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NHRA: McClenathan, Pedregon, Johnson, Hines and Coughlin claim U.S. Nationals Titles

8 September 1999

CLERMONT, Ind. - Cory McClenathan took advantage of a day full of upsets and climbed into the middle of one of the most competitive Top Fuel championship chases in NHRA history by winning the 45th annual U.S. Nationals Monday at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

McClenathan, from Anaheim, Calif., claimed his second win of the season and moved into seventh place in the Top Fuel standings, 62 points behind new leader Tony Schumacher. By doing so, he joins a group of ten drivers chasing the championship separated by only 119 points.

Frank Pedregon, Warren Johnson, Matt Hines and Mike Coughlin also were winners in the $2.6 million race, 16th of 22 events in the $40 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.

McClenathan, who advanced during eliminations when category favorites Mike Dunn, Gary Scelzi, Doug Kalitta and Joe Amato suffered surprise first round losses, claimed his second U.S. Nationals title, running 4.618 seconds at 308.14 mph. The MBNA dragster driver defeated determined rookie and first-time finalist Andrew Cowin, a 19-year-old native Australian that calls Huntington Beach, Calif. home. Cowin, who has competed in a limited number of NHRA national events this season, posted a slower 4.829 at 292.71 in his K&N Automotive dragster.

"We really needed this win," McClenathan said. "It's been a tough season for our MBNA team but we kept fighting and the car has been coming around. It's always a special feeling to win at Indy. We felt pretty confident about our chances before the race started, but when all the big names started dropping off, I was beginning to wonder if I was going to be next. Fortunately everything worked out and we pulled out a hard-earned win over a good young team in the final. It feels good to be back in the thick of this championship hunt."

Schumacher leads Dunn by 12 points in the Winston point standings, while Scelzi, Kalitta, Amato and Bernstein complete the top five. Pedregon, from Alta Loma, Calif., and team owner Jim Dunn celebrated their first U.S. Nationals win in grand style, defeating a host of favorites, including Winston points leader John Force, before topping WWF Racing driver Jim Epler in the final. Pedregon drove his Penthouse Racing Pontiac Firebird to a 5.086 at 284.33, while Epler turned on the red-light with a quick start in his Firebird.

"Jim and I talked early this week and we both had a good feeling about this race," said Pedregon of his third career NHRA victory and first of the season. "We were very well prepared and it paid off with a victory. This is what you work hard for your entire career - a chance to win the U.S. Nationals. We wanted to make the most of it. It's always tough when you race against the caliber of guys like Force and the Joe Gibbs Funny Car. This is certainly the biggest win of my career and I was glad I could make that dream come true for Jim Dunn, too."

Force maintained his Winston points lead despite his worst performance of the season. The eight-time season winner now leads second place points challenger Tony Pedregon by 301.

Johnson, from Buford, Ga., claimed his sixth U.S. Nationals Pro Stock victory and 78th of his career, defeating longtime crew member Greg Anderson in the final. Johnson covered the distance in 6.944 at 198.61 in his Superman Racing Pontiac Firebird, while Anderson's Humphries Motorsports Oldsmobile Cutlass had problems near mid-track and limped to the finish.

"Whether you win Indy once or six times, every one is special," said Johnson, now tied with Force for second on NHRA's all-time winners list, seven victories short of Bob Glidden's record of 85. "If you win only one race, this is the one to win."

With the victory, Johnson extended his Winston points lead to 209 over son Kurt.

Trinidad, Colo.'s Hines became $35,000 richer by sweeping the Pro Stock Motorcycle category for the second straight year at Indy, adding a $10,000 'double-up' bonus to his payday for winning the U.S. Nationals and Friday's Holley Pro Stock Dominator Duel. Hines used a holeshot start on his Superman Racing Suzuki to hold off Team Winston's Angelle Seeling in the final round. Hines ran 7.348 at 179.35 to earn his second win of the season and defeat Seeling's quicker but losing 7.344 at 176.21.

