NHRA: Force steps one closer to Glidden's all-time NHRA career victory record
23 August 1999
BRAINERD, Minn. - Eight-time NHRA Winston champion John Force captured his eighth win of the 1999 NHRA Winston Drag Racing season by defeating Whit Bazemore at the Colonel's Truck Accessories NHRA Nationals Sunday.Force, from Yorba Linda, Calif., covered the quarter mile at Brainerd International Raceway in 4.929 seconds and 313.80 mph to record his 78th career victory. Force defeated Whit Bazemore who ran a 5.000 seconds at 305.77 mph and moved into second place in NHRA career victories behind Bob Glidden's 85 wins.
Force gave all the credit for this win to his crew chief Austin Coil and his crew. "They're really great!" Force said. "We make a mistake, man, they are right there for you if I make a mistake. Those guys are really something with what they can do with a Hot Rod."
Larry Dixon, Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Craig Treble were also winners in their respective categories. The Colonel's Truck Accessories NHRA Nationals is the 15th of 22 events in the $40 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.
Force set new track records at Brainerd International Raceway. Force laid down runs of 4.869 seconds and 318.17 to shatter the old track records of 4.916 seconds and 312.39 mph. Cruz Pedregon previously set the speed record last year while Bazemore previously set the elapsed time record in 1997. Force showed Bazemore's team a lot of respect.
"Bazemore, with all respect, said he wanted to dance. He quit dancing at 800 foot." Force said. "They've got a good Hot Rod. Timmy Richards and that team, and (team owner Chuck) Etchells, that cars going to be right there."
Force extended his stranglehold on the NHRA Winston points lead with this win. Force stands on top of the Winston points with 1,479 and enters the Big Bud Shootout in Indianapolis as the top seed. Force's teammate Tony Pedregon is second while Bazemore stands in the number three spot. Bazemore said despite the loss to Force, his team Funny Car has been running well lately. "Being in four finals in a row feels awfully good." Bazemore said. "Today was important because we got the job done and made it to the final when we didn't expect to win. When you're able to get good results when you are struggling, that's a good weekend."
Dixon, from San Diego, ran down Eddie Hill in the Top Fuel category to capture his first win of the 1999 NHRA Winston Drag Racing season. Hill blew a blower belt at the 1,000-foot mark and Dixon needed a pass of 4.594 seconds at 294.95 mph to catch him. Dixon said the advantage went to Hill at the starting line.
"He pulled away at about three-quarter track. He probably had about a half a car length, and I could see all of that Pennzoil on the side." Dixon said. "At that point you're just praying something will happen. I was looking to push buttons into high gear. Anything, just to get her up there. He dropped away real quick, and I saw the win light."
Hill advanced to his first final round since 1996 at Brainerd International Raceway and dispelled any rumors surrounding his possible retirement. "I want to work as long as long as I can find sponsors." Hill said.
"Although Pennzoil has already said that they won't renew for 2000, we're going full boar to try to find someone else. We have a half of a deal already, so retirement was never my idea."
Dixon's win moved him up to a tie with Doug Herbert in the Top Fuel NHRA Winston points race. Mike Dunn holds on to the top spot with 951 points. Jeg Coughlin Jr., from Columbus, Ohio, nailed down his third Pro Stock victory of the season. Coughlin recorded a pass of 7.063 seconds at 194.60 mph to beat Warren Johnson who ran a 7.167 seconds at 179.95 mph. Coughlin said teamwork was the key to victory in Brainerd.
"The team has worked really hard and we have done some testing since Sonoma and here. Coughlin said. "Anytime you beat him (Johnson), no matter what round it is in, it's certainly a thrill. Winning the event and beating him in the final, I mean, it doesn't get any better than that."
Coughlin used a .444 reaction time compared to Johnson's .507 to seal the win. "We were number one and two in the standings last year." Coughlin said.
"We're trying to make an interesting run for the championship this year. Days like today are going to help."
Despite the loss, Warren Johnson held on to the number one position in the Winston points chase. Johnson stands at 1,221, 122 points above his son Kurt Johnson.
