.

 

LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Robert HightWIN 1 .057 .870 2.262 3.208 267.53 4.036 276.29
Right Tim Wilkerson 6 .075 .891 2.302 3.319 226.89 4.413 201.91

3:52 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 70 degrees, relative humidity 53 percent, barometer 29.54 inches, adjusted altitude 2,504 feet, track temperature 118 degrees. Hight is 25 – 20 against Wilkerson in prior events and this is the first time they have faced each other in a final round. Hight gets out of the gate first and starts pulling away. Wilkerson gets about 600 feet out, hazes the tires and has to back off the throttle. Hight pulls away and looks like he loses a cylinder or two. The engine explodes about 800 feet out and the body flies off. He goes through the lights, the car makes a move to the left and hits the wall. He bounces off the wall, drives back into it, then comes to a stop. He is out of the car and is walking under his own power. With the win Hight is now 30 points ahead of Todd in the points chase.

 

Semi Finals

Hometown favorite Tim Wilkerson took advantage to move past JR Todd to go to the finals. JR Todd hit the gas and his car went up in smoke. Wilkerson had his troubles smoking his tires going side to side but was able to keep it in his lane for the win.

Robert Hight, racing for AAA who is also the race sponsor, had a very close battle with Tommy Johnson Jr, but was able to succeed to make the finals for the second year in a row at Gateway.

“Last run we blew a spark plug and slowed down,” said Hight. “But this was awesome run.”

 

LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left J.R. Todd 7 .069 .989 3.099 4.655 158.22 6.100 152.28
Right Tim WilkersonWIN 6 .086 .891 2.688 3.931 199.61 5.186 175.23

2:36 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 82 degrees, relative humidity 44 percent, barometer 29.56 inches, adjusted altitude 2,620 feet, track temperature 117 degrees. Todd is 6 – 3 against Wilkerson in prior events. This was an exciting race. Todd gets out of the gate first but strikes the tires early. Wilkerson goes around him, then he loses traction. Todd pedals and can’t recover. Wilkerson pedals, makes a move to the left and gets close to the centerline. Todd continues to pedal, the car almost turns sideways and he finally backs off the throttle. Wilkerson skirted the centerline all the way through the lights and takes the win. Tim Wilkerson’s incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(0.081), 330 ft(0.394), 660ft(0.707). MOV: 0.8974 seconds (more than 100 feet).

LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Robert HightWIN 1 .081 .877 2.264 3.193 277.89 3.945 323.04
Right Tommy Johnson Jr 4 .086 .899 2.299 3.249 272.39 4.008 320.13

2nd Round

JR Todd got the break of the day so far…Cruz Pedregon beat JR Todd but he red lighted

“I had no idea, we are screwed” said Todd describing his thoughts watching Pedregon apparent win. “Lucky breaks need to keep going. We need to wind two more”

Robert Hight racing for John Force racing, beat his boss and car owner, John Force, to advance to the next round.

“Unfortunate we have to race so soon,” said Hight. “We can’t loose rounds at this time of year”

Tim Wilkerson, racing in front of all his fans from Springfield Ill, upset points leading Courtney Force to move to  the next round.

LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left J.R. ToddWIN 7 .081 .891 2.308 3.274 266.37 4.064 307.58
Right Cruz Pedregon 15 -.005 .918 2.302 3.244 272.89 4.015 300.40
LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Bob Tasca III 5 .073 .973 3.518 6.234 81.46 9.014 82.83
Right Tommy Johnson JrWIN 4 .087 .870 2.256 3.197 274.44 3.950 323.50
LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Robert HightWIN 1 .074 .883 2.289 3.243 269.35 4.017 313.07
Right John Force 9 .077 .899 2.303 3.263 267.27 4.043 310.34
LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Courtney Force 3 .087 .893 2.303 3.269 267.16 4.051 310.70
Right Tim WilkersonWIN 6 .111 .892 2.298 3.236 274.16 4.000 315.19

 

1st Round

Bob Tasca and Johnny Lindberg kicked off Funny Car competition with an exciting side-by-side race to the finish. But it was Bob Tasca with a holeshot that was difference even as Tasca almost hit the wall.

“This season has pissed us off  even though the team has worked so hard,” said Tasca after his run. “This could be our day.”

