Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 Nationals FUNNY CAR

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FUNNYCAR
PROSTOCK
PROSTOCKMOTORCYCLE
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TOPFUELALCOHOLDRAGSTER
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TOPFUEL

Funny Car

Friday

Saturday

Sunday
Friday

Results for Qualifying Round 1
JOLIET, Ill. - CHICAGO - Notes from round 1 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 11th annual Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals listing lane, driver name, elapsed time, top speed, and position in order following run:
     Right Lane: Mark Oswald      Runs 4.946/293.09, Now #1
3:17 p.m. Oswald is driving Ashley's car this weekend. The last last Oswald drove was at the finals in '98.
Oswald gets about 400 feet out, the car drifts to the left, getting close to the center-line. He stays on the throttle and makes a decent first run.
      Left Lane: Bob Bode         Runs 12.021/80.65, Now #3
     Right Lane: Scott Kalitta    Runs 5.316/239.61, Now #2
Bode gets about 200 feet out and strikes the tires. Kalitta was on a decent run, then starts mixing up cylinders about 1000 feet out and slows.
      Left Lane: T. Johnson Jr.   Runs 6.275/148.53, Now #3
     Right Lane: Tony Bartone     No Time, Now #6
Bartone leaves the line, gets about 300 feet out, then pulls the wheels high into the air. the car slams back down, apparently breaking something in the steering, then the car makes a hard move to the left. He crosses the centerline, just misses the rear of Johnson's car, the slams into the wall. he continues down the track, riding against the wall, then comes to a stop just past the finish-line. After a few seconds, the safety pops open and he climbs out of the car. Meanwhile, Johnson has problems late in the run and clicks it off early.
      Left Lane: Jerry Toliver    Runs 4.908/314.53, Now #2
     Right Lane: Melanie Troxel   Runs 4.859/326.16, Now #1
A couple of decent runs, just moving around a little at half-track, probably from the wind.
      Left Lane: Jim Head         Runs 6.642/132.18, Now #6
     Right Lane: Gary Scelzi      Runs 9.019/83.67, Now #7
Scelzi strikes the tires about 200 feet out, pedals once, then goes up in smoke. Head gets a little further, about 300 feet, then loses traction and aborts the run.
      Left Lane: Del Worsham      Runs 5.710/212.26, Now #5
     Right Lane: Jack Beckman     Runs 6.402/144.81, Now #7
Worsham gets about 300 feet out, strikes the tires and pedal a couple of times. Beckman was on a decent pass, then had problems just past half-track and clicks it off.
      Left Lane: Bob Tasca III    Runs 4.856/315.93, Now #1
     Right Lane: Mike Neff        Runs 5.267/205.44, Now #5
No problems for Tasca, going right down the groove with the quickest pass of the round so far. Neff was on a decent pass but had problems just past half-track and the car nosed over.
      Left Lane: Gary Densham     Runs 4.929/302.28, Now #4
     Right Lane: Ron Capps        No Time, Now #16
Not sure what happened with Capps. He pre-stages, then something goes wrong with the car, not sure what it was. Densham makes a clean pass and gets in the fourth spot for now.
      Left Lane: Tony Pedregon    Runs 5.813/166.76, Now #10
     Right Lane: Robert Hight     Runs 4.850/293.54, Now #1
Pedregon was on a good run, then had problems around half track and slowed. Hight makes a good run, but the engine started eating itself up about 1100 feet out.
      Left Lane: Cruz Pedregon    Runs 9.630/84.61, Now #16
     Right Lane: John Force       Runs 4.857/315.71, Now #3
Pedregon gets about 200 feet out and strikes the tires. Force makes a good pass, right down the groove, and he gets in the third spot for now.
      Left Lane: Ashley Force     Runs 5.319/200.20, Now #10
     Right Lane: Tim Wilkerson    No Time, Now #19
Wilkerson has a scare here. He hits the throttle, the car goes straight to the right, tags the wall, then comes to a stop about 300 feet out. It appears the car was leaking fluid when he staged but no one saw it, then got under the tires when he left the line. Force was on a decent pass but had problems just before half-track and slowed.
       
