FRONT RUNNERS FACE OFF IN CRUCIAL SHOWDOWN AT THE STRIP AT LVMS

BY TEAM FORD RACING CORRESPONDENT

Las Vegas — Ashley Force dodged a bullet Saturday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, but the 26-year-old Full Throttle Championship contender remained in the line of fire at the ninth annual NHRA Las Vegas Nationals.

If the daughter of drag racing icon John Force is to become the first woman to win an NHRA Funny Car Championship, she’ll need a much better race car on Sunday than she had beneath her during qualifying.

In fact, because of her uncharacteristic struggle during the preliminaries, Force Hood will roll her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang to the starting line Sunday alongside the Auto Club Mustang of brother-in-law and teammate Robert Hight—she as the No. 14 qualifier; he as No. 3.

It is a match-up between what have been the two best Fords in the Countdown. More important, it is a duel between drivers who entered the season’s penultimate event 1-2 in Full Throttle points. And, it’s a worst-case scenario for John Force Racing Inc., which is trying to reclaim a title it last won for Ford Racing in 2006.

Force Hood, whose car has been the performance leader for most of the year, actually was just a couple engine beats away from being a Sunday. When she came to the starting line Saturday night, she wasn’t evem in the field. When she crossed the 1,000 foot finish line in 4.197 seconds at 292.52 miles per hour, it at least gave her a chance.

“You never want to wait until the last session to get in [the show],” said the three-time tour winner, “but what is even more frustrating is our car. It seems every run it [has found] a way to not make a really good run. It’s been really frustrating for my crew chiefs [Dean Antonelli and Ron Douglas].

“You can tell they were stressed and worried about it. [On Sunday], we’re just going to try our best and hope that it works out. [On the last run], we were aiming for a 4.12 [so] I don’t know what is going on with the car. At least we got into the show. That is all we cared about today.

“Tomorrow is a new day,” said the 2009 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals champion. “It is important that we made it into the Vegas race. That is the one thing that everyone in the Countdown thinks about: if you have a DNQ, you are pretty much out of the game. We didn’t want to finish off this year like that. Whatever happens, at least we get to play on Sunday.”

While Force Hood dealt with an atypical performance, Hight’s Auto Club Ford was virtually flawless in the qualifying phase, twice putting up the quickest number in the entire session including a 4.089 on his final round Saturday. As a result, the 11-time tour winner extended his lead over Ashley from 13 points to 25.

“It’s kind of a bummer,” Hight said of the first round match. “We all wanted to get in here and qualify near the top [to avoid such early round matchups]. That’s a tough first round race because, besides my car, Ashley has got as good a car as there is out there.

“You know that Dean Antonelli and Ron Douglas will fix the thing. We are going to help those guys if they need a little help tonight because without them we would not be in this Countdown. They really helped us. That is the way we work at John Force Racing.

“We’re going to have to go out there and make a good run [if we hope to advance]. May the best Mustang win.”

“We qualified well and got some points in just about every qualifying session,” Hight said. “Those qualifying points definitely have helped us. We are just going to go out there and give the fans a good side-by-side show.”

Behind Hight, the highest-qualified Ford are the allied Mustangs of Bob Tasca III and Tim Wilkerson in the No. 6 and No. 7 starting positions. Mike Neff will start from No. 9 in the Ford Drive One Mustang and John Force from No. 11 in a still troubled Castrol GTX High Mileage Mustang that didn’t get down the track under power on either run Saturday.

Tasca will start his bid for a third season victory against the Al-Anabi Toyota of Del Worsham. Wilkerson opposes Jim Head; Neff goes against Jack Beckman; and Force lines up opposite arch-rival Cruz Pedregon.

