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EDWARDS CLOSES OUT RAIN-DELAYED SOUTHERN NATIONALS WITH FIRST WIN OF 2009
COMMERCE, Ga. – The wait was worth it for Mike Edwards, who dropped the curtain on the rain-delayed Summit Racing NHRA Southern Nationals Monday morning with a clean 6.645-second pass to easily outrun Pro Stock points-leader Jeg Coughlin.
It was the first win of 2009 for Edwards, who solidified his third-place position in the Pro Stock standings; Coughlin, who slowed to a 7.190 in the final round, remained in first place after six of 24 races in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season have been completed.
“It doesn’t matter if you win on Sunday or Monday … it’s an unbelievable challenge to win (a Pro Stock race). You can’t make a mistake and win in this class,” Edwards said.
The other three categories were decided late Sunday night and the winners were: Morgan Lucas (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle).
For Edwards, the win was a bit of personal vindication as his A.R.T./Young Life Pontiac GXP has been at the head of the ultra-competitive Pro Stock category with a class-best three No. 1 qualifiers, but no wins before Monday.
“Our performance has been good all year, as good as anybody’s in (Pro Stock). We’ve just had a little bit of trouble on Sunday (raceday),” Edwards said. “If that’s what it takes to win (racing on Monday instead of Sunday), we’ll come back on Monday every race.”
RECAPPING LATE SUNDAY RESULTS
It took Lucas five years and five final-round appearances to get his first win so waiting out the five hours of rain delays was only a minor hurdle. The 26-year old Lucas pedaled his GEICO Powersports/Lucas Oil dragster to a 5.231 at 162.86 to narrowly beat the 27-year old Massey’s tire-spinning 5.418 at 145.25 in his U.S. Smokeless dragster.
“I’ve had five years to think about this … this is probably one of the most exciting moments of my life, if not the most exciting moment. I don’t even know how to talk right now I’m so excited,” said Lucas, who was competing in his 107th career race. “This is what I’ve dreamt about for years.”
Beckman ran a 4.128 at 303.43 in his Valvoline/MTS Dodge Charger to defeat the Castrol GTX Ford Mustang team and driver Ashley Force Hood, who lost power near the finish line and slowed to 4.157 at 248.39.
“On paper, Ashley’s car had us whupped,” said Beckman, who lost to Force Hood two races earlier in final round in Houston. “That car’s been the class of the field for eight, nine months. That’s why we race, though. Anything can happen when you have 8,000 horsepower of nitro in the tank. It is such an awesome feeling … we got whupped by Ashley (in Houston) and to get back in there and (beat her) is awesome.”
Beckman defeated a quartet of Ford Mustangs – Robert Hight, John Force and Tim Wilkerson – en route to his first win of the year and seventh of his career. And by day’s end Beckman moved up from seventh to second place and Force Hood remained in third place.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Eddie Krawiec earned his first career win aboard his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson with a fleet 6.902 at 192.91 to defeat rookie Douglas Horne (6.949, 191.13).
“This is something I was waiting for … to get my first Wally and be able to put it up on my mantle next to my (2008 NHRA Full Throttle Series) championship trophy is just awesome,” Krawiec said.
Copied below is the completed agate from the rain-delayed Summit Racing NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. The Pro Stock class was completed Monday morning.
COMMERCE, Ga. -- Final finish order (1-16) for professional categories at the 29th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. The race is the sixth of 24 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.
TOP FUEL:
1. Morgan Lucas; 2. Spencer Massey; 3. Tony Schumacher; 4. Cory McClenathan; 5. Shawn Langdon; 6. Bobby Lagana Jr.; 7. Bob Vandergriff; 8. Antron Brown; 9. Larry Dixon; 10. Terry Haddock; 11. Clay Millican; 12. Joe Hartley; 13. Troy Buff; 14. Brandon Bernstein; 15. Doug Kalitta; 16. Terry McMillen.
FUNNY CAR:
1. Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger; 2. Ashley Force Hood; 3. Tony Pedregon; 4. Tim Wilkerson; 5. Matt Hagan; 6. John Force; 7. Ron Capps; 8. Mike Neff; 9. Del Worsham; 10. Jim Head; 11. Jeff Arend; 12. Bob Tasca III; 13. Jerry Toliver; 14. Robert Hight; 15. Cruz Pedregon; 16. Mike Smith.
PRO STOCK:
1. Mike Edwards, Pontiac GXP; 2. Jeg Coughlin; 3. Greg Anderson; 4. Jason Line; 5. Rodger Brogdon; 6. Allen Johnson; 7. Warren Johnson; 8. Greg Stanfield; 9. Ron Krisher; 10. Tom Hammonds; 11. Larry Morgan; 12. Rickie Jones; 13. Steve Spiess; 14. V. Gaines; 15. Johnny Gray; 16. Kurt Johnson.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:
1. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson; 2. Douglas Horne; 3. Andrew Hines; 4. Matt Smith; 5. Hector Arana; 6. Shawn Gann; 7. Karen Stoffer; 8. Matt Guidera; 9. Craig Treble; 10. Angie McBride; 11. Michael Phillips; 12. Junior Pippin; 13. Steve Johnson; 14. Mike Berry; 15. Wesley Wells; 16. LE Tonglet.
