CLERMONT, Ind. - Tony Schumacher regained the NHRA Winston Top Fuel
points lead Monday, winning the NHRA U.S. Nationals for the first time in
his career.
Jim Epler, Jeg Coughlin, Antron Brown and Bob Panella also celebrated
their first-ever U.S. Nationals victories in their respective pro
categories at the $2.6 million race, the most prestigious event in the $45
million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series. Schumacher, from Park Ridge,
Ill., earned the automatic win when journeyman finalist Gary Clapshaw
fouled at the start. With the victory - the fourth of the season and fifth
of his career -- he moved 69 points ahead of closest championship rival
Gary Scelzi, who lost in the first round. "There's still seven races
to go, so it's still wide open," Schumacher said. "I'm glad to
get the lead back, but we're going to have a battle until the end, that's
for sure." Schumacher, who defeated Doug Herbert, Larry Dixon and
Kenny Bernstein in earlier rounds, covered the Indianapolis Raceway Park
quarter-mile in 4.644 seconds at 316.90 mph in his U.S. Army dragster as
Clapshaw turned on the red-light.
"This was an intense win," said Schumacher, who posted a
runner-up finish at this event in 1996 during his first-ever Top Fuel
race. "The team worked extra hard this weekend. I just got in the car
and did what I had to do. We're happy to get this win in our first race
for the U.S. Army. We're definitely gaining momentum."
Shirley Muldowney, who made a return to the U.S. Nationals for the first
time since 1989, lost to first round opponent Doug Kalitta in the most
exciting side-by-side race of the day. Muldowney pulled away from Kalitta
at the start, but her Goosehead.com dragster's front wheels started to
lift off the ground near mid-track. When she let off the throttle, the car
slammed down to the track, causing damage to the front wheels. As she
tried to steer the hobbled dragster to the finish it veered toward the
centerline, eventually crossing it.
"We had him, that's for sure," said a disappointed Muldowney.
"It's too bad because we wanted to win that one really bad. Still, we
had a great weekend and a lot of fun, and that's what's important."
Epler, from Phoenix, drove his WWF Racing Chevy Camaro to his second Funny
Car win of the season, clocking a 5.017 at 285.41, while Whit Bazemore's
Kendall Camaro lost traction and posted a 5.968 at 197.19.
"It feels good to get another shot at winning this race and finally
get the job done," said Epler, a runner-up here one year ago.
"As a driver you always dream about winning this race. I've been
racing for a long time and winning the U.S. Nationals has always been high
on my list. This has been a great year for me as a driver to work with
Jerry Toliver and the folks at WWF. This is a huge win for me -- a
career-building win."
John Force lost in the second round but managed to extend his Winston
points lead to 196 over Jerry Toliver, who lost in the first round.
Coughlin, from Columbus, Ohio, extended his Winston points lead in Pro
Stock with his seventh victory of the season, and 17th of his career. He
used a holeshot start in his Oldsmobile Cutlass and ran a 6.968 at 196.96
to defeat Ron Krisher's Pontiac Firebird, which ran a quicker, but losing
6.927 at 197.59.
With the win, Panella increased his Winston lead to 129 over the event's
top qualifier, Randy Daniels, who lost in the first round.
Brown, who recently relocated to Indianapolis, earned more than $35,000
with his third Pro Stock Motorcycle victory of the season. Brown, who
added a $10,000 NHRA double-up bonus to his weekend winnings of $25,000,
rode his Troy Vincent-owned Suzuki to a 7.268 at 181.03, defeating John
Smith, who posted a 7.354 at 181.45 while subbing for Dave Schultz on the
Sunoco Suzuki.
"To win the U.S. Nationals is unbelievable," Brown said.
"To win the Nationals and the Holley Duel and the big bonus is
awesome. It's hard to take it all in at the same time. This weekend is the
highlight of my career."
Seeling, who lost to Smith in the semifinals, maintained her Winston
points lead over Matt Hines, who lost in the other semifinal.
Stockton, Calif.'s Panella extended his Winston lead in Pro Stock Truck
with a victory over John Coughlin in an all Chevy S-10 final round.
