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VIEW FROM GRUBNIC’S STRIVECTIN TOP FULLER. >> VERY CONSISTENT ALL WEEKEND. 76 DEGREES. VERY NICE RIGHT NOW. VERY DRY. HUMIDITY, 19%. 108 DEGREES ON TRACK. AND JUST OVER 3700 ABOVE SEA LEVEL. >> IT’S TIME FOR TRACTIONARY. >> AS A RESULT OF FACTORIN BAROMETRIC PRESSURE, HUMIDITY
AND TEMPERATURE AND GRAINS OF WATER PER POINT TO GET THAT. >> WE HAD THE SANYO LIGHTSHIP WITH US. UNFORTUNATELY, WE WILL NOT HAVE THE AIRSHIP TODAY. THE ONLY REASON IS THE WINDS ARE PICKING UP AT ABOUT 1:00 LOCAL TIME FOR OVER 25 MILES AN HOUR.
THAT’S TOO MUCH FOR THE AIRSHIP TO FLY. NOT TOO MUCH FOR THESE GUYS TO FLY. >> MARTY, ANOTHER GOOD MATCHUP. DAVID GRUBNIC JUST FRESH OFF THAT RACE IN GAINESVILLE. AND CORY McCLENATHAN, THE NUMBER ONE QUALIFIER, SEE IF HE CAN GET THAT CAR TO TURN AROUND.
>> BOTH DRIVER HAS TO PEDAL. IT WAS DAVID GRUBNIC RECOVERING FIRST MEP GETS DOWN AT 5.12 AT 305. YOU SEE CORY’S NUMBER UP THERE AND THERE’S WES WONDERING HOW DID WE MISS IT? >> DAVID GRUBNIC, JUST LIKE HE DID IN THE FINAL AT GAINESVILLE,
THE CAR WENT OUT AND WENT OUT A WAYS AND STARTED SPINNING, ABOUT THE 300 FOOT MARK. AND CORY McCLENATHAN WHO WAS SPINNING THE TIRE MORSE AGGRESSIVELY. >> DAVID HAS BEAT CORY NOW THE LAST FIVE TIMES THEY’VE RACED. INCLUDING THREE TIMES HERE IN LAS VEGAS.
>> YOU SEE CORY, HE DROVE OUT AND SMOKED THE TIRES FIRST. GRUBNIC WENT BY AND SMOKED THE TIRES AFTER THAT. AS A RESULT, HE’S IN THE SECOND ROUND. >> LET’S GO TO THE FAR END. GARY? >> WELL, HOT ROD FULLER WAS SAYING HE’S GOT NOTHING PUT TIME.
I KNOW THIS IS A DISAPPOINTING WEEKEND, IT’S BEEN A HURTFUL MEMORY, THE MOMMIER OF DAYNA AHERN. HOW HAS THAT AFFECTED THIS? >> IT’S HUGE. A GREAT GIRL. MY WHOLE FOCUS WAS TO WIN FOR HER. MY PLANS WERE TO TAKE THAT TROPHY AND GIVE THAT TO THEM
THIS WEEKEND. THE BIG GUY UPSTAIRS HAS THE PLANS FOR US. WE’RE GOING TO CONTINUE THE RELATIONSHIP WITH AHERN. THEY’RE IN OUR HEARTS. I WISH I COULD HAVE DONE A LOT BETTER FOR THEM. >> I APPRECIATE A FEW MOMENTS OF YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, GARY, AS THEY’LL MAKE THE LONG TRIP BACK TO THE TRAILER. RIGHT NOW, THE LONG TRIP IS BACKING THE CAR UP FOR J.R. TODD. YOU SEE HIS ROUND FOR THE YEAR. DOUG HERBERT WILL BE OVER IN THE LEFT LANE. A SPECIAL LEVEL MET.
DAVE RIEFF YOU’VE GOT MORE ON IT? >> INDEED I DO. HE HAD A CHANCE TO FLY WITH THE THUNDERBIRDS. BECAUSE OF THAT, HE CAN GIVE THE FAVOR BACK TO HIM AND LET HIM TAKE THE TOP FUEL CAR DOWN THE TRACK. HE HAD A SPECIAL HELMET MADE UP
WITH THE SPECIAL AIR FORCE INSIGNIA ON IT. AFTER THE RACE, IT’S GOING TO MAJOR KEEFE. >> WELL, YOU SAW J.R. HAVE A CYLINDER DROP EARLY, THEN DOUG HERBERT MIXED THEM UP ON THE TOP END. HE GOES 4.63. HE DENIES J.R. TODD A CHANCE AT HIS FIRST ROUND WIN.
HE’S 0 FOR 2. AND WAYNE DUPUIS SAYS TIME’S UP. >> YEAH, YOU SAW THAT CAR DRIFT OVER TOWARDS THE WALL. GOT OUT OF THE GOOD RUBBER. WHAT HAPPENS THERE, THE ENGINE IS NOT GETTING A LOAD PUT ON IT BECAUSE THE TIRES ARE SPIN TOOG FREELY.
THE GOOD NEWS FOR HIM, J.R. TODD HAD A CYLINDER OUT MUCH EARLIER THAN DOUG HERBERT. AND DOUG HERBERT IS IN THE NEXT ROUND. >> TAKE A LOOK AT THE REACTION FROM THE CREWS, YEAH, WE LIKE THAT. THAT’S GOOD. THERE’S A BETTER LOOK AT THAT HELMET.
IT WILL BE AROUND FOR ANOTHER ROUND. YOU’RE LOOKING INTO THE EYES OF BOB VANDERGRIFF. HE’LL BE OVER IN THE RIGHT LANE. HE’S OUR NEXT PAIR UP ALONGSIDE OF THE WINNER FROM LAST WEEK, BRANDON BERNSTEIN. BERNSTEIN, GOING INTO HOUSTON, WAS NOWHERE NEAR THE TOP TEN.
HE’S NOW SIXTH IN THE POINTS AFTER GOING FOUR ROUNDS AND TAKING THE WALLY. BRANDON, IN FACT, IS THIS WEEK’S POWERADE POWER TIME. WE HAD A FEW QUICK QUESTIONS FOR THE WINNER OF LAST WEEK’S EVENT. HIS BUD DE, ERIC MEDLEN, VOLUNTEERED TO HELP US OUT. AS ERIC TAKES BRANDON RAPID
FIRE. >> FAVORITE MOVIE? >> BRAVEHEART. >> WORST THING ABOUT LOSING? >> GOING HOME AT NIGHT. >> GINGER OR MARRY ANN. >> MARRY ANN. >> MOST EMBARRASSING GUILTY PLEASURE? >> MASSAGES. >> MIKE DUNN? >> EXCELLENT COMMENTATOR. >> ONE THING PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU? >> I WAS A CHEERLEADER IN HIGH
SCHOOL. >> HOW HAS YOUR LIFE CHANGED SINCE YOU COLORED YOUR HAIR. DAVID BERNSTEIN? >> GREAT. >> HOW COME THAT ONLY COST HIM 20 BUCKS. I HAD TO PAY HIM 100 BUCKS TO SAY THAT ABOUT ME. >> HE SAID YOU’RE A GOOD COMMENTATOR. >> I KNOW.
I’M GOING TO HAVE TO GET A REBATE THERE. >> AS WE GET READY FOR THIS MATCHUP. BOB VANDERGRIFF TRYING TO TAKE OUT THIS WEEK’S WINNER. HE’S TAKEN OUT HILLARY WILL AND DOUG KALITTA BACK IN HOUSTON. CAN HE DO IT HERE TO BRANDON BERNSTEIN?
THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION WOULD BE NO. AND WE TOLD TO YOU KEEP YOUR EYES ON BRANDON TODAY. HE RUNS ANOTHER 4.50 PASS. THIS ONE 4.53. 328 MILES AN HOUR. >> MAN, BRANDON BERNSTEIN HAS A RACE CAR THIS WEEK. ANOTHER 4.53. THE 4.53s ON FRIDAY. A 4.54 YESTERDAY.
THIS CAR RIGHT NOW. FUL HE CAN KEEP DOING THAT, HE’S DEFINITELY GOT A SHOT AT WINNING TODAY. >> KENNY BERNSTEIN VERY HAPPY WITH WHAT HE SAW. THERE’S BRANDEN AT THE FAR END OF THE RACETRACK. THERE’S RON CAPPS, WE’LL GET A CHANCE TO TALK TO HIM WHEN WE
COME BACK FROM OUR COMMERCIAL BREAK. ALSO WHEN WE COME BACK, WE’LL HAVE A MATCH UP OF MELANIEPó[PóT >>> AND OFF IN THE DISTANCE, THAT’S MOUNT CHARLESTON WITH A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW ON THE SUMMIT. WE’RE AT THE SUMMITRACING.COM NATIONALS. A BURNOUT FOR TONY SCHUMACHER IN
THE RIGHT LANE, THE NUMBER ONE QUALIFIER. AND THAT’S ALLEN BRADSHAW, THE NUMBER 16 QUALIFIER IN THE LEFT LANE. WE PROMISED TO TALK TO RON CAPPS. RAURNGS I’VE GOT TO ASK YOU, I THINK A LOT OF FANS ARE WONDERING WHY YOUR CAR IS
RUNNING SO WELL FOR TEAM SCHUMACHER, BUT YOUR TEAMMATES ARE STRUGGLING. WHAT DO YOU GUY KNOW THAT THEY DON’T? >> THAT’S A GREAT QUESTION. YOU WOULD THINK WITH HAVING ALL THE DATA AND THE THREE TEAMS IT WOULD BE EASY. MIKE CAN TELL YOU YOU CAN HAVE
ALL THREE CARS EXACTLY THE SAME, BUT THERE’S A DIFFERENCE. WITH AIR IN THE LINE, IT’S NOT A CHANGE YOU WANT TO MAKE GOING INTO SUNDAY MORNING AS A CREW CHIEF OR DRIVER. IT’S NOT A COMFORTABLE CHANGE. WE BORROWED ONE FROM THE ARMY TEAM.
>> HEY, RON, I SAW YOU DIVE IN THE CROWD LIKE YOU’RE AT A CHILE PEPPERS CONCERT, ARE YOU THAT LOOSE? >> I DID IT IN THE LAST RACE, AND I SHOULDN’T. DIDN’T HAVE A BIG ENOUGH GUY. THEY SENT THE PEOPLE UP THERE WITH POWERADE. IT WAS FUN.
I DID IT AS A JOKE. THEY CAUGHT ME. I SAID, HEY, I’M 150 POUNDS. SOMEBODY OUT THERE WILL WILL CATCH ME. >> BIG UPSET, RON, YOU’RE GOING TO BE SURPRISED AT THIS. TONY SCHUMACHER HAS GONE DOWN. ALLEN BRADSHAW PICKS UP HIS FIRST ROUND WIN.
RON, WE’LL LET YOU GO, WE’LL SEE YOU IN A MATTER OF MOMENTS, BE CAREFUL ON THOSE JUMPS, IT COULD BE JOHN FORCE FANS, THEY MIGHT LET YOU FALL. >> WOW, WHAT A HUGE, HUGE UPSET. >> OH, MAN, HOW THAT BE. WATCH, AS SOON AS HE HITS THE
THROTTLE, CYLINDER OUT OVER THERE. THEN THE CAR IS GOING INTO TIRE SHAKE AND THEN TIRE SMOKE. AT THAT POINT, HIS DAY IS DONE. ALLEN BRADSHAW WAS OVER IN THE LEFT-HAND LANE MAKING THE BEST RUN OF THE WEEK WITH A 4.SKET. >> HOW DID THIS HAPPEN.
NUMBER ONE, FOUR OUT OF FIVE RACES. NOW, THIS IS THE THIRD RACE IN A ROW. FIRST TIME IT’S HAPPENED SINCE THE 2003 SEASON BEFORE ALLEN JOHNSON CAME ON BOARD THAT THEY HAVE LOST THREE IN A ROAD. >> I GOT TO BELIEVE IT’S GREMLINS.
YOU CAN’T BLAME THAT ON THE TIRE. IT’S RARE TO SEE THAT TIRE DROP A CYLINDER. IT CAME UP IN THE MOST INOPPORTUNE TIME. WHO KNOWS. >> THAT’S WHY WE RUN THE RACE. THAT’S WHY YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS ANY ACTION. EVERY ROUND IS IMPORTANT.
WE GET READY NOW FOR LARRY DIXON. A THREE-TIME WINNER OF THIS RACE. HE’S ALSO WON THE FALL RACE ONCE. AND HE’S NOW QUALIFIED NUMBER TWO FOR THIS ONE. HE’S GOT MIKE STRASBOURG IN THE RIGHT LANE. LET’S HEAR FROM ALLEN BRADSHAW. >> STILL FUMBLING TO GET THE
HELMET OFF. HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN AN UPSET LIKE THIS WHEN NUMBER 16 SAYS SO LONG TO NUMBER 1? >> I’M REALLY PROUD. IT ISN’T OVER TILL IT’S OVER. THAT’S WHY WE SHOW UP ON SUNDAY. THEY DID AN EXCELLENT JOB. RED LINE, THE WHOLE BUNCH. >> THE DRIVER IS NOT HALF BAD
EITHER, HUH? >> I’M REALLY HAPPY. >> TONY SCHUMACHER IS GOING TO DROP TO TENTH IN THE POINTS. THERE HE IS OFF IN THE DISTANCE. AND ALLEN BRADSHAW DOES KNOW SUCCESS. HE’S A FORMER TOP ALCOHOL CHAMPION. THEY KNOW HOW TO DRIVE THE CAR AND WIN THE RACE.
RIGHT NOW, WHEN WE GET READY FOR THE NEXT MATCHUP, LET’S TALK ABOUT WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE NEXT FEW WEEK WHEN IS WE GO TO THUNDER VALLEY. ON 10:00 EASTERN. AND THEN “NHRA2DAY” PRESENTED BY LUCAS OIL AT 11:30 A.M. AND THEN ON SUNDAY, 7:00 P.M., 4:00 PACIFIC.
LET’S NUN AND FIND OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW. NO PROBLEM FOR LARRY DIXON. 4.53. AT 330 MILES AN HOUR. YOU SAW HIM SPIN THE TIRES. >> THAT WAS A GREAT JOB BY THEM. I GUARANTEE YOU THEY WERE ON PINS AND NEEDLES HOPING THIS THING WENT DOWN THE RACETRACK.
THEY WERE TRYING OTHER THINGS IN QUALIFYING. SURE WENT BACK TO THE BASELINE COMBINATION. DID A NICE JOB. >> IF YOU WERE WITH US IN FUNNY CAR YESTERDAY, YOU KNOW THAT ROBERT HIGHT HAS BEEN BLOWING UP HEARTS. LET’S GET AN 81 DATE WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY.
>> I’M HERE WITH ROBERT HOOITD. FIRST OF ALL, WHAT KIND OF DAMAGE DID THAT EXPLOSION CAUSE? >> MOSTLY, IT WAS A BIG EXPLOSION, A QUICK CONCUSSION. AND IT BROKE THE BODY WHERE THE BODY STRUTS ARE ATTACHED. MY GUYS REPLACED THEM LAST NIGHT. AND REPAIRED THE DAMAGE SPOTS.
THIS TUBE WAS LIKE A HORSESHOE. IT’S BACK TOGETHER LIKE NEW. THIS ’06 MUSTANG IS READY TO GO FOR TODAY. >> BIGGEST CONCERN IS WHAT HAPPENED? >> NOT FOR SURE. IT WILL BE FINE. >> CROSS YOUR FINGERS. >> ALL RIGHT. THANK, DAVE. LET’S GO BACK TO YESTERDAY.
>> YOU’RE GOING TO SEE THIS AFTER HE HIT THE THROTTLE. A HUGE BIG BANG. HE DOESN’T HAVE ANY COMPONENTS ON IT LIKE HE HAD YESTERDAY. THEY DIDN’T PINPOINT EXACTLY WHAT CAUSED IT. YOU TAKE AWAY ALL THE VARIABLES. >> THE FIRST PASS IN QUALIFYING WAS THE FIRST PASS.
THE NEXT THREE TIMES NOT SO GOOD. HOW PRESENCIVE WERE YOU? >> NOT AS APPREHENSIVE AS DONNIE BENDER. HE HAS A DRIVER THAT CAN DO HIS JOB. WE’LL GO SOME ROUNDS TONIGHT. >> BOY, DOES LARRY DIXON AND HIS CREW LOVE LAS VEGAS. >> YES, HE SURE DOES.
WE GET READY FOR ANOTHER DAVID. DAVID BACA UP AGAINST MELANIE TROXEL. THIS IS A REMATCH FROM THE WINTERNATIONALS. MELANIE, OF COURSE, WON THAT ONE. >> ONE THING WE DIDN’T POINT OUT, TONY SCHUMACHER AND ALLEN JOHNSON WERE THE ONLY CAR TO CHOOSE THAT LANE CHOICE.
I DON’T THINK IT HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH DROPPING THE CYLINDER. IT’S INTERESTING THAT THEY DID THAT. >> MELANIE TAKES ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS ANOTHER PAGE OF NHRA HISTORY. 4.57 THE ELAPSED TIME. WE SAW DAVID BACA GO UP IN SMOKE. SINCE GO TO GET FINES AT THE
WINTERNATIONALS, BACA HAS NOW GONE OUT IN THE FIRST ROUND IN FOUR STRAIGHT RACES. >> MELANIE TROXEL JUST RUNNING HER BASIC OLD COMBINATION, 4.57, JUST LIKE SHE DOES ALL THROUGH QUALIFYING. NOW, SHE’S GOING TO THE SECOND ROUND. I LOVE WATCHING THIS RACE CAR GO ♪♪ ♪♪
>>> THE BIGGEST CHOICE YOU HAVE TO MAKE RIGHT NOW IF YOU’RE HILLARY WILL OR MORGAN LUCAS IS WHAT LANE YOU WANT TO BE IN RACING ACTION. AND HILLARY WILL HAS THE NUMBER FIVE QUALIFIER, DECIDE PUT IT OVER IN THE LEFT LANE AS ALMOST EVERYONE ELSE HAS.
