NHRA Route 66 Nationals COMPELIMINATOR
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Top Fuel
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Friday

Results for Qualifying Round 1
JOLIET, Ill. - CHICAGO 1 - Notes from round 1 qualifying in
        Top Fuel at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, Seventh annual Lucas
        Oil NHRA Route 66 Nationals listing lane, driver name, elapsed time, top
        speed, and position in order following run: 
     Right Lane: Chris KaramesinesRuns 4.927/283.67, Now #1
5:46 p.m. - Weather conditions: air temperature 79 degrees, relative humidity 83 percent, barometer 29.18 inches, adjusted altitude 2,602 feet, track temperature 99 degrees.

Karamesines started off Top Fuel qualifying with a run that saw him drift a little bit to the left but not enough to pull him completely out of the groove.

      Left Lane: Luigi Novelli    Runs 5.210/218.41, Now #3
     Right Lane: T.J. Zizzo       Runs 4.706/310.13, Now #1
Novelli broke a blower belt at about 1,000 feet. Zizzo had the quickest ET of his career with a clean, straight run.
      Left Lane: Bob Vandergriff  Runs 4.660/312.06, Now #1
     Right Lane: Tim Cullinan     Runs 11.212/75.34, Now #5
Cullinan shook the tires as he launched and shut it down. Vandergriff went right down the middle of his lane for a good run.
      Left Lane: Mike Strasburg   Runs 4.690/307.16, Now #2
     Right Lane: Brady Kalivoda   Runs 4.729/308.57, Now #4
Both drivers had clean, straight runs.
      Left Lane: John Smith       Runs 8.948/103.99, Now #8
     Right Lane: Rhonda Hartman-Smith
                                  Runs 4.721/303.64, Now #4
It was husband in the left lane, wife in the right lane. Smith shook and smoked the tires and shut it down by the time he reached the 330 foot marker. Hartman-Smith had a clean run going but her car let out some white smoke as it crossed the finish line.
      Left Lane: Scott Weis       Runs 4.580/325.06, Now #1
     Right Lane: David Baca       Runs 9.679/89.09, Now #10
Baca shook the tires as he launched and shut it down. Weis had a strong run that was his quickest of the season and just 16-thousandths of a second slower than his career best. His speed was the fastest of his career.
      Left Lane: Doug Herbert     Runs 4.605/313.58, Now #3
     Right Lane: Scott Kalitta    Runs 4.583/326.87, Now #2
Two good runs that put both drivers in the top part of the order, for now.
      Left Lane: Larry Dixon      Runs 4.797/254.86, Now #10
     Right Lane: Darrell Russell  Runs 4.658/312.42, Now #4
Neither driver launched very hard. Dixon's 60-foot time was 0.864 seconds, Russell's was 0.879 seconds. Dixon broke a blower belt at about 1,000 feet.
      Left Lane: Clay Millican    Runs 4.745/291.19, Now #11
     Right Lane: David Grubnic    Runs 4.557/324.28, Now #1
Grubnic had a very strong run that moved him to the top of the order with four drivers left waiting for their first qualifying attempt. Millican had a good-looking run but smoked the tires just a little bit at the end of the track.
      Left Lane: Cory McClenathan Runs 4.629/321.96, Now #5
     Right Lane: Doug Kalitta     Runs 5.353/184.47, Now #16
Kalitta smoked the tires at 330 feet, pedaled it, got back into it, spun the tires again and pedaled again to finish the run. McClenathan had a clean run. Kalitta's on the bubble with Brandon Bernstein and Tony Schumacher left to run.
      Left Lane: Brandon BernsteinRuns 4.653/317.72, Now #7
     Right Lane: Tony Schumacher  Runs 4.563/326.71, Now #2
Two good runs, with Schumacher just not quite quick enough to take the top spot in the order.
       
