NHRA Gainesville Final Results
By NHRA.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - John Force scored his 94th career NHRA Funny Car victory at Saturday's rain delayed Mac Tools Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, the fifth race of the NHRA's 50th anniversary season.
Larry Dixon, Jeg Coughlin, Matt Hines and Greg Stanfield also won their respective categories at the $2 million race, the fifth of 24 races in the $50 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.
Force's second victory of the season came when Dean Skuza lost traction off the starting line, allowing Force's Castrol GTX Ford Mustang to finish at 5.310 seconds at 273.27 mph as Skuza's Team Mopar Dodge R/T coasted to a 10.728 at 79.11.
Force continued his march towards 100 NHRA victories, needing just six more to reach the century mark. Although Force ran an elapsed time considered sub-par, he and crew chief Austin Coil were betting that Skuza would beat himself. "We had a round table meeting in the trailer and we all said the same thing," Force said. "They said were going to let them beat themselves and that's our only hope. The decision was to stay with your hand and if they can step up and run an 88, they are going to win it. They know we can run that too and maybe the odds are that they are going to push it. We went with the most odds of what we can do and what they would do and they did and they lost."
Force strung together three wins over Chuck Etchells, Al Hofmann, and Ron Capps before beating Skuza in the final round. The win is the second of the season for Force and he now takes over first place in the NHRA Winston Funny Car points standings, 70 points ahead of Bruce Sarver.
Dixon won his 11th career national event as his Miller Lite dragster covered the quarter-mile in 4.661 at 313.95 to defeat Gary Scelzi's Team Winston dragster which ran a 4.727 at 313.95. The last time these two drivers faced each other in a final round was the 2000 AutoZone Nationals in Memphis. Dixon suffered a spectacular crash and lost to Scelzi due to crossing the centerline last year. "Memphis was our race and we lost it," said Dixon, the 1995 NHRA rookie of the year. "To be able to beat Scelzi in the final, what a big deal that is. It may be the first time I have ever beat him in a final."
Dixon entered Gainesville in third place in the NHRA Winston Top Fuel points but now leaves in second, five points behind Mike Dunn. This win marks the second time Dixon has won the Mac Tools Gatornationals since 1995. There are so many great memories here and it is nice to keep them going," said Dixon. "The tracks (that were special) for me growing up in drag racing is Pomona, Indy and then there is Gainesville. To be able to have won at all of those is amazing. For a kid growing up in the sport this is the best." Dixon defeated Bobby Baldwin, David Grubnic, and Tony Schumacher en route to his final round showdown with Scelzi.
Coughlin earned his 22nd career Pro Stock victory in his Jeg's Mail Order Chevrolet Cavalier with a pass of 6.935 at 199.40, edging out Mark Osborne's Team Mopar Dodge R/T's pass of 6.928 at 199.58. After winning the first six of seven races in 2000, Coughlin has struggled early in 2001. "We just stumbled a little this year," said Coughlin, the 1998 NHRA rookie of the year. "We had some off-season things that didn't pan out for us and we came out struggling a little bit. I think the new Chevy Cavaliers gave us a shot in the arm. We have a great group and some great harmony amongst everyone on the team right now. That's really important right now."
Coughlin has now won two races in a row after winning the SummitRacing.com Nationals in Las Vegas two weeks ago. The two wins have placed Coughlin second in the NHRA Winston Pro Stock points chase, 12 behind five-time champion Warren Johnson. Coughlin beat Tom Martino, Warren Johnson, and Kurt Johnson before meeting Osborne. "Warren and Kurt with their experience combined has to be over 50 years," said Coughlin. "They should certainly not be struggling like they did today. Obviously Team Jeg's took advantage of their woes a little bit."
Hines picked up his first win of the season and the 27th of his career in the Pro Stock Motorcycle category. Hines' Eagle One Suzuki was quicker off the starting line than Craig Treble's, running a 7.290 at 180.50 to a 7.287 at 182.72 in an all Suzuki final.
The win pushed Hines into the lead of the NHRA Winston Pro Stock Motorcycle points standings, 23 ahead of Angelle Savoie. "Taking over the points is a big deal," said Hines, the youngest NHRA competitor to win an NHRA Winston championship. "Angelle was able to get the first win of the year (in Las Vegas) with their new cylinder head over there. They came out here with their six speed and we just made it happen. We ran her head up in the semi-finals and I just ran around her at the top end." Hines defeated Clarence Markham, Reggie Showers, and Angelle Savoie before meeting Treble in the finals.