MORGAN LUCAS WILL BE OVER IN THE RIGHT LANE. THIS IS A REMATCH. HILLARY MADE HER DEBUT IN TOP FUEL. ROUND NUMBER ONE, MORGAN WON THAT AND HE WAS THE LOWER QUALIFYING CAR. SHE HAS WON HERE IN ALCOHOL DRAGSTER, AND THAT WAS IN 2005
AND IT WAS HER FIFTH EVENT IN THIS CAR. THIS HAPPENS TO BE HER FIFTH TOP FUEL START. SHE’S HOPING THAT LIGHTNING WILL STRIKE TWICE. WE SHOULD POINT OUT IT WAS TWO YEARS AGO A YOUNG LAD BY THE NAME OF MORGAN LUCAS WON HERE IN TOP DRAG.
BOTH OF THESE DRIVERS HAVE HAD SUCCESS HERE. &rx:@úx■p■ >> BOY, I’LL TELL YOU, IT LOOKED LIKE HILLARY WAS OUT ON HIM. MORGAN GETS TO THE LINE FIRST. 4.58 SECONDS TO A 4.60 AT 320 MILES AN HOUR FOR HILLARY. >> THAT WAS JUST ANOTHER GOOD OLD DRAG RACE.
AS WE GO ON BOARD WITH HILLARY, ACTUALLY, MORGAN LUCAS WAS SLIGHTLY OFF THE STARTING LINE FIRST. RAN BETTER EARLY. YOU SAW A CYLINDER GO OUT ON HILLARY’S CAR JUST BEFORE THE FINISH LINE. MORGAN LUCAS, HIS BEST RUN OF THE WEEKEND.
>> SO MORGAN LUCAS IS IN THE SECOND ROUND. AS YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE LADDER, ONE THING WE SHOULD POINT OUT, MORGAN IS GOING TO TEST AN INDY PRO SERIES CAR. SAM MYTH IS GOING TO PUT MINIMUM IN THE CAR. WE’LL GET THAT ON CAMERA THERE.
BRANDON BERNSTEIN HAS GOT SECOND ROUND MATCHUPS IN TOP FUEL COMING YOUR WAY AT SUMMITRACING.COM NATIONALS. THAT’S ALLEN BRADSHAW’S PIT. THEY’RE GETTING READY FOR SECOND ROUND ACTION. WE’VE GOT TO TAKE A COMMERCIAL BREAK, WHEN WE COME BACK, BOB GILBERTSON CAN HE BE A GIANTheH’ >>> BACK HERE AT THE
SUMMITRACING.COM NATIONALS. PICTURE PERFECT DAY. WE’RE GETTING READY FOR FIRST ROUND ACTION IN FUNNY CAR. AS IT IS TIME TOUR THE FLOPPERS. RON CAPPS IS ON A ROLL, HE LOOKS LIKE THE MAN TO BEAT IN FUNNY CAR, ARGUABLY, THE NHRA’S MOST COMPETITIVE CLASS. HE’S KNOCKED OFF JOHN FORCE AND
HE LEADS WITH TWO STRAIGHT VICTORIES. LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THE FUNNY CAR LADDER. YOU SEE ROBERT HIGHT, CRUZ PEDREGON AND T. J. FORCE, WORSHAM, CAPPS. >> ERIC MEDLEN HAS A VERY GOOD RACE CAR LIKE HE DID IN HOUSTON. QUALIFYING, THAT THING WAS GOING DOWN THE RACETRACK.
GARY DEN SHAM GOT ON THE LAST QUALIFYING PASS, BUT NEVER COUNT HIM OUT. >> WHOA, AND MEDLEN DRIFTED TOWARDS THE WALL. HE WILL TAKE THE WIN LIGHT. 4.82 TO A 4.84. A VERY GOOD SOLID RUN FOR GARY DENSHAM. JUST NOT QUITE ENOUGH. MEDLEN OFF THE LINE. FIRST TO THE STRIPE.
>> JUST A GOOD OLD DRAG RACE. ERIC MEDLEN GOT THE SLIGHT ADVANTAGE. WATCH ERIC MOVE TOWARDS THE WALL AT THE FINISH LINE. HE STILL GOT THE WIN. >> ERIC IS NOW 7-1 OVER GARY DENSHAM IN THEIR CAREER BATTLES HEAD TO HEAD. >> LET’S CHECK IN WITH DAVE
RIEFF, HE’S BY MIKE WHO HAS BEEN SCRATCHING HIS HEAD LATELY. >> HE HAS. YOU CAN SEE THE LOOK ON HIS FACE. MIKE, EVERYBODY WANTS TO KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON WITH THE OAKLEY DODGE? >> I CAN’T BLAME IT ON ANY ONE THING. RANDY’S TIRES AND RAN REALLY
GOOD WITH THEM. SINCE THEN, I CHANGESTUFF AROUND, THE CLUTCH, TRYING TO GET THE THING TO RUN BETTER. I’M TRYING TO BE TOO AGGRESSIVE, I THINK. IT’S JUST OUT THERE SMOKING THE TIRES. I JUST NEED TO BACK DOWN AND TRY TO GET THE THING PAST THE TREE
AND QUIT WORRY ABOUT A LOW E. T. >> IS YOUR CONFIDENCE SHAKEN AT ALL? >> YES, I’M DEFINITELY BEAT TO MY KNEES HERE. ONCE WE GET IT SORTED OUT, I FEEL WE’LL STILL BE COMPETITIVE. >> GOOD LUCK. >> HE HAD A VERY CONSISTENT RACE CAR.
HE WAS GIVEN UP TO JOHN FORCE. A LOT OF TIMES WE TALK TO THE CREW CHIEF AND FIND MORE PERFORMANCE OUT OF THIS THING. MIKE NEFF’S A SMART GUY. HE WILL FIGURE IT OUT. >> ASHLEY HAD FOOD POISONING YESTERDAY. HE QUALIFIED. DALE WORSHAM HAS NOT GOTTEN OUT
OF A SECOND ROUND YET. >> A REMATCH OF THE FIRST ROUND IN HOUSTON WHEN DALE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AROUND ON A MIKE ASHLEY HOLE SHOT. >> NO HOLESHOT THIS TIME. DALE GOES 4.86. A 317 MILE-AN-HOUR PASS AND AGAIN THE CHECKER SCHUCK’S
KRAGEN RED CAR IS IN THE SECOND ROUND. >> THIS IS ALL DALE WORSHAM, LIKE YOU SAID, GETTING A JUMP OFF THE STARTING LINE.p GETTING A NICE PASS. HE KEPT IT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE. RIGHT THERE ABOUT HALF TRACK, WHERE HE MAKES THE TRANSITION.
YOU SAW THE BUMP, THE BOBBLE, BUT DALE KEPT IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE COURSE AND GOT INTO THE NEXT ROUND. >> ALL RIGHT. WE’VE GOT TO TAKE A BREAK. WHEN WE COME >>> WE WELCOME YOU BACK TO LAS VEGAS. MAGNIFICENT RACES CONDITIONING TODAY.
WHAT HAPPENED AT THE END OF THE RUN? >> I WAS ACTUALLY RUNNING REAL GOOD, GARY. IT GOT OFF TO A GOOD START. IT RAN GOOD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRACK. IT STARTED GETTING OVER THERE A LITTLE BIT. I THOUGHT I HAD A CYLINDER OUT. QUALIFYING IS QUALIFYING, AND
RACE DAY IS RACE DAY. YOU DON’T LIGHT UP UNTIL YOU SEE THE FINISH LINE. IT BLEW UP BEFORE. WE GOT A LOT OF PARTS. WE EVEN GOT MORE SYNTECH TO FIX IT. >> BOB’S IN THE RIGHT LANE. JOHN, NUMBER TWO QUALIFIER. THE LAST TIME, HE’S BEEN UPSET BY CREASY AND CAPPS.
>> WE SAW HE WAS LUCKY IN HOUSTON TO MAKE IT TO THE FINAL ROUND. BOB GILBERTSON IS GOING TO WANT TO GET THIS WIN. BOB’S BEEN RUNNING GOOD, BUT NOT AS GOODS THAT CAR RIGHT THERE THIS WEEKEND. >> HE WAS 15th LAST WEEKEND. REMEMBER, HE UPSET FORCE DRIVER
ROBERT HIGHT IN THE FIRST ROUND. LOOKING TO GO BACK TO BACK AGAINST TOMMY FORCE. /PZp JOHN SAYS NO WAY TODAY. 4.79. YOU SAW BOB GO UP IN TIRE SMOKE. AND IT WAS GILBERTSON ACTUALLY SLIGHTLY AHEAD AT THE START. BUT IT WAS FORCE, ONCE GILBERTSON STRUCK THE TIRES.
>> JOHN FORCE DID A GREAT JOB. HAD A GOOD REACTION TIME. BOB GILBERTSON WAS SLIGHTLY BETTER. BUT FOR MOST PART THEY LEFT TOGETHER. BOB GILBERTSON WENT UP IN TIRE SMOKE EARLY. JOHN FORCE IN THE OTHER LANE RUNNING 4.79, RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE RACETRACK, GREAT JOB.
>> THAT’S WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE AS THEY GO FLYING PAST OUR CONE CAM. THERE’S JOHN CLIMBING OUT AT THE FAR END OF THE RACETRACK. SO AS WE WAIT FOR HIM TO GET THE HELMET OFF. LET’S CHECK IN THE PITS. THERE’S MELANIE TROXEL’S CAMP AS THEY’RE ALREADY WORKED ON THE 75-MINUTE TURNAROUND.
THESE GUYS HAVE HAD PRACTICE ON THIS LATELY. THEY’VE BEEN ALL THE WAY TO THE FINALS EVERY RACE SO FAR THIS SEASON. SO ROBERT HIGHT MAKES THE BURNOUT IN THE LEFT LANE. TONY BARTONE, THE NUMBER 16 QUALIFIER IN THE RIGHT LANE. AND WHILE THEY COMPLETE THE
BURNOUT, IN THE BACKUP PROCESS, LET’S TALK ABOUT WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN ON ESPN SATURDAY APRIL 22nd AT NOON. THE DEFENDING RACE WINNER HOPES TO HOLD OFF DANICA PATRICK AND THE REST OF THE GANG. NOON ON APRIL 22nd, ONLY ON ESPN. NOW, AS WE GET READY FOR THIS
MATCHUP, LET’S GO AND TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE TIRES WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO RECORD IN SUPERSLOMO. >> ON FRIDAY, WE GOT THIS SHOT HERE. WATCH ROBERT HIGHT. HE STRUGGLED IN QUALIFYING. YOU WANT A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF SPIN. THEN IT GOES INTO A LITTLE TIRE
SHAKE AND THEN INTO SMOKE. THAT WAS BASICALLY BEING A LITTLE TOO AGGRESSIVE OFF THE STARTING LINE. THIS IS WHAT TIRE SHAKE LOOKS LIKE FROM THE BACK. PRETTY SOON THE CENTER STARTS CUPPING RIGHT THERE. AND YOU HAVE NO AREA THERE THAT ALLOWS THE TIRES TO GO INTO SMOKE.
>> AND YOU ALSO END UP WITH NO FILLINGS LEFT IN YOUR TEETH. HIGHT BLEW IT UP AGAIN. THEY HAVE GOT A PROBLEM WITH THAT RACE CAR, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT. THE ONE THING YOU TALKED ABOUT ON “NHRA2DAY,” IT CAME BACK AND HIT HIM AGAIN.
THE CAR GOT OUT A LITTLE FURTHER THAN YESTERDAY. BOY, IT ERUPTSED. BARTONE GOES 4.88 AND NOW BOTH HAVE ADVANCED IN THE NITRO CATEGORIES. >> THIS IS WHAT THE TEAM WAS WORRIED ABOUT. IT LOOKED LIKE IT WENT UP INTO TIRE SHAKE AND SMOKE. THEN WHEN THE ENGINE IS REVVED
UP, IT BACKFIRED THE SUPERCHARGER ONCE AGAIN. OBVIOUSLY, THERE’S STILL A PROBLEM IN THAT. NORMALLY. IT’S HARD TO TELL — THE ENGINE DIDN’T GO UP. THAT THING STARTED SPINNING THE TIRES AND BACKFIRE. THAT THING SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GO A LOT LONGER THAN THAT.
>> IT’S THE THIRD FIRST ROUND LOSS THIS YEAR FOR ROBERT HIGHT. SO I HAVE A FEELING THEY’RE GOING TO BE STAYING TOMORROW AND TAKING A LOOK AT THAT RACE CAR. >> THEY’LL BE MAKING SERIOUS LAPS TOMORROW. I GUARANTEE THAT. >> SO THEY’LL GET THAT AND TRY
AND GET IT SORTED OUT. ROBERT AT THE FAR END OF THE RACETRACK IS STILL WONDERING WHAT WENT WRONG. OBVIOUSLY WHAT THEY CHANGED FROM YESTERDAY DID NOT WORK. HERE COMES THE CREW. THEY’LL GET A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT. LET’S TALK TO THE WINNER OF THAT ROUND, GARY.
>> TONE WHEN YOU GO INTO THE +d SITUATION AS THE NUMBER 16 QUALIFIER■ AGAINST NUMBER 1, IS THE MINE SET ANY DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER JOUND >> YOU GOT TO CONCENTRATE NO MATTER WHAT QUALIFIER YOU ARE. HOW ABOUT THAT LUCAS OIL FUNNY CAR?
WHAT A TURN OF EVENTS HERE. WE STRUGGLED IN QUALIFYING. WE’RE PROUD TO BE IN. WE’RE GLAD WE MADE ROUND ONE. THAT WAS GREAT. >> GOOD STUFF. SEE NEW ROUND TWO. DON’T FORGET, HE WENT TO HIS FIRST FINAL YEAR A YEAR AGO BUT HE LOST TO WHIT BAZEMORE AND HE
LOST TO RON CAPPS IN THE PROCESS. WE’VE GOT TO STEP ASIDE FOR A COMMERCIAL BREAK. >>> BACK HERE AT RACE NUMBER FIVE OF 23 ON THE SUMMITRACING.COM NATIONALS AND A PRESSURE-PACKED MOMENT FOR GARY SCELZI AND HIS TEAM. THEY’RE OVER IN THE RIGHT LANE. QUALIFIED NUMBER 12.
THEY’VE ONLY BEEN DOWN THE RACETRACK ONCE. THEY’RE UP AGAINST TOMMY JOHNSON, JR. NOW, SCELZI HAS HAD HIS ISSUES AT THIS RACETRACK BEFORE. IN 2003. >> IT WAS A HUGE EXPLOSION. DURING QUALIFYING. JUST LITERALLY DESTROYED THE BODY OF GARY’S CAR. WATCH THIS.
THIS IS ON A SCALE FROM 1 TO 10. THAT’S A 10. WHENEVER YOU GET THE TIRES OFF THE GROUND, THAT IS BIG. LOOK AT THAT THING. WHEN THE BODY BLEW OFF IT HE BROUGHT THE CAR SAFELY TO A STOP. >> THAT WAS HIS FIRST REALLY BIG
EXPLOSION AFTER MAKING THE SWITCH FROM TOP FUEL.@ HE SAID AT THE TIME THIS IS EXACTLY WHY I WENT TO FUNNY CAR. BECAUSE I STILL HAD CONTROL OF THE úWHEEL. >> BIG WAS THE OPTIC WORD THERE. THAT WAS HUGE. >> THREW SEE TOMMY JOHNSON, HE’S SEVENTH IN THE POINTS.
OTHER THAN THAT, HE HAS LOST IN THE FIRST ROUND AT EVERY OTHER EVENT. HERE WE ARE, FIRST ROUND AGAIN. ú THE TOP FUEL AND FUNNY CAR POWERADE CHAMPIONS ARE ON THE TRAILER. THE TOP TEAMMATES, GARY ZELSKY AND TONY SCHUMACHER OUT OF HERE. TOMMY JOHNSON GOES 4.58. 327.
>> BOY, JUST BETWEEN THAT TIME, 60 AND 100 FEET. GARY DID A GOOD JOB TO CATCH IT GOOD. IT ACTUALLY RECOVERED BEFORE IT STARTS SMOKING. AT THAT POINT, T.J. IN THE OTHER LANE, HE’S MAKING A NICE PASS. LOOK AT GARY DOING THAT FRONT END.
A LOT OF TIMES IT WILL BE A LOAD ON THE BARS. BUT I DON’T THINK IT DID. . BY THEN, HIS DAY WAS DONE. >> THIRD RACE IN A ROW THAT HE HAD DID NOT MAKE IT PAST OF THE FIRST ROUND. >> LET’S TALK TO T. J.
>> I THINK YOU JUST SAID YOU’RE NERVOUS. WHY? >> I DON’T KNOW. WE WENT OUT THERE AND WON THE PHOENIX RACE, WE HAD ONE ROUND. STRUGGLED WITH THE NEW TIRES. BUT MIKE GREEN AND THE GUYS HAVE REALLY HIT ON THOSE THINGS. IF WE CAN KEEP THOSE RUNS UP ALL DAY.
T WON’T BE LONG BEFORE WE KEEP THOSE UP. >> GARY, AS YOU WRAP UP THERE. SCOTT KALITTA IN THE LEFT LANE. RON CAPPS HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED THEIR BURNOUTS. AS THEY CONTINUE THE BACKUP PROCESS, GIVES US A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN IN A FEW WEEKS.
SATURDAY, APRIL 29th, WE’LL BE AT THE O’REILLY THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS. WE’LL FOLLOW THAT AND WITH THE REGULAR EDITION OF “NHRA2DAY.” ALL OF IT FROM BRISTOL, ALL OF IT AVAILABLE ON ESPN2 AND ESPN2 HD. >>> ALL RIGHT. RIGHT NOW, RON CAPPS HAS SEEN
HIS TEAMMATE GO DOWN IN DEFEAT. HE’S SEEN HIS TOP FUEL TEAMMATE GO DOWN IN DEFEAT. HE’S THE POINTS LEADER. JOHN FORCE HAS ALREADY WON HERE IN ROUND NUMBER ONE. >> I’M SURPRISED TO SEE HIM GET BEAT HERE, AT LEAST FROM SMOKE ON THE TIRES.