Panella ran a track record 7.535 at 176.86 to overcome a holeshot start by
Coughlin, who ran a slower 7.622 at 176.63. It was Panella's fourth
victory of the season.
"This was an important win for us," said Panella, the '98
runner-up at this event. "We finally figured this deal out and the
truck started to pick up today in eliminations. We let this race get away
from us two years ago. I'm glad we made the most of the opportunity this
time around. I hate that Randy (Daniels) went out early, but I enjoy
having that comfort zone in the point standings."
The next NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series event is Sept. 9 at Englishtown,
N.J., for completion of the rain-delayed Matco Tools Spring SuperNationals
at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.
Final finish order (1-16) for professional categories at the 46th
annual NHRA U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park. The $2.6 million
race is the 17th of 23 events in the $45 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing
Series.
TOP FUEL:
1. Tony Schumacher; 2. Gary Clapshaw; 3. Melanie Troxel; 4. Kenny
Bernstein; 5. Larry Dixon; 6. Bob Vandergriff; 7. Joe Amato; 8. Doug
Kalitta; 9. Gary Scelzi; 10. Tim Gibson; 11. Bruce Litton; 12. Rhonda
Hartman-Smith; 13. Don Lampus; 14. Cory McClenathan; 15. Doug Herbert; 16.
Shirley Muldowney.
FUNNY CAR:
1. Jim Epler, Chevy Camaro; 2. Whit Bazemore, Camaro; 3. Ron Capps,
Camaro; 4. Cruz Pedregon, Pontiac Firebird; 5. Bruce Sarver, Firebird; 6.
John Force, Ford Mustang; 7. Tim Wilkerson, Firebird; 8. Tony Pedregon,
Mustang; 9. Jerry Toliver, Firebird; 10. Tommy Johnson Jr., Firebird; 11.
Bob Gilbertson, Camaro; 12. Cory Lee, Dodge Avenger; 13. Cristen Powell,
Chevrolet Camaro; 14. Frank Pedregon, Firebird; 15. Scotty Cannon, Camaro;
16. Del Worsham, Firebird.
PRO STOCK:
1. Jeg Coughlin, Oldsmobile Cutlass; 2. Ron Krisher, Pontiac Firebird; 3.
Kurt Johnson, Chevy Camaro; 4. Mark Pawuk, Firebird; 5. Richie Stevens,
Firebird; 6. Troy Coughlin, Cutlass; 7. Allen Johnson, Dodge Avenger; 8.
George Marnell, Firebird; 9. Jim Yates, Firebird; 10. Mark Osborne,
Firebird; 11. Rickie Smith, Camaro; 12. Tom Martino, Firebird; 13. Darrell
Alderman, Avenger; 14. Brad Jeter, Firebird; 15. Bruce Allen, Firebird;
16. Warren Johnson, Firebird.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:
1. Antron Brown, Suzuki; 2. John Smith, Suzuki; 3. Angelle Seeling,
Suzuki; 4. Matt Hines, Suzuki; 5. Craig Treble, Suzuki; 6. Shawn Gann,
Suzuki; 7. Geno Scali, Suzuki; 8. Tony Mullen, Suzuki; 9. Joe DeSantis,
Suzuki; 10. Blaine Hale, Kawasaki; 11. Greg Underdahl, Suzuki; 12. Michael
Phillips, Suzuki; 13. Steve Johnson, Suzuki; 14. Clarence Markham, Suzuki;
15. Scott Cannon, Suzuki; 16. Ron Ayers, Suzuki.
PRO STOCK TRUCK:
1. Bob Panella Jr, Chevy S-10; 2. John Coughlin, S-10; 3. Steve Johns,
S-10; 4. Larry Seay, S-10; 5. Don Smith, S-10; 6. Mike Coughlin, S-10; 7.
Mark Whisnant, S-10; 8. Todd Patterson, Dodge Dakota; 9. Greg Stanfield,
S-10; 10. John Lingenfelter, GMC Sonoma; 11. Scott Perin, S-10; 12. Steven
Farr, S-10; 13. Arnie Martel, S-10; 14. Lou Ficco, S-10; 15. Bart Price,
S-10; 16. Randy Daniels, S-10.