Friday

Order for Qualifying Round 1
JOLIET, Ill. - SUMMIT FastNews - Order after one round of qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 11th annual Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals:
 Psn  Driver               Vehicle                            ET   Speed
   1. Robert Hight         AAA of So. Cal Mustang          4.850  293.54
   2. Bob Tasca III        Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang   4.856  315.93
   3. John Force           Castrol GTX Mustang             4.857  315.71
   4. Melanie Troxel       ProCare RX Charger              4.859  326.16
   5. Jerry Toliver        Rockstar Energy Drinks Charger  4.908  314.53
   6. Gary Densham         RaceBricks Impala               4.929  302.28
   7. Mark Oswald          Charger                         4.946  293.09
   8. Mike Neff            Old Spice Mustang               5.267  205.44
   9. Scott Kalitta        DHL Solara                      5.316  239.61
  10. Ashley Force         Castrol GTX Mustang             5.319  200.20
  11. Del Worsham          Checker Schuck's Kragen Impala  5.710  212.26
  12. Tony Pedregon        Herzog Impala                   5.813  166.76
          --------- Not Qualified ---------
  13. Tommy Johnson Jr.    Monster Energy Drink Charger    6.275  148.53
  14. Jack Beckman         Valvoline/MTS Charger           6.402  144.81
  15. Jim Head             Head Racing Solara              6.642  132.18
  16. Gary Scelzi          Mopar Oakley Charger            9.019   83.67
  17. Cruz Pedregon        Advance Auto Parts Solara       9.630   84.61
  18. Bob Bode             Alard Machine Products Monte C 12.021   80.65
  19. Tony Bartone         Canidae Pet Food Monte Carlo     DQ
  20. Tim Wilkerson        Levi, Ray & Shoup Impala         DQ
Friday

Results for Qualifying Round 2
JOLIET, Ill. - CHICAGO - Notes from round 2 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 11th annual Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA 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 Wilkerson    Runs 4.843/314.02, Now #1
                                  No Prior Run
     Right Lane: Bob Bode         Runs 6.045/157.65, Now #14
                                  Best prior run: 12.021/80.65, Was #18
7:02 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 83 degrees, relative humidity 65 percent, barometer 29.11 inches, adjusted altitude 3,465 feet, track temperature 91 degrees.
Bode gets a little past half-track, flames come from under the car and he shuts down.
Wilkerson scraped the wall in the first round and received no time. He goes right down the groove on this run and moves all the way to the top spot.
      Left Lane: Ron Capps        Runs 4.844/316.82, Now #3
                                  No Prior Run
     Right Lane: Cruz Pedregon    Runs 4.780/324.51, Now #1
                                  Best prior run: 9.630/84.61, Was #19 
Capps broke a wheelie bar on his first attempt and never staged. Pedregon struck the tires early in the first round.
No problems for Pedregon on this run, a good looking pass, right down the groove, and he moves into the top spot.
Capps makes a clean run and gets in the third spot for now.
      Left Lane: Gary Scelzi      Runs 4.799/320.89, Now #2
                                  Best prior run: 9.019/83.67, Was #20
     Right Lane: Jim Head         Runs 4.889/313.88, Now #9
                                  Best prior run: 6.642/132.18, Was #19 
Scelzi and Head both had traction problems in the first round and neither is in the field.
This is turning into a pretty good round. A couple of good looking runs here, both right down the groove, no traction problems. Scelzi moves into the second spot, Head to the ninth.
      Left Lane: Jack Beckman     Runs 4.851/315.19, Now #6
                                  Best prior run: 6.402/144.81, Was #20
     Right Lane: T. Johnson Jr.   Runs 4.903/314.61, Now #11
                                  Best prior run: 6.275/148.53, Was #19 
Beckman makes a good run here, it looked better than the time shows. A clean run for johnson and he gets in the eleventh spot for now.
      Left Lane: Scott Kalitta    Runs 4.876/290.76, Now #11
                                  Best prior run: 5.316/239.61, Was #16
     Right Lane: Tony Pedregon    Runs 4.797/323.43, Now #2
                                  Best prior run: 5.813/166.76, Was #19 
Kalitta was on a good run, then drifted to the left, getting close to the wall near the finish line. Pedregon makes a great pass and gets in the field right behind his brother in the second spot.
      Left Lane: Mike Neff        Runs 13.196/76.90, Now #18
                                  Best prior run: 5.267/205.44, Was #17
     Right Lane: Del Worsham      Runs 4.900/311.41, Now #13
                                  Best prior run: 5.710/212.26, Was #19 
Neff's problems continue. He hits the throttle and goes up in smoke. Worsham keeps the slicks stuck this time and moves into the 13th spot.
      Left Lane: Mark Oswald      Runs 4.783/324.67, Now #3
                                  Best prior run: 4.946/293.09, Was #17
     Right Lane: Ashley Force     Runs 4.759/329.10, Now #1
                                  Best prior run: 5.319/200.20, Was #19 
A great run here for Force, right down the groove, header flames high and steady all the way through the run. Oswald makes a good run, the quickest and fastest of his career, and he gets in the third spot.
      Left Lane: Melanie Troxel   Runs 4.879/315.71, Now #13
                                  Best prior run: 4.859/326.16, Was #12
     Right Lane: Gary Densham     Runs 4.852/315.86, Now #10
                                  Best prior run: 4.929/302.28, Was #18 
Densham makes a good run and he gets in the show in the tenth spot. Troxel slows from his earlier pass and is just out of the field.
      Left Lane: John Force       Runs 4.783/319.22, Now #5
                                  Best prior run: 4.857/315.71, Was #12
     Right Lane: Jerry Toliver    Runs 4.783/325.77, Now #3
                                  Best prior run: 4.908/314.53, Was #18 
Identical ET's here, matching Oswald's run earlier. Toliver had the fastest speed for the third spot, Oswald will move to the fourth spot, and Force will take the fifth spot.
      Left Lane: Robert Hight     Runs 9.936/72.42, Now #11
                                  Best prior run: 4.850/293.54, Was #10
     Right Lane: Bob Tasca III    Runs 4.820/320.05, Now #8
                                  Best prior run: 4.856/315.93, Was #13 
Hight strikes the tires about 200 feet out and clicks it off. Tasca starts mixing up cylinders late in the run but still moves up to the eighth spot.
       