SCOTT KALITTA RAN A 4.80 ELAPSED TIME. >> BOY, ACE HAS GOT THAT CAR ON A RAIL. HE RUNS A VERY CLEAN 4.88 ELAPSED TIME. GET PAST THE TIRE-SMOKING SCOTT KALITTA. AND THIS TEAM THE LAST YEAR, REMEMBER HOW THE SEASON START FORD THEM?
THEY NEVER MADE IT OUT OF THE WATER BOX. AND LOST THE CHAMPIONSHIP BY GET POINTS. RIGHT NOW, THEY KEEP RACKING UP ROUND WINS. >> I DON’T BELIEVE THAT’S THE NUMBER THAT JASON WAS LOOKING FOR. RON CAPPS’ EARLY NUMBERS WERE A LITTLE SOFT.
THAT KIND OF TELLS ME HE HAD A GOOD TUNEUP ON THE BRUT CHARGER. THE PROBLEM IS, THAT IT ALSO HAD CYLINDERS OUT ON THE OTHER END. REGARDLESS, HE’S IN THE NEXT ROUND. >> I DO NOT BELIEVE HE HAS LANE CHOICE AS THAT WILL GO TO DALE WORSHAM.
THAT COULD BE INTERESTING. WE’VE GOT TO TAKE A COMMERCIAL BREAK. THERE’S RON CAPPS FLEXING HIS MUSCLES. P >>> THERE’S SOME YOUNG FANS, THEY’RE HAVING A GREAT TIME BACK IN THE PIT AREA BEFORE THE RACING ACTION STARTED. THEY’VE GOT A TIRE THAT THEY’LL PROBABLY TURN INTO A COFFEE
TABLE BACK HOME. WE’RE GETTING READY FOR WHIT BAZEMORE AND PHIL BURKART. LET’S GET CAUGHT UP. >> I’M WITH GARY SCELZI AT THE TOP END OF THE TRACK. THERE’S BEEN SO MUCH SOUL SEARCHING, IT IS STILL BASIC A SHAKE PROBLEM? >> IT’S SAY SHAKE PROBLEM. WE’VE CHANGED EVERYTHING.
IT DOES THE SAME THING NO MATTER WHAT WE CHANGE. I’M GOING TO TELL YOU WE MADE A HUGE CHANGE IN THE BELL HOUSING. SOMETHING HAS CRAWLED UP THE OAKLEY-MOPAR TAIL PIPE AND WE CAN’T FIND IT. IT’S LIKE A MARRIAGE, GARY. WE AIN’T BREAKING UP, WE AIN’T GOING NOWHERE.
WE’LL BE BACK, I PROMISE YOU. >> WHIT BAZEMORE LOOKING FOR HIS FIRST ROUND WIN OF THE SEASON. IT LOOKS LIKE HE’S GOING TO GET IT. AT THE EXPENSE OF PHIL BURKART WHO CAME IN FOURTH IN THE POINTS. WHIT GOES 4.83 SECONDS FOR A TIRE-SMOKE AFFAIR FOR PHIL BURKART.
PHIL WON HERE IN 2004, BUT NOT THIS TIME. THERE’S T.J. BEING PULLED BACK INTO THE PIT AREA. >> THERE’S A LITTLE BIT OF A SURPRISE HERE. PHIL BURKART’S HAD A CONSISTENT RACE CAR. QUIETLY SNEAKING IN THAT POSITION. WHIT BAZEMORE, HE’S BEEN CONFIDENT WITH THE TEAM.
HE JUST FELT THERE’S ALWAYS A LITTLE BIT FROM HAVING A REALLY, REALLY GOOD RACE CAR. WATCH PHIL BURKART RIGHT HERE. SEE THAT BACK END WASH OUT. IT GOES INTO TIRE SHAKE AND TYKE SMOKE. AND THAT ENDS HIS DAY. >> LET’S GET A PREVIEW OF PRO STOCK.
AS WE WAIT FOR WHIT TO GET THE HELMET OFF. THERE’S SEAN CARLSON WITH DAVE RIEFF. >> THAT’S RIGHT. SEAN, WE TALKED ABOUT WHAT IT TAKES TO GET INTO A QUALIFYING FIELD. AND HOW GOOD IT FEELS. NOW FOR YOUR EFFORT, YOU GET A TWO-TIME SERIES CHAMPION. WHAT NOW?
>> WELL, YATES HAS DONE QUITE WELL, ESPECIALLY IN THE LAST EVENT. AS FAR AS I’M CONCERNED, JUST QUALIFYING. I’VE WON, I CAN’T SAY ANYTHING MORE OTHER THAN NICE TO BE WORKING ON SUNDAY. >> CONGRATULATIONS, HAVE A GREAT DAY. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> TAKE YOUR VICTORIES IN SMALL STEPS IS BASICALLY THE MESSAGE THERE. AS WE GET READY FOR JIM HEAD AND CRUZ PEDREGON. >> CRUZ PEDREGON LOOKING VERY GOOD THIS WEEK. HE’S NUMBER EIGHT QUALIFYING POSITION. HE HAS LANE CHOICE. HE RAN A 4.78 FRIDAY NIGHT.
RAN A 4.80 IN YESTERDAY’S FINAL SESSION. BUT HE ALSO WENT DOWN THE RACETRACK ON THE OTHER TWO RUNS. HE’S GOT A CONSISTENT RACE CAR. ON THE FIRST DAY, HE COMES OUT OF THE BOX WITH A 4.88 ON THE FIRST SESSION WHICH IS A GOOD
RUN AND THEN RUNS A 4.78. >> DON’T FORGET THAT HEAD UPSET CRUZ WHEN CRUZ WAS ON THE POLE IN ENGLISHTOWN LAST YEAR. I GUARANTEE YOU, CRUZ HASN’T FORGOTTEN IT. WAITING FOR EITHER CAR TO GO IN. HEAD GOES IN FIRST. NOW WE’RE READY. WELL, THE CHUTES DEPLOY EARLY FOR CRUZ.
WE’VE SEEN THAT HAPPEN TO HIM BEFORE. HE STILL GOES 4.87. AND AND IT WILL BE ENOUGH TO STILL GET HIM LANE CHOICE OVER TONY BARTONE. >> WELL, CRUZ PEDREGON WAS ON A GREAT RUN. RIGHT SIDE OF YOUR SCREEN, JIM HEAD IS GOING TO GO INTO TIRE SMOKE.
CRUZ WAS RUNNING 268 MILES PER HOUR. THEN WHEN HE MADE THE TRANSITION ON THE ASPHALT, BEFORE HALF TRACK, THAT THING MOVED WAY OVER TOWARDS THE WALL. YOU SEE THE CHUTE COME OUT THERE. I DON’T KNOW IF HE PULLED IT OUT EARLY. HE DOES HAVE THE BUTTON ON THE
STEERING WHEEL. SOMETIMES, YOU’RE FIGHTING IT SO HARD.A MAYBE YOU KIND OF ACCIDENTALLY HIT THAT BUTTON. DEPLOYS THE CHUTE. IT DIDN’T MATTER. >> LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THE Q FUNNY CAR LADDER.é CRUZ HAS LANE CHOICE, AND JOHNSON. OVER ON THE OTHER SIDE IT WILL
BE JOHN FORCE AND DALE WORSHAM WITH THE LANE CHOICE THERE. ALL RIGHT. STAY WITH US WHEN WE COME BACK IT WILL BE TIME FOR THE FACTORY HOT RODS. CURT JOHNSON HAS YET TO WIN A ROUND THIS SEASON. >>> WELCOME BACK TO THE SUMMITRACING.COM NATIONALS.
THAT’S RON CAPPS’ CREW TEAM GOING AFTER IT. THE 75-MINUTE TURNAROUND BACK IN THE PITS. GETTING READY FOR SECOND-ROUND ACTION AS HE AS NUMBER TWO IN THE POINT, JOHN FORCE, AMONG THE EIGHT THAT ADVANCE. RIGHT NOW IT’S TIME FOR THE FACTORY HOT RODS. THAT MEANS PRO STOCK COMING TO
THE STARTING LINE. THE RECENT PRO STOCK HISTORY BOOKS HAVE BEEN FILLED WITH THE NAME GREG ANDERSON. HE’S DOMINATED IN 35 OVER THE COURSE OF THREE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS. LATELY, HOWEVER, IT’S BEEN ANYONE’S RACE. GOING BACK TO LAST SEASON, THERE HAVE BEEN FIVE DIFFERENT WINNERS.
PROVING THAT ANY DRIVER IS CAPABLE OF TURNING ON THE WIN LIGHT. WHO’S NEXT TO CLAIM THE WALLY? AND IF YOU’RE GREG ANDERSON ARE YOU FEELING NERVOUS? REMEMBER THE FIRST TOP TWO WERE OUSTED. IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE LADDER PRESENT BID LUCAS OIL. JIM YATES AND SHAUN CARLSON.
OVER THERE ON THE OTHER SIDE THERE’S THE PROFESSOR IN THE NUMBER 2 SPOT. ERICA ENDERS, THE NUMBER 3 QUALIFIER. AND KURT JOHNSON AND MIKE EDWARDS. WE TALKED ABOUT THEM JUST BEFORE THE BREAK. AND AS WE COME OUT TRACKSIDE, WE GET READY FOR V. GAINES IN THE RIGHT LANE.
DAVE CONNOLLY THE DEFENDING EVENT WINNER HERE IN 2005. HE’LL NUMBER THE LEFT LANE. YOU’RE ON BOARD WITH CONNOLLY. >> AND AS WE ALWAYS REFER TO LEFT AND RIGHT LANE, IT’S THE DRIVER’S LEFT AND DRIVER’S RIGHT, JUST IN CASE YOU GET CONFUSED WITH THE CAMERA SHOTS.
I KNOW IT CONFUSES US FROM TIME TO TIME. AS WE BACK THEM UP HERE, YOU CAN SEE WHAT’S BEEN GOING ON WITH SOME OF THE NUMBERS THAT HAVE BEEN FLASHED ON THE SCREEN. WE TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT CONNOLLY IS THE DEFENDING WINNER.
HE BEAT GREG ANDERSON IN THAT EVENT. V. GAINES HAS WON AS A CAR OWNER. TOM MARTINO TOOK THE GATORNATIONALS. >> V. GAINES, THE CAR MAKES A LOT OF POWER. HE’S BEEN A CONSISTENT QUALIFIER. HE WANT ABLE TO RUN THE BIG NUMBERS TO GET HIM IN THE SECOND
HALF. V. GAINES IS UP AGAINST ONE OF THE KIDS THAT’S ONE OF THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING THAT JUMP OFF THE STARTING LINE. AND PRO STOCK, WE TALK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME IS SO COMPETITIVE, THEIR BEST QUALIFYING TIME IS
ONLY .0009 DIFFERENCE. IT’S ALL KEY IN PRO STOCK.p p/ wpx >> THE WIN LIGHT GOES TO DAVE CONNOLLY IN A HOLESHOT. FOR V. GAINES, THIS HAS BEEN THE STORY OF THE YEAR. HE’S NOW LOST ON THREE HOLESHOT AND A FOUL. HIS DRIVING HAS NOT BEEN GOOD ENOUGH.
>> HE’S NOT ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF QUICKLY. DAVE CONNOLLY HAD .002 OFF THE STARTING LINE. V. GAINES WAS TRACKING HIM PRETTY FAST ON THE OTHER END AND BASICALLY RAN OUT OF REAL ESTATE. >> YOU WANT TO SEE WHAT THE VALVOLINE WINNER’S STRIKE LOOKS LIKE.
THERE IT IS. IT COULD BE IN LINE FOR MOTEL 6, WHO GOT THE LIGHT AWARD. >> V. GAINES MADE UP A LITTLE BIT OF GROUND, BUT IT WASN’T ENOUGH. AND DAVE CONNOLLY GETS THE WIN. >> SO AS WE COME BACK TO THE STARTING LINE, IT’S TIMES FOR
JASON LINE AND DAVE HOWARD. HOWARD QUALIFIED FOR HIS FIRST RACE EVER LAST YEAR AT ST. LOUIz LOSING TO GUESS WHAT — JASON LINE÷ IN THE FIRST ROUND. A BIT OF A RYE MATCH HERE. HOWARD WENT TON BEAT JASON IN INDIANAPOLIS LAST YEAR IN THE
FIRST ROUND WHEN JASON BROKE IN THAT ONE. >> THIS YEAR, DAVE HOWARD IS A HIGHER QUALIFIED CAR WHICH IS A BIT OF A SURPRISE. JASON LINE COMING OUT OF THAT NUMBER TEN POSITION WITH HIS TEAMMATE GREG ANDERSON ON THE POLE, NORMALLY, YOU WOULD THINK
HE WOULD BE RIGHT THERE, BUT HE STRUGGLED THIS WEEKEND. >> IT’S THE FIRST TIME SINCE COLUMBUS OF LAST YEAR THAT JASON HAS BEEN STARTED IN THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE FIELD. @p@p AND THE WIN LIGHT GOES TO JASON, 6.83 SECONDS. HE HAS TO DRIVE AROUND DAVE
HOWARD BECAUSE HOWARD WAS OFF THE STARTING LINE. A 6.83 TO A 685. >> YEAH, DAVE HOWARD WAS OFF THE STARTING LINE AT FIRST. YOU SAW DAVED H HOWAR LIFT THE FRONT END UP, LOSING A LOT OF MOTION WHEN THE WHEELS STAND THAT HIGH.
I THINK THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLY THE DIFFERENCE TO ALLOW JASON LINE TO GET THE WIN. >> THERE’S YOUR VALVOLINE WINNER’S CAR AT THE STRIKE. LET’S GO OVER TO CHECK IN. >> DAVE HE WAS REALLY CLOSING IN ON YOU, DID YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW CLOSE IT WAS?
>> IT WAS A LITTLE TOO CLOSE. I TRY TO KEEP MYSELF IN MY OWN LANE. I COULDN’T SEE HIM. WE MOVE TOTD RIGHT. I COULD BARELY SEE THE TREE ON THE STARTING LINE. THANK GOODNESS FOR US. YOU CAN PROBABLY TELL HOW CLOSE THAT WAS. >> I THINK IT WAS .0058.
>> NOW, YOU HEARD HIM MAKE REFERENCE TO HE COULD BARELY SEE THE TREE. THE REASON FOR THAT IN PRO STOCK, THE SIZE OF THESE COOPS BHCHLT YOU’RE OVER IN THE RIGHT LANE, THERE’S THE SCOOP. YOU SEE HOW YOU GET IN THE ANGLE HE WAS TALKING ABOUT.
IT’S DIFFICULT TO SEE THE STARTING LINE. THAT’S WHAT HE WAS REFERRING TO AS WE GET READY FOR MIKE EDWARDS AND KURT JOHNSON. A TALE OF TWO STORIES GOING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION. KURT WINLESS THIS YEAR. MIKE EDWARDS COMING OFF THE BIG WIN AT HOUSTON. ÷■■■÷■x■x■x■÷■÷■p
KURT JOHNSON IS NO LONGER WINLESS. HE GETS HIS FIRST ROUND WIN OF THE SEASON. 6.81 SECOND. 202 MILES AN HOUR. AND MIKE EDWARDS FALLS OFF THE PACE. HE RUNS A 6.86. >> THAT WAS A SITUATION WHERE BOTH DRIVERS LEFT IDENTICALLY. MIKE EDWARDS HAS MISSED ON THE SETUP.
IT LOOKS LIKE HE SPUN THE TIRES WAY TOO HARD. YOU CAN’T DO THAT AGAINST KURT JOHNSON, BECAUSE IF HIS CAR IS STUCK, HE’S GOING TO RUN THE OTHER END WITH THE BIG HORSEPOWER. THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED AND GOT HIM IN THE NEXT ROUND.
>> YOU THERE YOU SEE WHIT BAZEMORE TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS, PACKING CHUTES. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR THAT THEY’VE ADVANCED PAST THE OPENING ROUND OF THE ACTION. LET’S CHECK IN WITH GARY. >> IT IS CELEBRATION TIME? DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’VE BROKEN THROUGH A MAJOR WALL HERE?
>> GOD, I FEEL LIKE I WON A RACE, AND I DID. THIS WHOLE ACDelco CREW HAS BEEN WORKING THEIR BUTTS OFF. A LOT OF BAD LUCK. I’M GLAD THIS THING STARTED THIS MORNING. >> CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK, GARY. >> THERE’S BILL “GRUMPPY” JENKINS, HE BUILDS HORSEPOWER
FOR THAT MAN RIGHT THERE, JIM YATES. CARLSON MAKES HIS FIRST START OF THE YEAR FOR DON SCHUMACHER RACING. IT WILL BE HIS SECOND START IN PRO STOCK. >> AND JIM YATES, BILL GRUMPPY YEN KINS, THEY SEEM TO BE GETS BETTER AND BETTER EVERY RACE.
THEY FOUND SOME HORSEPOWER WHEN THEY WITCHED TO GRUMPPY’S MOTORS. AND HE’S BEEN WORKING WITH YATES TO GET THOSE RIGHT. AND IT SEEMS LIKE THEY PAID OFF. >> BOY, JIM YATES LOST THE LAST TWO RACES ON HOLESHOTS. THIS TIME, HE WAS FIRST OFF OF THE LINE.
HE CUT AN .018 LIGHT. NICE JOB BY JIM YATES AS HE ADVANCED PAST SHAUN >>> BACK HERE AT THE SUMMITRACING.COM NATIONALS. HERE ON BOARD WITNESS PROFESSOR, WARREN JOHNSON. HE’S UP AGAINST MARK PAWUK. THESE GUYS BACK 20 SOME YEARS. THE FIRST TIME SINCE THESE GUYS
MET, W.J. HAS WON 36 OF THE 46 MEETINGS. >> HE JUST LOCKED THE BRAKES UP WHEN HE WENT THROUGH THE LIGHTS. AND JUST STUFFED THAT THING ON THE WALL AFTER THE SEMIFINAL WIN, AS A RESULT, WAS NOT ABLE TO COME BACK FOR THE ROUND.
