Force Earns 120th Career Win; Kalitta Continues Hot Streak
Written by Josh Katinger · June 11, 2006
JOLIET, Ill. - Drag racing legend John Force won his record 120th Funny Car race Sunday at Route 66 Raceway to close to within 48 points of the championship lead.
NHRA.com: Sunday Recap
Doug Kalitta, Kurt Johnson, and Ryan Schnitz joined the 13-time series titlist in the winner’s circle of the ninth annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals, the 10th of 23 races in the $50 million POWERade Drag Racing Series.
Force’s beat teammate Robert Hight in the money round with an off-pace 4.930-second pass at 233.60 mph in his Castrol GTX Ford Mustang after both men encountered engine trouble. Hight posted a 4.890 at 244.56 mph but left the starting line .057 seconds behind Force. Coming into this race, the 13-time champion had tried unsuccessfully on four different occasions to get his 120th victory.
“You get older and you start to wonder what it’s going to take,” Force said. “I’ve had to monitor how I sleep the night and what I eat. I used to coffee-up.”
Mac Tools ace Kalitta chipped away at Melanie Troxel’s lead in Top Fuel by dismissing her in the final round with a 4.503 at 330 mph. With a career-best four wins in his last five races, Kalitta is unquestionably the hottest driver on tour. He may have only gained one round on Troxel at this event but his recent run has trimmed her once daunting lead from 174 to 71 points.
“Rahn [Tobler, crew chief] has a very aggressive tune-up but it’s also very safe,” Kalitta said. “We were able to stay in the same lane all day and the car was perfect. [Team owner Connie Kalitta] has pulled back a little and let Rahn run the car the way he wants to run it. It’s great to see him develop that confidence in what he’s doing.”
Ladders
Top Fuel
Funny Car
Pro Stock
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Final Finish Order (1-16)
TOP FUEL:
1. Doug Kalitta
2. Melanie Troxel
3. Cory McClenathan
4. Alan Bradshaw
5. Doug Herbert
6. Bob Vandergriff
7. J.R. Todd
8. David Baca
9. Rod Fuller
10. Hillary Will
11. Brandon Bernstein
12. Tony Schumacher
13. Morgan Lucas
14. Larry Dixon
15. Joe Hartley
16. David Grubnic
FUNNY CAR:
1. John Force, Ford Mustang
2. Robert Hight, Mustang
3. Gary Scelzi, Dodge Charger
4. Eric Medlen, Mustang
5. Tommy Johnson Jr., Chevy Monte Carlo
6. Phil Burkart, Monte Carlo
7. Ron Capps, Charger
8. Tony Pedregon, Monte Carlo
9. Gary Densham, Monte Carlo
10. Del Worsham, Monte Carlo
11. Whit Bazemore, Charger
12. Tony Bartone, Monte Carlo
13. Cruz Pedregon, Monte Carlo
14. Mike Ashley, Monte Carlo
15. Tim Wilkerson, Monte Carlo
16. Bob Gilbertson, Dodge Stratus
PRO STOCK:
1. Kurt Johnson, Chevy Cobalt
2. Greg Anderson, Pontiac GTO
3. Richie Stevens, Dodge Stratus
4. Jim Yates, GTO
5. Jason Line, GTO
6. Dave Connolly, Cobalt
7. Mike Edwards, GTO
8. Allen Johnson, Stratus
9. V. Gaines, Stratus
10. Steve Schmidt, GTO
11. Ron Krisher, Cobalt
12. Erica Enders, Cobalt
13. Warren Johnson, GTO
14. Dave Northrop, Stratus
15. Mark Pawuk, Cobalt
16. Dave Howard, Cobalt
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:
1. Ryan Schnitz
2. Matt Guidera
3. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson
4. Chip Ellis
5. Angelle Sampey, Suzuki
6. Antron Brown, Suzuki
7. Matt Smith
8. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki
9. Tom Bradford
10. Craig Treble, Suzuki
11. Geno Scali, Suzuki
12. Michael Phillips, Suzuki
13. GT Tonglet, Harley-Davidson
14. Chris Rivas
15. Joe DeSantis, Suzuki
16. Marco Andreano
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