"We knew we had to be quick and fast to win at Indy, that's just the bottom line at this race," Hines said. "We're happy with our performance throughout the weekend. This is a great win for the team and a good confidence booster, especially with all the money we took home."

Hines now trails Winston points leader Seeling by 77, while third place points contender Antron Brown is a distant 121 back.

Coughlin, from Columbus, Ohio, scored his second career Pro Stock Truck victory in his Jeg's Mail Order Chevrolet S-10. Coughlin left the starting line with a near-perfect reaction time (.401) and posted a 7.649 at 175.07, good enough to oust first-time finalist Scott Perin, who ran 7.668 at 174.96 in his NAPA Development S-10.

"I've dreamed about winning the U.S. Nationals all my life," said Coughlin, who moved into fourth in the Winston point standings with the win. "This is definitely the biggest win of my career and one I'll always cherish."

The six-day, estimated attendance was 164,800.

The next NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series event is the 15th annual True Value NHRA Keystone Nationals, Sept. 16-19, at Maple Grove Raceway, Reading, Pa.

CLERMONT, Ind. -- Monday's final results from the 45th annual U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park. The $2.6 million race is the 16th of 22 events in the $40 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel - Cory McClenathan, Anaheim, Calif., 4.618 seconds, 308.14 mph def. Andrew Cowin, Huntington Beach, Calif., 4.829 seconds, 292.71 mph.

Funny Car - Frank Pedregon, Alta Loma, Calif., Firebird, 5.086, 284.33 def. Jim Epler, Phoenix, Firebird, foul.

Pro Stock - Warren Johnson, Buford, Ga., Firebird, 6.944, 198.61 def. Greg Anderson, Jacksonville, N.C., Oldsmobile Cutlass, 14.501, 58.06.

Pro Stock Motorcycle - Matt Hines, Trinidad, Colo., Suzuki, 7.348, 179.35 def. Angelle Seeling, New Orleans, Suzuki, 7.344, 176.21.

Pro Stock Truck - Mike Coughlin, Columbus, Ohio, Chevrolet S-10, 7.649, 175.07 def. Scott Perin, Pen Argyl, Pa., S-10, 7.668, 174.96.

Federal-Mogul Dragster - Rick Santos, San Leandro, Calif., 5.491, 252.90 def. Darren Nicholson, Laguna Hills, Calif., 5.561, 252.24.

Federal-Mogul Funny Car - Tony Bartone, Manhasset, N.Y., '99 Camaro, 5.648, 250.88 def. Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '98 Avenger, 5.658, 254.33.

Comp Eliminator - David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., Dragster, 7.048, 169.06 def. Frank Affronti, Ontario, N.Y., '94 Camaro, 7.848, 170.82.

Super Stock - Doug Lambeck, Irvine, Calif., '90 Camaro, 9.232, 143.76 def. Rick Brown, Lebanon, Ohio, '86 Camaro, 9.934, 131.95.

Stock - Kevin Helms, Byers, Colo., '69 Camaro, 13.679, 65.51 def. Jerry Emmons, Pasadena, Texas, '69 Chevelle, foul.

Super Comp - Doug Doll, Ephrata, Pa., Dragster, 8.921, 161.17 def. Brian Forrester, Bradenton, Fla., Dragster, 8.882, 163.57.

Super Gas - Brian Folk, Durand, Ill., '90 Cavalier, 9.888, 145.88 def. John Pavey, Kokomo, Ind., '65 Nova, 9.870, 146.38.