Monday's final results from the 46th annual NHRA U.S. Nationals at
Indianapolis Raceway Park. The $2.6 million race is the 17the of 23 events
in the $45 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series:
Top Fuel -- Tony Schumacher, 4.644 seconds, 316.90 mph def. Gary Clapshaw,
foul.
Funny Car -- Jim Epler, Chevy Camaro, 5.017, 285.41 def. Whit Bazemore,
Camaro, 5.968, 197.19.
Pro Stock -- Jeg Coughlin, Oldsmobile Cutlass, 6.968, 196.96 def. Ron
Krisher, Pontiac Firebird, 6.927, 197.59.
Pro Stock Bike -- Antron Brown, Suzuki, 7.268, 181.03 def. John Smith,
Suzuki, 7.354, 181.45.
Pro Stock Truck -- Bob Panella Jr, Chevy S-10, 7.535, 176.86 def. John
Coughlin, S-10, 7.622, 176.63.
Federal-Mogul Dragster -- Jay Meyer, 5.497, 254.23 def. Dave Hirata,
6.308, 207.69.
Federal-Mogul Funny Car -- Frank Manzo, Dodge Avenger, 5.676, 253.14 def.
Tony Bartone, Chevy Camaro, 5.640, 255.29.
Comp Eliminator -- Jeff Taylor, Chevy Camaro, 8.326, 133.39 def. Joey
Tanksley, Dragster, foul.
Super Stock -- Scotty Richardson, Pontiac Firebird, 10.257, 127.78 def.
Herbie Null, Chevy Camaro, foul.
Stock -- Jim Schaechter, Chevy Malibu, 12.184, 104.60 def. Scott Welborn,
Chevelle, 11.822, 112.08.
Super Comp -- Glenn Julius, 8.867, 163.81 def. Tony Collier, foul.
Super Gas -- Jerry DeBusk, Ford Probe, 9.902, 154.12 def. Barbara
Harrison, Chevy Vega, 9.913, 142.57.
Final round-by-round results from the 46th annual NHRA U.S. Nationals at
Indianapolis Raceway Park, the 17th of 23 events in the $45 million NHRA
Winston Drag Racing Series:
TOP FUEL:
ROUND ONE -- Kenny Bernstein, 4.711, 309.91 def. Gary Scelzi, 4.713,
304.53; Melanie Troxel, 4.735, 267.59 def. Don Lampus, 5.903, 152.64;
Larry Dixon, 4.852, 273.27 def. Rhonda Hartman-Smith, 5.001, 261.52; Tony
Schumacher, 4.673, 309.27 def. Doug Herbert, 10.395, 83.37; Gary Clapshaw,
4.706, 310.41 def. Cory McClenathan, 7.246, 111.49; Bob Vandergriff,
4.701, 310.41 def. Bruce Litton, 4.851, 306.33; Doug Kalitta, No Time, no
speed def. Shirley Muldowney, DQ/CL; Joe Amato, 4.788, 303.37 def. Tim
Gibson, 4.821, 294.63;
QUARTERFINALS -- Bernstein, 4.651, 305.42 def. Kalitta, 4.774, 297.61;
Clapshaw, 4.733, 272.12 def. Amato, 4.741, 311.99; Troxel, 4.659, 320.13
def. Vandergriff, 4.693, 309.34; Schumacher, 4.607, 316.45 def. Dixon,
4.683, 311.92;
SEMIFINALS -- Clapshaw, 4.684, 312.35 def. Troxel, 5.323, 224.51;
Schumacher, 4.618, 314.17 def. Bernstein, 9.604, 82.61;
FINAL -- Schumacher, 4.644, 316.90 def. Clapshaw, foul.
FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE -- Tony Pedregon, Ford Mustang, 5.049, 296.63 def. Jerry Toliver,
Pontiac Firebird, 5.048, 301.74; Ron Capps, Chevy Camaro, 4.997, 301.47
def. Bob Gilbertson, Camaro, 5.127, 272.23; Whit Bazemore, Camaro, 5.047,
301.40 def. Tommy Johnson Jr., Firebird, 5.090, No Speed; John Force,
Mustang, 5.005, 304.32 def. Del Worsham, Firebird, 6.292, 139.01; Cruz
Pedregon, Firebird, 5.123, 277.72 def. Cristen Powell, Chevrolet Camaro,
5.573, 179.21; Bruce Sarver, Firebird, 5.066, 299.60 def. Frank Pedregon,
Firebird, 5.758, 192.74; Jim Epler, Camaro, 5.002, 304.46 def. Scotty
Cannon, Camaro, 5.857, 167.45; Tim Wilkerson, Firebird, 4.990, 305.42 def.
