Densham And Marnell Score First Career Victories
At AutoZone Nationals
Bernstein cuts Dixon's Top Fuel points lead
By NHRA.com
MILLINGTON, Tenn. -- Gary Densham and George Marnell, a couple of drag racing's most noted journeymen, scored their first career victories Sunday at the AutoZone Nationals presented by Pennzoil at Memphis Motorsports Park.
Kenny Bernstein and Mike Coughlin also were winners at the $1.9 million race, the 19th of 24 events in the $50 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.
Densham, a 30-year veteran Funny Car racer, defeated John Force for his first career NHRA victory in 243 starts. Densham, 54, drove his Mac Tools/Auto Club Ford Mustang to a 5.070 second run at 290.01 mph, edging Force in a classic tire-smoking battle. Force, who increased his Winston points lead over Whit Bazemore with the runner-up effort, posted a 5.111 at 283.73 in his identically prepared Mustang.
Densham defeated Chuck Etchells, Whit Bazemore and Ron Capps before passing Force for the opportunity to log his name in the NHRA record books as a national event winner.
"It's unbelievable," said an emotional Densham. "This team is new and we knew we would have a good chance to win. In the last few weeks, Jimmy (Prock, crew chief) has come into his own with this car. It's so terrific to win this race, yet it's so hard to focus with everything that has been going on during the last few weeks. This win makes my year and my career. Now I have plans to win a whole lot more."
Marnell, 50, scored his first career Pro Stock victory, using a holeshot start in his Marnell Racing Pontiac Grand Am to defeat Mark Pawuk, also driving a Grand Am. Marnell clocked a 6.974 at 198.12 to defeat the quicker, but losing, 6.950 at 198.00 recorded by Pawuk's Summit Racing entry.
Marnell, who defeated Robert Patrick, Mark Osborne, and Bruce Allen to advance to the final, was extremely emotional as well.
"It was total chaos," said Marnell, clutching his new trophy. "I was screaming so loud inside the car. This has been a dream for me for a long time. I have worked so hard for this. We finally found the combination to get to the winner's circle and hopefully we can do it again. I'm pretty happy right now."
Although he didn't compete today because of health issues, Jim Yates, the category's top qualifier, cut Warren Johnson's Winston points lead to 76. Yates earned 38 points for his automatic first round loss, giving him 1196. Johnson, who lost in the first round, has 1272.
Bernstein, 56, scored his sixth Top Fuel victory of the season and in the process cut Larry Dixon's Winston points lead to 27 by outrunning his arch-rival in an intense final round. Bernstein powered his Budweiser King dragster to a 4.682 at 308.78 to take the photo finish over Dixon, whose Miller Lite dragster posted a 4.753 at 304.05.
Bernstein used four consecutive 4.6-second runs to march through eliminations, taking wins over Jim Cavalieri, Darrell Russell, and Doug Kalitta before meeting Dixon, who also posted consistently strong performances in defeating Don Sosenka, Tony Schumacher, and Mike Dunn.
In the final, Dixon left the starting line first, but Bernstein had the horsepower to chase him down. Bernstein is expecting a similar side-by-side battle in the final stretch of races as the two teams decide the Winston championship.
"We've only got five races to go and when you get down to that kind of margin it gets really tight," said Bernstein, whose only other win at Memphis came in 1989 in a Funny Car. "This is an epic battle between two really good race teams that aren't making any mistakes. If it keeps going like this, it's going to come down to the last lap at the last race. I'm sure we're going to have to face that blue car a few more times before this deal is settled. It's like a heavyweight fight. One team throws a punch and connects and then the other comes back and knocks the other one down."
Coughlin, 35, successfully defended his Pro Stock Truck crown at Memphis, outrunning Bob Panella in a final round battle between Chevy S-10s. Coughlin covered the distance in 7.446 at 181.79 for his second win of the season in as many races, while Panella was a tick slower, posting a 7.447 at 182.01.
"It's cool to share the winner's circle with a couple of guys that won their first race," said Coughlin. "I was talking with Marnell and I told him that he'll never forget this day. I know I'll never forget my first win. I don't think any of us do. It was neat to see their enthusiasm. It reminds us all what we're out here for."
Panella increased his Winston points lead to 84 over Randy Daniels with the runner-up effort.
The next NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series event is the inaugural NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway, Sept. 27-30.