CLERMONT, Ind. -- Final round-by-round results from the 45th annual U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park, the 16th of 22 events in the $40 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series:

TOP FUEL:

ROUND ONE -- Randy Parks, Lombard, Ill., 4.729, 303.23 def. Doug Herbert, Cherryville, N.C., 4.787, 296.50; Eddie Hill, Wichita Falls, Texas, 4.638, 305.91 def. Doug Kalitta, Ypsilanti, Mich., 4.793, 298.01; Bob Vandergriff, Cumming, Ga., 4.880, 276.18 def. Jim Head, Columbus, Ohio, 5.139, 268.87; Cory McClenathan, Anaheim, Calif., 4.666, 314.24 def. Steve Smith, Princeton, N.C., 4.848, 298.34; Andrew Cowin, Huntington Beach, Calif., 4.665, 300.80 def. Joe Amato, Exeter, Pa., 4.717, 300.80; Paul Romine, Indianapolis, 4.666, 306.60 def. Gary Scelzi, Fresno, Calif., 4.588, 306.12; David Grubnic, Ennis, Mont., 4.655, 311.49 def. Scott Kalitta, Ypsilanti, Mich., 4.732, 304.25; Tony Schumacher, Park Ridge, Ill., 4.619, 318.17 def. Mike Dunn, Wrightsville, Pa., 4.631, 318.02.

QUARTERFINALS -- Cowin, 4.663, 278.75 def. Parks, 4.775, 256.99; Vandergriff, 4.698, 307.16 def. Grubnic, 11.597, 79.71; McClenathan, 4.666, 295.40 def. Hill, 4.646, 315.05; Schumacher, 4.641, 315.49 def. Romine, 10.514, 89.56.

SEMIFINALS -- Cowin, 4.684, 297.35 def. Vandergriff, 4.806, 308.64; McClenathan, 4.598, 311.34 def. Schumacher, 4.660, 316.82.

FINAL -- McClenathan, 4.618, 308.14 def. Cowin, 4.829, 292.71.

FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE -- Scotty Cannon, Lyman, S.C., Pontiac Firebird, 5.069, 298.27 def. Tim Wilkerson, Springfield, Ill., Firebird, 5.953, 162.68; Tommy Johnson Jr., Ottumwa, Iowa, Firebird, 4.976, 309.98 def. Chuck Etchells, Putnam, Conn., Chevrolet Camaro, 5.090, 295.79; Dean Skuza, Brecksville, Ohio, Dodge Avenger, 4.998, 305.36 def. Del Worsham, Laguna Hills, Calif., Firebird, 13.598, 71.39; Bob Gilbertson, Gastonia, N.C., Firebird, 5.261, 285.83 def. Ron Capps, San Diego, Chevrolet Camaro, 5.332, 278.98; Whit Bazemore, Indianapolis, Camaro, 4.969, 304.46 def. Gary Densham, Bellflower, Calif., Firebird, 6.432, 134.18; Tony Pedregon, Gardena, Calif., Ford Mustang, 5.007, 308.14 def. Jerry Toliver, Huntington Beach, Calif., Chevrolet Corvette, 6.915, 130.12; Jim Epler, Phoenix, Firebird, 5.028, 303.09 def. Cristen Powell, Portland, Ore., Firebird, 4.987, 301.60; Frank Pedregon, Alta Loma, Calif., Firebird, 4.993, 302.48 def. John Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., Mustang, 5.149, 286.50.

QUARTERFINALS -- Cannon, 5.015, 301.40 def. Bazemore, 5.142, 259.96; F. Pedregon, 5.013, 295.08 def. Johnson Jr., 5.021, 294.63; Epler, 4.954, 307.30 def. Skuza, 7.595, 118.73; Gilbertson, 5.107, 281.13 def. T. Pedregon, 5.080, 281.48.

SEMIFINALS -- F. Pedregon, 5.019, 294.43 def. Cannon, 5.038, 299.80; Epler, 5.168, 271.84 def. Gilbertson, foul.

FINAL -- F. Pedregon, 5.086, 284.33 def. Epler, foul.