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Friday

Order for Qualifying Round 1
JOLIET, Ill. - SUMMIT FastNews - Order after one round of
        qualifying in Top Fuel at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, Seventh
        annual Lucas Oil NHRA Route 66 Nationals: 
 Psn   Driver                Vehicle                       ET    Speed
   1. David Grubnic        Kalitta Air Dragster            4.557  324.28
   2. Tony Schumacher      U.S. Army Dragster              4.563  326.71
   3. Scott Weis           Race Girl Dragster              4.580  325.06
   4. Scott Kalitta        Mac Tools/Jesse James Dragster  4.583  326.87
   5. Doug Herbert         Snap-On Tools Dragster          4.605  313.58
   6. Cory McClenathan     Carrier Boyz/Berryman Dragster  4.629  321.96
   7. Brandon Bernstein    Budweiser/Lucas Oil Dragster    4.653  317.72
   8. Darrell Russell      Amato Racing Dragster           4.658  312.42
   9. Bob Vandergriff      Dragster                        4.660  312.06
  10. Mike Strasburg       B&J Transmissions Dragster      4.690  307.16
  11. T.J. Zizzo           Champion Packaging Dragster     4.706  310.13
  12. Rhonda Hartman-Smith Fram Filters Dragster           4.721  303.64
  13. Brady Kalivoda       Bill Miller Engineering Dragst  4.729  308.57
  14. Clay Millican        104+ Octane Boost Dragster      4.745  291.19
  15. Larry Dixon          Miller Lite Dragster            4.797  254.86
  16. Chris Karamesines    Chizler Dragster                4.927  283.67
          --------- Not Qualified ---------
  17. Luigi Novelli        National Machine Repair Dragst  5.210  218.41
  18. Doug Kalitta         MAC Tools Dragster              5.353  184.47
  19. John Smith           Prestone Dragster               8.948  103.99
  20. David Baca           American Racing Dragster        9.679   89.09
  21. Tim Cullinan         Dragster                       11.212   75.34

       
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Saturday

Results for Qualifying Round 2
JOLIET, Ill. - CHICAGO 1 - Notes from round 2 qualifying in
        Top Fuel at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, Seventh annual NHRA
        Route 66 Nationals listing lane, driver name, elapsed time/top speed
        this round, position in order following run, best prior elapsed
        time/speed, and position in order prior to run: 
      Left Lane: Tim Cullinan     Runs 4.783/314.17, Now #15
                                  Best prior run: 11.212/75.34, Was #21
3:17 p.m. - Weather conditions: air temperature 75 degrees, relative humidity 84 percent, barometer 29.03 inches, adjusted altitude 2,476 feet, track temperature 89 degrees.

This is only the second round of Top Fuel qualifying because the scheduled second session was cancelled last night because of rain.

Cullinan launched and shook the tires at about 100 feet. He pedaled the car and got back in the run to record the fastest speed of his career, move up five spots in the order and make it into the field. Larry Dixon is on the bubble with a 4.797 second ET.