TWO-BY-TWO
First day qualifiers for Sunday’s NHRA Las Vegas Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:

FUNNY CAR – 1. Matt Hagan, Christiansburg, Va., Valvoline Dodge Charger, 4.030, 313.88 mph, vs. 16. Grant Downing, Fullerton, Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 4.210, 291.83 mph; 2. Ron Capps, Carlsbad, Calif., NAPA Dodge Charger, 4.041, 310.55 mph, vs. 15. Gary Densham, Bellflower, Calif., Chevrolet Impala, 4.197, 288.64 mph; 3. Robert Hight, Yorba Linda, Calif., Automobile Club of Southern California Ford Mustang, 4.065, 308.71 mph, vs. 14. Ashley Force Hood, Anaheim Hills, Calif., Castrol GTX Ford Mustang, 4.197, 292.52 mph; 4. Tony Pedregon, Brownsburg, Ind., Quaker State Chevrolet Impala, 4.098, 309.20 mph, vs. 13. Jeff Arend, San Dimas, Calif., DHL Toyota Solara, 4.167, 302.69 mph; 5. Bob Tasca III, Cranston, R.I., Quick Lane Ford Mustang GT, 4.107, 307.02 mph, vs. 12. Del Worsham, Chino Hills, Calif., Al-Anabi Toyota Solara, 4.155, 306.12 mph; 6. Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg, Ind., Advance Auto Parts Toyota Solara, 4.114, 305.98 mph, vs. 11. John Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., Castrol GTX High Mileage Ford Mustang, 4.144, 302.28 mph; 7. Tim Wilkerson, Springfield, Ill., Levi, Ray and Shoup Ford Mustang, 4.116, 297.22 mph, vs. 10. Jim Head, Columbus, Ohio, Head Racing Toyota Solara, 4.132, 305.84 mph; 8. Jack Beckman, North Hills, Calif., MTS Dodge Charger, 4.118, 305.01 mph, vs. 9. Mike Neff, Fishers, Ind., Ford Drive One Ford Mustang, 4.128, 299.66 mph.