Cory Lee, Dodge Avenger, 5.280, 266.48;
QUARTERFINALS -- Epler, 4.986, 295.79 def. Force, 5.048, 314.90; Capps,
4.903, 304.39 def. Sarver, 4.957, 306.05; C. Pedregon, 5.011, 305.15 def.
T. Pedregon, 5.181, 250.00; Bazemore, 4.955, 307.65 def. Wilkerson, no
time , no speed;
SEMIFINALS -- Bazemore, 5.052, 303.98 def. C. Pedregon, 5.184, 225.79;
Epler, 4.923, 305.98 def. Capps, 5.058, 293.92;
FINAL -- Epler, 5.017, 285.41 def. Bazemore, 5.968, 197.19.
PRO STOCK:
ROUND ONE -- Allen Johnson, Dodge Avenger, 7.022, 194.86 def. Darrell
Alderman, Avenger, 7.013, 195.73; Richie Stevens, Pontiac Firebird, 6.960,
195.65 def. Tom Martino, Firebird, 7.007, 195.96; Troy Coughlin,
Oldsmobile Cutlass, 6.964, 196.36 def. Rickie Smith, Chevy Camaro, 7.004,
195.65; Mark Pawuk, Firebird, 6.932, 195.82 def. Bruce Allen, Firebird,
7.029, 194.63; George Marnell, Firebird, 7.013, 195.14 def. Warren
Johnson, Firebird, broke; Ron Krisher, Firebird, 6.978, 196.16 def. Jim
Yates, Firebird, 6.993, 196.44; Kurt Johnson, Camaro, 6.953, 196.90 def.
Brad Jeter, Firebird, 7.016, 195.82; Jeg Coughlin, Cutlass, 7.017, 195.14
def. Mark Osborne, Firebird, 6.993, 196.47;
QUARTERFINALS -- J. Coughlin, 6.950, 196.27 def. A. Johnson, 6.992,
195.34; Krisher, 6.929, 196.76 def. Stevens, 6.953, 196.13; K. Johnson,
6.925, 197.57 def. T. Coughlin, 6.961, 196.22; Pawuk, 6.946, 196.42 def.
Marnell, foul;
SEMIFINALS -- J. Coughlin, 6.981, 196.33 def. Pawuk, 6.991, 196.19;
Krisher, 6.924, 196.99 def. K. Johnson, 6.892, 198.03;
FINAL -- J. Coughlin, 6.968, 196.96 def. Krisher, 6.927, 197.59.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:
ROUND ONE -- Shawn Gann, Suzuki, 7.405, 178.19 def. Blaine Hale, Kawasaki
, 7.457, 177.35; Craig Treble, Suzuki, 7.350, 178.00 def. Michael
Phillips, Suzuki, 7.465, 177.09; John Smith, Suzuki, 7.428, 180.12 def.
Joe DeSantis, Suzuki, broke, 177.09; Angelle Seeling, Suzuki, 7.353,
179.18 def. Clarence Markham, Suzuki, 7.497, 175.39; Antron Brown, Suzuki,
7.353, 180.84 def. Ron Ayers, Suzuki, 7.602, 175.48; Matt Hines, Suzuki,
7.325, 176.47 def. Greg Underdahl, Suzuki, 7.457, 177.51; Geno Scali,
Suzuki, 7.354, 179.61 def. Scott Cannon, Suzuki, 7.558, 168.68; Tony
Mullen, Suzuki, 7.413, 179.88 def. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.470, 168.56;
QUARTERFINALS -- J. Smith, 7.363, 181.32 def. Mullen, 11.145, 69.75;
Brown, 7.272, 182.67 def. Treble, 7.309, 179.78; Seeling, 7.278, 180.94
def. Gann, foul; Hines, 7.329, 182.65 def. Scali, 7.443, 174.82;
SEMIFINALS -- J. Smith, 7.350, 181.94 def. Seeling, 7.241, 180.21; Brown,
7.269, 179.37 def. Hines, 7.270, 178.17;
FINAL -- Brown, 7.268, 181.03 def. J. Smith, 7.354, 181.45.
