PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE

Defending Pro Stock Motorcycle Champion Jerry Savoie emerged victorious with a 6.918 at 192.85 to defeat Hector Arana Jr’s pass of 6.862 at 195.62. Savoie notched his seventh career victory and first of the season.

 

“I’ve had some struggles earlier in the season, but each win is special because you never know which one will be your last,” Savoie said. “This track has been good to me in the past and we were able to take this one home today and I’m extremely thankful for that.”

 

Savoie has now reached two final rounds in four events, defeating Cory Reed, Scott Pollacheck and Angie Smith on the day. Arana Jr. defeated Melissa Surber, Eddie Krawiec and Karen Stoffer to reach his first final round of 2017.

 

With his first victory of the season, Savoie now sits third in the Pro Stock Motorcycle standings, becoming the third winner in four events in the category.

 

Hector Arana Jr.'s 20th final-round appearance in his powerful Lucas Oil Racing TV Buell lifted him from ninth to sixth in the Mello Yello championship points standings and made his 100th career NHRA start a memorable one Sunday at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.

Karen Stoffer

 

Arana's father, 2009 world champ Hector Arana, had a decent outing himself, qualifying No. 3 and reaching the quarterfinals before losing on a holeshot to Karen Stoffer.

 

Arana Jr. expertly dismissed Melissa Surber in the opening round with a 6.816 at 196.79 mph to Surber's 6.894 at 192.66 mph. He then knocked off three-time world champion and hometown favorite Eddie Krawiec with a 6.828 at 196.02 mph to Krawiec's 6.937 at 194.38 mph.

 

Avenging his father's loss to Stoffer was on tap in the semifinals and Arana Jr. was able to overcome a slower start and blow past the multi-event winner to take the stripe first with a 6.854 at 195.56 mph to Stoffer's 6.899 at 192.91 mph.

The trophy was well within Arana Jr.'s reach in the final but a regrettable .111-second reaction time when matched to reigning champ Jerry Savoie's .031-second launch was simply too much to overcome.

 

"We definitely have a good set up for the hot weather and I think even when it cools down later in the year we will be even faster. We have a good handle on these bikes and know what they want now so we are ready to go."

Eddie Krawiec rode a new Harley-Davidson Street Rod for the first time. The bike qualified at the No. 16 spot with an 8.031 at only 118.89 mph. Krawiec defeated Chip Ellis in the first round (6.870/196.70 to 8.859/193.27), but then lost to Arana Jr. with a 6.937/194.38 to Arana’s 6.828/196.02.

 

The Pro Stock Motorcycle class takes a weekend off before returning to action June 22-25 at the 11th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio.

PHOTO EXTRA SLIDESHOW

PRO STOCK

On one of the hottest racetracks all year, Greg Anderson proved that he was still in the game as he outlasted the cream of the crop to hoist the 88th NHRA Wally trophy of his career. What made the victory even more special was that he forfeited a qualifying session and flew home to North Carolina on Saturday to see his son, Cody, graduate from high school.

 

"This wasn't an easy weekend, but I'm sick with this stuff," said Anderson. "I hate to even think about missing a run, but I knew it was important to be there. Everything worked out, and it was a really great event, seeing Cody graduate. The kids all had a blast, and it definitely brought a tear to my eye. I missed the big graduation party afterward, but this makes up for that. I've never handed my son one of these trophies, but this one is absolutely going to him. He's a great kid, and I'm very blessed to have a son like that. I have a great daughter and great wife, and we've got a great family. I wish they were here with me, but they're taking care of everything back home, and I'll be there soon."

 

After dispatching Kenny Delco on a holeshot in the opening round of eliminations, Anderson got the second-round win over Allen Johnson (6.611/210.14 to 6.622/209.56) and took the semifinal with a 6.632/210.28 to Bo Butner’s 6.648/209.69.

In the final, Anderson met Vincent Nobile. The two were even in winning their previous match ups.

 

The hot racing surface did not deter Anderson's progress, and the odds tipped in his favor as he crossed the finish line with a charging 6.613, 210.44 in his sturdy Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro to beat a 6.665, 210.21. The victory was the 137th Pro Stock win for KB Racing and team owners Ken and Judy Black.

 

Each of Anderson's four runs on Sunday were over 210 mph, and his Summit Racing Chevy Camaro was the only Pro Stock car to surpass 210 in each attempt on race day. His 211.79 mph during qualifying stands of top speed of the meet.

 

"This is a great track, but it's the first real hot racetrack we've had all year," said Anderson. "When it's cool out, you set world-record times – but when it's hot, you struggle because it's so hard to get hold of that starting line. You've got good barometric pressure up here, the cars make great power, and then you lose the starting line with the heat. It's very hard to get the Pro Stock cars hooked up in low gear.

 

“Everyone was challenged today, but we were able to do a better job to the 60-foot [timer]. I guarantee you, my Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro got a hold of the starting line better than any other car out here, and that's key. It ends up being a 100% team effort if you win here. That's probably why I've won this eight times. I have a great team behind me."