>> THAT WIN, AND THERE’S THE CAR THE WAY IT’S SUPPOSED TO LOOK. THE WINNER HERE GETS JASON LINE IN ROUND NUMBER TWO. AND MARK PAWUK, IN AN UPSET, GOES 6.92 SECONDS TAKES OUT WARREN JOHNSON. SO A BIG WIN. GETTING RID OF THE OLD GTO MUST
HAVE BEEN A GOOD MOVE FOR PAWUK. >> YOU CAN HEAR WARREN JOHNSON. IT DID NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR. SOUNDS HE WENT FROM SECOND TO THIRD. WARREN SHOVE RAN HIM DOWN. HE HAD A 1.006. HE SHOULD HAVE SHAKEN HIM DOWN. LET’S CHECK IN WITH DAVE RIEFF.
>> FOR TONY SCHUMACHER, FOUR NUMBER ONE QUALIFYING SPOTS ON THE YEAR. NOT TOO MUCH TO SHOW FOR IT. IT LOOKS LIKE A MECHANICAL BUGABOO AGAIN. >> WELL, DROPPED A CYLINDER. THAT’S SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS. IT JUST FELL OFF. YOU DROP A CYLINDER, THAT’S 12% OF OUR POWER.
OBVIOUSLY, IT WENT OUT AND SHOOK AND SMOKED. THAT WAS THE END OF THAT RACE. >> ANY PANIC YET? >> WELL, YOU CAN’T PANIC, THE CAR’S RUNNING GOOD. IT’S NOT LIKE THE THING DOESN’T RUN GOOD. >> PANIC, NO. FRUSTRATION, CERTAINLY, YES. >> I THINK, I THINK THAT NEEDLE IS PEGGED.
AND HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THAT? I MEAN, WHEN YOU GO, FOUR OUT OF FIVE AS THE NUMBER ONE QUALIFIER AND YOU CAN’T SEEM TO HAVE THINGS FALL YOUR WAY AT ALL? >> IT’S PART OF THE LUCK FACTOR. >> I’LL TELL YOU WHAT, I THINK THAT TEAM WANTS TO CHANGE LUCK
PRETTY FAST. FACTORY MOPARS SIDE BY SIDE. THE WIN LIGHT GOES TO RICHIE STEVENS. ALAN WAS FIRST OFF THE LINE. RICHIE DRIVES AROUND IN 6.82, THE ELAPSED TIME, TO TAKE THE WIN. AND LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THE VALVOLINE WINNER’S CAM. YOU CAN SEE THE MARGIN OF VICTORY.
.0052. >> AND YOU SEE IT BEFORE STEVENS DROVE AROUND AND GOT THE WIN. >> WITH MARK PAWUK, WE SAW THE FOOTAGE OF RON KRISHER’S INCIDENT. YOU’RE NOW IN THAT CAR. IT IS TOUGH TO ADAPT? >> I DON’T HAVE A LOT OF LEG ROOM.
TO RON AND HIS CREW, MY GUYS, THEY WENT BACK TO HOUSTON, PICKED THE CAR UP AND CAME BACK HERE. IT’S AWESOME QUALIFYING WITH A BRAND-NEW CAR, AND NUMBER TWO, IN THE SECOND ROUND TAKE W.J. OUT. WHAT A GREAT PLACE TO GO TO VEGAS.
>> IT’S SURE GOOD ON YOUR LUCK? >> I DID PRETTY GOOD ON THE TABLES LAST NIGHT. >> WE SHOULD POINT OUT HE SOLD HIS NICHOLGTO AND HE’S GOT A HAAS GTO ON ORDER. YOU CAN SEE HE’S IN A MUCH BETTER POSITION AT THIS TIME
THAN HE WAS AT THE SAME STAGE. >> YEAH, HE REALLY STRUGGLED LAST SEASON BEFORE HE PRETTY MUCH DOMINATED THE SECOND HALF WHICH GOT HIM THE POWERADE CHAMPIONSHIP. >> THE REASON WHY EVERYBODY HAS BEEN SORT OF QUESTIONING WHAT’S GOING ON, HE’S LOST IN THE
SECOND ROUND OF THE LAST TWO RACES, UNCHARACTERISTIC OF THE DOMINANCE OF GREG ANDERSON. STANFIELD, IS HE GOING TO PUSH THE TREE AGAIN? REMEMBER, HE WENT RED LAST WEEK. THIS IS THE THIRD RACE IN A ROW THESE GUYS HAVE HOOKED HORNS. ADVANTAGE, @STANFIELD. AND IT IS ENOUGH IN THE
HOLESHOT, WIFE KIM CANNOT BELIEVE IT. HER HUSBAND IS OUT OF HERE. ALL NUMBER ONE QUALIFIERS HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED. IT HAS NOT HAPPENED SINCE ENGLISHTOWN OF 2004. >> WOW, WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT GREG STANFIELD. I MEAN, YOU NEVER TAKE HIM LIGHTLY. I GUARANTEE YOU, GREG ANDERSON DIDN’T.
ALTHOUGH, HE WAS WAS LATE OFF THE STARTING LINE. IT DIDN’T BAUTH HIM. HE STILL NAILED THE TREE. .0013 WERE PERFECT. HE CARRIED IT THROUGH AND THE NEXT ROUND. >> THERE IS WIFE KIM AND SHE LOOKS AND SAYS, OH, NO, CAN’T BELIEVE IT.
>> AND THE RACE DAY IS OVER FOR GREG ANDERSON. >> LET’S CHECK IN AGAIN WITH GARY. >> WITH RICHIE STEVENS, YOU’RE JUST SAYING THE IMPORTANT THING OF GETTING THE WIN, OBVIOUSLY, IS PARAMOUNT, BUT GETTING LANE CHOICE. HOW IMPORTANT AT THIS RACETRACK OR ANY TRACK?
>> IT’S ALWAYS IMPORTANT. AS THE DAY GOES ON SUNDAY, THE LANES GET WORST. IT’S GREAT TO GET LANE CHOICE. AND THE GUYS ARE WORKING HARD, I WANT TO GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO CHEER FOR. >> AS YOU’RE ON BOARD WITH ERICA ENDERS AS SHE’S UP AGAINST MORGAN.
GREG ANDERSON, HE’S GONE TO THE FINALS IN THE LAST THREE YEARS. HE’S OUT IN ROUND NUMBER ONE. WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN HERE, WITH ENDERS, THE NUMBER 3 UP AGAINST NUMBER 14, LARRY MORGAN? @ BOY, WHAT A COMPLETE RUN BY ERICA. SHE DRILLS THE TREE. .005.
THEN RUNS A 6.82. GUESS WHAT, FOLKS, ERICA IS PICKS UP POINTS TODAY BECAUSE GREG ANDERSON NUMBER 1. MIKE EDWARDS, NUMBER 2. THEY’RE BOTH ON THE TRAILER. SHE’S JUST 12 POINTS OUT OF SECOND PLACE AND ONLY 52 OUT OF THE LEAD. >> WHAT A GREAT JOB SHE DID ON
THE TREE. SHE NAILED THAT THING. YOU SAW, SHE LET THE CLUTCH PEDAL OUT. SHE NEVER SAW LARRY MORGAN FROM THERE TO THE FINISH LINE. >> TAKE A LOOK AT THE PRO STOCK LADDER PRESENTED BY LUCAS OIL. STANFIELD HAS LANE CHOICE, WITH STEVENS.
OVER ON THE OTHER SIDE, IT WILL BE JASON LINE AND KURT JOHNSON WITH THE LANE CHOICE. LET’S TALK ABOUT THE UPSET. THIRD NUMBER ONE TO GO DOWN. THIS TIME, IT’S THAT IN PRO STOCK. THERE HE IS. THREE NUMBER ONES. DIFFERENT CLASSES THUS FAR TODAY.
YOU’VE GOT SOMETHING GOING HERE WITH MR. ANDERSON. TELL ME THAT BE ROUND. >> I’VE GOT TO TELL YOU, THE WAY THE WEEKEND STARTED, BEHIND THE 8 BALL AND BEING ABLE TO PULL IT OFF. CAN’T SAY ENOUGH FOR MY CREW THAT THEY’VE GIVEN ME THIS
WEEKEND TO STEP UP THAT ROUND AND TAKE THE CHAMP OUT, IT’S AWESOME. >> GOING TO SWING OVER HERE AND GET A WORD WITH ERICA. A .005 LIGHT, YOUNG WOMAN. THAT’S ABOUT AS GOOD AS IT GETS. >> IT’S VERY EXCITING. WE PUT A NEW BULLET IN LAST NIGHT.
ALL THE GUYS IN THAT POWERADE POINTS CHASE ARE OUT NOW, SO THIS IS A GREAT DAY TO MAKE SOME. >> THERE IS THE RUN AS WE REPLAY IT. THERE’S ERICA’S MATCHUP WITH KURT JOHNSON IN THE NEXT ROUND, AS SHE GETS READY, WE’RE GETTING
READY TO GO TO COMMERCIAL BREAK. BACK IN THEH8> >>> RACE NUMBER FIVE OF 23 ON THE NHRA POWERADE SERIES. WE’RE AT THE SEVENTH WINNING. THAT’S THE AIR FORCE BASE JUST DOWN THE ROAD FROM THE STRIP. THAT’S AN F-16 TAKING OFF. AND A NICE MOVE FOR US. LET’S TALK INDY CAR.
THE FIRESTONE INDY JAPAN 300 WILL BE ON ESPN. SUL SEE IT APRIL 22nd. DANICA PATRICK, ELLIOTT CASTILLO AND THE REST OF THE BACK. LET’S CHECK IN WITH DAVE RIEFF, HE’S WITH A VERY DISAPPOINTED GREG ANDERSON. >> HE’S GIVEN HIM THE CHANCE TO BREATHE WITH THE BEST CAR IN THE
ROUND OF ELIMINATIONS. >> HE’S QUITE A COMPETITOR. HE’S PROVED THAT MANY TIMES IN THE PAST. HE’S GOTTEN THE BEST OUT OF ME THE LAST TWO OR THREE TIMES. THE BOTTOM LINE IS, HE DID A BETTER JOB. HE DID A BETTER JOB. OBVIOUSLY, HE WANTED IT MORE.
THEY MADE A GREAT RUN TOO. SOMETIMES, IT FEELS UNFAIR THAT THE NUMBER ONE 1 QUALIFIER RUNS THE SECOND QUICKEST CAR. BUT THAT’S BIG TIME DRAG RACING. THAT’S THE WAY NHRA IS NOW. THERE’S NO EASIES. OR GIMMES. I GOT MY BUTT KICKED. WE STILL GOT ONE SUMMIT CAR LEFT.
THAT’S JASON, OBVIOUSLY. WE NEED TO RECOVER. I LOVE RACING HERE. IT’S A BIG WEEKEND FOR THEM. I FEEL BAD. WE GOT TO PICK UP. WE GOT TO BE PROFESSIONAL. WE GOT ONE CAR LEFT. WE GOT TO TRY TO GET IT TO THE WINNER’S CIRCLE. >> THE MATCO TEAM FOR WHIT BAZEMORE.
EVERYTHING HAS BEEN ROUTINE. THEY’RE GETTING READY FOR THE SECOND ROUND FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR. IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT WHIT BAZEMORE HAS JUST WON FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SEASON. HE GOES AGAINST LONG-TIME RIVAL JOHN FORCE IN ROUND NUMBER 2. BAZEMORE RAN AN 82.
AND HE SAYS WE’VE GOT TO GO FROM POINT A TO POINT A. HE SAID THIS TEAM, THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS TEMPERING THE FRUSTRATION WITH PATIENCE. NOW, THEY’RE HOPING IT’S STARTING TO PAY OFF. THE KEY, HE SAYS, TRY NOT TO BE OURSELVES. WHEN YOU RUN AGAINST JOHN FORCE,
THERE IS NO MARGIN FOR ERROR. MARTY? >> ALL RIGHT. WHEN WE COME BACK, IT WILL BE TIME FOR TOP >>> THERE’S SOME OF THE CROWD THERE AT THE SUMMITRACING.COM NATIONALS HERE AT THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY. LET’S TALK ABOUT TOP FUEL UP FIRST.
IT’S GRUBNIC, HE RECOVERS FIRST. GETS TO THE STRIKE, TAKES THE WIN. >> WATCH THE LEFT SIDE OF YOUR SCREEN, DAVID GRUBNIC, LIKE HE DID IN GAINESVILLE, GOT THE CAR LOOSE. BUT HE RECOVERED, AND CORY McCLENATHAN GOT THE WIN. >> WHEN IT CAME TO REAL
PERFORMANCE, LOOK AT BRANDON BERNSTEIN IN THE LEFT LANE. TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS WITH A 4.53. AND BOB VANDERGRIFF ON THE TRAILER. AND THEN ALAN BRADSHAW. TONY SCHUMACHER, THE NUMBER ONE QUALIFIER GOES UP IN SMOKE. BRADSHAW GETS THE WIN. >> AND IT WENT INTO TIRE SHAKE
AND THEN INTO TIRE SMOKE AND HIS DAY IS DONE. >> TAKE A@ LOOK AT THE LADDER, YOU CAN@ SEE IT’S DOUG CAT LET THAT, MELANIE TROXEL, LARRY DIXON AND BRANDON BERNSTEIN. JOINING US HERE IN THE BROADCAST POSITION IS TONY PEDREGON. IF YOU WERE WITH US YESTERDAY,
YOU KNOW THAT HE FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 115 EVENTS. I KNOW YOU WERE A LITTLE UPSET. YOU STILL FELT NHRA SHOULD HAVE LET YOU SLIDE ON THAT ONE. THEY SAID THEY’VE NEVER LET ANYBODY SLIDE ON THAT. WHERE DOES IT STAND?
>> I’LL COMMENT ON IT ONE MORE TIME. I GAVE THAT INFORMATION TO GRAM LIGHT. I’M GOING TO TAKE THE HIGH ROAD HERE. WHAT’S DONE IS DONE. I’M GOING TO SIT BACK AND LOOK AT THE CROWD. I’M STAYING AT THE PALMS AND WORK ON MY TAN A BIT.
I FEEL DIFFERENTLY THAN GRAM LIGHT. HOPEFULLY, WE CAN LEARN FROM IT. >> AS WE GO TRACKSIDE, YOU’RE WITH US SECOND ROUND WHERE WE HAVE AN ON BOARD CAMERA WITH MORGAN LUCAS. HE’LL NUMBER THE RIGHT LANE AGAINST MELANIE TROXEL. THAT’S BRAND-NEW PIPE THAT
MORGUE SENTENCE RUNNING A NEW CHASSIS, AND WE’LL SHOW YOU THE REASON WHY. >> HE GOES UP, TIRES SMOKES. THE WHEEL STAND. AND BENDS THE CHASSIS. NOW, ANYTIME YOU GET IT UP HIGH ENOUGH IT THAT ACTUALLY BENDS THE FRONT A ARM. THAT WHEEL BASE IS GOING TO SAG
THAT BOTTOM FRAME RAIL. AS A RESULT, THE CAR DOES NOT WORK THE SAME. >> THAT’S THE REASON THEY BROUGHT UP THIS NEW CAR BECAUSE NEW PIPE ALWAYS WORKS BETTER THAN USED PIPE, DOESN’T IT TONE? >> THAT’S WHAT THEY SAY. THESE CARS, PEOPLE DON’T REALIZE
THE MOST IMPORTANT PART IS TRACTION AND ACCELERATION. THEY BUILD THESE CHASSISES SO THEY FLEX AND TWIST. YOU OFFSET THAT A BIT, YOU’RE NOT ABLE TO APPLY THE POWER IN THE SAME WAY. >> WE SHOULD ALSO POINT OUT, A LOT OF FANS MAY NOT THINK BACK
IN THE EARLY DAYS OF YOUR CAREER, YOU HAVE DRIVEN TOP FUEL. >> YEAH, I DROVE THE TOP FUEL FOR LARRY MINER. I GOT SOME EXPERIENCE. NOT AS CHALLENGES AS THE FUNNY CAR, A HANDFUL, AND THEY’RE GOING A LOT QUICKER THESE DAYS. >> BOY, MELANIE TROXEL FOR THE
THIRD TIME THIS YEAR HAS PUT MORGAN LUCAS ON THE TRAILER. THIS TIME, 4.54 SECONDS WHILE TONY SCHUMACHER CAN’T GET OUT OF ROUND NUMBER ONE, DON SCHUMACHER IS HAPPY HE’S GOT MELANIE. THAT CAR IS MARCHING ON. >> BOY, IT’S GREAT. IT STARTS PUSHING OIL OUT OF THE
BACK OF THE ENGINE VERY EARLY IN THE RUN. PROBABLY HAD DAMAGE PRETTY EASILY. THAT PROBABLY TOOK A LOT OF HORSEPOWER AWAY. >> LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THE ODDS. YES, YOU COULD GET ODDS ON THE RACE COMING IN. THIS WILL BE WILL MELANIE TROXEL
MAKE THE FINAL ROUNDS OF ELIMINATIONS. IF YOU SAID YES, IT WAS PLUS 120, NO, MINUS 150. WE’VE GOT A SPECIAL GUEST YOU MIGHT BE FAMILIAR WITH. IT’S KRUZER. I’VE GOT YOUR BROTHER UP NEXT TO ME. ANYTHING YOU WANT TO TELL HIM? >> YEAH, I WISH WE WAS DOWN HERE
WITH US. WE’RE OUT HERE REPRESENTING OUR TEAM, THE PEDREGON NAME AND ALL OF OUR SPONSORS. TONY’S SAID IT BEST. HE’S GOING TO TAKE THE HIGH ROAD. I’VE BEEN THERE BEFORE. THE CAR HAS BEEN CONSISTENT ALL WEEKEND. WE’VE BEEN WORKING HARD ON THIS AND WE’RE FEELING GOOD ABOUT
THINGS. >> TONY, I’M GOING TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT, THIS IS YOUR ONE CHANCE TO REALLY GOOD CRUZ A DIFFICULT QUESTION HE’S GOT TO ANSWER? >> GOT TO CUT THAT HAIR. I’M GOING TO PUT MY MONEY ON CRUZ, HE’S GOT GOOD PEOPLE. AND HE’S GOT DICKEY HELPING HIM.