      Left Lane: David Baca       Runs 4.529/329.83, Now #1
                                  Best prior run: 9.679/89.09, Was #21
     Right Lane: John Smith       Runs 4.723/312.57, Now #14
                                  Best prior run: 8.948/103.99, Was #20
Baca launched hard and stayed with it for the entire quarter mile to take over the top spot in the qualifying order. In the process, he went faster than he has ever gone before. Smith had a very good run going for 1,000 feet, then his car started to smoke. He still managed to move up six spots in the order and is in the field for now.
      Left Lane: Doug Kalitta     Runs 4.517/327.11, Now #1
                                  Best prior run: 5.353/184.47, Was #21
     Right Lane: Luigi Novelli    Runs 7.146/116.77, Now #21
                                  Best prior run: 5.210/218.41, Was #20
Baca's time in the top qualifying spot didn't last very long as Kalitta took over the top spot with a strong run. Novelli's front wheels got into the air when he launched. He lost some cylinders and then when the clutch engaged all the way, it pulled the front wheels back into the air, higher than before.
      Left Lane: Chris KaramesinesRuns 5.588/170.92, Now #20
                                  Best prior run: 4.927/283.67, Was #20
     Right Lane: Larry Dixon      Runs 4.653/308.78, Now #10
                                  Best prior run: 4.797/254.86, Was #19
Dixon had a strong run and moved up nine spots in the order, leaving him in the 10th spot for now. Karamesines hazed the tires at mid track and broke a blower belt. John Smith is on the bubble now with a bump time of 4.729 seconds.
      Left Lane: Brady Kalivoda   Runs 4.667/300.26, Now #14
                                  Best prior run: 4.729/308.57, Was #17
     Right Lane: Clay Millican    Runs 4.628/323.81, Now #8
                                  Best prior run: 4.745/291.19, Was #18
Millican pedaled it for the first half of the track and moved up 10 spots in the process. In less than five seconds, he went from being outside the field to sitting in the number eight spot. Kalivoda moved up three spots in the order and went from the 17th position to the number 14 spot in the field of 16.
      Left Lane: Rhonda Hartman-Smith
                                  Runs 10.636/90.90, Now #17
                                  Best prior run: 4.721/303.64, Was #17
     Right Lane: Mike Strasburg   Runs 10.454/82.59, Now #15
                                  Best prior run: 4.690/307.16, Was #15
Hartman-Smith and Strasburg both shook the tires when the launched and both shut their cars down by the time they reached the 330 foot marker on the track.
      Left Lane: T.J. Zizzo       Runs 4.621/319.90, Now #8
                                  Best prior run: 4.706/310.13, Was #16
     Right Lane: Bob Vandergriff  Runs 4.730/296.89, Now #14
                                  Best prior run: 4.660/312.06, Was #13
Zizzo was on the bubble when he staged but when this run was over, he had finished the quickest run of his career and moved up eight spots in the order. Vandergriff had a good run but was not as quick as he ran yesterday.
      Left Lane: Darrell Russell  Runs 4.553/329.91, Now #4
                                  Best prior run: 4.658/312.42, Was #13
     Right Lane: Brandon BernsteinRuns 4.504/329.10, Now #1
                                  Best prior run: 4.653/317.72, Was #11
A pair of very good, side-by-side runs. Bernstein moved up 10 spots in the order to take over the top spot in the order. Russell's car wiggled the rear end a little bit at 1,000 feet but not enough to keep him from moving up nine spots in the order.
      Left Lane: Scott Kalitta    Runs 4.503/331.20, Now #1
                                  Best prior run: 4.583/326.87, Was #8
     Right Lane: Cory McClenathan Runs 5.927/146.10, Now #12
                                  Best prior run: 4.629/321.96, Was #12
Bernstein didn't spend much time at the top of the order because Kalitta came through in the next pair with the quickest run of the weekend. McClenathan shut his car down at mid track.
      Left Lane: Tony Schumacher  Runs 9.727/93.67, Now #7
                                  Best prior run: 4.563/326.71, Was #7
     Right Lane: Doug Herbert     Runs 4.594/315.34, Now #9
                                  Best prior run: 4.605/313.58, Was #9
Schumacher shut the car down at mid track. Herbert was quicker than he was in his first qualifying run but not enough to change his spot in the order.
      Left Lane: David Grubnic    Runs 4.471/331.77, Now #1
                                  Best prior run: 4.557/324.28, Was #6
     Right Lane: Scott Weis       Runs 5.870/157.41, Now #8
                                  Best prior run: 4.580/325.06, Was #8
Grubnic ended the first qualifying session in the top spot in the order and he moved back into the top spot at the end of the second session with a strong run from the starting line to the finish line. Weis shut his car down at mid track.
       