Friday

Order for Qualifying Round 2
JOLIET, Ill. - SUMMIT FastNews - Order after 2 rounds of qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 11th annual Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals:
 Psn  Driver               Vehicle                            ET   Speed
   1. Ashley Force         Castrol GTX Mustang             4.759  329.10
   2. Cruz Pedregon        Advance Auto Parts Solara       4.780  324.51
   3. Jerry Toliver        Rockstar Energy Drinks Charger  4.783  325.77
   4. Mark Oswald          Charger                         4.783  324.67
   5. John Force           Castrol GTX Mustang             4.783  319.22
   6. Tony Pedregon        Herzog Impala                   4.797  323.43
   7. Gary Scelzi          Mopar Oakley Charger            4.799  320.89
   8. Bob Tasca III        Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang   4.820  320.05
   9. Tim Wilkerson        Levi, Ray & Shoup Impala        4.843  314.02
  10. Ron Capps            NAPA Auto Parts Charger         4.844  316.82
  11. Robert Hight         AAA of So. Cal Mustang          4.850  293.54
  12. Jack Beckman         Valvoline/MTS Charger           4.851  315.19
          --------- Not Qualified ---------
  13. Gary Densham         RaceBricks Impala               4.852  315.86
  14. Melanie Troxel       ProCare RX Charger              4.859  326.16
  15. Scott Kalitta        DHL Solara                      4.876  290.76
  16. Jim Head             Head Racing Solara              4.889  313.88
  17. Del Worsham          Checker Schuck's Kragen Impala  4.900  311.41
  18. Tommy Johnson Jr.    Monster Energy Drink Charger    4.903  314.61
  19. Mike Neff            Old Spice Mustang               5.267  205.44
  20. Bob Bode             Alard Machine Products Monte C  6.045  157.65
  21. Tony Bartone         Canidae Pet Food Monte Carlo     DQ
Saturday