Craig Treble of Chandler, Ariz., visited the winners circle for the first time of his career. Treble's Pro Stock Motorcycle run of 7.445 seconds at 177.44 mph was just enough to edge David Schultz, who ran 7.539 seconds at 179.16 mph. Treble knew in order to beat Schultz, he needed to have a great start at the line.
"I was definitely going to try to push that (Christmas) tree." Treble said. "By the same token, every time I've try to push the tree, I run .395. It came up .417and I am totally happy with a 17. Unfortunately Dave got a 12! He's on the stick every time I have to race him."
Since Angelle Seeling, Antron Brown and Matt Hines all lost in the first round, the Winston points lead did not change. Seeling stands in the number one slot with 796 points.
The next NHRA Winston Drag racing event is the 45th annual US Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway.
BRAINERD, Minn. -- Sunday's final results from the 18th annual Colonel's Truck Accessories Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. The $1.6-million race is the 15th of 22 events in the $40-million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series:
Top Fuel - Larry Dixon, Cardiff, Calif., 4.594 seconds, 294.95 mph def. Eddie Hill, Wichita Falls, Texas, 4.698 seconds, 249.63 mph.
Funny Car - John Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., Mustang, 4.929, 313.80 def. Whit Bazemore, Indianapolis, Camaro, 5.000, 305.77.
Pro Stock - Warren Johnson, Sugar Hill, Ga., Firebird, broke def. Jeg Coughlin, Columbus, Ohio, Cutlass, broke.
Pro Stock Bike - Craig Treble, Chandler, Ariz., Suzuki, 7.445, 177.44 def. David Schultz, Fort Myers, Fla., Suzuki, 7.539, 179.16.
Federal-Mogul Dragster - Rick Santos, San Leandro, Calif., 5.539, 249.53 def. Rob Wendland, Lawrence, Kan., 5.664, 250.92.
Federal-Mogul Funny Car - Larry Miner, Woodbridge, Calif., '98 Dodge, 5.867, 248.61 def. Jay Payne, Upland, Calif., '99 Camaro, 5.894, 246.39.
Comp Eliminator - Robert Bailey, Wabash, Ind., Dragster, 6.908, 191.87 def. David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., Dragster, 7.158, 164.53.
Super Stock - Ernie Penner, Osborne,MB, '99 Firebird, 11.199, 117.44 def. James Ronzello, Allen Park, Mich., '86 Mustang, foul.
Stock - Edmond Richardson, Goodlettsville, Tenn., '69 Camaro, 12.237, 101.29 def. Nick Folk, Durand, Ill., '95 Camaro, 11.914, 102.77.
Super Comp - Edmond Richardson, Goodlettsville, Tenn., Dragster, 8.983, 157.41 def. Gary Wamboldt, Lakewood, Colo., Dragster, 8.951, 160.46.
Super Gas - Michael Ricke, Maplewood, Minn., '98 Cavalier, 10.010, 146.29 def. Tom Schmidt, Lindstrom, Minn., '27-T Ford, 10.000, 143.34. BRAINERD, Minn. -- Final round-by-round results from the 18th Annual Colonel's Truck Accessories Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway, the 15th of 22 events in the $40-million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series:
TOP FUEL:
ROUND ONE -- Cory McClenathan, Anaheim, Calif., 4.581, 323.04 def. David Grubnic, Ennis, Mont., 7.947, 90.74; Tony Schumacher, Park Ridge, Ill., 4.625, 319.75 def. Mike Dunn, Wrightsville, Pa., 4.623, 314.97; Bob Vandergriff, Alpharetta, Ga., 4.601, 306.33 def. Doug Herbert, Cherryville, N.C., 4.674, 309.77; Eddie Hill, Wichita Falls, Texas, 4.613, 265.69 def. Kenny Bernstein, Lake Forest, Calif., 4.740, 302.62; Gary Scelzi, Fresno, Calif., 4.959, 265.69 def. Joe Amato, Exeter, Pa., 9.463, 88.90; Doug Kalitta, Ypsilanti, Mich., 4.555, 321.42 def. Randy Parks, Lombard, Ill., 5.308, 184.52; Larry Dixon, Cardiff, Calif., 4.613, 282.54 def. Paul Romine, Indianapolis, 8.990, 88.61; Scott Kalitta, Ypsilanti, Mich., 4.567, 311.34 def. Jim Head, Columbus, Ohio, 6.818, 107.93;
QUARTERFINALS -- Hill, 4.569, 312.93 def. Schumacher, foul; Dixon, 4.615, 313.51 def. Vandergriff, 4.783, 276.75; D. Kalitta, 8.735, 96.38 def. S. Kalitta, broke; Scelzi, 4.531, 322.65 def. McClenathan, 4.616, 299.46;
SEMIFINALS -- Hill, 4.563, 313.00 def. D. Kalitta, 5.783, 155.24; Dixon, 4.542, 307.23 def. Scelzi, 4.569, 315.19;
FINAL -- Dixon, 4.594, 294.95 def. Hill, 4.698, 249.63.
FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE -- Whit Bazemore, Indianapolis, Chevrolet Camaro, 5.107, 289.76 def. Tim Wilkerson, Springfield, Ill., Dodge Avenger, 6.304, 155.47; Ron Capps, La Costa, Calif., Camaro, 7.420, 245.36 def. Terry Haddock, Great Meadows, N.J., Avenger, 7.341, 175.05; John Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., Ford Mustang, 4.912, 318.17 def. Dale Creasy Jr., Lansing, Ill., Pontiac Firebird, 5.249, 291.13; Tommy Johnson Jr., Ottumwa, Iowa, Firebird, 6.574, 215.24 def. Cory Lee, Sierra Del Oro, Calif., Avenger, 8.426, 149.68; Gary Densham, Bellflower, Calif., Firebird, 5.035, 307.30 def. Scotty Cannon, Lyman, S.C., Firebird, 5.698, 283.13; Al Hofmann, Umatilla, Fla., Firebird, 5.372, 235.60 def. Jerry Toliver, Huntington Beach, Calif., Firebird, 21.336, 48.04; Tony Pedregon, Chino Hills, Calif., Mustang, 5.119, 293.09 def. Dean Skuza, Brecksville, Ohio, Avenger, 6.107, 168.47; Del Worsham, Laguna Hills, Calif., Firebird, 5.286, 283.19 def. Frank Pedregon, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Firebird, 11.441, 82.19;
QUARTERFINALS -- Bazemore, 11.681, 72.84 def. Hofmann, No Show; Johnson Jr., 5.252, 297.68 def. Densham, 5.362, 294.56; Force, 4.902, 298.14 def. Worsham, 6.015, 160.59; Capps, 5.021, 304.19 def. T. Pedregon, 5.080, 286.56;
SEMIFINALS -- Bazemore, 4.997, 299.40 def. Capps, no time, no speed; Force, 4.910, 316.45 def. Johnson Jr., 4.957, 308.43;
FINAL -- Force, 4.929, 313.80 def. Bazemore, 5.000, 305.77.
PRO STOCK:
ROUND ONE -- Greg Anderson, Jacksonville, N.C., Pontiac Firebird, 7.079, 194.27 def. Troy Coughlin, Columbus, Ohio, Oldsmobile Cutlass, 7.070, 194.52; Ron Krisher, Warren, Ohio, Firebird, 7.025, 193.18 def. Mike Thomas, Knoxville, Tenn., Firebird, 11.333, 77.87; Darrell Alderman, Morehead, Ky., Dodge Avenger, 7.111, 192.47 def. Mike Trumble, Pasadena, Texas, Firebird, 8.222, 122.98; Bruce Allen, Arlington, Texas, Firebird, 7.044, 194.58 def. Tom Hammonds, Crestview, Fla., Chevrolet Camaro, 7.083, 194.16; Jeg Coughlin, Columbus, Ohio, Cutlass, 7.014, 195.85 def. Richie Stevens, New Orleans, Firebird, 7.084, 193.52; Warren Johnson, Buford, Ga., Firebird, 6.966, 197.36 def. Tony Gillig, Lake Zurich, Ill., Cutlass, 7.062, 194.24; Kurt Johnson, Lawrenceville, Ga., Camaro, 6.982, 196.73 def. Steve Schmidt, Indianapolis, Firebird, 7.141, 193.43; Mark Pawuk, Akron, Ohio, Firebird, 7.042, 194.07 def. John Nobile, Melville, N.Y., Cutlass, 7.127, 193.21;
QUARTERFINALS -- Pawuk, 7.077, 194.13 def. Allen, 7.095, 193.68; J. Coughlin, 7.016, 194.86 def. Alderman, 7.104, 192.38; K. Johnson, 7.075, 195.11 def. Krisher, 7.155, 191.19; W. Johnson, 7.000, 196.99 def. Anderson, 7.071, 194.24;