PRO STOCK:

ROUND ONE -- Jim Yates, Alexandria, Va., Pontiac Firebird, 7.051, 195.51 def. Mike Thomas, Knoxville, Tenn., Firebird, 7.082, 194.94; Mike Edwards, Broken Arrow, Okla., Chevrolet Camaro, 6.992, 196.10 def. Mike Trumble, Pasadena, Texas, Firebird, 8.600, 113.57; Bruce Allen, Arlington, Texas, Firebird, 7.014, 196.10 def. Allen Johnson, Greeneville, Tenn., Dodge Avenger, 7.121, 193.54; Jeg Coughlin, Columbus, Ohio, Oldsmobile Cutlass, 7.137, 186.41 def. George Marnell, Las Vegas, Firebird, 8.436, 113.25; Greg Anderson, Jacksonville, N.C., Cutlass, 6.993, 196.62 def. Troy Coughlin, Columbus, Ohio, Cutlass, 7.185, 167.91; Warren Johnson, Buford, Ga., Firebird, 6.939, 198.26 def. Kurt Johnson, Lawrenceville, Ga., Camaro, 7.048, 195.99; Mark Pawuk, Bath, Ohio, Firebird, 6.997, 196.47 def. Terry Adams, Millers Creek, N.C., Cutlass, 7.051, 196.19; Richie Stevens, New Orleans, Firebird, 7.015, 195.56 def. Rickie Smith, King, N.C., Firebird, 7.026, 195.19.

QUARTERFINALS -- J. Coughlin, 7.018, 196.36 def. Stevens, foul; Anderson, 7.072, 196.16 def. Allen, 7.065, 195.68; Pawuk, 7.056, 195.65 def. Edwards, broke; W. Johnson, 6.943, 198.44 def. Yates, 7.044, 196.02. SEMIFINALS -- Anderson, 6.996, 196.50 def. Edwards, 7.024, 197.31; W. Johnson, 6.957, 198.67 def. J. Coughlin, 6.983, 196.79.

FINAL -- W. Johnson, 6.944, 198.61 def. Anderson, 14.501, 58.06.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:

ROUND ONE -- Angelle Seeling, New Orleans, Suzuki GSXR, 7.372, 180.50 def. Chris Bostick, Winter Springs, Fla., Suzuki, 7.690, 175.37; Greg Underdahl, Minneapolis, Suzuki, 7.498, 172.41 def. Larry Cook, West Linn, Ore., Suzuki, 8.393, 119.76; Antron Brown, Chesterfield, N.J., Suzuki, 7.415, 174.91 def. Gary Tonglet, Metairie, La., Suzuki, 7.497, 176.74; Matt Hines, Trinidad, Colo., Suzuki, 7.324, 182.67 def. Brian DeLong, Circleville, Ohio, Suzuki, 7.700, 171.23; Tony Mullen, Bradenton, Fla., Suzuki, 7.448, 174.89 def. C.J. Smith, Champlin, Minn., Suzuki, 7.544, 175.96; Craig Treble, Chandler, Ariz., Suzuki, 7.456, 171.38 def. Ron Ayers, Greenville, N.C., Suzuki, 7.565, 174.84; David Schultz, Fort Myers, Fla., Suzuki, 7.459, 177.37 def. Fred Camarena, Placentia, Calif., Suzuki, 7.587, 176.47; John Smith, Minneapolis, Suzuki, 7.378, 176.56 def. Steve Johnson, Chatsworth, Calif., Suzuki, 7.459, 179.02.

QUARTERFINALS -- Hines, 7.333, 183.29 def. Underdahl, 7.464, 179.06; Brown, 7.440, 175.73 def. Schultz, 7.953, 132.26; Mullen, 7.505, 179.23 def. Treble, 7.496, 175.03; Seeling, 7.382, 179.28 def. J. Smith, 7.445, 179.09.

SEMIFINALS -- Hines, 7.365, 181.30 def. Brown, foul; Seeling, 7.350, 175.68 def. Mullen, 7.525, 170.86.

FINAL -- Hines, 7.348, 179.35 def. Seeling, 7.344, 176.21.