Results for Qualifying Round 3
JOLIET, Ill. - CHICAGO - Notes from round 3 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 11th annual Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA 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: Tony Bartone     No Time, Now #22
                                  No Prior Run 
Bartone completes his burnout, prepares to stage, then clicks it off, not sure why.
      Left Lane: Bob Bode         Runs 10.986/84.54, Now #14
                                  No Prior Run
     Right Lane: Mike Neff        Runs 5.190/223.32, Now #13
                                  No Prior Run 
Bode gets about 100 feet out and goes up in smoke. Neff was on a decent pass, then lost traction a little past half-track and clicked it off.
      Left Lane: T. Johnson Jr.   Runs 5.828/194.58, Now #14
                                  No Prior Run
     Right Lane: Robert Hight     Runs 7.034/122.00, Now #11
                                  Best prior run: 4.850/293.54, Was #11 
Hight goes up in smoke about 400 feet out. Johnson has problems about 800 feet out and clicks it off.
      Left Lane: Del Worsham      Runs 4.961/304.94, Now #14
                                  No Prior Run
     Right Lane: Melanie Troxel   Runs 4.814/324.90, Now #8
                                  No Prior Run 
Troxel starts mixing up cylinders near the end of the run but still runs quick enough to get in the top half of the show.
      Left Lane: Jim Head         Runs 4.926/279.27, Now #14
                                  No Prior Run
     Right Lane: Scott Kalitta    Runs 6.058/155.51, Now #18
                                  No Prior Run 
Kalitta makes a hard move to the left around half-track and has to click it off. Head has problems near the end of the run.
      Left Lane: Gary Densham     Runs 4.854/312.57, Now #14
                                  No Prior Run
     Right Lane: Jack Beckman     Runs 4.859/320.81, Now #13
                                  Best prior run: 4.851/315.19, Was #13 
A good side-by-side, both right down the groove. Densham gets in the field in the 14th spot, Beckamn in at 13th.
      Left Lane: Bob Tasca III    Runs 4.876/316.90, Now #9
                                  Best prior run: 4.820/320.05, Was #9
     Right Lane: Ron Capps        Runs 5.039/250.27, Now #11
                                  Best prior run: 4.844/316.82, Was #11 
Capps made a big move to the left a little past half-track and clicked it off early. Tasca made another consistent pass.
      Left Lane: Tony Pedregon    Runs 6.979/119.80, Now #6
                                  Best prior run: 4.797/323.43, Was #6
     Right Lane: Tim Wilkerson    Runs 4.851/316.08, Now #10
                                  Best prior run: 4.843/314.02, Was #10 
Pedregon gets about 300 feet out and strikes the tires. Wilkerson got a little loose about 800 feet out but still made a decent pass.
      Left Lane: Jerry Toliver    Runs 9.352/85.36, Now #3
                                  Best prior run: 4.783/325.77, Was #3
     Right Lane: Gary Scelzi      Runs 9.206/92.77, Now #7
                                  Best prior run: 4.799/320.89, Was #7 
Both cars go up in smoke about 400 feet out.
      Left Lane: Cruz Pedregon    Runs 5.428/194.77, Now #2
                                  Best prior run: 4.780/324.51, Was #2
     Right Lane: John Force       Runs 6.474/139.31, Now #5
                                  Best prior run: 4.783/319.22, Was #5 
Force gets about 500 feet out and strikes the tires. Pedregon gets a little further, about 700 feet, and loses traction.
      Left Lane: Ashley Force     Runs 4.856/319.82, Now #1
                                  Best prior run: 4.759/329.10, Was #1
     Right Lane: Mark Oswald      Runs 7.789/109.54, Now #4
                                  Best prior run: 4.783/324.67, Was #4 
Oswald goes up in smoke about 400 feet out and clicks it off. Force keeps the candles lit all the way through the run.
       