MILLINGTON, Tenn. -- Final finish order (1-16) for professional categories at the 14th annual AutoZone NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil at Memphis Motorsports Park. The $1.9 million race is the 19th of 24 events in the $50 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.
TOP FUEL:
1. Kenny Bernstein; 2. Larry Dixon; 3. Mike Dunn; 4. Doug Kalitta; 5. Darrell Russell; 6. Tony Schumacher; 7. Doug Herbert; 8. Gary Scelzi; 9. Rhonda Hartman-Smith; 10. Scott Weis; 11. Chris Karamesines; 12. Jim Cavalieri; 13. Luigi Novelli; 14. Andrew Cowin; 15. Don Sosenka; 16. David Grubnic.
FUNNY CAR:
1. Gary Densham, '00 Ford Mustang; 2. John Force, Mustang; 3. Ron Capps, Chevy Camaro; 4. Del Worsham, Pontiac Firebird; 5. Dean Skuza, Dodge R/T; 6. Tommy Johnson Jr., Camaro; 7. Frank Pedregon, Firebird; 8. Whit Bazemore, Firebird; 9. Vinny Arcadi, Camaro; 10. Tony Pedregon, Mustang; 11. Chuck Etchells, Camaro; 12. Jim Epler, Camaro; 13. Scotty Cannon, Firebird; 14. Bob Gilbertson, Firebird; 15. Al Hofmann, Firebird; 16. Jerry Toliver, Firebird.
PRO STOCK:
1. George Marnell, Pontiac Grand Am; 2. Mark Pawuk, Grand Am; 3. Bruce Allen, Grand Am; 4. Jeg Coughlin, Chevy Cavalier; 5. Kurt Johnson, Cavalier; 6. Rickie Smith, Grand Am; 7. Mark Osborne, Dodge Neon R/T; 8. Larry Morgan, Neon R/T; 9. Warren Johnson, Grand Am; 10. Tom Hammonds, Cavalier; 11. Brad Jeter, Grand Am; 12. Greg Anderson, Pontiac Firebird; 13. Robert Patrick, Ford Mustang; 14. Ron Krisher, Cavalier; 15. Mike Edwards, Cavalier; 16. Jim Yates, Grand Am.
PRO STOCK TRUCK:
1. Mike Coughlin, Chevy S-10; 2. Bob Panella Jr, S-10; 3. Taylor Lastor, S-10; 4. Todd Patterson, Dodge Dakota; 5. Randy Daniels, S-10; 6. Greg Stanfield, S-10; 7. Scott Tidwell, S-10; 8. Victor Cagnazzi, S-10; 9. John Lingenfelter, GMC Sonoma; 10. Jeff Naiser, S-10; 11. John Coughlin, S-10; 12. Jerry Haas, S-10; 13. Jeff Gracia, Sonoma; 14. Lou Ficco, S-10; 15. Bart Price, S-10; 16. Don Smith, S-10.
MILLINGTON, Tenn. -- Sunday's final results from the 14th annual AutoZone NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil at Memphis Motorsports Park. The $1.9 million race is the 19th of 24 events in the $50 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series:
Top Fuel -- Kenny Bernstein, 4.682 seconds, 308.78 mph def. Larry Dixon, 4.753 seconds, 304.05 mph.
Funny Car -- Gary Densham, Ford Mustang, 5.070, 290.01 def. John Force, Mustang, 5.111, 283.73.
Pro Stock -- George Marnell, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.974, 198.12 def. Mark Pawuk, Grand Am, 6.950, 198.00.
Pro Stock Truck -- Mike Coughlin, Chevy S-10, 7.446, 181.79 def. Bob Panella Jr, S-10, 7.447, 182.01.
Federal-Mogul Dragster -- Jay Meyer, 5.461, 257.19 def. Tony Bartone, 5.636, 237.67.
Federal-Mogul Funny Car -- Frank Manzo, Dodge Avenger, 5.680, 252.05 def. Von Smith, Pontiac Firebird, 5.730, 250.18.
Comp Eliminator -- Jeff Taylor, Pontiac Grand Am, 7.962, 137.99 def. David Rampy, Roadster, foul.
Super Stock -- Jeff Taylor, Pontiac Grand Am, 8.844, 154.02 def. Peter Biondo, Pontiac Firebird, foul.
Stock -- Larry Hodge, Buick Skylark, 12.738, 103.52 def. Jim Cimarolli, Chevy Nova, foul.