PRO STOCK TRUCK:

ROUND ONE -- Craig Eaton, Glendale, Ariz., Dodge Dakota, 7.683, 175.57 def. Larry Perkins, Collegeville, Pa., Chevrolet S-10, 7.725, 175.52; Scott Perin, Pen Argyl, Pa., S-10, 7.683, 175.48 def. John Coughlin, Columbus, Ohio, S-10, 7.686, 175.00; Greg Stanfield, Bossier City, La., S-10, 7.663, 175.09 def. Steve Johns, Mountville, Va., S-10, 7.770, 173.01; Brian Self, Houston, S-10, 7.683, 175.09 def. Tim Freeman, Roan Mountain, Tenn., S-10, 7.738, 174.30; Mike Coughlin, Columbus, Ohio, S-10, 7.658, 175.55 def. Brad Jeter, Greenville, S.C., S-10, 7.687, 175.94; John Lingenfelter, Decatur, Ind., S-10, 7.716, 174.30 def. Randy Daniels, Grantsboro, N.C., S-10, 7.724, 173.83; Bob Panella Jr, Stockton, Calif., S-10, 7.653, 175.96 def. Larry Seay, Mayfield, Ky., S-10, 7.743, 174.28; Mark Osborne, Abingdon, Va., S-10, 7.692, 174.98 def. Todd Patterson, Augusta, Kan., Dakota, 7.705, 173.74.

QUARTERFINALS -- Eaton, 7.707, 174.71 def. Osborne, 7.751, 173.47; Stanfield, 7.686, 174.37 def. Lingenfelter, 7.784, 173.45; M. Coughlin, 7.704, 174.59 def. Self, 7.717, 174.48; Perin, 7.726, 174.66 def. Panella Jr, 7.674, 175.50.

SEMIFINALS -- M. Coughlin, 7.673, 174.35 def. Eaton, 7.707, 174.46; Perin, 7.703, 174.21 def. Stanfield, 8.239, 127.01.

FINAL -- M. Coughlin, 7.649, 175.07 def. Perin, 7.668, 174.96.

Points Standings:

TOP FUEL: 1. Tony Schumacher, 995; 2. Mike Dunn, 983; 3. Gary Scelzi, 966; 4. Doug Kalitta, 962; 5. (tie) Joe Amato, 942; Kenny Bernstein, 942; 7. Cory McClenathan, 933; 8. Larry Dixon, 914; 9. Doug Herbert, 889; 10. Bob Vandergriff, 876.

FUNNY CAR: 1. John Force, 1,512; 2. Tony Pedregon, 1,211 ; 3. Whit Bazemore, 1,124; 4. Frank Pedregon, 814; 5. Dean Skuza, 760; 6. Del Worsham, 737; 7. Tim Wilkerson, 665; 8. Cruz Pedregon, 615; 9. Scotty Cannon, 607; 10. Jerry Toliver, 605.

PRO STOCK: 1. Warren Johnson, 1,339; 2. Kurt Johnson, 1,130; 3. Jeg Coughlin Jr., 975; 4. Jim Yates, 971; 5. Richie Stevens, 821; 6. Mark Pawuk, 727; 7. Troy Coughlin, 724; 8. Allen Johnson, 700; 9. Greg Anderson, 692; 10. Mike Edwards, 691.

PRO STOCK: 1. Mark Osborne, 796; 2. Bob Panella, 776; 3. Brad Jeter, 722; 4. Mike Coughlin, 624; 5. Randy Daniels, 558; 6. Tim Freeman, 525; 7. Todd Patterson, 484; 8. Craig Eaton, 438; 9. Jerry Haas, 415. 10. Larry Kopp, 411.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE: 1. Angelle Seeling, 893; 2. Matt Hines, 816; 3. Antron Brown, 772; 4. David Schultz, 637; 5. John Smith, 586; 6. Greg Underdahl, 575; 7. Tony Mullen, 555; 8. Craig Treble, 528; 9. Steve Johnson, 468; 10. Gary Tonglet, 442.

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