Cruz Pedregon upset Ron Capps on a holeshot to advance to the next round. For Capps it is a brutal loss as he is current 3rd is season points championship and will most likely impact championship hopes. But for Pedregon it was some consolation

“We are not in points championship. We have fought hard this year,” said Pedregon. “Ron Capps is really good, we are lucky to get by them.”

Tim Wilkerson, from Springfield Illinois, raced Matt Hagen. Both drivers took off clean but both drivers lost transaction almost the same time and both almost hit their respective walls but Wilkerson was able to straighten it to streak by for the win.

Robert Hight, Brittany Force, Tommy Johnson Jr and John Force all advanced to the next round.

 

LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Jonnie Lindberg 12 .123 .881 2.273 3.197 278.40 3.952 320.51
Right Bob Tasca IIIWIN 5 .058 .907 2.293 3.233 273.16 3.999 315.86
LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Del Worsham 13 .100 .897 2.298 3.245 273.66 4.003 321.50
Right Tommy Johnson JrWIN 4 .064 .888 2.258 3.179 279.15 3.925 325.22
LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Dale Creasy 16 .087 .901 2.350 3.327 264.55 4.124 295.34
Right Robert HightWIN 1 .098 .889 2.275 3.194 279.04 3.938 324.75
LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Cruz PedregonWIN 15 .067 .899 2.281 3.230 272.89 3.992 317.05
Right Ron Capps 2 .101 .872 2.254 3.210 269.62 3.978 316.23
LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Jim Campbell 14 .067 1.396 5.652 9.702 60.38 13.179 70.12
Right Courtney ForceWIN 3 .073 .891 2.265 3.197 277.94 3.937 329.02
LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Matt Hagan 11 .070 .882 2.276 3.467 199.64 4.585 201.19
Right Tim WilkersonWIN 6 .075 .897 2.298 3.418 223.88 4.348 251.67
LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left Shawn Langdon 10 .075 .895 2.284 3.235 272.50 3.997 320.20
Right J.R. ToddWIN 7 .065 .888 2.262 3.195 274.94 3.954 318.69
LANE DRIVER Q. POS. RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH ET MPH
Left John ForceWIN 9 .041 .929 2.330 3.272 275.34 4.025 322.96
Right Jack Beckman 8 .077 .883 2.265 3.332 206.80 4.523 185.28

 

Pro Stock

Finals

Tanner Gray continues his domination in 2018. Gray season parts leader won his 6th win of the season beating Drew Skillman for the victory.

 

 

LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Tanner GrayWIN PRO .004 .987 2.752 4.227 166.76 5.498 6.567 211.06
Right Drew Skillman PRO .028 1.027 3.228 5.859 84.27 8.670 11.409 78.68

Weather conditions: air temperature 70 degrees, relative humidity 53 percent, barometer 29.54 inches, adjusted altitude 2,504 feet, track temperature 118 degrees. Gray is 10 – 4 against Skillman in prior events and this is the first time they have faced each other in a final round. Gray with a great light and never trails for the win as Skillman has severe tire shake right at the hit. Gray wins his sixth Wally this season and 11th of his career.

 

Semi Finals

Drew Skillman finally slowed down Jeg Coughlin Jr to make it to the Pro Stock finals.

Skillman will face his teammate Tanner Gray in the finals.

“Both of are chasing the world,” said Gray. “It is a win-win for everyone.”

LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Tanner GrayWIN PRO .019 .987 2.756 4.233 166.70 5.507 6.579 210.54
Right Vincent Nobile PRO .048 .994 2.766 4.246 166.44 5.523 6.597 209.85
LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Drew SkillmanWIN PRO .015 .992 2.766 4.243 166.99 5.513 6.581 211.63
Right Jeg Coughlin Jr PRO .010 .997 2.882 4.398 163.29 5.693 6.778 207.62

2nd Round

Eric Enders had a perfect reaction time at .000 but it was not enough to beat series points leader Shane Gray.

“My guys saved me,” said Gray. “Happy with we are doing. Its cool.”

Jeg Coughlin and Greg Anderson, racing for Pro Stock power teams, had a side-by-side battle but Coughlin kept his weekend streak edging out the victory.

Drew Skillman had a mild upset over Bo Butner.

Vince Nobile keeps his hot streak going beating Jason Line to make it to semi finals.