>> HE LET YOU OFF THE HOOK. I WANT TO GET A HAIR CUT IN THE WORST WAY, TOO. WE’VE BEEN DOING THIS, WE’RE TAKING THEM ONE AT A TIME. IT’S AICALLY SHEA, BUT IT’S TRUE. IF WE’RE FORTUNATE TO GET AROUND THE NEXT ROUND, WE’LL WORRY ABOUT SEMIS.
IT’S A GOOD START. A GOOD TURNAROUND FOR OUR SEASON. WE’RE MOVING UP IN THE POINTS. THINGS ARE LOOKING UP RON AND SAM AND THE TEAM ARE FEELING GOOD ABOUT THINGS. I’M HAPPY WE’RE FINALLY TURNING THE CORNER WITH THE NEW TIRE. IT’S A GOOD GOODYEAR TIRE.
IT’S TAKEN US A WHILE TO GET IT RIGHT. >> ALL RIGHT. >> MELANIE, COULD THIS CAR BE RUNNING ANY BETTER RIGHT NOW? BOY, I’LL TELL YOU, RICHARD HOGAN DOES SUCH A GREAT JOB AT ADAPTING TO THE CONDITIONS. IT’S SO MUCH FUN TO DRIVE RIGHT NOW.
I HAVE SUCH A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. LAST YEAR, I WAS OUT HERE WONDERING IF I WAS EVER GOING TO GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO DRIVE AGAIN. RIGHT NOW, I’VE GOT THE BEST. I’D LIKE TO THANK OUR SPONSORS, MATCO TOOLS, FELS SPAR, GATES. WE DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH
OURSELVES, WE’RE SO EXCITED. >> DOUG KALITTA IN THE LEFT LANE UP AGAINST THE NUMBER 16, GIANT KILLER, ALAN BRADSHAW, WHO TOOK CARE OF SCHUMACHER IN THE OPENING ROUND. THERE IS BRADSHAW FROM ODESSA, TEXAS AND THERE IS BRAD FUSS, AND WE’LL GET A CHANCE TO TALK
TO HIM ABOUT EVERYTHING HE DOES, AND THE PAINT JOB THAT HE’S GOT ON KALITTA’S CAR. AND THE CAR’S GOING TO BE AROUND FOR ANOTHER ROUND AS A 4.60 ELAPSED TIME. 330 MILES AN HOUR AGAIN. THEY’RE GETTING THE MILES PER HOUR, BUT MAYBE AUTOMATIC THE E.T. THEY WERE LOOKING FOR.
>> I THINK THE CREW CHIEF IS MAKING SURE THIS CAR GOES DOWN THE TRACK. VERY SOFT AT 376 FEET. IT’S RUNNING AT 330 AT THE TOP END. I THINK THAT’S JUST THE WAY RON TOLBERT WANTS TO RUN THIS RACE CAR RIGHT NOW.
>> THERE HE IS, AS HE’S CLIMBING OUT OF THE FAR END OF THE RACETRACK. THAT GIVES US A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT THE O’REILLY THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS COMING UP. WE’LL BE AT BRISTOL ON SATURDAY NIGHT, APRIL 29th AND SUNDAY, APRIL 30th. “NHRA2DAY” AT 11:30 EASTERN
TIME, FINALS, THREE HOURS OF COVERAGE, 7:00 EASTERN, 4:00 PACIFIC. ON ESPN2 AND ESPN2 HD. ENGINES OF FIRE FOR DIXON. BURNOUTS ARE COMPLETE. LET’S CHECK IN WITH GARY. >> COULD YOU GO KALITTA, YOU RUN A 6.0. THE REASON WITH THE 306 MILES PER HOUR. IS THERE A REASON FOR THE NUMBER
IN SPEED BUT NOT A DAZZLING NUMBER IN ELAPSED TIME? >> YEAH, THE TRACK HAS BEEN RUNNING PRETTY GOOD. THIS HEADS OFF THE WHOLE TEAM. WE’VE GOT CHIP THIS WEEKEND WITH US. CHIP BOOZE, AND WE’RE TRYING TO DO GOOD. >> I THINK CHIP IS STANDING BY WITH DAVE RIEFF.
>> IN FACT, HE IS. THIS IS THE MAN WHO BUILDS THE AWESOME CARS. HAVE YOU A SIGNATURE, I UNDERSTAND. >> WELL, IT’S SOMETHING THAT I DEVELOPED WHETHER I FIRST WENT TO ART CENTER IN 1984 AND IT WAS MUCH CLEANER AND NEATER THEN. BUT IT GOT A LITTLE SLOPPY.
THIS IS WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT, WATCH THIS. WATCH HOW LONG IT TAKES HIM TO DRAW HIS CHIP FOR THIS WEEKEND. THIS IS WHAT HE DOES FOR EVERY FAN WHO ASKS HIM FOR AN AUTOGRAPH. I’D SAY THAT MAN IS PRETTY TALENTED. >> I CAN’T EVEN WRITE MY NAME
WHERE YOU CAN READ IT, LET ALONE MAKE IT A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF ARTWORK. LET’S GET READY FOR GRUBNIC AND DIXON. PEDAL JOB. AND FOR THE MAN WHO HAS WON HERE THREE TIMES AT THIS EVENT, HE IS ON THE TRAILER. NUMBER TWO IN THE POINTS GOES DOWN. DAVID GRUBNIC.
4.89 IN THE TIRE SMOKING PEDAL JOB. SECOND TIME HE’S HAD TO PEDAL IT. HE GETS THE JOB DONE AGAIN, GUYS. >> I’D LIKE TO LOOK AT A REPLAY OF THAT, RON, BECAUSE IT WAS PRETTY EVIDENT THAT LARRY’S CAR LOST TRACTION.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE OTHER CAR, I DIDN’T REALIZE, I WAS PAYING TOO MUCH ATTENTION TO DIX AN’S CAR, BOTH HAD TO GET OUT OF THE THROTTLE. EXPERIENCE PLAYS A BIG PART, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE WARM CONDITIONS LIKE THIS. BOTH OF THEM DID A GOOD JOB, AND
GRUBBY CAME OUT ON TOP. >> AND DIXON BASICALLY SPINNING THE TIRES. THAT’S ABOUT AS GOOD AS YOU’LL GET OUT OF THE DRIVER. AND GRUBNIC HAD A LITTLE MORE MOMENTUM. THAT’S WHY HE’S GOING TO THE SEMIFINALS. >> IT ALSO MEANS THAT DAVID GRUBNIC IS GOING TO SECOND PLACE
AHEAD OF LARRY DIXON BY TEN. SIDE BY SIDE, BURNOUTS BETWEEN BRANDON BERNSTEIN AND DOUG HERBERT. WE’LL TALK MORE ABOUT THIS PAIR. LET’S GO TO THE FAR END, GARY? >> YOU STILL GET A 98 OUT OF IT. HOW HARD IT IS TO PEDAL AND HOPE IT STICKS AND GETS YOU STRAIGHT
DOWN THERE? >> I HAVEN’T FIGURED IT OUT YET. SOME CARS ARE RUNNING GOOD, BUT WE MOSTLY TRY TO RUN A 60 FLAT. BUT IT DIDN’T WORK FOR US. WE’LL TAKE IT FOR STRIVECTIN AND MAC TOOLS, EVERYBODY, THIS IS GREAT. >> TRACK TEMPERATURE IS 119, TONY. >> THAT’S A GOOD TEMPERATURE.
AGAIN, THE CARS ARE GETTING IN THAT LEFT LANE. IT LOOKS LIKE THEY BOTH HAD A PROBLEM. DRIVERS RELY HEAVILY ON HOW THE CAR IS SETñ UP, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT A RACE THAT TAKES PLACE IN FIVE SECONDS. IT JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU THE
DIFFERENCE THAT A DRIVER IS GOING TO MAKE. I WOULD SAY GRUBNIC DID A SLIGHTLY BETTER JOB THAN LARRY DID. >> FINAL PAIR IN THE SECOND ROUND. BERNSTEIN TRYING TO GO SIX ROUNDS IN A ROW. REMEMBER, HE WON BACK IN HOUSTON.
DOUG HERBERT LOOKS TO GO TO HIS THIRD SEMIFINAL OF THE YEAR. T >> TIM RICHARDS HAS GOT THIS CAR DIALED. KENNY BERNSTEIN LIKES WHAT HE SEES. >> NOT ONLY HAS TIM RICHARDS GOT THE CAR RUNNING, BRANDON BERNSTEIN, YOU CAN SEE THE CONFIDENCE. A GOOD REACTION TIME.
HIS LIGHT HAS PRETTY SUSPECT ALL YEAR LONG. THAT’S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET A CAR YOU THAT KNOW IS GOING DOWN THE TRACK EVERY TIME IT BUILDS YOUR CONFIDENCE, DOESN’T IT? >> IT DOES. SOMETIMES, THE DRIVER TRIES TOO HARD TO ASSUME THAT RESPONSIBILITY.
BRANDON’S GOT A LOT OF EXPERIENCE. NOW HE KNOWS HE’S GOT A GOOD RACE HORSE UNDER HIM. >> AND ARE YOU READY FOR THIS? BRANDON BERNSTEIN WITH THIS ROUND WIN NOW JUMPS ALL THE WAY UP INTO FOURTH PLACE IN THE POINTSx THAT’S HOW VOLATILE THINGS ARE NOW.
LANE CHOICE IS GOING TO MELANIE OVER DOUG KALITTA. AND BRANDON BERNSTEIN WITH THE LANE CHOICE OVER GRUBNIC. >>> WELCOME BACK TO THE SUMMITRACING.COM NATIONALS. IF YOU’RE JUST TUNING IN AND HAVE NOT BEEN AROUND FOR THE ACTION SO FAR IN FUNNY CAR, AS
WE GET READY FOR THE FIRST PAIR OF FLOPPERS TO COME TO THE LINE, LET’S GET YOU CAUGHT UP, TAKE YOU BACK TO ROUND NUMBER ONE, JOHN FORCE AND BOB GILBERTSON. >> AND IT WAS ALL JOHN FORCE. AND HERE WAS THE SECOND NUMBER
ONE QUALIFIER OF THE DAY TO GO DOWN. LEFT LANE, ROBERT HIGHT GETS DOVED BY TONY BAR TEEN. >> BACKFIRES THE SUPERCHARGER BIG TIME. HIS DAY’S DONE. >> THAT BRINGS US TO GARY SCELZI WITH THIS LOSS TO TOMMY JOHNSON, JR., THE DEFENDING CHAMP DROPS TO 14 IN THE POINTS.
>> HOW ABOUT GARY EXCEL ZISHGS HE’S ONLY BEEN DOWN THE RACETRACK ONE OUT LAST NINE RUNS GOING BACK THROUGH QUALIFYING. THIS RUN WAS NO DIFFERENT. JUST STRUGGLED BIG TIME RIGHT IN THAT SHAKE AREA. PICKS THE FRONT END UP. BY THEN, HIS DAY WAS DONE, TOO. >> TONY, YOU DEFENDED THE
CHAMPIONSHIP, AS WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE FUNNY CAR LADDER, HOW HARD IT IS? >> HE’S GOT TO BE THINKING. HE’S GOT A FEW CHAMPIONSHIPS UNDER HIS BELT. I’VE GOT TO THINK THEY’RE GOING TO EVALUATE, COME TOGETHER AS A TEAM. IT’S STILL@ WAY TOO EARLY IN TH
SEASON. THERE’S A LOT OF TIME FOR THAT TEAM TO RECOVER. I’M SURE THEY ARE GOING TO RECOVER. I THINK SOMETIMES, IT TESTS YOUR RESILIENCY, AND THEY’VE GOT TO PULL OUT OF IT. >> THE TRACK TEMPERATURE UP TO 121. IT’S CAPPS AND WORSHAM. AND RON CAPPS FOR THE THIRD TIME
THIS YEAR HAS BEATEN DALE. DALE’S STREAK CONTINUES. HE DOESN’T LOSE IN FIRST ROUND. HE CAN’T GET OUT OF SECOND ROUND. IT’S NOT THAT BAD OF A RACE. HE’S ALMOST THERE. >> HE’S ALWAYS GOING DOWN THE RACETRACK. HE LOST TO A VERY GOOD CAR. RON CAPPS IS LEADING IN THE
POINTS FOR ANY REASON. IT’S BECAUSE HIS CAR IS CONSISTENTLY GOING DOWN THE RACE TRAK. RON CAPPS DOES A GOOD JOB ON THE STARTING LINE. THERE’S .0300 ON DALE. >> CAPPS AND TROXEL, THE ONLY TWO THAT HAVE GONE TO THE SAME TWO SEMIFINALS THIS YEAR. >> HOW MUCH BIG CERTIFICATE
CONFIDENCE FACTOR RIGHT NOW THAN IT WAS SIX ROUNDS AGO? >> IT’S HUGE RIGHT NOW. THIS CAR IS REALLY PERFORMING UP TO SPEED IN HOUSTON, AND HERE, TOO, IT’S RUNNING GREAT. THAT TIME, IT SEEMED LIKE IT LET GO AT THE FINISH LINE. I’M GLAD WE GOT THAT WIN LIGHT.
>> THE BUD TEAM IS RIGHT IN A BIG WAY RIGHT NOW. >> THE BURNOUT BY ERIC MEDLEN. HE’LL BE OVER IN THE RIGHT LANE. UP AGAINST TOMMY JOHNSON, JR. THESE GUYS HAVE MET SEVEN TIMES. ERIC HAS PRETTY MUCH OWNED T.J. HE’S WON SIX OF THEM. IS THERE ANYBODY YOU WERE REALLY
GOOD AGAINST, TONE? >> IT’S HARD TO SAY. I DON’T KEEP TRACK. I DO KNOW THAT ERIC, HE’S RACING A DIFFERENT CAR. HE CAME OUT AND RAN I THINK A 4.76. THIS IS GOING TO BE GOOD RACING. RON CAPPS JUST SHOWED US THAT A CAR CAN GO DOWN THAT RIGHT LANE,
AS LONG AS AS HAVE YOU THAT CLUTCH PROGRAM. >> YOU WEREN’T BEING DIPLOMATIC ON ME, YOU REALLY DON’T KEEP TRACK OF THAT? >> YOU REALLY PUT ME ON THE SPOT. A LOT OF GUY, I CAN’T REMEMBER. YOU LOOK AT THE BIG DOG IN
FORCE, I KNOW HE’S GOT A LOT MORE WINS THAN ME. AND YOU GOT TO REMEMBER, I DROVE FOR HIM A LOT OF YEARS. I’M GOING TO EVEN THAT SCORE ONE DAY. >> THERE IS TOMMY JOHNSON, JOHN MEDLEN, ERIC’S FATHER. >> THIS IS JUST A REALLY GOOD MATCHUP.
TOMMY JOHNSON, LIKE I SAID, RAN VERY WELL. HE WAS ASKING MY PICK IN “NHRA2DAY,” JUST LIKED WHAT THE CAR DID. AND ERIC MEDLEN ALSO MADE VERY GOOD RUNS IN QUALIFYING. >> TOMMY JOHNSON DOES GET IT, 4.88 THE ELAPSED TIME TO A 4.93. SO T.J. MOVES INTO THE
SEMIFINALS. THE ONLY TIME HE WENT TO THE SEMIFINALS WAS WHEN HE WON BACK IN PHOENIX. >> THAT’S A GOOD JOB HERE BY T.J. AND MIKE GREEN. THEY PICKED THAT LEFT-HAND LANE. IT LOOKED LIKE THE RIGHT LANE HAS GOT MORE BALD SPOTS OFF THE STARTING LINE UP.
YOU GOT TO TIPTOE THAT LAUNCH. THAT KIND OF MAKES A DIFFERENCE WHETHER YOU HAVE TO COME OUT OF THE STARTING LINE. >> THE CREW CHIEFS HAVE GOT A TOUGH JOB. THEY WANT TO MAKE AS MUCH POWER AS THEY CAN. WHEN THEY GET THE HEAT
TEMPERATURE, THEY’VE GOT TO THINK SOME OPPOSITE. IF YOU TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT ERIC’S CAR, IT LOOKS LIKE HE DID HAVE A CYLINDER OUT. GOOD JOB ON THE SKULL CAR. >> AND THE REACTION, TOMMY JOHNSON ON OTHER SUCCESSFUL PASS. THAT’S PRETTY GOOD. THAT MONTE CARLO SS IS RUNNING
WELL. I’LL TELL YOU WHAT, MIKE GREEN AND THE ENTIRE SKOAL TEAM IS DOING A GREAT JOB. AND THAT WAS A NICE RUN. HAD A LITTLE TIRE VIBRATION THERE. MY BOY JIMMY WILL TAKE CARE OF THAT. >> AS YOU TAKE A LOOK AGAIN.
>> WE GET READY FOR JOHN FORCE AND WHIT BAZEMORE, ANOTHER ONE OF THEIR CLASSIC STRUGGLES. BACK IN MELANIE TROXEL’S PIT, THEY’RE THRASHING AND GETTING READY FOR ANOTHER. LET’S TALK ABOUT WOMEN IN DRAG RACING, RIGHT NOW, MELANIE IS DOING EXTREMELY WELL ALONG WITH
HILLARY WILL AND WE’VE GOT ERICA ENDERS, ANGELLE SAMPEY AND NOBODY YET IN FUNNY CAR. BUT THAT’S ABOUT TO CHANGE WITH ASHLEY FORCE, WHAT DO YOU THINK? >> ASHLEY, UNLIKE ROBERT AND ERIC, HE HAD TO MAKE DECISIONS. HE DID GET HIS TWO DRIVERS A LOT OF SEAT TIME DURING TESTING.