PRO STOCK TRUCK:
ROUND ONE -- Bob Panella Jr, Chevy S-10, 7.604, 176.47 def. Greg
Stanfield, S-10, 7.567, 176.33; John Coughlin, S-10, 7.593, 175.66 def.
Steven Farr, S-10, 7.636, 175.50; Larry Seay, S-10, 7.654, 175.02 def.
Bart Price, S-10, foul; Steve Johns, S-10, 7.673, 176.03 def. Arnie
Martel, S-10, 7.685, 174.64; Mark Whisnant, S-10, 7.632, 175.55 def. John
Lingenfelter, GMC Sonoma, 7.618, 175.59; Mike Coughlin, S-10, 7.630,
175.68 def. Lou Ficco, S-10, 7.702, 174.53; Todd Patterson, Dodge Dakota,
7.679, 174.48 def. Randy Daniels, S-10, 21.328, 34.70; Don Smith, S-10,
7.622, 175.59 def. Scott Perin, S-10, 7.632, 175.39;
QUARTERFINALS -- Seay, 7.639, 175.23 def. Patterson, 7.646, 174.77; Johns,
7.620, 176.51 def. Whisnant, 7.630, 176.07; Panella Jr, 7.563, 176.77 def.
M. Coughlin, 7.606, 176.40; J. Coughlin, 7.611, 175.75 def. D. Smith,
7.602, 176.24;
SEMIFINALS -- J. Coughlin, 7.598, 175.82 def. Seay, 8.157, 130.82; Panella
Jr, 7.577, 176.70 def. Johns, 7.631, 176.28;
FINAL -- Panella Jr, 7.535, 176.86 def. J. Coughlin, 7.622, 176.63.
Point standings (top 10) for NHRA professional categories following the
46th annual NHRA U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park, the 17th of
23 events in the $45 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series:
TOP FUEL:
1. Tony Schumacher, 1,309; 2. Gary Scelzi, 1,240; 3. Larry Dixon, 1,184;
4. Kenny Bernstein, 1,035; 5. Joe Amato, 1,001; 6. Doug Kalitta, 953; 7.
Cory McClenathan, 773; 8. Bob Vandergriff, 716; 9. Doug Herbert, 656; 10.
Don Lampus, 634.
FUNNY CAR:
1. John Force, 1,342; 2. Jerry Toliver, 1,156; 3. Tony Pedregon, 1,030; 4.
Ron Capps, 1,015; 5. Jim Epler, 977; 6. Whit Bazemore, 775; 7. Dean Skuza,
761; 8. Scotty Cannon, 744; 9. Del Worsham, 734; 10. Bruce Sarver, 664.
PRO STOCK:
1. Jeg Coughlin, 1,401; 2. Ron Krisher, 1,104; 3. Kurt Johnson, 1,086; 4.
Warren Johnson, 962; 5. Troy Coughlin, 859; 6. Mark Pawuk, 857; 7. Richie
Stevens, 758; 8. Jim Yates, 751; 9. Tom Martino, 642; 10. Bruce Allen,
622.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:
1. Angelle Seeling, 928; 2. Matt Hines, 827; 3. Tony Mullen, 753; 4.
Antron Brown, 752; 5. David Schultz, 701; 6. Craig Treble, 554; 7. Geno
Scali, 497; 8. Shawn Gann, 403; 9. Blaine Hale, 317; 10. Ron Ayers, 294.
PRO STOCK TRUCK:
1. Bob Panella Jr, 1,011; 2. Randy Daniels, 882; 3. John Coughlin, 631; 4.
Greg Stanfield, 578; 5. Steve Johns, 535; 6. Brian Self, 483; 7. Rick
Jones, 444; 8. (tie) Mike Coughlin, 411; John Lingenfelter, 411; 10. Jeff
Gracia, 380.
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