Force Clocks Quickest Funny Car Run in NHRA History
Written by Josh Katinger · February 12, 2006
Schumacher and Anderson also are No. 1 qualifiers at CARQUEST Winternationals
POMONA, Calif. — John Force posted the quickest Funny Car pass in NHRA history Saturday to close qualifying for the 46th annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals.
NHRA.com: Saturday Recap
DailyBulletin.com: Historic pass food for Funny thought
Fellow NHRA POWERade Series world champions Tony Schumacher and Greg Anderson also ended the day as No. 1 qualifiers in Top Fuel and Pro Stock, respectively. The $2 million race is the first of 23 in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.
It was Force’s 126th No. 1 qualifying effort, but one of his most memorable, especially if he manages to collect the 20 extra bonus points a national elapsed time record is worth. By rule, Force will need to clock another run of at least 4.710 seconds to certify the run as an NHRA national record. Force’s run of 4.664 seconds at 329.91 mph in his Castrol GTX Ford Mustang also tops the quickest Funny Car field ever.
“I’ve got a good old hot rod here,” Force said. “I’m almost embarrassed. We used to look at Houston as the place to set world records. Now we’re doing it here. Quickest don’t win you championships and it don’t win you races. But it sure makes you feel good. I’ll sleep real good tonight.”
Force benefited by an extended final session that allowed him to run after the sun had set over the west side grandstands and both the air and track temperature had cooled.
“No doubt about it,” he said. “The further back you are in the field the later it gets, it cools off and these old racecars grow muscles. My car is making great power, especially in the middle of the track, and the new Ford Mustang body is working great.”
Ladders
First Round Pairings
Top Fuel
1. Tony Schumacher, 4.490 seconds, 317.34 mph
vs. 16. Bruce Litton, 4.657, 297.48
2. Doug Kalitta, 4.500, 326.95
vs. 15. David Grubnic, 4.637, 308.99
3. J.R. Todd, 4.508, 321.65
vs. 14. Doug Herbert, 4.582, 323.19
4. Hillary Will, 4.515, 327.66
vs. 13. Morgan Lucas, 4.579, 323.66
5. Rod Fuller, 4.518, 327.90
vs. 12. Doug Foley, 4.571, 324.28
6. Larry Dixon, 4.521, 324.20
vs. 11. Cory McClenathan, 4.567, 323.35
7. Brandon Bernstein, 4.526, 329.83
vs. 10. David Baca, 4.558, 329.26
8. Clay Millican, 4.528, 320.58
vs. 9. Melanie Troxel, 4.547, 327.19
Funny Car
1. John Force, Ford Mustang, 4.664, 329.91
vs. 16. Cruz Pedregon, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.807, 313.00
2. Tommy Johnson Jr., Monte Carlo, 4.710, 328.30
vs. 15. Jim Head, Dodge Stratus, 4.803, 318.24
3. Gary Scelzi, Stratus, 4.713, 332.51
vs. 14. Tony Bartone, Monte Carlo, 4.802, 318.17
4. Tony Pedregon, Monte Carlo, 4.713, 327.19
vs. 13. Del Worsham, Monte Carlo, 4.802, 322.88
5. Eric Medlen, Mustang, 4.752, 320.74
vs. 12. Robert Hight, Mustang, 4.793, 323.35
6. Whit Bazemore, Stratus, 4.763, 325.92
vs. 11. Bob Gilbertson, Stratus, 4.792, 317.64
7. Tim Wilkerson, Monte Carlo, 4.770, 323.58
vs. 10. Ron Capps, Stratus, 4.776, 319.60
8. Gary Densham, Monte Carlo, 4.774, 316.67
vs. 9. Phil Burkart, Monte Carlo, 4.776, 326.00
Pro Stock
1. Greg Anderson, Pontiac GTO, 6.665, 207.43
vs. 16. Bob Panella, Chevy Cobalt, 6.724, 205.32
2. Erica Enders, Cobalt, 6.678, 206.80
vs. 15. Dave Connolly, Cobalt, 6.721, 206.80
3. Warren Johnson, GTO, 6.680, 207.43
vs. 14. Allen Johnson, Dodge Stratus, 6.721, 206.13
4. Larry Morgan, Stratus, 6.680, 206.92
vs. 13. Jim Yates, GTO, 6.714, 205.79
5. Jason Line, GTO, 6.689, 206.95
vs. 12. Greg Stanfield, GTO, 6.710, 206.29
6. Mike Edwards, GTO, 6.692, 206.92
vs. 11. Kurt Johnson, Cobalt, 6.707, 207.50
7. Richie Stevens, Stratus, 6.692, 206.76
vs. 10. Mark Pawuk, GTO, 6.706, 206.10
8. Rickie Smith, Cobalt, 6.696, 206.51
vs. 9. Ron Krisher, Cobalt, 6.697, 206.16
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Hi my nane is Don.And i’m not yet racing.I’ll be there soon.I would like to see some news on my cusen Lesfigueroa
How is changing the sport for the sooper comp division’s.