 

LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Tanner GrayWIN PRO .015 .984 2.750 4.226 167.12 5.498 6.568 210.37
Right Erica Enders PRO .000 .997 2.770 4.248 166.46 5.525 6.599 210.18

Weather conditions: air temperature 80 degrees, relative humidity 50 percent, barometer 29.61 inches, adjusted altitude 2,453 feet, track temperature 114 degrees. Gray is 5 – 4 against Enders in prior events. Enders with a perfect light, but Gray had the lead by 100 feet and never trailed for the win. Tanner Gray’s MOV: 0.0168 seconds (approximately 5 feet).

LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Drew SkillmanWIN PRO .020 .993 2.756 4.226 167.47 5.492 6.559 211.66
Right Bo Butner PRO .030 1.016 3.504 6.648 70.18 10.051 13.412 63.70

Skillman is 8 – 7 against Butner in prior events. Skillman with the starting line advantage and never trailed for the win. Butner with severe tire shake right at the hit and pushed in the clutch.

LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Jeg Coughlin JrWIN PRO .010 .981 2.748 4.224 166.91 5.499 6.573 210.54
Right Greg Anderson PRO .029 .998 2.764 4.242 166.39 5.518 6.591 210.54

Anderson is 55 – 43 against Coughlin in prior events. Coughlin with the starting line advantage and never trailed for the win. Jeg Coughlin’s MOV: 0.0379 seconds (approximately 12 feet). He will give up lane choice to Skillman in the semifinal.

LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Jason Line PRO .039 1.030 3.196 5.576 93.14 8.124 10.660 83.80
Right Vincent NobileWIN PRO .025 .986 2.757 4.234 166.70 5.508 6.580 210.57

1st Round

There were no upsets in the first round of the Pro Stocks. But there will be many competitive match ups in the next round.

Jason Line had the low ET of the round.

“I am in a good mood,” said Line after his win. “We are getting out of a slump and we have a chance to win.”

Line will face last week”s winner Vincent Nobile

Top qualifier, Jeg Coughlin easily won to advance to the next round. He will face Greg Anderson. Bo Butner will face Drew Skillman. Erica Enders will face her top rival in Shawn Gray.

LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Greg AndersonWIN PRO .019 .996 2.763 4.236 166.97 5.509 6.579 211.49
Right Deric Kramer PRO .018 1.038 4.452 8.924 48.90 13.885 18.901 42.36

Weather conditions: air temperature 74 degrees, relative humidity 59 percent, barometer 29.63 inches, adjusted altitude 2,037 feet, track temperature 100 degrees. Greg Anderson is the defending event champion. Greg starts the day with 796 round wins and that is fourth most among all pro drivers and second best in Pro Stock behind Warren Johnson’s 874. Anderson is 6 – 1 against Kramer in prior events. Kramer with a tick advantage on the starting line, but then had severe tire shake and pushed in the clutch. Anderson drifted out of the groove, but got the win.

LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Tanner GrayWIN PRO .017 .984 2.743 4.213 167.76 5.479 6.546 211.49
Right Chris McGaha PRO .083 .983 2.747 4.219 167.32 5.487 6.554 211.43

Gray is 3 – 1 against McGaha in prior events. Gray with the starting line advantage and never trailed for the win.

LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Vincent NobileWIN PRO .016 .972 2.732 4.205 167.18 5.474 6.544 210.80
Right Fernando Cuadra PRO .020 .988 2.793 4.527 129.17 6.352 8.120 122.07

Vincent Nobile is coming off his win in Reading, a win he got with a holeshot over Drew Skillman. Of Vincent’s 13 wins four have now come via holeshots. Fernando Cuadra is the 40th different driver to race Nobile in eliminations. Nobile with the starting line advantage and never trailed for the win. Cuadra with problems and clicked it off.

LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Drew SkillmanWIN PRO .029 .983 2.744 4.215 167.74 5.480 6.545 211.89
Right Kenny Delco PRO .077 .991 2.774 4.259 165.60 5.541 6.619 209.46

Drew Skillman won here in 2015. Skillman is 4 – 1 against Delco in prior events. Skillman with the starting line advantage and never trailed for the win.

LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Bo ButnerWIN PRO .033 .975 2.736 4.207 167.07 5.477 6.546 211.46
Right Alan Prusiensky PRO .121 .984 2.807 4.713 116.51 6.740 8.707 109.64

Butner is 5 – 0 against Prusiensky in prior events. Butner with the starting line advantage and never trailed for the win. Butner will give up lane choice to Skillman in the next round by 0.001 seconds. Butner with the win moves in front of Kramer in the points. Prusiensky made a quick move toward the centerline right at the hit and pushed the clutch in.

LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Jason LineWIN PRO .037 .965 2.723 4.194 166.54 5.465 6.536 210.24
Right Val Smeland PRO .077 1.000 2.806 4.327 161.09 5.642 6.744 204.63

Jason Line has been runner-up here twice. This is the 17th time this year he has started from the top half of the field. This is Line’s highest qualifying spot this year. Val Smeland is making his 23rd start. Line is 3 – 0 against Smeland in prior events. Line with the starting line advantage and never trailed for the win. Line runs low E.T. of race day. He will have lane choice over Nobile in the next round.

LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Erica EndersWIN PRO .032 .978 2.737 4.210 167.26 5.482 6.553 211.00
Right Charlie Westcott PRO .068 1.007 2.818 4.335 162.16 5.644 6.746 204.48

Erica Enders has a pair of wins at this event, in 2012 and 2013. She was also runner-up in 2015. Charlie Westcott is making his fourth start in Pro Stock. This is the first time Enders and Westcott Jr. have faced each other in eliminations. Enders with the starting line advantage and never trailed for the win. She will give up lane choice to Gray in the next round.

LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Jeg Coughlin JrWIN PRO .070 .976 2.733 4.202 167.43 5.472 6.542 210.60
Right Mark Hogan PRO .185 .991 2.807 4.331 161.05 5.673 6.943 170.04

Pro Stock Motorcycle

Finals

Matt Smith and LE Tonglet had the closest race of the entire of the weekend. Side by side to the finish and Smith edged Tonglet by .0006 of a second.

LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Matt SmithWIN PSM .008 1.077 2.882 4.415 159.85 5.744 6.877 198.44
Right LE Tonglet PSM .018 1.066 2.863 4.390 160.23 5.724 6.867 196.10

3:42 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 70 degrees, relative humidity 53 percent, barometer 29.54 inches, adjusted altitude 2,504 feet, track temperature 118 degrees. Tonglet is 14 – 11 against Smith in prior events and Tonglet is 3 – 2 against Smith in prior final rounds. The winner of this race will leave here as the points leader. Smith gets the holeshot, Tonglet starts reeling him in just past the sixty foot mark, but can’t quite get around him. Matt Smith’s incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.001), 330 ft(-0.009), 660ft(-0.015), 1,000ft(-0.010). MOV: 0.0006 seconds (approximately 2 inches). This is Smith’s 20th national event win, his second this year.

 

Semi Finals

Two of the motorcycle power houses and big rivals will meet in the finals. It will be Matt Smith facing LE Tonglet.

“We are going fishing. We are going to snag us some fish,” said Matt Smith making reference to Tonglet sponsor Nitro Fish Gear.

 

LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left LE TongletWIN PSM .027 1.079 2.867 4.400 159.27 5.742 6.890 195.65
Right Jerry Savoie PSM .020 1.079 2.887 4.427 158.87 5.772 6.924 194.86
LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Matt SmithWIN PSM .040 1.073 2.874 4.412 159.68 5.743 6.879 198.03
Right Chip Ellis PSM .039 1.057 2.846 4.398 158.22 5.748 6.901 194.63

 

2nd Round

Like Erica Enders in Pro Stock, Angelle Sampey had a near perfection reaction time at ,001 but it was not enough to beat part time racer Chip Ellis.

“Angelle is a three time world champion and she was messing with me,” said Ellis. “She is one of my best friends in the world.”

Jerry Savoie beat Andrew Hines and LE Tonglet beat Angie Smith who had troubles with her bike’s clutch and could not catch Tonglet.

Matt Smith made it to the semis.

