Schumacher, Pedregon, Edwards And Ellis Earn Victories At O’Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals
Written by Josh Katinger · June 25, 2006
MADISON, Ill. — Reigning Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher raced to his first victory of the season Sunday at the O’Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals presented by Castrol at Gateway International Raceway.
NHRA.com: Sunday Recap
Tony Pedregon, Mike Edwards and Chip Ellis also were winners of the $1.3 million race, the 12th of 23 events in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.
Schumacher powered his U.S. Army dragster to a 4.565 second run at 327.59 mph to hold off final round opponent and defending event winner Brandon Bernstein, whose Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster lost traction at the start. Schumacher carried a Purple Heart medal with him throughout eliminations and dedicated the victory, the 31st of his career, to the fallen Marine in the Winner’s Circle.
“Today would have been the birthday of a young Marine we lost,” Schumacher said as he clutched the medal. “Chris Belchik was killed in action August 22, 2004, but he was with me today. I might be the U.S. Army driver, but the men and women in the Armed Services are all together when it counts.”
Season-long Top Fuel points leader Melanie Troxel had her series lead cut in half Sunday. She now leads Doug Kalitta by 24 points. Kalitta beat her in the second round before losing to Bernstein in the semifinals.
Funny Car winner Pedregon turned back former boss John Force after his rival’s car quit just before the finish line. A broken blower belt on Force’s Castrol GTX Ford Mustang left him without power at 1,100 feet and Pedregon’s Q Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo was able to zoom past and take the win in 4.859 seconds at 320.43 mph to Force’s 4.904 at 269.35 mph.
“I heard him out there and I saw him put a fender on me at about 800 feet,” Pedregon said. “In this class that’s usually not a good thing. But the cars have to run to 1,320 feet and I guess his fuse was a little short. I really like John. I was over there with him for a long time and learned a lot from him. To beat the 13-time champ is always special.”
POWERade Series leader Ron Capps’ first round loss, coupled with Force’s runner-up finish, trimmed the Brut Dodge driver’s lead to 44 points. Pedregon moved up to fourth place, 247 out of the lead.
Ladders
Top Fuel
Funny Car
Pro Stock
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Final Finish Order (1-16)
TOP FUEL:
1. Tony Schumacher
2. Brandon Bernstein
3. J.R. Todd
4. Doug Kalitta
5. Melanie Troxel
6. David Grubnic
7. Troy Buff
8. David Baca
9. Morgan Lucas
10. Larry Dixon
11. Bob Vandergriff
12. Scott Weis
13. Hillary Will
14. Rod Fuller
15. Scott Palmer
16. Cory McClenathan
FUNNY CAR:
1. Tony Pedregon, Chevy Monte Carlo
2. John Force, Ford Mustang
3. Gary Scelzi, Dodge Charger
4. Tommy Johnson Jr., Monte Carlo
5. Robert Hight, Mustang
6. Eric Medlen, Mustang
7. Bob Gilbertson, Dodge Stratus
8. Whit Bazemore, Charger
9. Tony Bartone, Monte Carlo
10. Ron Capps, Charger
11. Gary Densham, Monte Carlo
12. Del Worsham, Monte Carlo
13. Cruz Pedregon, Monte Carlo
14. Scott Kalitta, Monte Carlo
15. Jeff Arend, Monte Carlo
16. Phil Burkart, Monte Carlo
PRO STOCK:
1. Mike Edwards, Pontiac GTO
2. Larry Morgan, Dodge Stratus
3. Jason Line, GTO
4. Dave Connolly, Chevy Cobalt
5. Kurt Johnson, Cobalt
6. V. Gaines, Stratus
7. Richie Stevens, Stratus
8. Steve Schmidt, GTO
9. Ron Krisher, Cobalt
10. Jim Yates, GTO
11. Erica Enders, Cobalt
12. Greg Stanfield, GTO
13. Mark Pawuk, GTO
14. Allen Johnson, Stratus
15. Greg Anderson, GTO
16. Dave Howard, Cobalt
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:
1. Chip Ellis
2. Michael Phillips, Suzuki
3. Angelle Sampey, Suzuki
4. GT Tonglet, Harley-Davidson
5. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson
6. Steve Johnson, Suzuki
7. Craig Treble, Suzuki
8. Ryan Schnitz
9. Shawn Gann, Suzuki
10. Matt Guidera
11. Tom Bradford
12. Antron Brown, Suzuki
13. Chris Rivas
14. Geno Scali, Suzuki
15. Matt Smith
16. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki
Comments
Got something to say?
You must be logged in to post a comment.