NHRA Kansas Nationals qualifying results, first-round pairings

Chad Head surprises Funny Car field with second career No. 1

Second-generation driver Chad Head will race for his first career Funny Car victory Sunday at the NHRA Kansas Nationals from the No. 1 qualifying position.

Antron Brown (Top Fuel) and Erica Enders (Pro Stock) also remained at the top of their categories based on their Friday qualifying performances and will lead their categories into Sunday’s 11 a.m. eliminations at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event.

Head captured his second career No. 1 qualifying position and first since 2013 Saturday at Heartland Park Topeka based on his Friday track record time of 3.967 seconds in his Head Racing Toyota Camry. No one was able to improve on his performance Saturday as teams got one qualifying attempt in before rain washed out the final qualifying session. The time is the fifth-quickest run in NHRA Funny Car history.

“You always want to be No. 1 but I am not real accustomed to it,” said Head, who will meet Todd Simpson in the first round. “I’ve only done it twice and it always feels good. I am disappointed that it rained. I would have liked to see us all make another run today. We’ll just have to see how it goes tomorrow.”

Head, son of NHRA legend Jim Head who now serves as his son’s crew chief, says he was surprised that his career-best time remained No. 1 after an onslaught of three-second performances during another unseasonably cool temperature session on Saturday.

"There were a lot of threes in that last session and I expected for us to get knocked off," Head said. "Actually, I was very shocked. There are a lot of good cars, and they made great runs, don't get me wrong. I was just very shocked we didn't get knocked off that No. 1 spot. We were just trying to keep it.”

Erica Enders is the driver to beat in Pro Stock after she finished No. 1 in qualifying on Saturday. Photo by NHRA/National Dragster

NHRA Kansas Nationals

Qualifying Results, First-Round Elimination Pairings

TOPEKA, Kan. -- Sunday's first-round pairings for eliminations for the 27th annual NHRA Kansas Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka, the eighth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.  Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.

Top Fuel -- 1. Antron Brown, 3.727 seconds, 314.68 mph  vs. 16. Luigi Novelli, 4.034, 278.00; 2. Richie Crampton, 3.744, 327.66  vs. 15. Kyle Wurtzel, 3.927, 287.66; 3. Tony Schumacher, 3.748, 325.92  vs. 14. Kebin Kinsley, 3.857, 316.60; 4. J.R. Todd, 3.759, 328.06  vs. 13. Dave Connolly, 3.789, 325.69; 5. Shawn Langdon, 3.760, 327.19  vs. 12. Doug Kalitta, 3.786, 316.90; 6. Brittany Force, 3.762, 325.14  vs. 11. Steve Torrence, 3.786, 325.37; 7. Spencer Massey, 3.762, 325.85  vs. 10. Clay Millican, 3.772, 321.50; 8. Leah Pritchett, 3.766, 319.52  vs. 9. Larry Dixon, 3.767, 327.90.  Did Not Qualify: 17. Pat Dakin, 4.044, 296.57; 18. Terry McMillen, 4.069, 295.98.

Funny Car -- 1. Chad Head, Toyota Camry, 3.967, 316.15  vs. 16. Todd Simpson, Chevy Camaro, 4.464, 237.09; 2. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 3.971, 322.58  vs. 15. Tony Pedregon, Camry, 4.175, 293.98; 3. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 3.979, 316.01  vs. 14. John Hale, Dodge Charger, 4.157, 290.69; 4. Ron Capps, Charger, 3.989, 324.12  vs. 13. Brian Stewart, Mustang, 4.132, 297.35; 5. John Force, Camaro, 3.990, 320.74  vs. 12. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.025, 319.22; 6. Jack Beckman, Charger, 3.991, 322.65  vs. 11. Courtney Force, Camaro, 4.015, 325.06; 7. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 3.994, 314.17  vs. 10. Del Worsham, Camry, 4.013, 318.69; 8. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.000, 319.22  vs. 9. Robert Hight, Chevrolet Camaro, 4.012, 323.12.  Did Not Qualify: 17. Dale Creasy Jr., 6.267, no speed.

Pro Stock -- 1. Erica Enders, Chevy Camaro, 6.515, 211.43  vs. 16. Mark Hogan, Pontiac GXP, broke; 2. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.526, 211.20  vs. 15. Dave River, Chevy Cobalt, 6.653, 206.45; 3. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.532, 211.10  vs. 14. Deric Kramer, Dodge Avenger, 6.618, 209.56; 4. Larry Morgan, Camaro, 6.533, 211.20  vs. 13. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.607, 209.46; 5. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.535, 210.83  vs. 12. V. Gaines, Dodge Dart, 6.574, 209.88; 6. Allen Johnson, Dart, 6.537, 210.93  vs. 11. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.563, 210.60; 7. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.543, 210.01  vs. 10. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.547, 210.83; 8. Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 6.544, 211.13  vs. 9. Jonathan Gray, Camaro, 6.546, 210.34.

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Hundreds of rare foreign cars head to Carlisle Import Nationals

Everything from Citroens to Aston Martins expected in Pennsylvania this weekend

The quiet Pennsylvania town of Carlisle is getting ready to host hundreds of rare foreign cars, with the Carlisle Import Nationals getting ready to roll this weekend. Known as the Woodstock of rare imported cars, the annual four-day event has grown into a massive extravaganza hosting multiple single-marque clubs, as well as numerous orphan brands.

In previous years we've seen everything from a GAZ 21 Volga to an Aston Martin Lagonda on the field, in addition to cars that everyone has forgotten were ever sold in the U.S., like a Renault Fuego or a Peugeot 405.

