Brown wins again, takes points lead with Matco team; Johnson takes Make-A-Wish Dodge to final round
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brown wins fourth title to take Mello Yello Top Fuel points lead at Seattle in fourth straight final; Johnson, Make-A-Wish Dodge gets to final round SEATTLE (Aug. 6, 2017) - Antron Brown used his quicker reactions Sunday to win the NHRA Northwest Nationals Top Fuel title and take the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series points lead for the only the second time this year and first since early June. Brown's fourth win of the season in nine final rounds was won on a holeshot at the starting line when he left slightly ahead of Terry McMillen whose elapsed time of 3.772 seconds wasn't enough to hold off the 3.776 produced by the Matco Tools/U.S. Army dragster Powered by Pennzoil with crew chiefs Brian Corradi and Mark Oswald. Three-time and reigning world champion Brown started as the No. 1 seed after earning his second pole of the season that led to DSR winning its 313th event title and 20th of the year including seven in Top Fuel. The victory is the fourth this year for Brown, 49th in Top Fuel and 65th overall including Pro Stock Motorcycle. Ironically, it was McMillen who upset previous points leader Steve Torrence in the opening round that coupled with Brown's victory will gives him a 13-point lead over Torrence when the series resumes in two weeks at Brainerd, Minn., in the penultimate race of the 18-event Mello Yello Series regular season. "I can't even believe we've been going rounds Antron and Billie Jo Brown like we have," said Brown, who has reached the final round in four consecutive races and in seven of the last nine. "Think about it, we did that good with seven finals in nine races and we just got the lead back by only 13 points. That shows you how tough this field is. All these cars are just stepping up to the plate. "It was just tough competition, we were neck and neck every run. The competition has definitely stepped up their game and it sets up some really interesting stuff for these last two races heading into the Countdown to see where we end up. We just need to keep fighting like we are. The fight is only going to get rougher. "Terry was strong today. When they threw that (3.72) out in the first round, it really turned some heads. He's like 'I'm in the party now boys. Here I am ladies and gentlemen.' "This Western Swing beats you down. I couldn't be more proud of all of my guys. When things get this rough and this hard, I always give God all the glory because He pulls us through every time." Leah Pritchett and the Papa John's Pizza/FireAde/PACCAR dragster eliminated teammate Tony Schumacher and the U.S. Army team before losing in the semifinals to McMillen. In Funny Car, Tommy Johnson Jr. and Terry Chandler's Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T led by crew chief John Collins and assistant Rip Reynolds advanced to their third final round in the past four races but lost to Robert Hight of John Force Racing for the second time in three weeks during the Western Swing. "Our goal is to get our position the best we can going into the Countdown and we're doing a good job of that," said Johnson, who is fifth in points but only 17 out of fourth. "It's frustrating to lose a final again, but three of the last four races (we've been) runner-up so you can't complain too much. Final rounds are great, you just like to finish the job when you get there. But six finals in the Countdown would be just fine with me, too." The following are Sunday's eliminations results for DSR from Seattle and current Mello Yello standings; TOP FUEL Event winner: Antron Brown (Don Schumacher Racing) No. 1 qualifier: Brown, 3.735 sec., 329.10 mph ANTRON BROWN, Matco Tools/U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster - 3x world champion; runner-up last event Crew chiefs: Brian Corradi, Mark Oswald; Assistant: Brad Mason SUNDAY CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS First round: BROWN (3.745 sec., 326.63 mph) def. Ron Smith (4.632, 192.19) Second round: BROWN (3.786, 325.37) def. Mike Salinas (4.191, 204.88) Semifinals: BROWN (3.781, 325.22) def. Clay Millican (3.794, 318.32) Final: BROWN (3.776, 326.48) def. Terry McMillan (3.772, 318.54) QUALIFYING RESULTS Qualified: No. 1 FRIDAY: 3.984 sec., 267.27 mph, (first session); 3.813, 317.42, (second session) SATURDAY: 3.796, 323.74, (third session); 3.735, 329.10, (fourth session) SEATTLE BY THE NUMBERS Last event (July 30), Sonoma, Calif.: Qualified No. 4, lost in championship round to Steve Torrence A year ago at Seattle: Qualified No. 4, won in championship round over Steve Torrence Career at Seattle: Wins 2 (2009, 2016); Runner-ups 2 (2010, 2014); Poles 2 (2011, 2017) LEAH PRITCHETT, Papa John's Pizza/FireAde/PACCAR Top Fuel dragster - 3x winner, five finals in 2017 Crew chief: Todd Okuhara; Assistant: Joe Barlam SUNDAY CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS First round: PRITCHETT (3.729 sec., 314.46 mph) def. Shawn Reed (3.964, 313.22) Second round: PRITCHETT (5.062, 157.72) def. Tony Schumacher (6.483, 130.67) Semifinals: Terry McMillen (3.822, 315.42) def. PRITCHETT (3.888, 306.40) QUALIFYING RESULTS Qualified: No. 3 FRIDAY: 4.112 sec., 226.20 mph, (first session); 3.891, 288.70, (second session) SATURDAY: 3.755, 325.30, (third session); 6.029, 112.65, (fourth session) SEATTLE BY THE NUMBERS Last event (July 30), Sonoma, Calif.: Qualified No. 1, lost in second round to Terry McMillen A year ago at Seattle: Qualified No. 8, lost in first round to Morgan Lucas Career at Seattle: Wins 0; Runner-ups 0; Poles 0 TONY SCHUMACHER, U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster - 8x world champion Crew chief: Mike Green; Assistant: Phil Shuler SUNDAY CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS First round: SCHUMACHER (3.741 sec., 328.94 mph) def. Troy Coughlin (4.615, 169.94) Second round: Leah Pritchett (5.062, 157.72) def. SCHUMACHER (6.483, 130.67) QUALIFYING RESULTS Qualified: No. 6 FRIDAY: 3.862 sec., 317.12 mph, (first session); 3.802, 322.96, (second session) SATURDAY: 6.544, 99.72, (third session); 3.783, 324.12, (fourth session) SEATTLE BY THE NUMBERS Last event (July 30), Sonoma, Calif.: Qualified No. 5, lost in first round to Scott Palmer A year ago at Seattle: Qualified No. 1, lost in second round to Morgan Lucas Career at Seattle: Wins 4 (2004, 2006-08); Runner-ups 3 (2005, 2009, 2011); Poles 3 (2004, 2008, 2016) FUNNY CARS Event winner: Robert Hight (John Force Racing) No. 1 qualifier: Hight, 3.8383 sec., 329.34 mph TOMMY JOHNSON JR., Terry Chandler's Make-A-Wish 2017 Dodge Charger R/T Crew chief: John Collins; Assistant: Rip Reynolds SUNDAY CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS First round: JOHNSON (3.953 sec., 325.32 mph) def. Jim Campbell (4.372, 206.48) Second round: JOHNSON (3.957, 323.19) def. Ron Capps (3.976, 311.41) Semifinals: JOHNSON (3.935, 319.67) def. Matt Hagan (3.955, 326.08) Final: Robert Hight (3.890, 328.62) def. JOHNSON (3.978, 323.27) QUALIFYING RESULTS Qualified: No. 3 FRIDAY: 4.011 sec., 319.60 mph, (first session); 3.930, 324.05, (second session) SATURDAY: 3.980, 321.88, (third session); 4.373, 203.65, (fourth session) SEATTLE BY THE NUMBERS Last event (July 30), Sonoma, Calif.: Qualified No. 5, lost in second round to Courtney Force A year ago at Seattle: Qualified No. 10, lost in second round to Ron Capps Career at Seattle: Wins 2 (1993, 2015); Runner-ups 0 Poles 0 MATT HAGAN, 80th Anniversary Mopar/Express Lane 2017 Dodge Charger R/T - 3x winner in 2017 Crew chief: Dickie Venables; Assistant: Michael Knudsen SUNDAY CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS First round: HAGAN (3.920 sec., 330.47) def. Gary Densham (3.965, 319.37) Second round: HAGAN (3.958, 326.71) def. Alexis DeJoria (3.956, 324.12) Semifinals: Tommy Johnson Jr. (3.935, 319.67) def. HAGAN (3.955, 326.08) QUALIFYING RESULTS Qualified: No. 2 FRIDAY: 4.059 sec., 314.97 mph, (first session); 3.999, 322.19, (second session) SATURDAY: 3.930, 328.54, (third session); 3.950, 327.90, (fourth session) SEATTLE BY THE NUMBERS Last event (July 30), Sonoma, Calif.: Qualified No. 6, lost in