 

As expected, the nearly identical cars of Elite Motorsports teammates Erica Enders and Jeg Coughlin Jr. ran a close race in Sunday's first round. This time, it was six-time champ Coughlin edging out two-time champ Enders by .02 seconds.

 

Both noted for their starting line prowess, the Enders and Coughlin lived up to the hype with Coughlin cutting a .023-second light just in front of Enders' .027-second launch. The two Chevrolet Camaros stayed door handle-to-door handle most of the way down the quarter-mile strip with Coughlin slowly pulling away to take the win with a 6.611 at 209.82 mph to Enders' 6.635 at 210.67 mph.

"I'm bummed, especially considering we came in here on such a high note after winning last weekend in Epping,” Enders said. “I don't feel like my driving was especially good all weekend and that is something that really bothers me.”

Coughlin then beat privateer Alan Prusiensky in the second round before falling to another teammate, Vincent Nobile, in the semifinal round. His loss to Nobile was measured at .0137 seconds.

 

"I'm not disappointed with this weekend at all," said Coughlin, driver of the JEGS.com/ElitePerformance Chevrolet Camaro. "We are running a new combination on my car that we implemented last week and honestly, we are still trying to sort it all out. It's real, real close, so we're not unhappy with this result a bit. We even added that combination to Erica's car this race.

Rookie of the Year candidate Tanner Gray had a first-round loss to John Gaydosh, who was unable to return for the second round.

FUNNY CAR

Jack Beckman could only watch from the cockpit of Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero 2017 Dodge Charger R/T as opponent Courtney Force faded into the distance after Beckman quickly smoked the tires and could see her run record a time of 3.993 seconds at 317.49 mph.

 

He had plenty of time to ponder how much longer it would be until he won an NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series title. It took him 9.145 seconds to cross the finish line and another several seconds to coast to a stop and meet his crew.

 

"I was coming up to congratulate her and our guy Jesse (Freeman) beats on the car twice, which he always does when we win and I thought, 'boy, he didn't see it,' she was about 38 bus lengths ahead of us."

 

Beckman didn't know Force had been disqualified for a leaving the starting line too early and turned on the red light.

 

Beckman went on to face Don Schumacher Racing teammate and points leader Ron Capps' NAPA AUTO PARTS team in the final round and beat Capps, the reigning world champion, with a time of 4.100 to Capps' 4.143.

 

"Wow, some days it's your day," said Beckman, whose last win was last July near Chicago.

 

"The first one is always the toughest one. It's 25 Funny Car wins for me, plus two more in Super Comp, but it's one for this iteration of the Infinite Hero team." Beckman got a whole team change during the off-season and three new crew members already this season.

 

Beckman's team led by crew chiefs Dean Antonelli, John Medlen and Neal Strausbaugh, jump three spots to third in the Mello Yello championship points.

Jack Beckman could only watch from the cockpit of Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero 2017 Dodge Charger R/T as opponent Courtney Force faded into the distance after Beckman quickly smoked the tires and could see her run record a time of 3.993 seconds at 317.49 mph.

 

He had plenty of time to ponder how much longer it would be until he won an NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series title. It took him 9.145 seconds to cross the finish line and another several seconds to coast to a stop and meet his crew.

 

"I was coming up to congratulate her and our guy Jesse (Freeman) beats on the car twice, which he always does when we win and I thought, 'boy, he didn't see it,' she was about 38 bus lengths ahead of us."

 

Beckman didn't know Force had been disqualified for a leaving the starting line too early and turned on the red light.

 

Beckman went on to face Don Schumacher Racing teammate and points leader Ron Capps' NAPA AUTO PARTS team in the final round and beat Capps, the reigning world champion, with a time of 4.100 to Capps' 4.143.

 

"Wow, some days it's your day," said Beckman, whose last win was last July near Chicago.

 

"The first one is always the toughest one. It's 25 Funny Car wins for me, plus two more in Super Comp, but it's one for this iteration of the Infinite Hero team." Beckman got a whole team change during the off-season and three new crew members already this season.

 

Beckman's team led by crew chiefs Dean Antonelli, John Medlen and Neal Strausbaugh, jump three spots to third in the Mello Yello championship points.

Courtney Force, the No. 1 qualifier and driver of the Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS, whisked through the first two rounds of competition with ease, despite dropping cylinders on both runs.

 

She defeated No. 16 Jeff Diehl first and then No. 9 Matt Hagan, in a matchup of last weekend’s finals at New England Dragway in Epping, N.H. That sent her to a second straight semifinal and poised for a second consecutive trip to the finals.

 

But it wasn’t to be. Facing No. 4 Jack Beckman in the third round, her chances were heightened when Beckman experienced problems at the starting line. But she tripped the red light just .012 seconds before the start, nullifying the event’s only sub-four second run of 3.993 seconds at 317.49 mph. Beckman went up in smoke when the green light turned on, and he coasted to victory.

 

“Unfortunately, with a .012 red light, we kind of threw that run away,” Force said. “Of course, it was actually the best run of the weekend for us and the quickest run of the day in Funny Car.”