Saturday

Order for Qualifying Round 3
JOLIET, Ill. - SUMMIT FastNews - Order after 3 rounds of qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 11th annual Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals:
 Psn  Driver               Vehicle                            ET   Speed
   1. Ashley Force         Castrol GTX Mustang             4.759  329.10
   2. Cruz Pedregon        Advance Auto Parts Solara       4.780  324.51
   3. Jerry Toliver        Rockstar Energy Drinks Charger  4.783  325.77
   4. Mark Oswald          Charger                         4.783  324.67
   5. John Force           Castrol GTX Mustang             4.783  319.22
   6. Tony Pedregon        Q Horsepower Impala             4.797  323.43
   7. Gary Scelzi          Mopar Oakley Charger            4.799  320.89
   8. Melanie Troxel       ProCare RX Charger              4.814  326.16
   9. Bob Tasca III        Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang   4.820  320.05
  10. Tim Wilkerson        Levi, Ray & Shoup Impala        4.843  316.08
  11. Ron Capps            NAPA Auto Parts Charger         4.844  316.82
  12. Robert Hight         AAA of So. Cal Mustang          4.850  293.54
  13. Jack Beckman         Valvoline/MTS Charger           4.851  320.81
  14. Gary Densham         RaceBricks Impala               4.854  315.86
  15. Jim Head             Head Racing Solara              4.926  313.88
  16. Del Worsham          Checker Schuck's Kragen Impala  4.961  311.41
          --------- Not Qualified ---------
  17. Mike Neff            Old Spice Mustang               5.190  223.32
  18. Tommy Johnson Jr.    Monster Energy Drink Charger    5.828  314.61
  19. Scott Kalitta        DHL Solara                      6.058  290.76
  20. Bob Bode             Alard Machine Products Monte C 10.986  157.65
Saturday

Results for Qualifying Round 4
JOLIET, Ill. - CHICAGO - Notes from final, round 4 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 11th annual Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA 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: Tony Bartone     Runs 9.339/81.02, Now #20
                                  No Prior Run
7:41 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 83 degrees, relative humidity 79 percent, barometer 29.13 inches, adjusted altitude 3,668 feet, track temperature 92 degrees.
Bartone had an oil leak on his last attempt and had to shut down before he could stage. He crossed the centerline and hit the wall in his other attempt.
He hits the throttle, rattles the tires, starts drifting to the right, then aborts the run.
      Left Lane: Scott Kalitta    Runs 4.825/319.82, Now #10
                                  Best prior run: 6.058/155.51, Was #19
     Right Lane: Bob Bode         Runs 4.870/312.13, Now #16
                                  Best prior run: 10.986/84.54, Was #21 
A couple of good runs, both drifted a little to the left past half-track, but both get in the show. Bode is on the bump with a few more cars not qualified yet to run.
      Left Lane: Mike Neff        Runs 4.815/322.11, Now #9
                                  Best prior run: 5.190/223.32, Was #19
     Right Lane: T. Johnson Jr.   Runs 4.949/313.00, Now #19
                                  Best prior run: 5.828/194.58, Was #20 
A great run for Neff, right down the groove, and he gets in the show in the ninth spot. Johnson was mixing up cylinders early in the run and will not make the field.
      Left Lane: Jack Beckman     Runs 4.849/316.90, Now #14
                                  Best prior run: 4.851/315.19, Was #15
     Right Lane: Del Worsham      Runs 4.869/297.48, Now #17
                                  Best prior run: 4.961/304.94, Was #20 
Worsham on a decent pass, then the candles went out just before the finish-line. Beckman makes a nice, clean run and gets in the show.
      Left Lane: Robert Hight     Runs 4.847/290.51, Now #14
                                  Best prior run: 4.850/293.54, Was #15
     Right Lane: Jim Head         Runs 4.975/278.63, Now #19
                                  Best prior run: 4.926/279.27, Was #19 
Hight was on a good pass, then drifts to the left past half-track, then goes up in a ball of flames about 1200 feet down. He still manages to improve on his earlier run and moves up a notch to the 14th spot. Head loses cylinders late in the run and loses power about 1200 feet out.
      Left Lane: Ron Capps        Runs 4.777/322.11, Now #2
                                  Best prior run: 4.844/316.82, Was #11 
Densham was supposed to be in the right lane but elected not to make a run. Capps makes a great pass here, right down the groove, candles lit all the way through, and he moves into the second spot.
      Left Lane: Tim Wilkerson    Runs 4.788/319.37, Now #7
                                  Best prior run: 4.843/314.02, Was #13
     Right Lane: Bob Tasca III    Runs 10.153/90.18, Now #12
                                  Best prior run: 4.820/320.05, Was #11 
Tasca rattles the tires about 200 feet out and shuts down. Wilkerson goes right down the groove with his quickest pass of the weekend to move into the top half of the field.
      Left Lane: Melanie Troxel   Runs 4.752/327.27, Now #1
                                  Best prior run: 4.814/324.90, Was #10
     Right Lane: Tony Pedregon    Runs 4.894/261.32, Now #9
                                  Best prior run: 4.797/323.43, Was #8 
Pedregon has a scary one here. He starts to get out of the groove about 800 feet out, spins the tires, then the engine explodes. The fire engulfs the body of the car, he gets up against the wall, hits a couple of cones, then the body comes off the frame. The car finally comes to a stop with the body of the car burning about 100 feet behind. Pedregon gets out of the car, dejected, but apparently unharmed.
Lost in all the excitement, Troxel makes a great pass and takes the top spot.
      Left Lane: Gary Scelzi      Runs 4.781/319.22, Now #5
                                  Best prior run: 4.799/320.89, Was #10
     Right Lane: Jerry Toliver    Runs 6.492/136.41, Now #6
                                  Best prior run: 4.783/325.77, Was #5 
Toliver gets about 400 feet out, pulls the wheels, then has to back off the throttle. Scelzi goes right down the groove and moves up five spots to the fifth position.
      Left Lane: John Force       Runs 4.794/322.58, Now #8
                                  Best prior run: 4.783/319.22, Was #8
     Right Lane: Cruz Pedregon    Runs 5.488/191.73, Now #4
                                  Best prior run: 4.780/324.51, Was #4 
Force was moving around through the middle of the run but hung on for a decent pass. Pedregon gets a little past half-track and the candles go out, not sure why.
      Left Lane: Mark Oswald      Runs 4.757/328.46, Now #2
                                  Best prior run: 4.783/324.67, Was #7
     Right Lane: Ashley Force     Runs 4.788/298.27, Now #3
                                  Best prior run: 4.759/329.10, Was #2 
Unless Oswald makes a great pass here, we will have the first female to qualify number one in Funny Car.....and he almost does it. Oswald goes right down the groove with a career best run and drives around Force to take the second spot. Force was on a pretty good run, ahead of Oswald to the 1000-foot mark, but the header flames go away about 1200 feet out allowing Oswald to go around.
Saturday