COMMERCE, Ga. -- Monday's final results from the 29th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. The race is the sixth of 24 in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series:
Top Fuel -- Morgan Lucas, 5.231 seconds, 162.86 mph def. Spencer Massey, 5.418 seconds, 145.25 mph.
Funny Car -- Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 4.128, 303.43 def. Ashley Force Hood, Ford Mustang, 4.157, 248.39.
Pro Stock -- Mike Edwards, Pontiac GXP, 6.645, 208.17 def. Jeg Coughlin, Chevy Cobalt, 7.190, 155.11.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.902, 192.91 def. Douglas Horne, Buell, 6.949, 191.13.
COMMERCE, Ga. -- Final round-by-round results from the 29th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway, the sixth of 24 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series:
TOP FUEL:
ROUND ONE -- Shawn Langdon, 3.860, 312.42 def. Doug Kalitta, 4.277, 265.85; Cory McClenathan, 3.865, 313.44 def. Larry Dixon, 3.846, 315.27; Antron Brown, 3.854, 314.97 def. Clay Millican, 3.920, 311.56; Morgan Lucas, 3.860, 310.27 def. Joe Hartley, 3.943, 309.06; Spencer Massey, 3.891, 307.51 def. Troy Buff, 4.088, 268.92; Bobby Lagana Jr., 3.991, 271.79 def. Brandon Bernstein, 4.196, 253.09; Tony Schumacher, 4.058, 251.91 def. Terry McMillen, 4.359, 187.21; Bob Vandergriff, 3.934, 304.87 def. Terry Haddock, 3.908, 306.05;
QUARTERFINALS -- McClenathan, 3.864, 317.12 def. Lagana Jr., 3.952, 299.26; Massey, 3.851, 312.71 def. Langdon, 3.905, 308.50; Schumacher, 4.029, 254.23 def. Brown, 4.800, 200.50; Lucas, 3.875, 309.42 def. Vandergriff, 4.280, 225.48;
SEMIFINALS -- Lucas, 3.875, 309.70 def. McClenathan, 3.880, 314.97; Massey, 3.865, 312.13 def. Schumacher, 3.847, 313.15;
FINAL -- Lucas, 5.231, 162.86 def. Massey, 5.418, 145.25.
FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE -- Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 4.107, 303.37 def. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.168, 294.18; Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 4.118, 303.03 def. Mike Smith, Chevy Monte Carlo, 8.160, 85.20; Ashley Force Hood, Mustang, 4.078, 311.41 def. Del Worsham, Toyota Solara, 4.131, 296.18; John Force, Mustang, 4.123, 308.57 def. Jerry Toliver, Monte Carlo, 4.213, 301.74; Tony Pedregon, Chevy Impala, 4.162, 304.60 def. Jeff Arend, Solara, 4.146, 303.98; Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.128, 304.46 def. Cruz Pedregon, Solara, 5.948, 113.69; Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.173, 299.40 def. Robert Hight, Mustang, 5.288, 139.93; Mike Neff, Mustang, 4.113, 306.67 def. Jim Head, Solara, 4.139, 305.29;
QUARTERFINALS -- Wilkerson, 4.121, 304.67 def. Capps, 4.179, 292.08; Beckman, 4.140, 296.18 def. Force, 4.148, 307.44; Force Hood, 4.082, 312.13 def. Neff, 5.608, 126.96; T. Pedregon, 4.110, 308.57 def. Hagan, 4.126, 306.12;
SEMIFINALS -- Beckman, 4.150, 304.67 def. Wilkerson, 4.413, 284.45; Force Hood, 4.079, 310.48 def. T. Pedregon, 4.156, 302.69;
FINAL -- Beckman, 4.128, 303.43 def. Force Hood, 4.157, 248.39.