TOP FUEL – 1. Larry Dixon, Indianapolis, Al Anabi dragster, 3.805, 318.24 mph, vs. 16. Morgan Lucas, Brownsburg, Ind., Geico Insurance dragster, 3.978, 298.01 mph; 2. Steve Torrence, Kilgore, Texas, Dexter Tuttle Motorsports dragster, 3.831, 314.17 mph, vs. 15. Terry McMillen, Elkhart, Ind., 3.968, 304.87 mph; 3. Antron Brown, Pittsboro, Ind., Matco Tools dragster, 3.834, 317.42 mph, vs. 14. Stig Neegaard, Copenhagen, Denmark, 3.963, 299.40 mph; 4. Tony Schumacher, Long Grove, Ill., U.S. Army dragster, 3.839, 313.07 mph, vs. 13. Urs Erbacher, Arlescheim, Switzerland, 3.927, 301.33 mph; 5. Cory McClenathan, Brownsburg, Ind., FRAM dragster, 3.841, 315.86 mph, vs. 12. David Grubnic, Ypsilanti, Mich., 3.912, 309.84 mph; 6. Brandon Bernstein, Lake Forest, Calif., Budweiser dragster, 3.853, 317.27 mph, vs. 11. Bob Vandergriff Jr., Alpharetta, Ga., 3.881, 304.60 mph; 7. Shawn Langdon, Brownsburg, Ind., Lucas Oil dragster, 3.855; Mike Edwards, Coweta, Okla., Young Life/ART Pontiac GXP, 6.623, 207.75 mph, vs. 16. Kurt Johnson, Sugar Hill, Ga., ACDelco Chevrolet Cobalt, 6.742, 206.45 mph; 2. Vinnie Deceglie, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Dodge Stratus, 6.660, 206.23 mph, vs. 15. Rickie Jones, Galesburg, Ill., Elite Motorsports Dodge Stratus, 6.735, 204.45 mph; 3. Ron Krisher, Warren, Ohio, Valvoline Chevrolet Cobalt, 6.668, 206.92 mph, vs. 14. Ryan Ondrejko, Roslindale, Mass., Wiley X Eyewear Pontiac GXP, 6.725, 204.29 mph; 4. Greg Anderson, Concord, N.C., Summit Pontiac GXP, 6.670, 207.56 mph, vs. 13. Ronnie Humphrey, Jacksonville, N.C., Pontiac GXP, 6.718, 205.76 mph; 5. Johnny Gray, Artesia, N.M., Mopar Dodge Stratus, 6.677, 206.20 mph, vs. 12. Greg Stanfield, Bossier City, La., Attitude Apparel Pontiac GXP, 6.693, 206.07 mph; 6. Allen Johnson, Greeneville, Tenn., Mopar Dodge Stratus, 6.679, 206.61 mph, vs. 11. Jeg Coughlin Jr., Delaware, Ohio, Jeg’s Chevrolet Cobalt, 6.688, 206.35 mph; 7. Rodger Brogdon, Tomball, Texas, Kent Trucking Pontiac GXP, 6.680, 206.10 mph, vs. 10. Warren Johnson, Sugar Hill, Ga., K&N Filters Pontiac GXP, 6.685, 206.23 mph; 8. Larry Morgan, Newark, Ohio, Lucas Oil Dodge Stratus, 6.681, 205.72 mph, vs. 9. Jason Line, Troutman, N.C., Summit Pontiac GXP, 6.683, 206.86 mph.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE – 1. Hector Arana, Milltown, Ind., Lucas Oil Buell, 6.979, 192.03 mph, vs. 16. Mike Berry, Lakewood, Colo., Suzuki, 7.194, 186.05 mph; 2. Andrew Hines, Brownsburg, Ind., Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson V-Rod, 6.990, 192.25 mph, vs. 15. Fred Camarena, Placentia, Calif., Suzuki, 7.176, 190.30 mph; 3. Matt Smith, King, N.C., NitroFish Suzuki, 7.000, 190.48 mph, vs. 14. Larry Cook, West Linn, Ore., Buell, 7.165, 186.36 mph; 4. Eddie Krawiec, Englishtown, N.J., Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson V-Rod, 7.023, 190.97 mph, vs. 13. Jim Underdahl, North Branch, Minn., Suzuki, 7.161, 188.75 mph; 5. Karen Stoffer, Smith, Nev., GEICO Suzuki, 7.035, 190.43 mph, vs. 12. Steve Johnson, Birmingham, Ala., Wyotech Suzuki, 7.103, 184.62 mph; 6. Junior Pippin, Conyers, Ga., PiranaZ Buell, 7.043, 187.96 mph, vs. 11. Shawn Gann, Stoneville, N.C., Master Cam Buell, 7.076, 188.28 mph; 7. Michael Phillips, Baton Rouge, La., Suzuki, 7.051, 189.47 mph, vs. 10. Douglas Horne, Aberdeen, Md., Horne Racing Buell, 7.075, 188.86 mph; 8. David Hope, Nevada, Mo., Vroom Racing Buell, 7.061, 188.78 mph, vs. 9. Craig Treble, Harvey, La., Suzuki, 7.075, 190.06 mph.

PRO MODIFIED – 1. Brad Personett, Elkhart, Ind., 1968 Chevrolet Camaro, 5.965, 145.45 mph, vs. 16. Kirk Wilmes, Altus, Okla., 1968 Pontiac Firebird, 6.125, 231.52 mph; 2. Jay Payne, Ontario, Calif., 1968 Chevrolet Camaro, 5.971, 240.38 mph, vs. 15. Tim Tindle, Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., 1967 Ford Mustang, 6.093, 235.02 mph; 3. Melanie Troxel, Avon, Ind., 1963 Chevrolet Corvette, 5.974, 242.15 mph, vs. 14. Dennis Radford, Baker City, Ore., 1970 Plymouth Duster, 6.065, 231.75 mph; 4. Danny Rowe, Laguna Hills, Calif., 1967 Chevrolet Camaro, 5.975, 243.55 mph, vs. 13. Raymond Commisso, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 1963 Chevrolet Corvette, 6.052, 239.65 mph; 5. Joe Baker, Milton, Fla., 1968 Chevrolet Camaro, 5.998, 238.13 mph, vs. 12. Rickie Smith, King, N.C., 1968 Chevrolet Camaro, 6.042, 233.52 mph; 6. Mike Castellana, Westbury, N.J., 1970 Chevrolet Camaro, 5.999, 236.75 mph, vs. 11. Burton Auxier, Dixie, West Va., 1968 Pontiac Firebird, 6.029, 234.41 mph; 7. Chip King, Roxboro, N.C., 1969 Dodge Daytona, 6.014, 238.72 mph, vs. 10. Kirk Kuhns, Yorba Linda, Calif., 1967 Chevrolet Camaro, 6.029, 238.55 mph; 8. Roger Burgess, Duluth, Ga., 1967 Chevrolet Camaro, 6.016, 239.70 mph, vs. 9. Kenny Lang, Grande Pointe, Manitoba, Canada, 1953 Chevrolet Corvette, 6.021, 239.57 mph.