 

LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Angelle Sampey PSM .001 1.072 2.865 4.404 157.74 5.767 6.941 190.83
Right Chip EllisWIN PSM .022 1.061 2.841 4.364 160.31 5.700 6.863 190.27

1:36 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 83 degrees, relative humidity 45 percent, barometer 29.59 inches, adjusted altitude 2,656 feet, track temperature 114 degrees. Ellis is 13 – 10 against Sampey in prior events. Sampey gets out of the gate first, stays in front for about 300 feet, then Ellis goes around and pulls away. Ellis drifts to the left early, gets very close to the centerline, but hangs on and takes the win.

LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Jerry SavoieWIN PSM .024 1.073 2.881 4.411 159.93 5.750 6.897 195.62
Right Andrew Hines PSM .027 1.076 2.879 4.441 156.83 5.803 6.968 192.82

Hines is 12 – 6 against Savoie in prior events. Savoie gets a small advantage off the line, Hines pulls even at the 330 foot mark, then Savoie is able to pull away and take the win. Jerry Savoie’s incremental margins: 60ft(0.006), 330 ft(0.001), 660ft(0.033), 1,000ft(0.056). MOV: 0.0742 seconds (approximately 21 feet).

LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left LE TongletWIN PSM .067 1.068 2.857 4.382 160.35 5.716 6.864 195.34
Right Angie Smith PSM .212 1.060 3.412 6.492 70.28 9.993 13.648 57.27

Tonglet gets the holeshot and starts to pull away. Smith has problems and is off the throttle early. With the win Tonglet ties Krawiec for the points lead. Tonglet will have lane choice over Savoie in the next round.

LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Matt SmithWIN PSM .036 1.065 2.869 4.402 159.78 5.732 6.869 197.45
Right Joey Gladstone PSM .055 1.072 2.873 4.425 157.45 5.779 6.940 192.80

1st Round

Eddie Krawiec, current point leader, had a red light allowing Joey Gladstone to take the win. Krawiec just barely left early, just .001 of second too early. Gladstone will face Matt Smith in next round.

Angie Smith and Steve Johnson battled side by side down the track and Smith upset Johnson by 2 thousandth of a second. She will face low LE Tonglet who had low ET of  the round.

“This Nitro Fish bike is hauling butt and running well,” said Tonglet

Chip Ellis, Angelle Sampey, Jerry Savoie and Andrew Hines all advance to next round.

 

LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Hector Arana PSM -.107 1.157 3.060 4.839 123.62 6.818 8.848 104.05
Right Jerry SavoieWIN PSM .080 1.067 2.893 4.457 154.30 5.842 7.138 163.28
LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Hector Arana Jr PSM 8.111
Right Angelle SampeyWIN PSM .037 1.062 2.856 4.403 157.78 5.761 6.925 192.52
LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Mark Paquette PSM .060 1.067 2.862 4.409 157.83 5.766 6.938 190.86
Right Chip EllisWIN PSM .042 1.070 2.866 4.396 159.68 5.736 6.885 194.77
LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left LE TongletWIN PSM .029 1.052 2.840 4.363 160.54 5.695 6.838 195.90
Right Jim Underdahl PSM .025 1.084 2.889 4.436 157.82 5.794 6.953 193.82
LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Eddie Krawiec PSM -.001 1.072 2.846 4.357 161.57 5.685 6.828 195.70
Right Joey GladstoneWIN PSM .045 1.066 2.857 4.397 158.80 5.742 6.893 194.58
LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Matt SmithWIN PSM .005 1.070 2.893 4.426 160.37 5.753 6.889 197.31
Right Scotty Pollacheck PSM .016 1.075 2.888 4.444 157.56 5.796 6.955 193.07
LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Ryan Oehler PSM .061 1.086 2.890 4.421 159.55 5.762 6.915 194.66
Right Andrew HinesWIN PSM .056 1.071 2.853 4.391 159.02 5.738 6.889 194.86
LANE DRIVER CLASS DIAL IN RT 60 FT 330 FT 660 FT 660 FT MPH 1000 FT ET MPH OV/UN
Left Steve Johnson PSM .044 1.060 2.842 4.366 160.37 5.702 6.849 194.80
Right Angie SmithWIN PSM .012 1.062 2.854 4.379 159.85 5.721 6.879 193.21

 

Photos By: Larry Vancil – stlracing.com / St. Louis Motor Racing News

Story By: Kevin Proot – stlracing.com / St. Louis Motor Racing News

Scoring courtesy of NHRA

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