Stanfield won his second career Pro Stock Truck title, holding off fellow Chevy S-10 driver Randy Daniels for the victory. Stanfield covered the distance in 7.492 at 181.23, edging Daniels, who posted a run of 7.503 at 180.62.
Stanfield used a better reaction time and superior performance to beat the current leader in the NHRA Winston Pro Stock Truck points standings. "I think the luck finally went our way today," said Stanfield. "The truck was consistent all weekend long. It's just a mater of getting everything working together at the right time and playing off your opponents mistakes." Stanfield defeated Joe Pigford, Bart Price, and defending Winston champion Bob Panella before beating Daniels in the finals. The win places Stanfield second behind Daniels in the NHRA Winston Pro Stock Truck standings, just 7 behind.
The next NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series event is the Inaugural Mac Tools NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, April 27-19 at Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tenn.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Final round-by-round results from the 32nd annual MAC Tools NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, the fifth of 24 events in the $50-million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series:
TOP FUEL:
ROUND ONE --
Rhonda Hartman-Smith, 4.913, 271.68 def. Bobby Lagana, broke;
David Grubnic, 5.396, 183.49 def. Darrell Russell, 6.297, 161.85
Tony Schumacher, 4.744, 310.77 def. Andrew Cowin, 4.962, 284.87
Kenny Bernstein, 4.636, 314.53 def. Doug Herbert, 6.130, 138.02
Doug Kalitta, 4.767, 298.80 def. Jim Cavalieri, 13.159, 68.17
Mike Dunn, 4.649, 317.64 def. Mike Smith, broke
Gary Scelzi, 4.674, 312.86 def. Steve Smith, 5.105, 261.57
Larry Dixon, 4.642, 316.23 def. Bobby Baldwin, 9.942, 90.90
QUARTERFINALS --
Scelzi, 4.724, 313.80 def. Hartman-Smith, 4.861, 290.94;
Schumacher, 4.699, 309.27 def. Dunn, 5.533, 185.36
Bernstein, 4.693, 312.93 def. Kalitta, foul
Dixon, 4.669, 311.77 def. Grubnic, 4.802, 303.78
SEMIFINALS --
Scelzi, 4.682, 310.05 def. Bernstein, 4.704, 308.78
Dixon, 4.636, 314.68 def. Schumacher, 4.726, 308.35
FINAL --
Dixon, 4.661, 313.95 def. Scelzi, 4.727, 313.95.
FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE --
Dean Skuza, Dodge R/T, 4.990, 303.30 def. Gary Densham, Ford Mustang, 5.615, 182.90
Del Worsham, Pontiac Firebird, 4.949, 308.85 def. Whit Bazemore, Firebird, 5.051, 295.79
John Force, Mustang, 4.920, 300.33 def. Chuck Etchells, Chevy Camaro, 6.834, 125.94
Frank Pedregon, Firebird, 5.140, 288.95 def. Bruce Sarver, Firebird, 5.336, 235.35
Ron Capps, Camaro, 4.921, 305.98 def. Johnny Gray, Firebird, 6.968, 123.51
Tim Wilkerson, Firebird, 4.977, 305.98 def. Tony Bartone, Firebird, 4.985, 305.36
Jim Epler, Camaro, 4.912, 310.48 def. Tommy Johnson Jr., Camaro, 4.969, 303.23;
Al Hofmann, Firebird, 5.012, 275.79 def. Tony Pedregon, Mustang, 5.118, 276.63
QUARTERFINALS --
Wilkerson, 5.021, 301.67 def. F. Pedregon, 5.553, 191.10;
Capps, 4.932, 303.03 def. Worsham, 5.977, 155.96
Force, 4.924, 306.46 def. Hofmann, 6.157, 145.91
Skuza, 5.007, 300.46 def. Epler, 5.427, 197.83
SEMIFINALS --
Skuza, 5.201, 283.37 def. Wilkerson, 5.204, 233.20
Force, 5.216, 270.00 def. Capps, 7.495, 108.78
FINAL --
Force, 5.310, 273.27 def. Skuza, 10.728, 79.11.