Surprisingly, it is Saab that holds the plurality when it comes to the sheer number of cars; in previous years the number of vehicles from Trollhattan has approached 440. Volvo inevitably comes in second from year to year, hosting close to a hundred cars, and the Opel contingent also never fails to impress with just under a hundred vehicles on the field.

Car News Greenwich Concours Europa 2014 surprises with an eclectic mix of cars

On Saturday, the crowds of the Greenwich Concours Americana almost rendered the field standing-room only. On Sunday, the thousands of car fans who descended upon the small park in the seaside ...

The Citroen Visa was never sold in the States, but that hasn't stopped some people from bringing them here. Photo by Jay Ramey

Over the past couple years, it has been the Renault Club that has enjoyed the biggest growth, exhibiting numerous historic models in a building on-site, showing museum-grade models from this French marque stretching from the early days to the very last Kenosha-made cars.

While the event takes place over the course of four days, Saturday is really the day to be there. Sunday is very much a muted affair -- the day when everyone drives home. As cars come from all over the eastern half of the U.S. and Canada, the drive home will be longer for some owners than others. In previous years, the farthest-traveled cars were BMW Alpinas wearing British Columbia plates. That's the strength and popularity of this annual event.

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Fast facts, TV listings: NHRA Summer Nationals at Kansas

Event is seventh of 24-race season

Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals Fact Sheet

WHAT: 35th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals, the seventh of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in four categories - Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle - earn points leading to 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.  

WHERE: Atlanta Dragway, Commerce, Ga. I-85 to Exit 149 (Hwy 441).  After exiting the freeway, go north on Highway 441 to Steven Tanger Blvd. Take left on Tanger and then go right on Ridgeway Road.

COURSE: Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 1,100 feet above sea level; Track direction is southeast to northwest.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, May 15-17

SCHEDULE:         
FRIDAY, May 15 - LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 3:15 and 5:45 p.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 3:45 and 6:15 p.m.

SATURDAY, May 16- LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations
NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at noon. Round 1 of eliminations at 2:45 p.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 12:45 and 3:15 p.m.

SUNDAY, May 17 - Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:       
Saturday, May 16, ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 9 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, May 17, ESPN2 will televise three hours of eliminations coverage starting at 9 p.m. (ET).
 

NOTABLE:
2014 EVENT WINNERS: Spencer Massey, Top Fuel; Robert Hight, Funny Car; Jeg Coughlin, Pro Stock, Eddie Krawiec, Pro Stock Motorcycle.

MOST VICTORIES: Dave Schultz, 8, PSM; John Force, 7, FC; Warren Johnson, 5, PS; Kenny Bernstein, 4, TF/FC; Larry Dixon, 4, TF; Angelle Sampey, 4, PSM; Greg Anderson, 4, PS; Lee Shepherd, 4, PS.

TRACK RECORDS:             
Top Fuel - 3.732 sec. and 328.86 mph by Doug Kalitta, May ’14.
Funny Car - 4.012 sec. by Alexis DeJoria, May ’14; 320.58 mph by Courtney Force, May ’14.
Pro Stock - 6.493 sec. by Erica Enders, May ’14; 213.00 mph by Jason Line, May ’14.
Pro Stock Motorcycle - 6.794 sec. and 197.54 mph by Eddie Krawiec, May ’14.
                
NATIONAL RECORDS:     
Top Fuel - 3.701 sec. by Antron Brown, Oct. ‘12, Reading, Pa.; 332.18 mph by Spencer Massey, April ’12, Charlotte, N.C.
Funny Car - 3.965 sec. and 324.12 mph by John Force, Feb. ’14, Pomona, Calif.
Pro Stock - 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.; 215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May ‘14, Englishtown N.J.
PS Motorcycle - 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct. ’12, Reading, Pa.; 199.88 mph by Hector Arana Jr., April ’15, Charlotte, N.C.
                
TICKETS: For tickets call (800) 884-NHRA (6472). Tickets also available online at www.NHRA.com/tickets.  


NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Points Standings

GLENDORA, Calif. -- Point standings (top 10) following the sixth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series -

Top Fuel: 1.  Tony Schumacher, 474; 2.  Spencer Massey, 441; 3.  Antron Brown, 437; 4.  Shawn Langdon, 406; 5.  Doug Kalitta, 390; 6.  Richie Crampton, 374; 7.  Steve Torrence, 325; 8.  Larry Dixon, 318; 9. Clay Millican, 312; 10.  J.R. Todd, 299.

Funny Car: 1.  Ron Capps, 431; 2.  Matt Hagan, 425; 3.  Del Worsham, 401; 4.  Robert Hight, 397; 5.  Tommy Johnson Jr., 369; 6.  Jack Beckman, 353; 7.  (tie) Alexis DeJoria, 328; John Force, 328; 9. Courtney Force, 301; 10.  Cruz Pedregon, 291.

Pro Stock: 1.  Erica Enders, 510; 2.  Jason Line, 495; 3.  Greg Anderson, 458; 4.  Chris McGaha, 432; 5.  Rodger Brogdon, 385; 6.  Vincent Nobile, 337; 7.  Drew Skillman, 334; 8.  Larry Morgan, 320; 9. Shane Gray, 295; 10.  Allen Johnson, 280.

Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1.  Karen Stoffer, 115; 2.  Eddie Krawiec, 98; 3.  (tie) Shawn Gann, 72; LE Tonglet, 72; 5.  Angelle Sampey, 66; 6.  Andrew Hines, 59; 7.  Hector Arana, 54; 8.  Angie Smith, 51; 9.  Matt Smith, 43; 10.  (tie) Steve Johnson, 34. Jim Underdahl, 34.

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