Ford driver Tim Wilkerson breaks through for first NHRA Funny Car win since 2011

Antron Brown (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) also win at Atlanta Dragway

Tim Wilkerson raced to his first Funny Car victory since 2011 Sunday at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway.

Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners at the seventh of 24 events in the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season.

Wilkerson, who had not won since 2011 in Seattle, ran a 4.318-second pass at 260.31 mph in his Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang to better Ron Capps, who trailed with a 5.781 at 125.90 in his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T. This is Wilkerson’s 18th career win and first ever at Atlanta.

“That 4.03 in the first round was pretty impressive,” said Wilkerson. “I was happy with that. As the track got hotter, I did a good job until the finals. I’m really unhappy about what it did in the final. I was trying to go about a .14, and the thing broke the tires loose.”

En route to the winner’s circle, Wilkerson raced past Del Worsham, Jack Beckman and John Force in the earlier rounds. Wilkerson, who qualified sixth, is now No. 8 in points standing.

Capps, the Gainesville and Houston winner, beat Alexis DeJoria, No. 1 qualifier Cruz Pedregon and defending world champ Matt Hagan on his way to the final round. Capps retained the points lead in Funny Car.

Antron Brown won from the No. 1 qualifying position on Sunday in Atlanta. Photo by NHRA/National Dragster

In Top Fuel, Brown pushed his Matco Tools dragster to a final-round performance of 3.887 at 310.48 mph to defeat Leah Pritchett’s 4.202 at 260.41 in her Dote Racing/Gumout dragster. Brown has 49 career wins and four at Atlanta Dragway, tying Larry Dixon for most in the category. His last win at this event was in 2013. Brown, the Four-Wide Nationals at Charlotte winner, is the only Top Fuel driver to have won multiple races this season.

“It wasn’t just a good day, but a good weekend,” Brown said. “We’ve been aiming to start off with a good qualifying run. The first run out of the box on Sunday set the tone for the whole weekend. We started getting data in hot, cool, and middle track temperatures when we tested in Indy. You have to make some swings with the combination we run now. (Crew chiefs) Brian Corradi, Mark Oswald, and all the Matco boys have been putting the work in together. It definitely showed this weekend.”

Brown, the Top Fuel points leader, qualified first and defeated Shawn Langdon, Doug Kalitta and Terry McMillen before meeting Pritchett in the final.

Pritchett sprinted to her first career final round appearance by racing past Chris Karamesines, J.R. Todd and Larry Dixon. The third-year Top Fuel driver qualified third and currently sits 12th in the points standing.

Jason Line Photo by NHRA/National Dragster

In Pro Stock, Line raced his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro to a 6.606 at 211.33 performance to defeat teammate Greg Anderson’s 8.628 at 114.39 in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro. It was Line’s 37th career victory and second at Atlanta.

"Today was a great day for Summit and KB Racing for sure," said Line. "This is the way that you normally dream about it, but it usually doesn't work out that way. Today, it did. I really thought the final was going to go the other way. I got a bit of luck. I wasn't fast today. I was maybe mediocre. Greg had the car to beat. He was driving better than everyone else, and he should have won it. He wants to win more than anyone I've ever met, and that's what makes him the best."

Line earned his third consecutive No. 1 qualification this weekend and beat Alan Prusiensky, Larry Morgan and Rodger Brogdon in the early rounds. Line leads the Pro Stock category points standing.

Line and Anderson met in a final round earlier this year at Gainesville, where Anderson was the victor. This was the 24th time the two Summit teammates have gone head to head in the final round and Anderson holds a 14-10 advantage.

Arana earned his first win in Pro Stock Motorcycle since 2009 and seventh overall with a 7.236 at 196.30 on his Lucas Oil Buell to beat 2014 event winner Eddie Krawiec, whose Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson slowed near mid-track.

"I knew I could keep winning, but I had to believe in myself," Arana said. "In the final, the bike jumped like a bronco," Arana said. "It pulled to the right, but I was not giving up unless he was way in front of me. As long as I had control of the bike, I was staying with it."

Arana defeated defending world champ Andrew Hines, Jim Underdahl and son Hector Arana Jr. to make it to the final round. Arana was the seventh qualifier and holds the No. 3 spot in the points standing.

The 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series continues with the NHRA Kansas Nationals on May 22-24 in Topeka, Kansas.