Super Comp -- Doug Doll, Dragster, 8.914, 162.98 def. Todd Ewing, Dragster, 8.925, 164.79.
Super Gas -- Steve Cohen, Chevy Corvette, 9.851, 146.23 def. David Hensley, Pontiac Trans Am, foul.
MILLINGTON, Tenn. -- Final round-by-round results from the 14th annual AutoZone NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil at Memphis Motorsports Park, the 19th of 24 events in the $50 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series:
TOP FUEL:
ROUND ONE -- Tony Schumacher, 5.009, 285.11 def. Andrew Cowin, 5.537, 238.68; Doug Kalitta, 4.679, 298.01 def. Rhonda Hartman-Smith, 4.750, 310.84; Darrell Russell, 4.756, 305.01 def. Scott Weis, 4.800, 309.34; Mike Dunn, 4.692, 310.77 def. David Grubnic, 8.032, 82.99; Doug Herbert, 4.742, 313.00 def. Luigi Novelli, foul; Kenny Bernstein, 4.625, 315.86 def. Jim Cavalieri, 4.954, 293.60; Gary Scelzi, 4.699, 311.92 def. Chris Karamesines, foul; Larry Dixon, 4.645, 307.79 def. Don Sosenka, 5.623, 240.04;
QUARTERFINALS -- Dunn, 4.724, 301.94 def. Scelzi, 8.137, 97.50; Kalitta, 4.684, 306.67 def. Herbert, 5.071, 225.94; Dixon, 4.711, 305.70 def. Schumacher, 4.739, 302.41; Bernstein, 4.628, 314.53 def. Russell, 4.700, 308.28;
SEMIFINALS -- Dixon, 4.682, 307.30 def. Dunn, 4.675, 312.93; Bernstein, 4.691, 311.13 def. Kalitta, 4.956, 289.07;
FINAL -- Bernstein, 4.682, 308.78 def. Dixon, 4.753, 304.05.
FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE -- Frank Pedregon, Pontiac Firebird, 5.026, 296.57 def. Tony Pedregon, Ford Mustang, 5.297, 225.30; Del Worsham, Firebird, 5.207, 289.32 def. Jerry Toliver, Firebird, 9.506, 82.07; John Force, Mustang, 4.944, 301.20 def. Jim Epler, Chevy Camaro, 5.752, 175.05; Ron Capps, Camaro, 5.026, 280.37 def. Vinny Arcadi, Camaro, 5.022, 274.89; Whit Bazemore, Firebird, 4.870, 306.67 def. Al Hofmann, Firebird, 8.113, 102.18; Gary Densham, Mustang, 4.977, 301.40 def. Chuck Etchells, Camaro, 5.661, 184.07; Dean Skuza, Dodge R/T, 4.995, 298.47 def. Scotty Cannon, Firebird, 7.149, 120.98; Tommy Johnson Jr., Camaro, 4.901, 302.75 def. Bob Gilbertson, Firebird, 7.152, 123.67;
QUARTERFINALS -- Worsham, 4.999, 298.14 def. F. Pedregon, 6.683, 132.71; Capps, 4.904, 300.46 def. Skuza, 4.980, 299.60; Densham, 4.982, 297.02 def. Bazemore, 9.880, 88.43; Force, 4.929, 308.99 def. Johnson Jr., 4.994, 299.66;
SEMIFINALS -- Force, 4.928, 301.54 def. Worsham, 5.084, 293.92; Densham, 4.945, 305.01 def. Capps, 4.981, 282.66;
FINAL -- Densham, 5.070, 290.01 def. Force, 5.111, 283.73.
PRO STOCK:
ROUND ONE -- Rickie Smith, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.937, 198.38 def. Jim Yates, Grand Am, no show; Jeg Coughlin, Chevy Cavalier, 6.949, 198.09 def. Brad Jeter, Grand Am, 6.964, 198.52; Larry Morgan, Dodge Neon R/T, 6.960, 198.50 def. Tom Hammonds, Cavalier, 6.947, 199.02; George Marnell, Grand Am, 6.993, 197.42 def. Robert Patrick, Ford Mustang, 6.987, 197.68; Bruce Allen, Grand Am, 6.943, 198.41 def. Warren Johnson, Grand Am, 6.936, 199.52; Kurt Johnson, Cavalier, 6.947, 199.40 def. Ron Krisher, Cavalier, 7.052, 194.88; Mark Pawuk, Grand Am, 7.014, 197.25 def. Mike Edwards, Cavalier, 7.635, 139.88; Mark Osborne, Neon R/T, 6.939, 199.76 def. Greg Anderson, Pontiac Firebird, 6.964, 199.14;
QUARTERFINALS -- Pawuk, 6.974, 197.28 def. Morgan, 6.980, 197.80; Allen, 6.958, 197.74 def. K. Johnson, 6.914, 199.91; Marnell, 6.953, 198.41 def. Osborne, 6.953, 199.70; J. Coughlin, 6.955, 198.32 def. Smith, 6.940, 199.05;
SEMIFINALS -- Pawuk, 6.977, 197.22 def. J. Coughlin, 7.478, 141.18; Marnell, 6.932, 198.67 def. Allen, 6.962, 198.99;
FINAL -- Marnell, 6.974, 198.12 def. Pawuk, 6.950, 198.00.