Order for Qualifying Round 4
JOLIET, Ill. - SUMMIT FastNews - Final order after 4 rounds of qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 11th annual Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals:
 Psn  Driver               Vehicle                            ET   Speed
   1. Melanie Troxel       ProCare RX Charger              4.752  327.27
   2. Mark Oswald          Charger                         4.757  328.46
   3. Ashley Force         Castrol GTX Mustang             4.759  329.10
   4. Ron Capps            NAPA Auto Parts Charger         4.777  322.11
   5. Cruz Pedregon        Advance Auto Parts Solara       4.780  324.51
   6. Gary Scelzi          Mopar Oakley Charger            4.781  320.89
   7. Jerry Toliver        Rockstar Energy Drinks Charger  4.783  325.77
   8. John Force           Castrol GTX Mustang             4.783  322.58
   9. Tim Wilkerson        Levi, Ray & Shoup Impala        4.788  319.37
  10. Tony Pedregon        Q Horsepower Impala             4.797  323.43
  11. Mike Neff            Old Spice Mustang               4.815  322.11
  12. Bob Tasca III        Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang   4.820  320.05
  13. Scott Kalitta        DHL Solara                      4.825  319.82
  14. Robert Hight         AAA of So. Cal Mustang          4.847  293.54
  15. Jack Beckman         Valvoline/MTS Charger           4.849  320.81
  16. Gary Densham         RaceBricks Impala               4.854  315.86
          --------- Not Qualified ---------
  17. Del Worsham          Checker Schuck's Kragen Impala  4.869  311.41
  18. Bob Bode             Alard Machine Products Monte C  4.870  312.13
  19. Jim Head             Head Racing Solara              4.926  313.88
  20. Tommy Johnson Jr.    Monster Energy Drink Charger    4.949  314.61
  21. Tony Bartone         Canidae Pet Food Monte Carlo    9.339   81.02
Sunday