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Saturday

Order for Qualifying Round 2
JOLIET, Ill. - SUMMIT FastNews - Order after 2 rounds of
        qualifying in Top Fuel at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, Seventh
        annual NHRA Route 66 Nationals: 
 Psn   Driver                Vehicle                       ET    Speed
   1. David Grubnic        Kalitta Air Dragster            4.471  331.77
   2. Scott Kalitta        Mac Tools/Jesse James Dragster  4.503  331.20
   3. Brandon Bernstein    Budweiser/Lucas Oil Dragster    4.504  329.10
   4. Doug Kalitta         MAC Tools Dragster              4.517  327.11
   5. David Baca           American Racing Dragster        4.529  329.83
   6. Darrell Russell      Amato Racing Dragster           4.553  329.91
   7. Tony Schumacher      U.S. Army Dragster              4.563  326.71
   8. Scott Weis           Race Girl Dragster              4.580  325.06
   9. Doug Herbert         Snap-On Tools Dragster          4.594  315.34
  10. T.J. Zizzo           Champion Packaging Dragster     4.621  319.90
  11. Clay Millican        104+ Octane Boost Dragster      4.628  323.81
  12. Cory McClenathan     Carrier Boyz/Berryman Dragster  4.629  321.96
  13. Larry Dixon          Miller Lite Dragster            4.653  308.78
  14. Bob Vandergriff      Dragster                        4.660  312.06
  15. Brady Kalivoda       Bill Miller Engineering Dragst  4.667  308.57
  16. Mike Strasburg       B&J Transmissions Dragster      4.690  307.16
          --------- Not Qualified ---------
  17. Rhonda Hartman-Smith Fram Filters Dragster           4.721  303.64
  18. John Smith           Prestone Dragster               4.723  312.57
  19. Tim Cullinan         Dragster                        4.783  314.17
  20. Chris Karamesines    Chizler Dragster                4.927  283.67
  21. Luigi Novelli        National Machine Repair Dragst  5.210  218.41

       
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Saturday

Results for Qualifying Round 3
JOLIET, Ill. - CHICAGO 1 - Notes from final, round 3
        qualifying in Top Fuel at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, Seventh
        annual NHRA Route 66 Nationals listing lane, driver name, elapsed
        time/top speed this round, position in order following run, best prior
        elapsed time/speed, and position in order prior to run: 
     Right Lane: Chris KaramesinesRuns 4.979/280.72, Now #20
                                  Best prior run: 4.927/283.67, Was #20
6:07 p.m. - Weather conditions: air temperature 74 degrees, relative humidity 82 percent, barometer 29.09 inches, adjusted altitude 2,314 feet, track temperature 92 degrees.

Karamesines had a clean run going until mid track when his car started trailing smoke. He was not able to improve his spot in the order and will not be racing tomorrow. Karamesines oiled the track and as soon as track crews started to clean up the oil, it began to rain. After waiting an hour for the rain to stop, race officials cancelled the rest of qualifying.

       
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Saturday

Order for Qualifying Round 3
JOLIET, Ill. - SUMMIT FastNews - Final order after 3 rounds
        of qualifying in Top Fuel at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series,
        Seventh annual NHRA Route 66 Nationals: 
 Psn   Driver                Vehicle                       ET    Speed
   1. David Grubnic        Kalitta Air Dragster            4.471  331.77
   2. Scott Kalitta        Mac Tools/Jesse James Dragster  4.503  331.20
   3. Brandon Bernstein    Budweiser/Lucas Oil Dragster    4.504  329.10
   4. Doug Kalitta         MAC Tools Dragster              4.517  327.11
   5. David Baca           American Racing Dragster        4.529  329.83
   6. Darrell Russell      Amato Racing Dragster           4.553  329.91
   7. Tony Schumacher      U.S. Army Dragster              4.563  326.71
   8. Scott Weis           Race Girl Dragster              4.580  325.06
   9. Doug Herbert         Snap-On Tools Dragster          4.594  315.34
  10. T.J. Zizzo           Champion Packaging Dragster     4.621  319.90
  11. Clay Millican        104+ Octane Boost Dragster      4.628  323.81
  12. Cory McClenathan     Carrier Boyz/Berryman Dragster  4.629  321.96
  13. Larry Dixon          Miller Lite Dragster            4.653  308.78
  14. Bob Vandergriff      Dragster                        4.660  312.06
  15. Brady Kalivoda       Bill Miller Engineering Dragst  4.667  308.57
  16. Mike Strasburg       B&J Transmissions Dragster      4.690  307.16
          --------- Not Qualified ---------
  17. Rhonda Hartman-Smith Fram Filters Dragster           4.721  303.64
  18. John Smith           Prestone Dragster               4.723  312.57
  19. Tim Cullinan         Dragster                        4.783  314.17
  20. Chris Karamesines    Chizler Dragster                4.927  283.67
  21. Luigi Novelli        National Machine Repair Dragst  5.210  218.41