WHAT MAKES ASHLEY MORE FORMIDABLE IN A FUNNY CAR, IS SHE’S GOT A LITTLE MORE SEAT TIME. SHE’S GOT EXPERIENCE IN COMPETITION. WHEN SHE GETS IN THE FUNNY CAR, SHE’S GOING TO BE A PLAYER OUT OF THE GATE. >> THERE IS HILLARY WILL.
ASHLEY HAS WON INDIANAPOLIS IN NITROp INJECTED DRAGSTER. I SHOULD SAY. THERE SHE IS, WATCHING DAD GET READY FOR THIS ROUND OF ACTION. JOHN HAS BEEN VERY SYSTEMATIC, HE’S TAKEN HER ONE STEP AT A TIME, GETTING HER TEST TIME GETTING HER READY FOR NEXT YEAR.
IT WILL BE FUN TO SEE WHEN HAPPENS. RIGHT NOW, BUSINESS AT HAND. FORCE AND BAZEMORE. OH, WHAT A DRAG RACE, AND BAZEMORE GETS HIM. 4.832 TO A 4.839. JOHN AS BEATEN WHIT THE LAST NINE TIMES THEY HAVE FACED. THIS TIME, IT’S WHITS BAZEMORE PICKING UP ONLY HIS SECOND ROUND
WIN OF THE YEAR AND PUTTING FORCE ON THE TRAILER. >> BOY, WHAT A GREAT OLD DRAG RACE. WHIT BAZEMORE HAD A SLIGHT ADVANTAGE OFF THE STARTING LINE. HE RAN MUCH BETTER AT 330. BOY, WHIT BAZEMORE, TO THE .08 MILE. THE LAST TIME THAT WHIT BEAT
JOHN WAS PHOENIX 2003. THAT GIVES YOU HOW LONG AN IDEA IT HAS BEEN AND HOW LONG A DROUGHT IT HAS BEEN FOR THAT MAN RIGHT THERE. LET’S GO TO THE FAR END, GARY. >> WHIT, PULLING THAT HELMET OFF, INQUIRING ABOUT THE NUMBERS, AN 83 WITH A 2, VERSUS
AN 83 WITH A 9. THAT’S AS GOOD A RACE AS WE MAY HAVE SEEN TODAY. HOW GOOD DOES IT FEEL TO BEAT THAT LONG-TIME RIVAL JOHN FORCE? >> IT FEELS AWFULLY GOOD. IT’S FORCE. AS I TOLD YOU BEFORE, GARY, IT’S JUST ANOTHER DRAG RACE, THE FACT IS, I LIED.
>> I THOUGHT SO. >> IT’S GREAT, OUR CAR WENT A TO B. RUNNING EXACTLY WHAT TODD AND BRIAN WANTED IT TO RUN. FOR ALL THE MATCO TOOL DISTRIBUTORS HANGING BEHIND US, THIS IS WHAT IT’S ABOUT, TAKING DOWN THE CHAMP, IT’S GOOD. >> YOU SAID THE KEY WAS NOT
BEATING THEMSELVES. >> LOOK AT JOHN FORCE OFF IN THE DISTANCE. THIS IS STILL A RACE HE HAS NEVER WON. IT’S ONE OF THE FEW. >> LET’S CHECK IN WITH DAVE RIEFF. HE’S BACK IN MELANIE TROXEL’S PIT. FROM THE SUPER CHARGE UNFROM THE MANIFOLD TO THE HEADERS,
EVERYTHING GETS REBUILT BACK UP. I’M WITH THE MAN THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MELANIE TROXEL’S SUCCESS. THEY LIKE TO THINK THIS IS AN ALLEN JOHNSON TUNEUP ON THE CAR, LET’S SEPARATE THE MYTH. WELL, IT IS IN ALLEN JOHNSON COMBINATION. CLUTCH AND VALVE TRAIN, ALL THOSE PIECES.
IF I GET IN TROUBLE, HE’LL HELP ME. >> THERE’S A HA HA FUNNY STORY, HE TOLD YOU HE WOULD LIKED TO WATCH YOU RUN BUT — >> HE WAS GOING TO FINISH WATCHING THE GOLF GAME AND FLY HOME. >> AND YOUR BROTHER JUST TAKES A
WIN LIGHT AS DAVE RIEFF FINISHES UP, A 4.86 ELAPSED TIME. CRUZ IS GOING INTO THE SEMIFINALS. IT’S HIS FIRST SEMIFINAL APPEARANCE THIS YEAR. >> THAT Q POWER IS DOING ITS JOB. THEY GOT AROUND PRETTY QUICK. THEY’VE LEARNED SOME THINGS FROM MY CAR. WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO SHARE
INFORMATION, AND IT’S SHOWING. IT LOOKS LIKE BARTONE HAD HIS PROBLEM. CRUZ JUST MADE A CLEAN RUN. ON TO THE SEMIFINALS. >> THAT’S GOING TO DO IT FOR THIS ROUND, WHICH MEANS WE’RE GOING TO SAY SO LONG AND FAREWELL UNTIL WE SEE TONY. YOU WILL NOT PASS THE SCALES
ANYTIME, WILL YOU. >> THE NEXT RACE WILL BE IN THE WINNER’S CIRCLE. THERE’S A LOT OF GOOD COMPANIES BEHIND YUS. I KIND OF TURNED THE NEWS ON, THERE’S A WAR GOING ON AND PEOPLE TRYING TO RECOVER THEIR BELONGINGS, SO THAT PUT ME IN
PURGATORY IS NOT AS BAD AS I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE. IT’S NOT GOOD. >> WE’VE GOT TO TAKE A COMMERCIAL BREAK. PiPiPiPiPiPiPii >>> THIS TELECAST IS AVAILABLE IN HIGH DEFINITION ON ESPN2 HD. AND WELCOME BACK TO THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY. THE SUMMITRACING.COM NATIONALS.
AS WE’RE GETTING READY FOR SECOND-ROUND ACTION. STANFIELD, STEVENS, LINE HAVE THE LANE CHOICE. IT’S JASON LINE AND MARK PAWUK COMES TO THE LINE FIRST IN THIS SECOND ROUND OF ACTION. >> PAWUK, AT THE VERY TRACK WHERE HE HAD HIS LAST WIN ON
TOUR, THAT WAS 2001, OVER TOM HAMMONDS. HE’S NEVER BEATEN JASON LINE IN FOUR PRIOR MATCHUPS.O <@@÷Mú@@pÑx THE WIN LIGHT GOES TO JASON LINE IN A HOLESHOT. 6.92 TO A QUICKER BUT LOSING 6.91. THAT'S LINE'S FIRST HOLESHOT WIN OF 2006. IT KEEPS HIS TEAM'S HOPES ALIVE. IF YOU WEREN'T WITH US EARLIER, GREG ANDERSON WAS THE FIRST OF OUR THREE POLE SITTERS TO GET DUMPED. >> HE NAILED IT THIS TIME. MARK PAWUK HAD A GOOD REACTION TIME. >> MARGIN OF VICTORY IN THE VALVOLINE WINNER’S CAM, .0099. CLOSEST TO YOU IN THE RIGHT
LANE, RICHIE STEVENS IN THE LEFT LANE. RICHIE’S LAST APPEARANCE WAS IN INDY LACK YEAR. ENDED UP LOSING TO GREG ANDERSON IN THE FINAL ROUND THERE. AS JIM YATES PULLS FORWARD, HE’S LOOKING TO GO FOR BACK TO BACK SEMIFINALS. LET’S GET READY TO TALK ABOUT THE INDY CAR SERIES.
WE’VE GOT THE FIRESTONE INDY SERIES JAPAN 300. COMING YOUR WAY SATURDAY APRIL 22nd, NOON EASTERN, DAN WHELDEN IS THE MAN TO LOOK TO HOLD OFF DANICA PATRICK AND THE REST OF THE ÷■FIELD. @■0P@÷ 46@pQHH=
REACTION TIME WHAT DO YOU DO TO IMPROVE IT? >> I GO UP THERE AND GUESS. NO, JUST THINKING TAB A LOT, TRYING TO PRACTICE IN PLY HEAD. TO BE HONEST, STILL TRYING TO MAKE THE CAR A LOT BETTER. THE CAR’S NOT REALLY MAKING NICE RUNS. WE’RE WORKING ON IT.
HOPEFULLY, WE’RE ON THE RIGHT DIRECTION THERE. >> GOOD STUFF. >> THANKS, GUYS. I JUST GUESS. ALL RIGHT, YOU’RE ON BOARD WITH ERICA ENDERS. ERICA HAS A CHANCE TO MOVE INTO SECOND PLACE WITNESS POINTS WITH A ROUND WINNER HERE. IF SHE WINS THREE TOTAL ROUNDS
TODAY, SHE COULD MOVE INTO THE POINTS LEAD. BUT SHE’S GOT A TOUGH CUSTOMER, KURT JOHNSON FINALLY LOOKS LIKE HE’S GOT A RACE CAR UNDERNEATH US. >> AND ERICA DOESN’T HAVE LANE CHOICE. THE RIGHT LANE HAS A LOT MORE BALD SPOTS OFF THE STARTING LINE.
WHEN THEY LET THE CLUTCH OUT IT GIVES IT MORE TIRE SPIN THAN THEY WOULD LIKE. IT WAS RICHIE STEVENS THAT MISSED AND SPUN A LOT HARDER AND ACTUALLY MISSED IN THE FIRST 60 FEET. WE’VE SEEN YOU THAT CAN GET IT DOWN THE RIGHT-HAND LANE.
BUT, BOY, IT’S GOT TO BE CLOSE IN THE SETUP. >> K.J. WON HERE LAST YEAR BEATING ERICA IN THE SEMIFINALS. IT’S THE ONLY TIME THEY’VE MET HEAD TO HEAD. AND IT IS KURT TAKING THE WIN, 6.82 TO A 6.85. WHEN YOU WERE ON BOARD WITH
ERICA, YOU COULD SEE KURT STARTING TO PULL AWAY. >> ERIC KASHGS LIKE YOU SAID HAD A SLIGHT ADVANTAGE OFF THE STARTING LINE. WATCH, EVERY TIME ERICA PULLED THE GEAR, IT LOOKED LIKE KURT WOULD NOSE OUT THERE JUST A BIT. NOW, HE’S IN THE SEMIFINALS.
>> LET’S GO TO THE FAR END. JIM YATES IS HERE. WE WERE TALKING ABOUT REACTION TIME. YESTERDAY, WE SAW YOU WITH DAVE RIEFF ON A UNIQUE MACHINE THAT’S BEEN PRODUCED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS. HOW MUCH HAS THAT MACHINE HELPED YOU TO IMPROVE YOUR TIME?
>> I THINK IT’S ALL LITTLE THINGS. YOU’VE GOT TO WORK ON YOUR ASPECT OF DRIVING AND YOUR ROUND. IT SHOW OFF THE CAR, B & W, AND MAC TOOLS. AND I CAN NEVER FORGET GOD. THESE GUYS ARE TOUGH. IT’S AWESOME TO WIN. >> THANK YOU, JIM.
I THINK WE’RE GOING TO DAVE RIEFF. >> WITH JOHN FORCE, JOHN, YOU’VE BEEN DOING THIS A NUMBER OF YEARS. DOES IT EVER COME UP EASIER TO MAKE IT? >> NO, JUST PUT MORE LAPS ON AND TRY TO GET THAT CONSISTENCY. I WAS DEEP ON THE FIRST ROUND. IT RAN 79.
IT WAS PROBABLY 77. WE THOUGHT IT WOULD DO IT AGAIN. BAZEMORE DID HIS JOB AND GOT ME. BAZEMORE NEEDED A BONE, MAYBE HE’LL GIVE ME ONE BY TAKE OUT CAPPS, WE’LL SEE. >> THANKS, DAVE, AS WE GO BACK TO THE STARTING LINE, STANFIELD UP AGAINST CONNOLLY.
CONNOLLY THE EVENT WINNER HERE IN PRO STOCK. THE LAST SEMIFINAL WAS IN THE CHICAGO RACE. AND THE WIN LIGHT GOES TO DAVE CONNOLLY IN A HOLESHOT. HE CUTS AN .018 LIGHT. .002. AND THAT’S THE DAVE CONNOLLY WE REMEMBER FROM LAST YEAR. >> BOY, YOU’RE EXACTLY RIGHT, MARTY.
AS SOON AS DAVE LETS THE CLUTCH PEDAL OUT, 0.18 REACTION TIME. RUNS THROUGH THE GEARS, GETS IT DOWN THE RACETRACK. MARGIN OF VICTORY, .0040. >> AND I THINK THAT HAS A CLOSE CHANCE OF WHO GOT THE LIGHT AWARD. THERE IS THE REACTION. HERE ARE THE LANE CHOICES GOING
TO DAVE CONNOLLY OVER JIM YATES IN THE FIRST PRO STOCK SEMIFINAL. AND THEN IT WILL BE KURT JOHNSON WITH THE LANE CHOICE OVER JASON LINE IN THE SECOND SEMIFINAL IN PRO STOCK. ALL RIGHT, WE’VE GOT TO TAKE A COMMERCIAL BREAK. >>> TAKE A LOOK HERE AT THE
SUMMITRACING.COM NATIONALS, ONE OF THE MANY UPSETS THAT WE HAVE SEEN. THIS IS SECOND ROUND ACTION WHEN WHIT BAZEMORE GETS THE BETTER OF JOHN FORCE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE PHOENIX IN 2003. THAT’S TEN RACES AGO. WHIT TAKES THE WIN AND MOVES TO HIS FIRST SEMIFINAL OF THE YEAR.
WHAT’S COMING UP? WELL, WE’RE GOING TO BE AT THE O’REILLY THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS WITH QUALIFYING ON ESPN2 SATURDAY AT 10:00 EASTERN AND THEN KICK THINGS OFF WITH “NHRA2DAY” SUNDAY, AND THREE HOURS WORTH SUNDAY NIGHT. 7:00 EASTERN, ALL OF IT FROM THUNDER VALLEY, BRISTOL, TENNESSEE.
TIME NOW FOR THIS WEEK’S ESSENCE OF THE NHRA. AND WE HAVE TIME TO VISIT AND ALSO RELIVE CHILDHOOD MEMORIES. CHLTD >> THIS IS WHAT THE ESSENCE OF DRAG RACING IS ALL ABOUT. SITTING HERE IN THE TOP FUEL DRAG STRER, CIRCA 1970. THIS BRINGS UP A TREMENDOUS
AMOUNT OF MEMORIES FOR MY DAD GROWING UP AS A KID. MANY TIMES I’D SIT IN MY DAD’S CAR DRIVING BACK ON THE RETURN ROAD, I’LL TELL YOU WHAT, THIS WAS A GREAT, GREAT FEELING. I LOVE IT. >> AND THE FANS LOVE IT AS WELL.
THAT’S JUST SOME OF THEM >>> BACK HERE AT THE SUMMITRACING.COM NATIONALS, WE’RE GETTING READY FOR THE SEMIFINALS IN TOP FUEL AS THE SUN BEGINS TO SET TOWARDS THE WEST, PART OF THE GRANDSTANDS HERE AT THE STRIP IN THE SHADE. LET’S GET YOU CAUGHT UP WITH
SECOND-ROUND ACTION >> Narrator: TOP FUEL. MELANIE TROXEL, ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS A BEIGE OF HISTORY. SHE TAKES CARE OF MORGAN AND LUCAS EASILY WITH ANOTHER STRONG RUN IN THE QUARTER MILE. THEN ANOTHER PEDALFEST WITH DAVID GRUBNIC FOR THE SECOND ROUND IN A ROW. GETTING TO THE LINE FIRST.
RECOVERING TO TAKE OUT LARRY DIXON, NUMBER TWO IN THE POINTS. BRANDON BERNSTEIN STILL LOOKING STRONG AS WELL. HE PUT DOUG HERBERT ON THE TRAILER WITH MORE THAN A CAR-LENT MARGIN AT THE STRIPE. LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THE TOP FUEL LADDER. YOU’LL SEE THAT MELANIE HAS LANE
CHOICE OVER DOUG KALITTA. AND BRANDON BERNSTEIN HAS LANE CHOICE OVER DAVID GRUBNIC. SO AS THE CARS GET READY TO FIRE AND PULL THROUGH, THE WATER BOX FOR THE BURNOUT, WE’LL CHECK THE WEATHER. BECAUSE THE TEMPERATURE IS CLIMBING INSTEADLY. >> ABOUT EIGHT DEGREES HIGHER
THAN WHEN WE STARTED IN THE FIRST ROUND. 84 DEGREES. STILL DRY. 54% HUMIDITY. TACK TEMPERATURE, THAT’S THE KEY, 119 DEGREES. BECAUSE IT’S WARMED UP, AFFECTED THAT DENSITY OF DIRECTED ALTITUDE, OVER 4200 FEET. YOU CAN SEE AT THAT WIND HAS COME UP. WE TOLD YOU THAT’S WHY WE WERE
NOT ABLE TO HAVE THE SANYO LIGHTSHIP TODAY. BOY, DO WE MISS THAT SHOT. THAT IS SO DESCRIPTIVE OF WHAT THE ACTION LOOKS LIKE GOING DOWN THE QUARTER MILE. AS THE ENGINES COME TO LIFE IN THE SEMIFINALS. BRANDON BERNSTEIN HAS A CAR THAT HAS LIVED IN THAT 4.50 RANGE.
RICHARDS HAS REALLY DIALED THIS CAR IN ON THIS TRACK. MEANWHILE, DAVID GRUBNIC, IS HE LIVING ON BORROWED TIME? HE’S HAD TO PEDAL THE CAR TWICE. HE JUST RECOVERED QUICKER. YOU’RE ON BOARD WITH GRUBNIC. AND LET’S GET MORE ON WHAT DAVID GRUBNIC HAS BEEN DOING THIS WEEKEND WITH DAVE RIEFF.