PRO STOCK TRUCK:
ROUND ONE -- Randy Daniels, Chevy S-10, 7.482, 180.60 def. John Coughlin, S-10, 7.509, 179.23; Victor Cagnazzi, S-10, 12.022, 72.37 def. John Lingenfelter, GMC Sonoma, foul; Greg Stanfield, S-10, 7.468, 180.91 def. Jeff Gracia, Sonoma, 7.531, 180.04; Scott Tidwell, S-10, 7.497, 179.42 def. Bart Price, S-10, 8.487, 119.98; Todd Patterson, Dodge Dakota, 7.482, 180.96 def. Jeff Naiser, S-10, foul; Mike Coughlin, S-10, 7.456, 181.54 def. Jerry Haas, S-10, 7.513, 179.16; Bob Panella Jr, S-10, 7.467, 181.52 def. Don Smith, S-10, 24.494, 30.12; Taylor Lastor, S-10, 7.468, 180.69 def. Lou Ficco, S-10, 7.583, 178.95;
QUARTERFINALS -- Patterson, 7.478, 180.65 def. Tidwell, 7.535, 179.66; Lastor, 7.492, 180.24 def. Stanfield, 7.490, 181.23; M. Coughlin, 7.449, 181.37 def. Daniels, 7.482, 180.38; Panella Jr, 7.467, 181.54 def. Cagnazzi, 7.573, 179.44;
SEMIFINALS -- Panella Jr, 7.461, 181.37 def. Lastor, 7.464, 180.40; M. Coughlin, 7.444, 181.84 def. Patterson, 7.479, 180.50;
FINAL -- M. Coughlin, 7.446, 181.79 def. Panella Jr, 7.447, 182.01.
MILLINGTON, Tenn. -- Point standings (top 10) for NHRA professional categories following the 14th annual AutoZone NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil at Memphis Motorsports Park, the 19th of 24 events in the $50 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series:
TOP FUEL:
1. Larry Dixon, 1,625; 2. Kenny Bernstein, 1,598; 3. Mike Dunn, 1,271; 4. Doug Kalitta, 1,263; 5. Gary Scelzi, 1,261; 6. Darrell Russell, 1,199; 7. Doug Herbert, 1,022; 8. Tony Schumacher, 947; 9. David Grubnic, 791; 10. Rhonda Hartman-Smith, 643.
FUNNY CAR:
1. John Force, 1,584; 2. Whit Bazemore, 1,299; 3. Del Worsham, 1,205; 4. Ron Capps, 1,204; 5. Tony Pedregon, 1,128; 6. Bruce Sarver, 1,081; 7. Frank Pedregon, 908; 8. Tommy Johnson Jr., 898; 9. Gary Densham, 885; 10. Dean Skuza, 884.
PRO STOCK:
1. Warren Johnson, 1,272; 2. Jim Yates, 1,196; 3. Bruce Allen, 1,070; 4. Mike Edwards, 1,065; 5. Jeg Coughlin, 1,055; 6. Mark Pawuk, 1,047; 7. Mark Osborne, 1,023; 8. Ron Krisher, 997; 9. Kurt Johnson, 982; 10. Brad Jeter, 784.
PRO STOCK TRUCK:
1. Bob Panella Jr, 947; 2. Randy Daniels, 863; 3. Greg Stanfield, 818; 4. Jeff Gracia, 681; 5. Todd Patterson, 589; 6. Mike Coughlin, 537; 7. Scott Perin, 522; 8. Taylor Lastor, 516; 9. Don Smith, 515; 10. Victor Cagnazzi, 453.
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