       
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Sunday

Results for Elimination Round 1
JOLIET, Ill. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 1
        eliminations in Top Fuel at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series,
        Seventh annual NHRA Route 66 Nationals: 
 W/L  Driver                                       RT        ET   Speed

 (W) Scott Weis (Race Girl Dragster)             0.085      5.565 203.49
 (L) Doug Herbert (Snap-On Tools Dragster)       0.083      7.528 103.44
11:08 a.m. - Racing is starting on schedule here despite heavy rains earlier this morning. Weather conditions: air temperature 71 degrees, relative humidity 84 percent, barometer 28.91 inches, adjusted altitude 2,344 feet, track temperature 81 degrees.

This is Weis's 66th start but only the fifth time in his career that he started in the top half of the field. Herbert, a active participant in last night's DRAW auction, had three wins and no losses to Herbert in their three prior races.

Both cars started at about the same time but Herbert had pulled ahead by the 60-foot marker and continued to pull ahead at 330 feet. Right after that, he shook the tires and the rear end of his car got loose. He stayed with it but broke the blower belt and that let Weis get by him for his first win against Herbert. Scott Weis' incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.188), 330 ft(-0.291), 660ft(0.142), 1,000ft(0.983). MOV: 1.9619 seconds (more than 100 feet).

 (W) Tony Schumacher (U.S. Army Dragster)        0.101      4.571 318.09
 (L) T.J. Zizzo (Champion Packaging Dragster)    0.076      5.187 218.34
Schumacher is the defending champion for this event. This is Zizzo's first pro start in his career. He had his career best ET and speed during qualifying here this weekend.

Zizzo got off the starting line first but then pulled the front wheels up in the air and had to back off the throttle to get them back down. Schumacher lost at least one cylinder but had the power he needed to take the win. Tony Schumacher's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.031), 330 ft(0.051), 660ft(0.120), 1,000ft(0.351). MOV: 0.5915 seconds (more than 100 feet).

 (W) Darrell Russell (Amato Racing Dragster)     0.073      4.558 315.78
 (L) Clay Millican (104+ Octane Boost Dragster)  0.098      4.619 294.95
This is the 78th start in a row for Russell, giving him the second longest streak in NHRA. Millican is coming off three consecutive runner-up finishes.

This time, it was Russell all the way as he got off the starting line first and stayed ahead the entire way. Darrell Russell's incremental margins: 60ft(0.034), 330 ft(0.074), 660ft(0.070), 1,000ft(0.071). MOV: 0.0862 seconds (approximately 37 feet).

 (W) Cory McClenathan (Carrier Boyz/Berryman Drag0.103      4.511 324.90
 (L) David Baca (American Racing Dragster)       0.137      4.544 323.58
McClenathan won at Atlanta last week. Baca is making his 31st consecutive start. The only race he failed to qualify for was his first professional race. This was his best starting position since the race here last fall.

Baca had a strong run from start to finish but it was not enough as McClenathan was first off the starting line and stayed ahead for the entire quarter mile. Cory McClenathan's incremental margins: 60ft(0.014), 330 ft(0.030), 660ft(0.044), 1,000ft(0.056). MOV: 0.0672 seconds (approximately 32 feet).

 (W) Doug Kalitta (MAC Tools Dragster)           0.081      4.487 331.28
 (L) Larry Dixon (Miller Lite Dragster)          0.094      4.563 325.85
This is Kalitta's 99th consecutive start, the longest Top Fuel streak in NHRA. Dixon has an 18-12 record against Kalitta and is coming off rare back-to-back first round losses.