first round to Del Worsham A year ago at Seattle: Qualified No. 5, lost in semifinals to Del Worsham Career at Seattle: Wins 1 (2013); Runner-ups 1 (2012); Poles 0 JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/T Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh SUNDAY CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS First round: BECKMAN (3.926 sec., 325.69 mph) def. Del Worsham (4.033, 319.52) Second round: Courtney Force (3.959, 317.27) def. BECKMAN (4.037, 287.66) QUALIFYING RESULTS Qualified: No. 5 FRIDAY: 4.133 sec., 301.87 mph, (first session); 3.983, 322.88, (second session) SATURDAY: 4.466, 191.87, (third session); 3.943, 323.35, (fourth session) SEATTLE BY THE NUMBERS Last event (July 30), Sonoma, Calif.: Qualified No. 3, lost in semifinals to J.R. Todd A year ago at Seattle: Qualified No. 4, lost in second round to Matt Hagan Career at Seattle: Wins 2 (2007, 2015); Runner-ups 1 (2011); Poles 2 (2013, 2015) RON CAPPS, NAPA AUTO PARTS 2017 Dodge Charger R/T - 6x winner in '17, world champ Crew chief: Rahn Tobler; Assistant: Eric Lane SUNDAY CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS First round: CAPPS (3.901 sec., 326.00 mph) def. Tim Wilkerson (4.232, 236.32) Second round: Tommy Johnson Jr. (3.957, 323.19) def. CAPPS (3.976, 311.41) QUALIFYING RESULTS Qualified: No. 6 FRIDAY: 4.175 sec., 241.41 mph, (first session); 4.019. 319.37, (second session) SATURDAY: 3.984, 314.24, (third session); 3.956, 317.34, (fourth session) SEATTLE BY THE NUMBERS Last event (July 30), Sonoma, Calif.: Qualified No. 12, lost in first round to Tommy Johnson Jr. A year ago at Seattle: Qualified No. 2, won in championship round over Del Worsham Career at Seattle: Wins 3 (1995-TF & career first, 1998, 2016); Runner-ups 4 (2001, 2006, 2008, 2010); Poles 2 (1997, 2012) 2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES TOP FUEL STANDINGS (Official after Seattle; 16 of 24 events: wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS) 1. ANTRON BROWN (4) 1,418 ----- 2. Steve Torrence (6) 1,405 -13 3. LEAH PRITCHETT (3) 1,329 -76 4. TONY SCHUMACHER (1) 1,064 -341 5. Brittany Force (1) 992 -413 6. Doug Kalitta 977 -428 7. Clay Millican (1) 937 -468 8. Terry McMillen 690 -715 9. Scott Palmer 606 -799 10.Troy Coughlin Jr. 560 -845 2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNY CAR STANDINGS (Official after Seattle; 16 of 24 events: wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS) 1. RON CAPPS (6) 1,330 ----- 2. MATT HAGAN (3) 1,172 -158 3. Robert Hight (2) 1,164 -166 4. JACK BECKMAN (2) 1,104 -226 5. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1) 1,081 -249 6. Courtney Force 951 -249 7. John Force (1) 877 -453 8. Tim Wilkerson 759 -571 9. J.R. Todd (1) 756 -574 10. Cruz Pedregon 601 -729 About Don Schumacher Racing Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields seven professional NHRA teams. In Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, the Matco Tools dragster driven by three-time world champion Antron Brown and the Papa John's Pizza/Mopar Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett; and in Funny Car, 2016 world champion Ron Capps in the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T; 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the 80th anniversary Mopar/ Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T, and 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr., both of which are funded by the late Terry Chandler. DSR has won 313 NHRA national event titles and 16 world championships. Follow Don Schumacher Racing at ShoeRacing.com, on Twitter at @shoeracing and Facebook.com/shoeracing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeff Wolf (wolfj@shoeracing.com), 702.524.1368 Leah Vaughn (vaughnl@shoeracing.com), 618.516.1988 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Forward This Email to a Friend http://ui.constantcontact.com/sa/fwtf.jsp?llr=5uv7snbab&m=1101041391262&ea=$submit@theautochannel.com$&a=1128551279796 This email was sent to submit@theautochannel.com by wolfj@shoeracing.com. 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