NHRA Summer Nationals at Atlanta Dragway

Sunday's Results

COMMERCE, Ga. -- Final round-by-round results from the 35th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway, the seventh of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:

TOP FUEL:

ROUND ONE -- Richie Crampton, 3.784, 324.98 def. Brittany Force, 3.839, 322.27; Terry McMillen, 3.932, 316.45 def. Dave Connolly, 3.981, 282.36; Leah Pritchett, 3.805, 317.64 def. Chris Karamesines, 3.998, 305.15; Larry Dixon, 3.779, 325.45 def. Tony Schumacher, 3.790, 323.58; Antron Brown, 3.787, 318.32 def. Shawn Langdon, 3.936, 303.71; Clay Millican, 3.958, 317.64 def. Steve Torrence, 4.801, 184.57; J.R. Todd, 3.911, 326.32 def. Morgan Lucas, 4.224, 196.87; Doug Kalitta, 3.805, 317.12 def. Spencer Massey, 3.815, 326.48; QUARTERFINALS -- McMillen, 3.915, 319.07 def. Millican, 4.883, 158.87; Pritchett, 3.813, 319.29 def. Todd, 5.433, 132.19; Dixon, 6.836, 96.76 def. Crampton, foul; Brown, 3.856, 315.56 def. Kalitta, 4.024, 272.89; SEMIFINALS -- Brown, 3.915, 309.56 def. McMillen, 10.174, 67.45; Pritchett, 3.936, 298.47 def. Dixon, 8.977, 76.60;

FINAL -- Brown, 3.887, 310.48 def. Pritchett, 4.202, 260.41.

FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE -- Tommy Johnson Jr., Dodge Charger, 4.108, 309.84 def. Tony Pedregon, Toyota Camry, 7.867, 104.09; Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.084, 314.61 def. Dave Richards, Toyota Solara, 4.399, 236.88; John Force, Chevy Camaro, 4.128, 314.31 def. Jeff Diehl, Solara, foul; Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.074, 313.00 def. John Hale, Charger, 4.933, 163.47; Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.066, 313.07 def. Robert Hight, Chevrolet Camaro, 4.573, 188.25; Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 4.035, 317.79 def. Del Worsham, Camry, 4.106, 311.77; Courtney Force, Camaro, 4.163, 294.37 def. Chad Head, Camry, 4.569, 193.54; Ron Capps, Charger, 4.081, 311.99 def. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 4.091, 311.92; QUARTERFINALS -- J. Force, 4.146, 311.92 def. C. Force, 4.330, 249.21; Capps, 4.168, 267.00 def. C. Pedregon, 6.466, 100.57; Wilkerson, 4.085, 309.42 def. Beckman, 4.285, 242.58; Hagan, 4.302, 263.15 def. Johnson Jr., 8.045, 88.17; SEMIFINALS -- Capps, 4.179, 300.73 def. Hagan, 7.379, 107.73; Wilkerson, 4.163, 300.00 def. J. Force, 4.265, 298.54;

FINAL -- Wilkerson, 4.318, 260.31 def. Capps, 5.781, 125.90.

PRO STOCK:

ROUND ONE -- Larry Morgan, Chevy Camaro, 6.588, 211.66 def. Jonathan Gray, Camaro, 7.072, 152.23; Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.584, 210.41 def. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.626, 210.37; Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.541, 211.76 def. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 12.593, 68.94; Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 6.588, 210.57 def. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.614, 210.01; Allen Johnson, Dodge Dart, 6.586, 210.28 def. V. Gaines, Dart, 6.579, 210.70; Jason Line, Camaro, 6.576, 210.50 def. Alan Prusiensky, Dodge Avenger, broke; Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.543, 211.49 def. John Gaydosh Jr, Pontiac GXP, 6.739, 206.92; Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.566, 211.10 def. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 7.287, 141.86; QUARTERFINALS -- Brogdon, 6.601, 210.87 def. Johnson, 11.448, 77.50; Line, 6.573, 210.64 def. Morgan, 6.565, 212.29; Enders, 6.561, 210.97 def. S. Gray, 6.571, 210.90; Anderson, 6.560, 211.73 def. Skillman, 6.573, 211.30; SEMIFINALS -- Line, 6.585, 211.39 def. Brogdon, 6.635, 211.33; Anderson, 6.562, 211.59 def. Enders, 6.582, 210.83;

FINAL -- Line, 6.606, 211.33 def. Anderson, 8.628, 114.39.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:

ROUND ONE -- Shawn Gann, Buell, 6.962, 191.51 def. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 7.030, 187.08; Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.948, 192.99 def. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, foul; Angie Smith, 7.199, 162.98 def. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, foul; Angelle Sampey, Buell, 6.944, 192.71 def. Freddie Camarena, Suzuki, 6.969, 195.05; Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 6.979, 192.11 def. Chip Ellis, Buell, 6.945, 192.44; Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.895, 194.66 def. Matt Smith, 7.055, 187.91; Scotty Pollacheck, Buell, 6.962, 192.33 def. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, broke; Hector Arana, Buell, 6.915, 195.70 def. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.979, 184.27; QUARTERFINALS -- Krawiec, 6.933, 193.21 def. A. Smith, foul; Pollacheck, 7.007, 191.51 def. Sampey, foul; Arana, 6.915, 195.96 def. Underdahl, 7.022, 192.52; Arana Jr, 6.963, 195.00 def. Gann, DQ; SEMIFINALS -- Krawiec, 6.901, 195.03 def. Pollacheck, foul; Arana, 6.930, 195.22 def. Arana Jr, 7.146, 168.14;

FINAL -- Arana, 7.236, 162.47 def. Krawiec, 10.107, 85.28.

Point Standings

COMMERCE, Ga. -- Point standings (top 10) following the 35th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway, the seventh of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series -

Top Fuel

1.  Antron Brown, 567; 2.  Tony Schumacher, 514; 3.  Spencer Massey, 475; 4.  Doug Kalitta, 445; 5. Shawn Langdon, 437; 6.  Richie Crampton, 427; 7.  Larry Dixon, 389; 8.  Clay Millican, 363; 9. Steve Torrence, 360; 10.  J.R. Todd, 355.

Funny Car

1.  Ron Capps, 523; 2.  Matt Hagan, 502; 3.  Del Worsham, 435; 4.  Robert Hight, 428; 5.  Tommy Johnson Jr., 424; 6.  Jack Beckman, 413; 7.  John Force, 407; 8.  Tim Wilkerson, 387; 9.  Alexis DeJoria, 361; 10.  (tie) Courtney Force, 356. Cruz Pedregon, 356.

Pro Stock

1.  Jason Line, 624; 2.  Erica Enders, 592; 3.  Greg Anderson, 555; 4.  Chris McGaha, 464; 5.  Rodger Brogdon, 460; 6.  Drew Skillman, 392; 7.  Larry Morgan, 375; 8.  Vincent Nobile, 369; 9. Shane Gray, 348; 10.  Allen Johnson, 335.

Pro Stock Motorcycle

1.  Eddie Krawiec, 286; 2.  Andrew Hines, 212; 3.  Hector Arana, 201; 4.  (tie) Hector Arana Jr., 195; Karen Stoffer, 195; 6.  Scotty Pollacheck, 175; 7.  LE Tonglet, 165; 8.  Angelle Sampey, 161; 9.  Shawn Gann, 155; 10.  Jim Underdahl, 128.

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Idris Elba breaks 'flying mile' record on Welsh beach sands

Record from 1927 broken in Bentley Continental GT Speed

Idris Elba, renaissance man and the star of seemingly every other cool TV show and film of the past 15 years, has another feat to add to his resume: breaking the historic "flying mile" record set by Sir Malcolm Campbell in 1927.

The original record was set in 1927 on the Pendine Sands in Wales, U.K., one of the few places at the time where a motorcar could travel at high speeds for minutes at a time. Sir Campbell achieved a speed of 174.8 mph piloting the famous Napier-Campbell Blue Bird, a record verified at the time by the UK Timing Association.

Elba had at his disposal a Bentley Continental GT Speed for the "flying mile" record attempt, achieving a speed of 180.361 mph. The GT Speed is powered by a 6.0-liter turbocharged W12 engine producing 626 hp and 607 lb-ft of torque, connected to an eight speed automatic transmission driving all four wheels. The coupe can hit 60 mph in 4 seconds flat and has a top speed of 206 mph ... at least on pavement.

Car Reviews 2015 Bentley Continental GT Speed: First drive

What is it?The 2015 Bentley Continental GT Speed, available in both coupe and convertible versions, looks a lot like the 2013 Continental GT Speed -- which, in turn, looks a lot like the Continental ...

Elba's average speed over several attempts was 180.361 mph. Photo by Bentley

As you have no doubt guessed by now, wet sand can make for an inconsistent surface when traveling just under 200 mph in just about anything, including a Dakar racer. So achieving 180.361 mph in a 5,115-pound car that feels better suited to shuttling owners around the posh London areas of Mayfair and Knightsbridge was not as simple as doing it on a unrestricted autobahn or a racetrack.

Elba had to contend with the famous British weather as well as the inconsistent levels of water in the sand, in addition to large areas of water amidst the undulating dunes and the tide. The stunt was filmed for the four-part Discovery Channel series "Idris Elba: No Limits" set to air in July.

"I'm absolutely elated to have broken the 'flying mile' at Pendine Sands," Elba later said. "It’s an honor to have taken on the challenge, and to successfully follow in the footsteps of the illustrious Sir Malcolm Campbell."
 

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