Dixon had a good run but was not quick enough to get the win because Kalitta had a better start and a quicker ET to take the win. This is the first time since 1999 that Dixon has had three first-round losses in a row. Kalitta will have lane choice against Baca in the next round. Doug Kalitta's incremental margins: 60ft(0.014), 330 ft(0.040), 660ft(0.064), 1,000ft(0.077). MOV: 0.0891 seconds (approximately 43 feet).

 (W) Brandon Bernstein (Budweiser/Lucas Oil Drags0.131      4.477 333.41
 (L) Bob Vandergriff (Dragster)                  0.033      6.886 117.22
This is Bernstein's first start here at Chicago his season ending injury occurred at Englishtown before the spring race here last year. This is the 118th start of Vandergriff's career.

Vandergriff left the starting line nearly a tenth of a second before Bernstein but broke a blower belt just past the 330 foot mark. Bernstein had a strong pass and will have lane choice against Russell in the next round. Brandon Bernstein's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.088), 330 ft(-0.066), 660ft(0.379), 1,000ft(1.220). MOV: 2.3119 seconds (more than 100 feet).

 (W) Scott Kalitta (Mac Tools/Jesse James Dragste0.096      4.504 332.84
 (L) Brady Kalivoda (Bill Miller Engineering Drag0.043      4.721 282.24
Kalitta is facing the 91st different driver in his Top Fuel career. Kalivoda has qualified for all five races that he has attended this year.

Kalitta went right down the middle of his lane to take the win and earn lane choice over Schumacher in the second round. Scott Kalitta's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.005), 330 ft(0.036), 660ft(0.070), 1,000ft(0.100). MOV: 0.1647 seconds (approximately 68 feet).

 (W) David Grubnic (Kalitta Air Dragster)        0.101      4.501 327.51
 (L) Mike Strasburg (B&J Transmissions Dragster) 0.075      8.743  93.66
Grubnic has had three number one starts this year and this is the second in a row for him. Strasburg has started eight races and Grubnic is the 13th different driver that he has faced.

Strasburg got the front wheels in the air and had to back off the throttle. Grubnic had a clean run and will have lane choice in his second round matchup against Weis. David Grubnic's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.006), 330 ft(0.232), 660ft(1.164), 1,000ft(2.628). MOV: 2.3378 seconds (more than 100 feet).

       
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Sunday

Results for Elimination Round 2
JOLIET, Ill. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 2
        eliminations in Top Fuel at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series,
        Seventh annual NHRA Route 66 Nationals: 
 W/L  Driver                                       RT        ET   Speed

 (W) Tony Schumacher (U.S. Army Dragster)        0.089      4.472 332.67
 (L) Scott Kalitta (Mac Tools/Jesse James Dragste0.075      6.698 118.46
12:58 p.m. - Weather conditions: air temperature 74 degrees, relative humidity 75 percent, barometer 28.97 inches, adjusted altitude 2,478 feet, track temperature 91 degrees.

Kalitta beat Kalivoda to get into this round, Schumacher won against Zizzo. Kalitta got the front wheels high up in the air at about 300 feet and had to back of the throttle to keep from going over. Schumacher had his quickest run of the weekend and was just one-thousandth of a second slower than Grubnic's top qualifying time. Tony Schumacher's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.002), 330 ft(0.084), 660ft(0.370), 1,000ft(1.155). MOV: 2.2124 seconds (more than 100 feet).