SEMIFINALS -- J. Coughlin, 7.098, 193.88 def. K. Johnson, 7.163, 193.68; W. Johnson, 6.998, 196.99 def. Pawuk, 7.068, 194.18;
FINAL -- J. Coughlin, 7.063, 194.60 def. W. Johnson, 7.167, 179.95.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:
ROUND ONE -- Tony Mullen, Houston, Suzuki GSXR, 7.430, 181.54 def. Larry Cook, West Linn, Ore., Suzuki, 7.464, 171.82; Greg Underdahl, Forest Lake, Minn., Suzuki, 7.456, 183.52 def. Fred Camarena, Placentia, Calif., Suzuki, 7.574, 174.01; Chris Reuter, Gretna, Neb., Suzuki, 7.555, 173.65 def. Matt Hines, Trinidad, Colo., Suzuki, 7.350, 186.12; C.J. Smith, Champlin, Minn., Suzuki, 7.483, 181.94 def. Angelle Seeling, New Orleans, Suzuki, 7.405, 179.18; David Schultz, Fort Myers, Fla., Suzuki, 7.411, 181.20 def. Ron Ayers, Greenville, N.C., Suzuki, 7.496, 171.31; John Smith, Champlin, Minn., Suzuki, 7.488, 163.75 def. Brian Ayers, Greenville, N.C., Suzuki, 7.843, 134.82; Gary Tonglet, Metairie, La., Suzuki, 7.539, 181.74 def. Antron Brown, Yardley, Pa., Suzuki, 23.154, 24.23; Craig Treble, Chandler, Ariz., Suzuki, 7.412, 182.43 def. Steve Johnson, Birmingham, Ala., Suzuki, 7.517, 176.77;
QUARTERFINALS -- Underdahl, 7.473, 180.07 def. C. Smith, 7.584, 170.02; Treble, 7.446, 176.51 def. J. Smith, foul; Schultz, 7.378, 183.97 def. Tonglet, 7.648, 174.21; Mullen, 7.474, 178.80 def. Reuter, 10.339, 104.91;
SEMIFINALS -- Treble, 7.457, 177.25 def. Underdahl, 7.758, 146.78; Schultz, 7.378, 184.90 def. Mullen, 7.483, 174.84;
FINAL -- Treble, 7.445, 177.44 def. Schultz, 7.539, 179.16.
Points Standings:
TOP FUEL: 1. Mike Dunn, 951; 2. Kenny Bernstein, 932; 3. Gary Scelzi, 930; 4. Doug Kalitta, 930; 5. Tony Schumacher, 921; 6. Joe Amato,904; 7. Larry Dixon 904; 8. Doug Herbert, 857; 9. Cory McClenathan, 816; 10. Bob Vandergriff, 802.
FUNNY CAR: 1. John Force, 1,479; 2. Tony Pedregon, 1,157 ; 3. Whit Bazemore, 1,070; 4. Del Worsham, 706; 5. Dean Skuza, 703; 6. Frank Pedregon, 702; 7. Tim Wilkerson, 630; 8. Cruz Pedregon, 605; 9. Cory Lee, 593; 10. Jerry Toliver, 573.
PRO STOCK: 1. Warren Johnson, 1,221; 2. Kurt Johnson, 1,099; 3. Jim Yates, 919; 4. Jeg Coughlin Jr., 901; 5. Richie Stevens, 766; 6. Troy Coughlin, 693; 7. Mark Pawuk, 670; 8. Allen Johnson, 666; 9. Mike Edwards, 619; 10. Greg Anderson, 596.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE: 1. Angelle Seeling, 796; 2. Matt Hines, 698; 3. Antron Brown, 697; 4. David Schultz, 583; 5. John Smith, 533; 6. Greg Underdahl, 522; 7. Tony Mullen, 481; 8. Craig Treble, 472; 9. Steve Johnson, 436; 10. Gary Tonglet, 411.
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