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER – 1. Monroe Guest, Mannford, Okla., A/Fuel dragster, 5.151, 281.36 mph, vs. 16. Michael Manners, Willis, Texas, A/Fuel dragster, 5.423, 261.22 mph; 2. Brittany Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., A/Fuel dragster, 5.282, 262.64 mph, vs. 15. Dale Carlson, Olympia, Wash., Top Alcohol dragster, 5.423, 264.13 mph; 3. Duane Shields, Boulder City, Nev., A/Fuel dragster, 5.315, 263.46 mph, vs. 14. Brandon Johnson, Shelton, Wash., A/Fuel dragster, 5.418, 262.23 mph; 4. Mark Niver, Phoenix, 5.322, 264.44 mph, vs. 13. Don St. Arnaud, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, A/Fuel dragster, 5.416, 257.33 mph; 5. Shawn Cowie, Delta, British Columbia, Canada, Top Alcohol dragster, 5.338, 269.19 mph, vs. 12. Cody Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, Top Alcohol dragster, 5.415, 261.32 mph; 6. Jim Whiteley Grand Junction, Colo., Top Alcohol dragster, 5.351, 267.80 mph, vs. 11. Justin Davis, Murrieta, Calif., Top Alcohol dragster, 5.406, 263.92 mph; 7. Johnny Ahten, Saugus, Calif., A/Fuel dragster, 5.385, 257.92 mph, vs. 10. Ashley Bart, High River, Alberta, Canada, Top Alcohol dragster, 5.355, 264.65 mph; 8. Joey Severance, Spanaway, Wash., Top Alcohol dragster, 5.389, 264.55 mph, vs. 9. Courtney Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., A/Fuel dragster, 5.393, 265.12 mph.

HERE WE GO ROUND-BY-ROUND
Round-by-round results from the Matco Tools Pro Mod Clash contested in conjunction with the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:

Round 1 – Burton Auxier, Dixie, West Va., 1968 Pontiac Firebird, 6.029, 234.41 mph, def. Raymond Commisso, Toronto, Canada, 1963 Chevrolet Corvette, 6.052, 239.65 mph; Jay Payne, Ontario, Calif., 1968 Chevrolet Camaro, 5.971, 240.38 mph, def. Joe Baker, Milton, Fla., 1968 Chevrolet Camaro, 7.711, 125.61 mph; Mike Castellana, Westbury, N.Y., 1970 Chevrolet Camaro, 5.999, 236.75 mph, def. Tim Tindle, Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., 1967 Ford Mustang, 6.093, 235.02 mph; Roger Burgess, Duluth, Ga., 1967 Chevrolet Camaro, 6.016, 239.70 mph, def. Danny Rowe, Laguna Hills, Calif., 1967 Chevrolet Camaro, foul.
Semifinals – Castellana, 6.012, 235.97 mph, def. Burgess, 6.479, 233.08 mph; Auxier, 6.036, 234.33 mph, def. Payne, 8.951, 100.91 mph.
FINAL – Mike Castellana, Westbury, N.Y., 1970 Chevrolet Camaro, 6.261, 230.21 mph, def. Burton Auxier, Dixie, West Va., 1968 Pontiac Firebird, 9.741, 91.49 mph.