PRO STOCK:
ROUND ONE -- Warren Johnson, Pontiac GXP, 6.806, 180.50 def. Johnny Gray, Dodge Stratus, 6.923, 173.12; Allen Johnson, Dodge Stratus, 6.661, 207.43 def. Larry Morgan, Stratus, 6.655, 208.07; Greg Stanfield, Pontiac GXP, 6.643, 208.17 def. Rickie Jones, Stratus, 6.677, 207.34; Rodger Brogdon, GXP, 6.667, 207.46 def. Ron Krisher, Chevy Cobalt, 6.649, 207.37; Jason Line, GXP, 6.628, 208.78 def. Tom Hammonds, Cobalt, 6.651, 207.59; Mike Edwards, GXP, 6.603, 209.43 def. Steve Spiess, Cobalt, foul; Greg Anderson, GXP, 6.618, 209.46 def. Kurt Johnson, Cobalt, broke; Jeg Coughlin, Cobalt, 6.648, 208.10 def. V. Gaines, Stratus, 6.712, 206.39;
QUARTERFINALS -- Coughlin, 6.646, 207.69 def. Brogdon, 6.668, 207.40; Line, 6.628, 208.46 def. Stanfield, 6.707, 202.79; Anderson, 6.646, 208.26 def. W. Johnson, 6.673, 208.10; Edwards, 6.628, 208.20 def. A. Johnson, 6.669, 207.05;
SEMIFINALS -- Coughlin, 6.637, 207.56 def. Anderson, 6.632, 208.14; Edwards, 6.639, 207.72 def. Line, 6.649, 208.42;
FINAL -- Edwards, 6.645, 208.17 def. Coughlin, 7.190, 155.11.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:
ROUND ONE -- Shawn Gann, Buell, 7.002, 188.17 def. Junior Pippin, Buell, 7.017, 187.65; Matt Guidera, Buell, 7.012, 189.15 def. Craig Treble, Suzuki, foul; Hector Arana, Buell, 6.974, 191.08 def. Wesley Wells, Suzuki, 7.382, 173.90; Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.944, 191.89 def. Angie McBride, Buell, 6.955, 188.70; Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.949, 191.95 def. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, broke; Douglas Horne, Buell, 6.934, 192.30 def. Michael Phillips, Suzuki, 6.966, 192.66; Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.991, 191.40 def. Mike Berry, Buell, 7.108, 187.99; Matt Smith, Suzuki, 6.893, 194.49 def. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.021, 189.87;
QUARTERFINALS -- Hines, 6.960, 190.11 def. Gann, foul; Krawiec, 6.913, 190.57 def. Guidera, 7.054, 187.29; Horne, 6.951, 192.55 def. Stoffer, 7.033, 190.19; Smith, 6.915, 192.36 def. Arana, 6.995, 187.99;
SEMIFINALS -- Horne, 6.959, 191.62 def. Hines, 6.947, 191.46; Krawiec, 6.901, 194.02 def. Smith, broke;
FINAL -- Krawiec, 6.902, 192.91 def. Horne, 6.949, 191.13.
COMMERCE, Ga. -- Point standings (top 10) for NHRA professional categories following the 29th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway, the sixth of 24 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series -
Top Fuel
1. Tony Schumacher, 487; 2. Antron Brown, 448; 3. Brandon Bernstein, 425; 4. Cory McClenathan, 396; 5. Morgan Lucas, 379; 6. Larry Dixon, 368; 7. Shawn Langdon, 301; 8. (tie) Doug Kalitta, 288; Spencer Massey, 288; 10. Joe Hartley, 250.
Funny Car
1. Ron Capps, 464; 2. Jack Beckman, 395; 3. Ashley Force Hood, 394; 4. Tony Pedregon, 365; 5. Matt Hagan, 356; 6. Del Worsham, 327; 7. Bob Tasca III, 321; 8. John Force, 310; 9. (tie) Robert Hight, 305; Mike Neff, 305.
Pro Stock
1. Jeg Coughlin, 524; 2. Jason Line, 494; 3. Mike Edwards, 461; 4. Greg Anderson, 403; 5. Allen Johnson, 347; 6. Greg Stanfield, 336; 7. Ron Krisher, 292; 8. Kurt Johnson, 282; 9. Rickie Jones, 252; 10. Warren Johnson, 236.
Pro Stock Motorcycle
1. Matt Smith, 270; 2. Andrew Hines, 230; 3. Hector Arana, 226; 4. Eddie Krawiec, 224; 5. Douglas Horne, 219; 6. Craig Treble, 184; 7. Shawn Gann, 156; 8. Karen Stoffer, 142; 9. (tie) Matt Guidera, 136; Steve Johnson, 136.
SPORTSMAN RESULTS:
COMMERCE, Ga. -- Monday's final results from the 29th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. The race is the sixth of 24 in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series:
Competition Eliminator -- Pat Ross, Pontiac Grand Am, 8.068, 166.60 def. Arnie Martel, Pontiac GTO, 7.989, 168.56.
Super Stock -- Anthony Bertozzi, Pontiac Grand Am, 9.615, 120.68 def. Bo Butner, Chevy Cobalt, foul.
Super Comp -- Luke Bogacki, Dragster, 8.927, 170.28 def. Michael Rastall, Dragster, 8.937, 169.51.
Super Gas -- Steve Cohen, Pontiac Grand Am, 9.941, 157.12 def. Jeremy Jensen, Chevy Corvette, 9.949, 147.25.
Super Street -- Mike Desio, Chevy Nova, 10.902, 137.92 def. Mike Griggs, Nova, 10.896, 132.50.
Top Sportsman Invitational -- Mark Pickens, Pontiac GTO, 7.086, 192.82 def. Jeff Brooks, Henry J, 6.929, 196.99.
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