Results for Elimination Round 1
JOLIET, Ill. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 1 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 11th annual Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals:
 W/L  Driver                                     R-Time    E-Time  Speed

 (W) Tony Pedregon (Q Horsepower Impala)         0.062      4.884 311.49
 (L) Jerry Toliver (Rockstar Energy Drinks Charg 0.096      9.084  89.07
11:33 a.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 84 degrees, relative humidity 64 percent, barometer 29.15 inches, adjusted altitude 3,545 feet, track temperature 102 degrees.
Pedregon holds a 13-6 career advantage over Toliver, 12-0 when facing him in the first round. Toliver was behind at the start, then he strikes the tires about 300 feet out, pedals once, then gives up on the run. Pedregon comes back from the fire last night, goes right down the groove and takes the win.
 (W) Mark Oswald (Charger)                       0.087      4.822 319.52
 (L) Jack Beckman (Valvoline/MTS Charger)        0.076      4.895 316.82
This is Oswald's first start since '97.
A great side-by-side run, both right down the groove. Beckman gets out of the gate first but Oswald had the difference made up before they reach the sixty-foot timing block. Oswald starts to pull away at that point and increased his lead at every marker.
 (W) Scott Kalitta (DHL Solara)                  0.105      4.918 305.29
 (L) Ron Capps (NAPA Auto Parts Charger)         0.099      6.135 153.68
Kalitta starts hazing the tires about 400 feet out but stays on the throttle. Capps starts to pull away, then something goes wrong, not sure what, and the car noses over. Kalitta drives around him quickly and pulls away for the win.
Kalitta was leaking oil most of the run and will be charged 10 points for the oil-down.
 (W) Gary Densham (RaceBricks Impala)            0.108      4.928 309.98
 (L) Melanie Troxel (ProCare RX Charger)         0.090      5.050 259.41
These two have never met in competition. Troxel became the first female to qualify number one in this class last night.
Troxel was out in front early then started drifting to the left. Densham pulled even about 800 feet out, then Troxel got close to the wall and had to lift.
Densham is now 3-0 in the first round when starting from the 16th spot.
 (W) Ashley Force (Castrol GTX Mustang)          0.141      4.817 318.02
 (L) Robert Hight (AAA of So. Cal Mustang)       0.098      6.344 142.51
Hight is 2-0 against Force, both in the first round.
Hight gets out of the gate first, starts to extend his lead, then strikes the tires about 500 feet out and backs off the throttle. Force goes right down the groove to take the win.
 (W) Cruz Pedregon (Advance Auto Parts Solara)   0.099      4.992 297.09
 (L) Bob Tasca III (Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustan 0.030      5.276 251.11
Tasca gets a big hole-shot, then rattles the tires about 200 feet out and has to pedal. He loses a cylinder or two in the process and Pedregon drives around quickly and pulls away for the win.
 (W) Gary Scelzi (Mopar Oakley Charger)          0.125      4.897 312.21
 (L) Mike Neff (Old Spice Mustang)               0.140      4.966 307.44
A good side-by-side race here, both moving around a little after half-track, but both under full power all the way through the run. Scelzi gets the hole-shot and slowly pulls away to take the win.
 (W) Tim Wilkerson (Levi, Ray & Shoup Impala)    0.064      4.919 280.89
 (L) John Force (Castrol GTX Mustang)            0.081      4.904 313.07
For the fifth time in his career, Force is racing an opponent in the first round that he defeated in the final round the prior race. He holds a 23-5 career advantage over Wilkerson, 7-1 in the first round.
Wilkerson gets a little revenge here, getting out of the gate first, then holding off Force to get the hole-shot win.
Tim Wilkerson's incremental margins: 60ft(0.040), 330 ft(0.063), 660ft(0.062), 1,000ft(0.045). MOV: 0.0024 seconds (approximately 13 inches).
In the next round it will be Wilkerson with lane choice over Densham, Kalitta vs. Cruz Pedregon, Oswald vs. Tony Pedregon, and Ashley Force vs. Scelzi.
       