PRO STOCK:
ROUND ONE --
Mark Osborne, Dodge R/T, 6.916, 200.56 def. Rickie Smith, Chev Camaro, 6.939, 199.73
Jeg Coughlin, Chevy Cavalier, 6.899, 200.50 def. Tom Martino, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.966, 200.56
Kurt Johnson, Cavalier, 6.906, 200.00 def. Larry Morgan, R/T, 7.294, 159.66
Mike Edwards, Cavalier, 8.065, 117.93 def. Greg Anderson, Pontiac Firebird, 20.385, 48.36
Brad Jeter, Grand Am, 6.908, 199.82 def. Jim Yates, Grand Am, 6.861, 200.50
Warren Johnson, Grand Am, 6.875, 201.79 def. Darrell Alderman, R/T, 6.904, 200.44;
Mark Pawuk, Grand Am, 6.880, 200.68 def. Allen Johnson, Dodge Avenger, 7.889, 129.53
Ron Krisher, Cavalier, 6.885, 200.26 def. George Marnell, Grand Am, 6.921, 199.49
QUARTERFINALS --
Jeter, 6.948, 198.58 def. Edwards, 8.251, 117.81
K. Johnson, 6.932, 200.00 def. Krisher, 6.921, 199.58
Osborne, 6.956, 199.79 def. Pawuk, 6.917, 199.73
J. Coughlin, 6.892, 200.29 def. W. Johnson, 7.556, 146.00
SEMIFINALS --
Osborne, 6.974, 199.35 def. Jeter, 7.037, 198.73
J. Coughlin, 6.947, 199.49 def. K. Johnson, 8.096, 164.11
FINAL --
J. Coughlin, 6.935, 199.40 def. Osborne, 6.928, 199.58.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:
ROUND ONE --
GT Tonglet, Suzuki, 7.298, 184.17 def. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.561, 176.93
Reggie Showers, Suzuki, 7.354, 180.96 def. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 7.447, 161.27
Angelle Savoie, Suzuki, 7.305, 180.55 def. Ron Ayers, Suzuki, 7.398, 179.37
Antron Brown, Suzuki, 7.219, 183.19 def. Michael Phillips, Suzuki, 7.485, 176.90
Matt Hines, Suzuki, 7.235, 181.47 def. Clarence Markham, Suzuki, 9.076, 99.27
Craig Treble, Suzuki, 7.241, 185.54 def. Shawn Gann, Suzuki, 7.347, 178.85
Joe DeSantis, Suzuki, 7.488, 173.63 def. Mike Berry, Suzuki, 7.465, 177.84
Tony Mullen, Suzuki, 7.342, 180.14 def. Paul Gast, Suzuki, broke
QUARTERFINALS --
Savoie, 7.383, 181.32 def. DeSantis, 7.491, 178.87
Treble, 7.222, 185.31 def. Mullen, 7.287, 181.67
Hines, 7.201, 186.12 def. Showers, broke
Tonglet, 7.341, 182.50 def. Brown, 9.493, 90.18
SEMIFINALS --
Treble, 7.246, 183.57 def. Tonglet, 7.354, 182.87
Hines, 7.229, 185.59 def. Savoie, 7.288, 180.62
FINAL --
Hines, 7.290, 180.50 def. Treble, 7.287, 182.72.
