The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

NHRA: Force destroys track record at Colonel's Truck Accessories NHRA Nationals

22 August 1999

BRAINERD, Minn. - Eight-time NHRA Winston champion John Force sits atop the Funny Car field at the Colonel's Truck Accessories NHRA Nationals with his seventh number one qualifying position this season. Force reset Friday's track record elapsed time with a pass of 4.869 seconds and 305.98 mph at Brainerd International Raceway.

Gary Scelzi, Warren Johnson and Matt Hines set the mark in their respective categories at the 15th of 22 events in the $40 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.

Scelzi claimed the number one qualifying position in Top Fuel with a pass of 4.564 and 311.99. Scelzi is in search of his third straight NHRA Winston championship and is also the defending event champion. Warren Johnson maintained the top qualifying position and both the time and speed track records which he established during Friday's qualifying sessions at 6.955 at 197.59.

Matt Hines captured his fifth consecutive top qualifying spot in the Pro Stock Motorcycle division this season. Hines broke the track time record with a run of 7.327 and 183.84.

BRAINERD, Minn. -- First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the 18th annual Colonel's Truck Accessories at Brainerd International Raceway, the 15th of 22 events in the $40-million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday.

Top Fuel -- 1. Gary Scelzi, Fresno, Calif., 4.564 seconds, 311.99 mph vs. 16. Joe Amato, Exeter, Pa., 4.754, 299.40; 2. Eddie Hill, Wichita Falls, Texas, 4.575, 316.82 vs. 15. Kenny Bernstein, Lake Forest, Calif., 4.723, 303.50; 3. Doug Kalitta, Ypsilanti, Mich., 4.579, 318.47 vs. 14. Randy Parks, Lombard, Ill., 4.703, 311.56; 4. Larry Dixon, Cardiff, Calif., 4.596, 309.20 vs. 13. Paul Romine, Indianapolis, 4.697, 306.26; 5. Bob Vandergriff, Alpharetta, Ga., 4.597, 311.77 vs. 12. Doug Herbert, Cherryville, N.C., 4.691, 309.98; 6. Scott Kalitta, Ypsilanti, Mich., 4.599, 315.12 vs. 11. Jim Head, Columbus, Ohio, 4.679, 311.13; 7. Mike Dunn, Wrightsville, Pa., 4.602, 315.86 vs. 10. Tony Schumacher, Park Ridge, Ill., 4.657, 316.60; 8. Cory McClenathan, Anaheim, Calif., 4.609, 320.36 vs. 9. David Grubnic, Ennis, Mont., 4.629, 305.15.

Funny Car -- 1. John Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., Ford Mustang, 4.869, 312.28 vs. 16. Dale Creasy Jr., Lansing, Ill., Pontiac Firebird, 6.069, 166.03; 2. Ron Capps, La Costa, Calif., Chevrolet Camaro, 4.924, 295.79 vs. 15. Terry Haddock, Great Meadows, N.J., Dodge Avenger, 5.312, 258.57; 3. Whit Bazemore, Indianapolis, Camaro, 4.984, 299.66 vs. 14. Tim Wilkerson, Springfield, Ill., Avenger, 5.229, 259.61; 4. Tommy Johnson Jr., Ottumwa, Iowa, Firebird, 4.991, 309.91 vs. 13. Cory Lee, Sierra Del Oro, Calif., Avenger, 5.208, 291.57; 5. Scotty Cannon, Lyman, S.C., Firebird, 4.993, 292.90 vs. 12. Gary Densham, Bellflower, Calif., Firebird, 5.118, 286.98; 6. Jerry Toliver, Huntington Beach, Calif., Firebird, 5.013, 297.55 vs. 11. Al Hofmann, Umatilla, Fla., Firebird, 5.104, 292.01; 7. Dean Skuza, Brecksville, Ohio, Avenger, 5.039, 308.05 vs. 10. Tony Pedregon, Chino Hills, Calif., Mustang, 5.090, 302.28; 8. Del Worsham, Laguna Hills, Calif., Firebird, 5.058, 292.65 vs. 9. Frank Pedregon, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Firebird, 5.080, 287.96.

Pro Stock -- 1. Warren Johnson, Sugar Hill, Ga., Pontiac Firebird, 6.955, 197.59 vs. 16. Tony Gillig, Lake Zurich, Ill., Oldsmobile Cutlass, 7.053, 195.00; 2. Kurt Johnson, Sugar Hill, Ga., Chevrolet Camaro, 6.963, 197.45 vs. 15. Steve Schmidt, Indianapolis, Pontiac Firebird, 7.051, 194.97; 3. Jeg Coughlin, Columbus, Ohio, Cutlass, 7.004, 196.36 vs. 14. Richie Stevens, New Orleans, Firebird, 7.045, 194.66; 4. Mark Pawuk, Akron, Ohio, Firebird, 7.004, 195.48 vs. 13. John Nobile, Melville, N.Y., Cutlass, 7.043, 194.52; 5. Bruce Allen, Arlington, Texas, Firebird, 7.011, 195.28 vs. 12. Tom Hammonds, Crestview, Fla., Camaro, 7.040, 194.69; 6. Mike Trumble, Pasadena, Texas, Firebird, 7.015, 196.16 vs. 11. Darrell Alderman, Morehead, Ky., Dodge Avenger, 7.034, 194.86; 7. Ron Krisher, Warren, Ohio, Firebird, 7.025, 194.63 vs. 10. Mike Thomas, Knoxville, Tenn., Firebird, 7.030, 194.58; 8. Troy Coughlin, Columbus, Ohio, Cutlass, 7.027, 195.96 vs. 9. Greg Anderson, Jacksonville, N.C., Firebird, 7.029, 195.45.

Pro Stock Bike -- 1. Matt Hines, Trinidad, Colo., Suzuki GSXR, 7.327, 183.84 vs. 16. Chris Reuter, Gretna, Neb., Suzuki, 7.584, 173.49; 2. John Smith, Champlin, Minn., Suzuki, 7.355, 180.38 vs. 15. Brian Ayers, Greenville, N.C., Suzuki, 7.554, 177.21; 3. Angelle Seeling, New Orleans, Suzuki, 7.356, 182.82 vs. 14. C.J. Smith, Champlin, Minn., Suzuki, 7.547, 181.37; 4. David Schultz, Fort Myers, Fla.., Suzuki, 7.400, 184.55 vs. 13. Ron Ayers, Greenville, N.C., Suzuki, 7.539, 176.95; 5. Antron Brown, Yardley, Pa., Suzuki, 7.402, 181.28 vs. 12. Gary Tonglet, Metairie, La., Suzuki, 7.531, 171.69; 6. Greg Underdahl, Forest Lake, Minn., Suzuki, 7.404, 182.48 vs. 11. Fred Camarena, Placentia, Calif., Suzuki, 7.527, 177.49; 7. Craig Treble, Chandler, Ariz., Suzuki, 7.416, 181.47 vs. 10. Steve Johnson, Birmingham, Ala., Suzuki, 7.456, 181.18; 8. Tony Mullen, Houston, Suzuki, 7.426, 178.24 vs. 9. Larry Cook, West Linn, Ore., Suzuki, 7.433, 180.81.

Editors Note: For hundreds of hot racing photos and racing art, be sure to visit The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.