Sunday

Results for Elimination Round 2
JOLIET, Ill. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 2 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 11th annual Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals:
 W/L  Driver                                     R-Time    E-Time  Speed

 (W) Scott Kalitta (DHL Solara)                  0.115      4.896 312.21
 (L) Cruz Pedregon (Advance Auto Parts Solara)   0.055      5.054 282.95
4:09 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 85 degrees, relative humidity 71 percent, barometer 29.16 inches, adjusted altitude 3,659 feet, track temperature 111 degrees.
Kalitta is a little late off the line but reels Pedregon in by the time the hit the 60-foot mark. Pedregon lost a cylinder as soon as he hit the throttle, then started skating around, finally clicking it off about 1200 feet out.
 (W) Tony Pedregon (Q Horsepower Impala)         0.069      4.882 297.61
 (L) Mark Oswald (Charger)                       0.089      4.884 316.08
A good side-by-side here, both cars go right down the groove. Pedregon gets a small advantage off the line and starts to pull away. Oswald starts to make up ground around half-track but runs out of race-track.
 (W) Ashley Force (Castrol GTX Mustang)          0.113      4.896 319.29
 (L) Gary Scelzi (Mopar Oakley Charger)          0.083      5.534 202.39
Force won the only meeting between these two...and she makes it 2-0. Scelzi gets out of the gate first, holds the lead for the first 330 feet, then starts hazing the tires and finally clicking it off. Force drives around him just past the 330-foot mark and goes on through for the win.
 (W) Gary Densham (RaceBricks Impala)            0.101      4.880 318.62
 (L) Tim Wilkerson (Levi, Ray & Shoup Impala)    0.113      4.942 313.07
Another great side-by-side, both with almost perfect runs to end this session. Densham leaves the line first and starts to pull away. he continues to increase his lead all the way through the run.
in the next round it will be Densham vs. Kalitta and Pedregon vs. Force.
       
Sunday

Results for Elimination Round 3
JOLIET, Ill. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 3 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 11th annual Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals:
 W/L  Driver                                     R-Time    E-Time  Speed

 (W) Tony Pedregon (Q Horsepower Impala)         0.110      4.897 318.62
 (L) Ashley Force (Castrol GTX Mustang)          0.107      4.936 288.64
5:25 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 88 degrees, relative humidity 63 percent, barometer 29.11 inches, adjusted altitude 3,878 feet, track temperature 112 degrees.
Pedregon holds a 3-2 edge over Force in head-to-head meetings.
They come off the line even and Pedregon starts to pull away. Force drives around him before the 330-foot mark and starts to pull away. She starts mixing up cylinders, then starts losing power, allowing Pedregon to drive around and take the win.
Tony Pedregon's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(0.004), 330 ft(-0.010), 660ft(-0.019), 1,000ft(-0.002). MOV: 0.0363 seconds (approximately 15 feet).
 (W) Scott Kalitta (DHL Solara)                  0.111      5.057 251.02
 (L) Gary Densham (RaceBricks Impala)            0.089      6.535 138.20
Densham comes out of the gate first, then starts to lose traction, finally having to back off of the throttle about 500 feet out. Kalitta drives around Densham, drifts close to the wall, and has to back off the throttle about 1200 feet out, but takes the win to go to his first final round this year.
Tony Pedregon will have lane choice over Kalitta in the final round
       
Sunday

Results for Final Round
JOLIET, Ill. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of final, round 4 eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 11th annual Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals:
 W/L  Driver                                     R-Time    E-Time  Speed

 (W) Tony Pedregon (Q Horsepower Impala)         0.093      4.818 319.75
 (L) Scott Kalitta (DHL Solara)                  0.108      4.957 308.92
6:50 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 87 degrees, relative humidity 57 percent, barometer 29.05 inches, adjusted altitude 3,777 feet, track temperature 101 degrees.
Pedregon gets out of the gate first and starts to pull away. Kalitta makes a decent pass but loses ground all the way through the run. Pedregon wins his 38th national event.
       