PRO STOCK TRUCK:
ROUND ONE --
Scott Perin, Chevy S-10, 7.521, 179.59 def. Larry Seay, S-10, foul
Bart Price, S-10, 8.448, 122.30 def. Don Smith, S-10, foul
George Supinski, S-10, 7.541, 178.66 def. Mike Corvo Jr, GMC Sonoma, 7.913, 137.53;
Jeff Gracia, Sonoma, 7.481, 180.31 def. Jeff Naiser, S-10, 7.510, 178.78;
Bob Panella Jr, S-10, 7.493, 180.07 def. Vinny Barone, S-10, 7.554, 178.66;
Todd Patterson, Dodge Dakota, 7.470, 179.54 def. Victor Cagnazzi, S-10, 7.497, 178.47
Randy Daniels, S-10, 7.518, 179.40 def. Craig Eaton, Dakota, 7.549, 178.45
Greg Stanfield, S-10, 7.453, 181.37 def. Joe Pigford, S-10, 7.563, 179.52
QUARTERFINALS --
Daniels, 7.500, 179.76 def. Perin, foul
Panella Jr, 7.443,181.45 def. Supinski, 7.559, 178.52
Patterson, 7.516, 179.16 def. Gracia, broke
Stanfield, 7.460, 181.30 def. Price, 7.618, 177.46
SEMIFINALS --
Daniels, 7.478, 180.43 def. Patterson, 7.488, 179.90 ;
Stanfield, 7.465, 181.25 def. Panella Jr, 7.476, 181.18
FINAL --
Stanfield, 7.492, 181.23 def. Daniels, 7.503, 180.62.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Final finish order (1-16) for professional categories at the 32nd annual MAC Tools NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway. The $1.7 million race is the fifth of 24 events in the $50-million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.
TOP FUEL:
1. Larry Dixon; 2. Gary Scelzi; 3. Kenny Bernstein; 4. Tony Schumacher; 5. Doug Kalitta; 6. David Grubnic; 7. Rhonda Hartman-Smith; 8. Mike Dunn; 9. Andrew Cowin; 10. Steve Smith; 11. Doug Herbert; 12. Darrell Russell; 13. Bobby Baldwin; 14. Jim Cavalieri; 15. Bobby Lagana; 16. Mike Smith.
FUNNY CAR:
1. John Force, Ford Mustang; 2. Dean Skuza, Dodge R/T; 3. Tim Wilkerson, Pontiac Firebird; 4. Ron Capps, Chevy Camaro; 5. Jim Epler, Camaro; 6. Frank Pedregon, Firebird; 7. Del Worsham, Firebird; 8. Al Hofmann, Firebird; 9. Tommy Johnson Jr., Camaro; 10. Tony Bartone, Firebird; 11. Whit Bazemore, Firebird; 12. Tony Pedregon, Mustang; 13. Bruce Sarver, Firebird; 14. Gary Densham, Mustang; 15. Chuck Etchells, Camaro; 16. Johnny Gray, Firebird.
PRO STOCK:
1. Jeg Coughlin, Chevy Cavalier; 2. Mark Osborne, Dodge R/T; 3. Brad Jeter, Pontiac Grand Am; 4. Kurt Johnson, Cavalier; 5. Mark Pawuk, Grand Am; 6. Ron Krisher, Cavalier; 7. Warren Johnson, Grand Am; 8. Mike Edwards, Cavalier; 9. Jim Yates, Grand Am; 10. Darrell Alderman, R/T; 11. George Marnell, Grand Am; 12. Rickie Smith, Chev Camaro; 13. Tom Martino, Grand Am; 14. Allen Johnson, Dodge Avenger; 15. Larry Morgan, R/T; 16. Greg Anderson, Pontiac Firebird.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:
1. Matt Hines, Suzuki; 2. Craig Treble, Suzuki; 3. Angelle Savoie, Suzuki; 4. GT Tonglet, Suzuki; 5. Tony Mullen, Suzuki; 6. Joe DeSantis, Suzuki; 7. Antron Brown, Suzuki; 8. Reggie Showers, Suzuki; 9. Shawn Gann, Suzuki; 10. Ron Ayers, Suzuki; 11. Chris Bostick, Suzuki; 12. Mike Berry, Suzuki; 13. Michael Phillips, Suzuki; 14. Steve Johnson, Suzuki; 15. Clarence Markham, Suzuki; 16. Paul Gast, Suzuki.
PRO STOCK TRUCK:
1. Greg Stanfield, Chevy S-10; 2. Randy Daniels, S-10; 3. Bob Panella Jr, S-10; 4. Randy Daniels, S-10; 5. George Supinski, S-10; 6. Scott Perin, S-10; 7. Bart Price, S-10; 8. Jeff Gracia, GMC Sonoma; 9. Victor Cagnazzi, S-10; 10. Jeff Naiser, S-10; 11. Larry Seay, S-10; 12. Craig Eaton, Dodge Dakota; 13. Vinny Barone, S-10; 14. Joe Pigford, S-10; 15. Mike Corvo Jr, Sonoma; 16. Don Smith, S-10.
-NHRA