 (W) Scott Weis (Race Girl Dragster)             0.085      4.545 327.27
 (L) David Grubnic (Kalitta Air Dragster)        0.113      4.525 327.19
Grubnic was the top qualifier but he lost here in a close one. Weis got the hole shot win and needed every bit of it to hang on as Grubnic was closing in fast. Scott Weis' incremental margins: 60ft(0.019), 330 ft(0.017), 660ft(0.012), 1,000ft(0.009). MOV: 0.0081 seconds (approximately 4 feet).
 (W) Doug Kalitta (MAC Tools Dragster)           0.072      8.225  99.03
 (L) Cory McClenathan (Carrier Boyz/Berryman Drag-0.007(R)  5.649 159.99
Kalitta smoked the tires and shut the car down by mid track but it didn't matter because McClenathan left the starting line too soon and lit the red light. Kalitta gave up lane choice to Weis in the semi-final round.
 (W) Brandon Bernstein (Budweiser/Lucas Oil Drags0.090      4.527 328.70
 (L) Darrell Russell (Amato Racing Dragster)     0.070      4.566 329.58
Bernstein set a new track speed record during his first-round win over Vandergriff.

This was a close one. Russell got off the starting line two-hundredths of a second quicker than Bernstein and was ahead at 330 feet. After that, Bernstein powered by him to take the win. Bernstein gave up lane choice to Schumacher in the third round. Brandon Bernstein's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.011), 330 ft(-0.007), 660ft(0.009), 1,000ft(0.018). MOV: 0.0191 seconds (approximately 9 feet).

       
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Sunday

Results for Elimination Round 3
JOLIET, Ill. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 3
        eliminations in Top Fuel at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series,
        Seventh annual NHRA Route 66 Nationals: 
 W/L  Driver                                       RT        ET   Speed

 (W) Doug Kalitta (MAC Tools Dragster)           0.133      4.465 332.10
 (L) Scott Weis (Race Girl Dragster)             0.045      4.566 327.66
2:47 p.m. - Weather conditions: air temperature 74 degrees, relative humidity 83 percent, barometer 28.93 inches, adjusted altitude 2,518 feet, track temperature 95 degrees.

Kalitta has eight wins and one loss against Weis. The only time Weis beat him was at Maple Grove in 2001. Weis came off the starting line nine-hundredths of second quicker than Kalitta and was ahead at mid track. After that, Kalitta powered by him to get the win and a place in the Top Fuel final.

 (W) Brandon Bernstein (Budweiser/Lucas Oil Drags0.100      4.462 332.26
 (L) Tony Schumacher (U.S. Army Dragster)        0.075      4.829 300.60
Bernstein and Schumacher have faced each other four times, with each winning two of those races.

Schumacher came off the starting line first but shook the tires. he pedaled it a couple of times but by then it was too late. Bernstein had a strong run that backed up his 333.41 MPH run in the first round and that will give him the national speed record, if nothing else happens between now and the end of this event. Bernstein won lane choice over Kalitta in the final round by three thousandths of a second.

       
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Sunday

Results for Final Round 
JOLIET, Ill. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of final, round 4
        eliminations in Top Fuel at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series,
        Seventh annual NHRA Route 66 Nationals: 
 W/L  Driver                                       RT        ET   Speed

 (W) Doug Kalitta (MAC Tools Dragster)           0.078      4.420 328.22
 (L) Brandon Bernstein (Budweiser/Lucas Oil Drags0.085     DQ-Centerline
4:20 p.m. - Weather conditions: air temperature 78 degrees, relative humidity 72 percent, barometer 28.96 inches, adjusted altitude 2,752 feet, track temperature 88 degrees.

This was the first time Bernstein has raced at this track and he made it to the finals, setting a new speed record in the process. Kalitta was looking for his first win of the season.

Kalitta got the win and made the quickest Top Fuel pass ever with this run. If this run was to be a national ET record, Kalitta would have had to back it up with a 4.464 second run. His ET during the third round of eliminations? 4.465 seconds, so he does not get the record. But, he gets the win today and that's more important in his hunt for the season championship.

Bernstein got the front wheels high in the air by the time he reached the 330 foot marker and had to back off the throttle to keep from going over. When he backed off, he broke a blower belt and the car crossed over the center line so his run was DQ'ed.

Doug Kalitta's incremental times: 60ft-0.852 sec., 330ft-2.120, 660ft-3.004/283.73mph, 1,000ft-3.758

       
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