 

For the third straight event, Ron Capps lost traction early but was able to recover each time to advance the second round where he faced Alexis DeJoria. Once again, Capps lost traction while DeJoria move out a lead of several hundred feet. Capps knew he couldn't catch her and was stunned as he watched her cross the centerline near the finish line and get disqualified.

In the semifinals, he had another subpar run but it was enough to beat Robert Hight who smoked his tires.

 

Capps extended his points lead to 129 over teammate Matt Hagan.

race reports

NHRA pros at Englishtown, NJ

Hot Time at E-town

 

Results compiled by Kay Burk

Photos by Ron Lewis

Steve Torrence powered his Top Fuel dragster to victory Sunday, June 11, at the 48th annual NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.

 

Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also winners at the tenth of 24 events on the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

 

Each day brought slightly different track conditions making it harder for the crew chiefs to get the winning set-up. Friday saw a tighter, cooler track, Saturday was a bit warmer, and Sunday was very hot.

 

Some fields were short with just 14 entries each in Top Fuel and Pro Stock. There were 16 Funny Car entries and 18 in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

 

TOP FUEL

Steve Torrence, who had beaten reigning NHRA Top Fuel champion Antron Brown just one time in 23 meetings prior to Sunday, upset the New Jersey native to repeat as champion at the NHRA Summernationals.

 

“That’s only one in a row,” said Torrence of beating Brown, who off the track is one of his closest friends, “but it was a big one.”

 

By reaching the money round both Brown and Torrence leapfrogged previous point leader Leah Pritchett, who was taken out of the day’s competition by DSR teammate and eight-time world champion, Tony Schumacher.

 

“My guys did one helluva job,” Torrence said. “With the weather change, we never missed a beat. They gave me a car that could run either lane, that could run in the heat and the cool. You couldn’t ask for more. Richard Hogan, Bobby Lagana (Jr.) and A.J. (tuning consultant Alan Johnson) made all the right calls. The pressure was on me because the only thing I could do was screw it up.”

 

He didn’t.

 

Antron Brown started from the No. 1 position with a track record qualifying time of 3.713 seconds then earned a second-round bye due to a short 14-car field when he won in the first round at the facility about 30 miles from his hometown of Chesterfield, N.J.

 

But the heat played a role in the final-round outcome.

 

“We dropped a hole at the step of the throttle,” Brown said. “That's what happens when you're running these types of conditions. We learned a lot that we can apply for future races in the heat.”

 

The winner of the last two world championships was able to take the points lead from teammate Leah Pritchett, who lost in the opening round for the first time in 10 races.

Doug Kalitta qualified at the No. 3 spot with a 3.733-second pass at 329.75 mph that was top speed for the second straight event after the Mac Tools team’s record-setting run in Epping the week before. After getting wins over Dom Lagana (3.762/326.79 to 3.865/319.37) and Tony Schumacher (3.805/325.37 to 3.900/299.20), Kalitta’s dragster had mechanical issues and his 3.854/319.27 was not enough to overcome Steve Torrence’s 3.827/322.42.

Schumacher had a great start in his second-round run, but slight tire smoke at half-track made the difference.

 

“Let’s start with the good news, and that’s what really matters – that we’ve got a raceable U.S. Army car, now, after what we’ve been able to accomplish here this weekend,” said Schumacher, who reached the Top Fuel final at Englishtown a year ago this weekend for his only other final round since his lone career event title here in 2008.

 

“Now, we’ve got to nudge what the car is doing closer and closer to the starting line, to get the car to move a little quicker, sooner, where we’re a lot quicker early in the run. For two races, we didn’t have a raceable car. It typically happens a couple of times a year when you make the kind of changes we’ve been making to the car since the beginning of the season. The last few races, we had a strange deal going on – not exactly sure what it was – but they made changes to fix it, and this weekend it was fixed. Now, they’ve got to speed everything up as far as how the run is mapped out.”

VOLUME XIX,  NUMBER 6 - JUNE   2017

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Courtney Force, the No. 1 qualifier and driver of the Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS, whisked through the first two rounds of competition with ease, despite dropping cylinders on both runs.

 

She defeated No. 16 Jeff Diehl first and then No. 9 Matt Hagan, in a matchup of last weekend’s finals at New England Dragway in Epping, N.H. That sent her to a second straight semifinal and poised for a second consecutive trip to the finals.

 

But it wasn’t to be. Facing No. 4 Jack Beckman in the third round, her chances were heightened when Beckman experienced problems at the starting line. But she tripped the red light just .012 seconds before the start, nullifying the event’s only sub-four second run of 3.993 seconds at 317.49 mph. Beckman went up in smoke when the green light turned on, and he coasted to victory.

 

“Unfortunately, with a .012 red light, we kind of threw that run away,” Force said. “Of course, it was actually the best run of the weekend for us and the quickest run of the day in Funny Car.”

 

For the third straight event, Ron Capps lost traction early but was able to recover each time to advance the second round where he faced Alexis DeJoria. Once again, Capps lost traction while DeJoria move out a lead of several hundred feet. Capps knew he couldn't catch her and was stunned as he watched her cross the centerline near the finish line and get disqualified.

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