>> WELL, IT’S A BIG RACE FOR GRUBNIC THAT’S BECAUSE STRIVECTIN’S HEADQUARTERS ARE UP IN UTAH. BECAUSE OF THAT, THEY HAD BETWEEN 100 TO 200 BEAUTY CONTROL SPECIALISTS COME OUT AND LET THESE LADIES SEE DRAG RACING FOR THE FIRST TIME. THEY STUCK IT IN A SLOT AND IN A
CASH MACHINE, WHATEVER THEY GRABBED, THEY COULD TAKE. WITH THE WOMEN, AS WELL AS THE SPEEDWAY WOMEN’S CHARITIES. DAVE GRUBNIC GRABBED $13. STRIVECTIN TO THE RESCUE ONCE AGAIN. THEY’RE PIMPING IN AN EXTRA $500. A NICE EFFORT. >> IT’S GOOD HE DRIVES A RACE
CAR BECAUSE HE’S ALL THUMB WHEN IS IT COMES TO THE BOOTH. >> WE SAW GRUBBY IN THAT WHIRLWIND OF MONEY. IT’S NOT A WHIRL WINDOW, BUT, BOY, IT HAS PICKED UP. ONE OF THE INFLATABLE, ONE OF THE STRAPS BROKE IT WENT DOWN. AND THE CREW HAVE BEEN
SCRAMBLING TO GET THEM BACK UP. ONE OF THE CAMERAMAN NORMALLY ON A ROW BOAT HE’S HAD TO GO ON A HARD CAMERA. HE’LL BE WHIPPING OUT ON THESE CARS AS THEY COME RIGHT AT US. BERNSTEIN AND GRUBNIC RIGHT NOW. >> BOY, THIS TIME, IT’S BURNSTEIN THAT GOES UP IN SMOKE.
GRUBNIC RUNS A 4.62. THEN AFTER GOING UP IN SMOKE, HE BLOWS IT UP. >> WOW, THAT’S A BIG UPSET. GRUBNIC FINALLY GOT THE CAR HOOBLGED. YOU.@ BRANDON BERNSTEIN BASICALLY ON A RAIL ALL WEEKEND GOES UP IN SMOKE AND THEN BLOWS THE ENGINE UP. BASICALLY, WHAT I’VE HEARD, THEY
KICK A ROD IN THE FIRST TWO ROUNDS AND BRIGHTEN THE LIGHTS. THEY’VE HAD A LOT OF ENGINE DAMAGE. >> YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD, MIKE. I WAS TALKING WITH THE GENERAL TIM RICHARDS BEFORE THIS RACE, THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT HE TOLD ME.
I ASKED HIM IF HIS CAR WAS AS GOOD AS HOUSTON. HE SAID NOT HARDLY. >> FOR DAVID GRUBNIC, HE’S GOING TO HIS SECOND FINAL THIS YEAR. HE WON HIS OTHER FINAL AT GAINESVILLE. >> WHAT HAPPENS HERE, THE ALTITUDE HERE, THEY TRY TO REV THE MOTOR HARDER.
SOMETIMES THAT ENGINE DOESN’T LIKE IT. OBVIOUSLY, LIKE WE’RE SEEING RIGHT THERE. THAT THING LET GO AND PUT A PILE OF OIL DOWN ON THE RACETRACK. AS A RESULT, HE’S IN THE FINAL ROUND ONCE AGAIN. >> LAST YEAR, HE LOST HERE IN THE SEMIFINALS TO LARRY DIXON.
THIS YEAR, HE’S GO TO GET FINAL. GARY? >> DAVID GRUBNIC, WHAT DID IT FEEL LIKE GOING DOWN THE RACETRACK WITHOUT PEDALING THAT MUCH? >> CONFUSING. IT FLOODED IT A LITTLE BIT. IT’S LIKE, GOT TO HOLD YOUR BREATH AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL DRAW THROUGH IT.
CONNIE AND JOHN, THEY REALLY DO KNOW WHAT THEY’RE DOING. THEY’RE GETTING A FEEL FOR THE RACETRACK. FOR STRIVECTIN, ZAN TAX MAC THREE, EVERYBODY. >> BY THE WAY, 13 BUCKS IS ALL YOU COME UP FOR THOSE WOMEN? COME ON. >> IT’S BETTER THAN A LOSS. >> THAT’S TRUE.
>> AND ENGINES COME TO LIFE AT THE STARTING LINE. IT WAS ACTUALLY FUEL THAT CAME OUT OF BRANDON BERNSTEIN’S CAR, NO OIL. HE DOES NOT GET CHARGED. NOW, WE COME TO ANOTHER MOMENT. COULD WE SEE MORE HISTORY. DOUG KALITTA IS GOING TO TRY AND
STOP THE STREAK FOR MELANIE TROXEL. SHE’S TRYING TO GO TO HER FIFTH STRAIGHT FINAL TO BEGIN A RACE SEASON. THAT HAS NEVER HAPPENED IN TOP FUEL. SHE’S ALSO TRYING TO GO TO HER SIXTH CONSECUTIVE FINAL DATING BACK TO LAST YEAR. RIGHT NOW, WE’VE TALKED ABOUT
THE WINDS. THE REPORTS ARE THEY’RE A HIGH AS 35 MILES PER HOUR. SORT OF QUARTERING FROM DRIVERS RIGHT TO LEFT. HOW DOES IT AFFECT THE DRIVERS? >> WELL, ON THE GRANDSTANDS, THE WIND CROSSES OVER. NORMALLY IT HAS TO BE A STRONG GUST, 50, 60 MILES AN HOUR
BEFORE IT UPSETS THESE RAZORS ONCE■ THEY’RE UP TO STEAM. IS THIS A GOOD MATCHUP, RIGHT NOW, DOUG CAT LET THAT, THEY’RE NOT GOING FOR THE BIG NUMBERS, THEY’RE GOING FOR CONSISTENCY THEY KNOW THE DRIVER, DOUG KALITTA IS GOOD ON THE LIGHTS. HE GETS THAT GOOD REACTION TIME.
MELANIE TROXEL AND RICHARD HOGAN, THAT TEAM, THEY’VE BEEN DOING THEIR JOB. THAT CAR LOOKS AMAZING. THEY’RE LOOKING TO GO TO ANOTHER ROUND IT LOOK US LIKE THEY CAN DO IT. >> YEAH, IT’S BEEN RUNNING 330 PRETTY EASILY. MIGHT NEED IT HERE TO GET AROUND MELANIE.
>> MAN, YOU CAN BELIEVE THIS PERFORMANCE BY TROXEL AND HER TEAM? TAKE A LOOK AT 4.54, 327. I MEAN, KALITTA WAS NEVER REALLY IN THIS. THEY RAN A 4.72 AT 327. >> DOUG KALITTA HAD A CYLINDER OUT AS SOON AS HE HIT THE THROTTLE.
TROXEL’S CAR HAS BEEN ON IT ALL WEEKEND LONG. 4.50 FOR A NICE PASS IN THE HEAT TO GET HER IN THE FINAL ROUND. >> SO MELANIE SETS A RECORD, GOING TO HER FIFTH STRAIGHT FINAL TO START A SEASON. THERE SHE IS. >> TO CHECK IN WITH DON
SCHUMACHER, DON, THIS HELPS TO TAKE THE STING OFF YOUR SON AND OF COURSE WHAT’S GOING ON WITH GARY. >> IT’S A TOUGH, TOUGH TEAM OUT THERE. THEM GOING OUT FIRST ROUND IS A TOUGH DEAL, BUT MELANIE ONCE AGAIN, KICKING THESE GUY’S
TAILS, GOING OUT HERE IN ANOTHER FINAL. >> AND WE WON’T HEAR MUCH WHEN THE BURNOUT HAPPENS. THAT’S FOR SURE. THERE’S THE LANE CHOICE, GOING TO MELANIE IN THE FINAL. BEFORE WE TALK TO HER, LET’S SET YOU UP FOR FUNNY CAR, BECAUSE THEY’VE ALREADY DONE THE BURNOUT
FOR THE FIRST SEMIFINAL, AS YOU’VE GOT TOMMY JOHNSON OVER IN THE RIGHT LANE. ALL RIGHT. LET’S GET YOU CAUGHT UP WHAT HAPPENED IN FUNNY@ CAR. ROUND NUMBER TWO, RON CAPPS, LOOKING TO THREE-PEAT, PUTS DALE WORSHAM ON THE TRAILER BY OVER A CAR LENGTH. AND THEN WHIT BAZEMORE.
HADN’T BEAT JOHN FORCE IN THE PRIOR NINE MEETINGS. AND FOR BAZEMORE, HIS FIRST SEMIFINAL OF THE YEAR. RIGHT NOW, IT WILL BE TOMMY p JOHNSON UP AGAINST CRUZ PET DRA GON. >> TALKING ABOUT LANE CHOICE, CRUZ PEDREGON HAS IT. ONCE YOU GET COUNT LINE, THE
LANES ARE PRETTY EVEN. KEY FOR JOHNSON IS GETTING OFF THE STARTING LINE AND THROUGH THAT SHAKE. ONCE HE GETS PAST 100 TO 150 FEET, HOPEFULLY, HE’S GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE A GOOD RUN. >> CAN TOMMY JOHNSON DUPLICATE THE FEAT THAT THEY DID BACK AT PHOENIX.
REMEMBER, HE AND MELANIE, HUSBAND AND WIFE, WENT TO THE FINAL THERE IS. IT WAS T.J. WINNING THAT DAY. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. IT’S GOING TO BE CRUZ PEDREGON GOING TO THE FINAL. IT WILL BE HIS FIRST FINAL THIS YEAR. THE 50th OF HIS CAREER.
HE DOES IT IN A TIRE-SMOKING PEDAL JOB. 5.31. >> AS SOON AS HE HIT THE THROTTLE, IT PUT THE CYLINDER OUT, I THOUGHT, THAT’S GOOD FOR T.J. BUT CRUZ HAD TO BACKPEDAL THE CAR AND DID A GOOD JOB. CRUZ IS ON SEVEN CYLINDERS.
RIGHT THERE, BEFORE IT BARELY STARTED TO RATTLE, HE WENT UP ON THE TIRE, HE CAUGHT IT FAIRLY QUICK, IT DIDN’T WANT TO RECOVER WHEN HE GOT BACK IN. THAT’S WHAT ALLOWED CRUZ PEDREGON TO GO BACK IN. >> NOW, THE ENGINES HAVE FIRED
BACK AT THE STARTING LINE AS WE GET READY FOR THE TEAMMATES. THAT IS WHIT BAZEMORE, HE’LL BE UP AGAINST THE POINTS LEADER, RON CAPPS. CAPPS, IF HE WINS THIS ROUND, GOES TO A TRIPLE DIGIT LEAD OVER SECOND PLACE JOHN FORCE. YOU SAW ACE McCULLOCH POINT HIS
FINGER AT RON CAPPS, LIKE HE ALWAYS DOES, AND SAID “GO GET THEM.” IT WILL BE BAZEMORE IN THE LEFT LANE. CAPPS IN THE RIGHT LANE. >> WITH CRUZ PEDREGON, CRUZ, THE LAST FEW TIMES OVER THIS TRACK, ALL OVER THE PLACE, SLIPPING AND SLIDING. GETTING THERE.
>> FOR ADVANCE AUTO PARTS THAT’S A GOOD THING. WE ACTUALLY HAD A CYLINDER OVER ON THE END. THAT THREW ME OVER. IT FEELS REALLY GOOD TO BE HERE FOR SNAP ON. ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT SUPPORT THIS. THEY BELIEVE IN ME. THE CAR’S BEEN CONSISTENT ALL WEEKEND.
GOODYEAR MAKES A GREAT TIRE. I WANT EVERYBODY TO KNOW IT’S TAKEN US AS A LOT OF TEAMS TO GET USED TO THEM. THEY’RE A GREAT TIRE. I WANT TO TAKE IT TO SIOUX CITY TIRES. >> AND LOOK HERE. >> WE MAY BE THINKING HAIRCUT, KEEP US POSTED.
>> WIT BAZEMORE HAS DONE VERY WELL HERE IN LAS VEGAS. HE’S LOOKING TO GO TO THE FINAL FOR THE FOURTH YEAR IN A ROW AND FIFTH OVERALL. THIS IS THE ONLY THE SEVENTH RUNNING OF THIS RACE. THE LAST TIME HE WAS IN A FINAL
WAS AT THIS TRACK A YEAR AGO. FOR RON CAPPS, HE’S LOOKING TO GO TO HIS THIRD STRAIGHT FINAL ROUND. OH, A GREAT RACE. AND RON CAPPS DOES IT WITH A 4.88. ACE McCULLOCH SAYS THAT’S MY BOY AND THAT’S MY RACE CAR. AND HE’S GOING TONIGHT FINALS.
HIS FOURTH THIS YEAR, THIRD IN A ROW WITH THE 41st OF HIS CAREER. AND HE’S JUST LENGTHENED HIS POINTS LEAD OVER JOHN FORCE TO 105. >> HOW ABOUT RON CAPPS AND ACE McCULLOCH, THEY JUST GO UP AND RACE. THEY BOTH STAY AID LITTLE DEEP.
RON CAPPS GOT OUT THERE A LITTLE BIT EARLY IN THE RUN AND NEVER LOOKED BACK AFTER THAT. >> THE LAST TIME CAPPS WENT TO THREE FINALS IN A ROW, SIX YEARS AGO, REDDING, TOPEKA AND MEMPHIS. THERE’S THE LANE CHOICE GOING TO CAPPS OVER CRUZ PEDREGON IN THE
FUNNY CAR FINALS HERE AT SUMMITRACING.COM NATIONALS. xóPó[ ♪ HERE WE GO, GO ♪ ♪ GO, GO NEVER GOING TO STOP ♪ ♪ NO, NOBODY’S GOING TO STOP US NOW ♪ ♪ GO NOW ROUND AND ROUND AND ROUND ♪ >>> BACK HERE AT THE SUMMITRACING.COM NATIONALS
THAT’S MELANIE TROXEL’S KIT. THEY’RE GETTING READY FOR ANOTHER FINAL. WE WILL TALK TO MELANIE IN JUST A MATTER OF A FEW MINUTES. FIRST, GET CAUGHT UP ON PRO STOCK. FACTORY HOT RODS. GREG ANDERSON BECAME THE THIRD POLE SITTER OF THE DAY TO GET THUMBED.
GREG STANFIELD PUT GREG ANDERSON ON THE TRAILER. THEN IN ROUND NUMBER TWO, JASON LINE CARRYING THE STANDARD BEARER FOR KEN BLACK’S RACE TEAM, TOOK CARE OF THAT. AND KURT JOHNSON IS GETTING VERY HEALTHY, THIS TIME AT THE EXPENSE OF ERICA ENDERS, NUMBER THREE IN THE POINTS.
AS KURT WINS IT BY HALF A CAR LENGTH. TAKE A LOOK AT THE LADDER, YOU’LL SEE THE LANE CHOICE GOES TO DAVE CONNOLLY IN THE FIRST MATCHUP WITH YATES. AND K.J. OVER JASON LINE. NOW, IF YOU WERE A GAMBLING TYPE IN VEGAS HERE ARE THE ODDS YOU
COULD HAVE GOTTEN. LOOK AT KURT JOHNSON AND DAVE CONNOLLY. THEY’RE THE ONLY TWO ON THE LIST. CONLEY, A 30-1 SHOT. >> THAT’S PRETTY GOOD. >> AH, I DON’T THINK SO NOW. CONNOLLY HAS BEEN GREAT ON THE TREE. BOY, I’LL TELL YOU, CONNOLLY NEEDED AGAIN, ANOTHER HOLESHOT. THIRD ONE TODAY.
HE RUNS A 6.88 TO A 6.86, HE CAUGHT AN .015 LIGHT, MIKE? >> HOW THAT BE KID? HE WAS .018 THE PREVIOUS ROUND. HE’S NAILING THAT TREE. JIM YATES HAS HAD GOOD LIGHTS TODAY BUT IT WAS DEAD LATE ON THIS ROUND. YOU CAN’T BE DOING THAT AGAINST CONNOLLY.
>> IT’S THE THIRD RACE IN A ROW WHERE YATES HAS BEEN ELIMINATED. LET’S GO TO GARY GEROULD. >> WITH RUN CAPPS, I HEAR YOU MUTTERING, YOU STILL CAN’T BELIEVE IT. YOU’RE GOING TO ANOTHER FINALS WITH A CHANCE TO DO SOMETHING YOU’VE NEVER WON THREE IN A ROW.
I GET EXCITED WHEN I HEAR MELANIE IS IN THE FINALS. I CAN’T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT TEAM SMU MACCER, THE GUYS IN THE SHOT. BACK IN INDY, IT’S HATS OFF TO THEM. OAKLEY GUYS. MATCO GUYS. IT’S NICE TO SEE BAZEMORE AND THOSE GUYS COME AROUND. WE’RE A THREE-CAR TEAM.
WE WANT EACH OTHER TO DO WELL. WHEN WE GET UP THERE, I’M RACING WITH BAZEMORE IT BRINGS EVERYTHING OUT THERE FOR YOU. PEOPLE AT HOME, IT’S THE BEST RIDE IN THE WORLD. I KNOW CRUZ IS TRYING TO GET A HAIRCUT OVER THERE. MAYBE IF I WIN, I’LL CUT HIS
HAIR FOR HIM, I DON’T KNOW. >> YOU’RE LOOKING AT KURT JOHNSON. HIS LAST FINAL WIN WAS HERE AT LAST FALL. HE’S UP AGAINST JASON LINE. LINE OVER IN THE RIGHT LANE. THERE IS HIS BOSS, GREG ANDERSON. ADVANTAGE, K. J. AND KURT JOHNSON IS GOING TO TAKE THE WIN, 6.86.
THEY BOTH RUN A 6.86. IN FACT, A HOLESHOT BY .0002. IN FAVOR OF JOHNSON. K.J. GOING TO HIS 62nd CAREER FINAL UP AGAINST DAVE CONNOLLY WHO WON THIS RACE LAST YEAR. >> AND KURT JOHNSON WAS NO SLOUCH ON THE TREE EITHER. HE WINS ON THE HOLESHOT AND HE’S
GOING ON IT TOO. >> JASON LINE’S THIRD HOLESHOT. HE’S GOTTEN VERY HEALTHY HERE IN ONE RACE. REMEMBER, HE HADN’T WON A ROUND TILL TODAY, NOW, HE’S GOING TO THE FINAL. CONNOLLY THE ONLY DEFENDING WINNER STILL IN IT FROM LAST YEAR. WE’VE GOT TO TAKE A COMMERCIAL
BREAK, DON’T GO ANYWHERE. LOOK AT THE GREASE AND OIL. >>> WELL, THE WIND MAYING BLOWING, IT’S EXTREME AT TIMES UP HERE. HERE’S A COUPLE OF GUYS THAT COULD CARE LESS. THEY’RE GOING TO THE FINALS. DAVE CONNOLLY, YOU’RE THE HOLESHOT KING HERE. YOU’RE LOOKING TO REPEAT A
CHAMPIONSHIP FROM LAST YEAR. HOW GOOD DOES IT FEEL TO BE AT THIS STAGE ON THE THRESHOLD? >> IT FEELS AWESOME. A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, ME AND HIM COULDN’T WIN A FIRST ROUND. YOU GOT TO LOVE THIS PLACE. AS FAR AS THE HOLESHOT GOES, THAT’S JOB SECURITY.
THIS TEAM HAS BEEN WORKING HARD. WE’VE BEEN DOWN IN A SLUMP FOR A WHILE, THIS, WE’RE LOOKING TO REPEAT HERE. >> KURT, LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT, IS ANYTHING DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT. YOU HAVEN’T WON A ROUND COMING INTO THIS EVENT. SUDDENLY, YOU’RE GOING INTO THE FINALS.
>> ACTUALLY, WE GOT SMART WITH WENT BACK TO LAST YEAR’S COMBINATION THAT WE WON WITH HERE. ACDelco HAS BEEN PRETTY LAME THE FIRST PART OF THE SEASON. AND APRIL IS THE SEASON FOR ACDelco. WE PUT IN NEW FILTER’S AND PLUGS, AND IT’S ALL THAT GOOD.
>> SOMEHOW, I DON’T THINK IT’S THAT EASY. >> AS MELANIE TROXEL’S TEAM CONTINUES TO PREPARE HER FOR YET ANOTHER FINAL. I HAVE TO ASK YOU, HOW MANY? IS THAT SIX DATING BACK TO LAST YEAR? >> THIS MAKES SIX. WE THOUGHT WE’D BE SUCCESSFUL BUT THIS IS CRAZY.
>> YOU GOT TO BE CAREFUL THAT YOU DON’T GET TOO GREEDY AND EXPECT THIS EVERY RACE. >> I THINK THAT EVERY TIME I GO TO A FINAL. I DON’T WANT TO BE GREEDY HERE. WE WANT TO GET ANOTHER WIN. WE’RE GOING TO KEEP AT IT,
HOPEFULLY, WE’LL PUT THE SKULL CAR IN THE WINNER’S CIRCLE. >> THERE’S ONE MAN STANDING IN HER WAY. HIS NAME IS DAVID GRUBNIC. HE’S LOOKING FOR HIS SECOND OF ■ >>> WELCOME BACK TO RACE NUMBER FIVE OF 23 IN THE NHRA POWERADE DRAG RACING SERIES.
OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR, WE HAND OUT $50 MILLION. RIGHT NOW, WE’RE GETTING READY TO HAND OWL THREE WALLEYS. FIRST, I WANT TO SHARE ONE OF THE MOMENTS WE HAD AT THE TRACK. YOU LOVE THESE THINGS. >> OH, MARTY, THIS IS ONE OF MY
FAVORITE THINGS, YOU BRING OUT THESE TOP FUEL NOSTALGIA TOP FUEL DRAGSTERS. LINE THEM UP AT THE MIDDLE OF THE TRACK. LOOK AT THESE. THEY DROVE THESE, PURE HEAVEN, FUEL-ALTERED. WHEN THESE THINGS START UP ON THE STARTING LINE, THEY SOUND LIKE NOTHING YOU’VE EVER HEARD.
THEY CACKLE HARDER WITH THE NITRO ON AN IDLE NOW. THEY DON’T SOUND THE SAME WHEN THEY HIT THE THROTTLE, BUT IT’S STILL A GREAT SHOW. >> IT’S TIME NOW FOR THE FINALS. ♪ GO, GO, NEVER LOOK BACK ♪ ♪ GO, GO, NOBODY’S GOING TO STOP US NOW ♪
♪ ROUND AND ROUND AND ROUND ♪ ♪ NO, NO, NOBODY’S GOING TO TOP US NOW ♪ GO ROUND AND ROUND AND ROUND ♪ >>> WE’RE READY NOW FOR THE PRO STOCK FINAL BETWEEN DAVE CONNOLLY, HE’LL BE OVER IN THE RIGHT LANE. YOU’RE ON BOARD THERE WITH HIM.
IN THE LEFT LANE, IT WILL BE KURT JOHNSON. BOTH OF THESE GUYS >> Narrator: THE TRACK WHERE THEY WON THE LAST RACES. J.J., THE FALL RACE. DAVE THE SPRING RACE. THIS GUARANTEES US OUR FIFTH DIFFERENT WINNER TO START THE SEASON. THE RECORD, IF YOU REMEMBER, SET
BACK IN 2002. WE HAD NINE DIFFERENT WINNERS TO START THAT YEAR. THERE’S THE ROAD TO THE FINAL. RIGHT NOW, I’D THINK PERFORMANCE-WISE, YOU’D HAVE TO GIVE THE NOD TO KURT, MAN, CONNOLLY HAS WON ALL THREE ROUNDS. WE WENT TO THE BOOK, IT’S NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE, FOLKS.
IF HE WINS THIS ON A HOLESHOT, ALL FOUR ROUNDS IN PRO STOCK, IT’S NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. >> THAT MAY BE EXACTLY WHAT HE HAS TO DO IS WIN ON A HOLESHOT. BASICALLY, HE’S DOWN .002. KURT NAILED IT THE TREE, TOO. BOTH OF THESE DRIVERS HAVE BEEN DOING THEIR JOBS.
IT’S TOUGH. >> YOU SEE, THAT’S THE ROAD THROUGH THE SEMIFINALS. THE SUN BEGINNING TO SET OVER THE DRIVER’S LEFT SHOULDER. CONNOLLY IN GEAR. GETTING READY TO PRESTAGE. >> KURT JOHNSON WITH LANE CHOICE. EVERYBODY’S CHOSEN THAT LEFT-HAND LANE BECAUSE THEY CAN GET THE CAR TO LAUNCH A LITTLE
BIT BETTER. >> WATCH THE REACTION TIME. HERE WE GO. AND THE WIN LIGHT GOES TO KURT JOHNSON, 6.84 TO A 6.87. CONNOLLY DID EXACTLY WHAT HE HAD TO DO, HE DRILLS IT FOR A .006 LIGHT. TOO MUCH POWER FOR KURT JOHNSON AS HE PICKS UP HIS SIXTH WIN OF
THE YEAR. >> THAT KID CAN LEAD. KURT MADE UP .002 OF IT IN 60 FEET. I BELIEVE HIS CAR HOOKED UP BETTER IN THE FIRST 60 FEET AND THE POWER TOOK HIM AWAY AND INTO THE WINNER’S CIRCLE. >> THE MARGIN OF VICTORY, .000030. THAT COULD BE NEXT WEEK’S WINNER
FOR WHO GOT THE LIGHT AWARD? >> CONNOLLY HAD TOO MUCH WHEEL SPIN IN THE RUN. THAT PRETTY MUCH COST HIM THE RACE. >> THERE IS THE MARGIN AT THE STRIKE. LET’S GO TO GARY. >> ALL RIGHT. I GUESS, HE HAD A .006 LIGHT.
YOU CAN SEE HIM LEAVE ON YOU OR WERE YOU WORRIED? >> I DON’T EVEN LOOK OVER THERE. HE’S DEADLY ON THE TREE. EVERYBODY WE RACE TODAY IS DEADLY ON THE TREE. FOR ACDelco AND CHEVROLET AND APRIL NATIONAL CARE CARE MONTH FOR ACDelco, JUSTIN BELL FANS,
EVERYBODY THAT WORKED ON THIS TODAY, GOD, I LOVE LAS VEGAS, 18-1 ODDS. I DIDN’T BET ON MYSELF. KATHY, CONNOR, AARON, ALL THE KIDSñ AT HOME, JAROD, YEAH! >># I HAVEN’T CONFIRMED THIS, BT I THINK LEASE LOBBYING TO GET BACK TO BREWEDEN IN TWO WEEK.
>> SPEAKING OF BRUTS, RON CAPPS IS LOOKING TO WIN THREE IN A ROW. HE’S NEVER DONE THAT IN HIS CAREER. >> HE’S GONE TO THREE FINALS. FOR CRUZ PEDREGON, IT’S SIX YEARS SINCE HE HAS TASTED VICTORY. IT WAS 2000 IN ENGLISHTOWN.
THE CREW CHIEF AND IT’S BEEN A LONG DROUGHT. DOES IT END TODAY HERE IN LAS VEGAS? >> SIX YEARS, THAT’S A LONG TIME. >> YOU KNOW THE FIRST TIME THESE TWO EVER RACED IN A FINAL, IT WAS RON’S FIRST EVER FUNNY CAR WIN IN 1987.
YOU SEE THE ROAD HOW THEY MADE IT THROUGH THE SEMIFINALS TO THIS MOMENT. >> AND ACE McCULLOCH POINTING AT HIM. RON CAPPS HAS HAD A CAR ALL YEAR LONG. THAT MAN RIGHT THERE, HE’S BEEN A MASTER. HE DOESN’T CARE WHO’S IN THE OTHER LANE, AS A RESULT, THAT’S
WHY HE’S LEADING THE POINTS. >> YOU SEE CREW CHIEF RON DOUGLAS PULLING IN HIS CAR. HE’S HAD A GOOD ROUND QUALIFYING. HE SPUN THE TIRES FOR THE SEMIS TO GET HERE. ú CRUZ PEDREGON HAS DONE IT. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SIX YEARS,
HE’S GOING TO CUT HIS HAIR AS WELL. HE GETS THE WIN LIGHT IN A TIRE SMOKING AFFAIR. RON DOUGLAS GETS HIS FIRST WIN AS CREW CHIEF. AND THE ADVANCE AUTO PARTS TEAM PICKS UP ANOTHER WIN. THE FIRST ONE. >> WOW, WHAT A SURPRISE. RON CAPPS SPINNING THE TIRES
PRETTY MUCH AT THE HEAD OF THE THROTTLE. CRUZ PEDREGON SPUN IS DOWN THE TRACK. JUST THE FACT, RON CAPPS RIGHT THERE, THAT THING BASICALLY DIDN’T MAKE HALF A CAR LENGTH BEFORE IT STARTED SPINNING. AS A RESULT, THAT ALLOWED CRUZ TO GET A POPULAR WIN RIGHT THERE.
>> CRUZ, HE PICKS UP HIS 23rd WIN. LET’S GO TO DAVE RIEFF. >> CONGRATULATIONS, LET ME PRESENT YOU WITH THESE. >> I’M GOING TO ENJOY THAT PART OF IT. I’VE GOT TO SAY THANKS TO TONY’S TEAM. >> ONE QUICK BURNOUT FOR DAVE GRUBNIC.
>> I KNOW YOU WANT TO THANK SOME PEOPLE BEFORE YOU PUT THE SCISSORS TO GOOD USE. >> YEAH, WE KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THESE. I GOT TO THANK ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, ESPECIALLY THE BIG Q THE GUYS WITH THEIR SNAP ON TOOLS DID AWESOME. ALL OUR ASSOCIATES.
IT’S A GREAT WIN. IT’S A GREAT FEELING. TELL CRUZER THERE’S SCISSORS HEADING HIS WAY. >> THE SCISSORS ARE COMING UP THE TRACK. IT’S BEEN SIX LONG YEARS. HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO DEAL WITH THE FRUSTRATION. YOU’RE A WINNER. >> WELL, JUST BUILDING A TEAM. I THOUGHT I KNEW EVERYTHING.
OBVIOUSLY, IT’S TAKING ME SIX YEARS TO FWIG EVERYTHING OUT. IT COMES DOWN TO SPONSORS AND BELIEVING IN YOU. I’M OVERWHELMED RIGHT NOW. IT’S SURREAL FOR ME RIGHT NOW. I WANT TO THANK THE SPONSOR, ADVANCE AUTO PARTS. QUAKER STATE WHO SUPPORT MY BROTHER AND I. THESE GUYS ARE AWESOME.
SNAP ON. ALL OF THESE GUYS HAVE STUCK WITH US. MY BROTHER AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE CHAMPIONS IN YEAR TO COME. I’M EXCITED FOR NHRA AND ALL THE RACING. I JUST WANT TO STAY THIS, STICK WITH IT, PEOPLE, IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF,
YOU’LL GET IT DONE. >> HERE WE GO WITH MELANIE TROXEL AND DAVID GRUBNIC. AND MELANIE DOES IT, TAKES THE WIN. YOU SAW THE TIRE SMOKE FOR DAVID GRUBNIC ON THE RIGHT LANE. MELANIE LEANS ON THE MOTOR HARD AT THE FAR END OF THE RACETRACK.
SHE PICKS UP HER SECOND WIN THIS SEASON IN HER SEVENTH CAREER FINAL. AND BOY, YOU TALK ABOUT A TEAM THAT’S ON A ROLL RIGHT NOW. SHE NOW LEADS THE POINTS BY 156. LET’S GO TO DAVE RIEFF. >> WITH RICHARD HOGAN AND BIG GRIN. 156 POINT LEAD YOU’VE NOW OPENED
UP WITH MELANIE’S SECOND WIN. >> I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY. GOOD LUCK. A LUCKY RUN OF THE WEEKEND. IT’S BEEN FABULOUS. >> DO YOU BELIEVE IT, THOUGH, THE STREAK THAT YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN ON? >> NO, NOT REALLY. >> SIMPLY PUT. >> IT’S BEEN AN INCREDIBLE RUN.
REMEMBER, THEY’VE ALREADY BEEN PENALIZED, 55 TOTAL POINTS EARLIER THIS YEAR. JUST THINK IF THEY HAD THAT IN THE BANK AS WELL. >> I WANT TO KNOW, ARE YOU PINCHING YOURSELF, ARE YOU BELIEVING THIS? >> I’M STILL WAITING TO WAKE UP HERE. EVERY DAY, I’M WONDERING HOW
WE’RE DOING THIS. I CAN’T SAY ENOUGH TO DON SCHUMACHER FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY. RICHARD HOGAN HAS DONE A TERRIFIC JOB. SKOAL GEAR, TORCO, IT’S SO INCREDIBLE. YOU GET THE FIRST ONE, IT’S EXCITING BUT YOU WANT ANOTHER ONE TO BACK IT UP. I THINK I’M GETTING GREEDY.
THAT’S ALL RIGHT. MATCO TOOLS, AMERICAN RACING THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH. >> HERE’S YOUR FIRST REPEAT TOP FUEL WINNER OF THE YEAR. >> FIRST TIME WINNERS IN ALL THREE CATEGORIES HERE AT LAS VEGAS IN THIS SPRING RACE. >> J.J. HAS WON IT IN THE FALL. THERE’S MELANIE GETTING
CONGRATULATIONS AT THE FAR END OF THE RACETRACK. WE’RE GOT TO TAKE A COMMERCIAL BREAK. WHAT’S IN STORE? >>> AND THE CELEBRATION CONTINUES IN THE FAR END OF THE RACETRACK AS MELANIE TROXEL CELEBRATES HER SECOND WIN THIS YEAR. SHE’S LEADING BY EIGHT FULL ROUNDS OF COMPETITION.x
JUST PHENOMENAL. >> WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN ON OUR NEXT STOP? IT WILL BE THE SIXTH RACE OF THE SEASON FROM THUNDER VALLEY. THE O’REILLY THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS QUALIFYING ON SATURDAY, APRIL 29th. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 11:30 EASTERN, IT WILL BE “NHRA2DAY” PRESENTED BY LUCAS OIL AND THREE
HOURS OF COVERAGE, ALL COMING YOUR WAY AT 7:00 EASTERN, 4 PACIFIC. LET’S GET FINAL THOUGHTS. DAVE RIEFF YOU’RE UP? >> MARTY, IF YOU GO BACK IN TOP FUEL RACING THAT’S WHERE YOU’LL FIND RICHARD HOGAN’S FATHER. THAT’S WHERE YOU’LL FIND HIM. AND THE GUY WHO STARTED SHIRLEY MULDOWNEY.
WHAT DOES HE THINK ABOUT THAT? HE LOVES IT. >> YOU START THESE DAYS AND THE THEME IS OH SO SIMPLE. WIN OR GO HOME. YOU CAN TRASH THE GREAT MAGICAL RIDE THAT MELANIE TROXEL IS ON RIGHT NOW TO THE SIX YEARS OF FRUSTRATION TO CRUZ PEDREGON AND THAT TEAM.
AND NOW THE SUCCESS ENJOYED BY KURT JOHNSON HAD HADN’T WON A ROUND ALL SEASON LONG UNTIL TODAY, AND HE WALKS OUT OF HERE WITH A WALLY. IT’S THOSE TYPE OF THINGS THAT KEEP US COMING BACK AND INTRIGUES US SO MUCH. THAT’S WHY WE LOVE THIS SPORT.
>> I LOVE KURT JOHNSON, HE’S MY KIND OF RACER AFTER FINISHING SECOND IN THE POWERADE SERIES LAST SEASON. HE FOUND HORSEPOWER, LIKE YOU SAID, HE HADN’T WON A ROUND COMING IN TODAY. HE’S GOING TO BE OFF ALL YEAR. >> THAT’S GOING TO DO IT FOR US.
Captions by VITAC
