NHRA NEWS: SCHUMACHER, CAPPS AND ENDERS-STEVENS SCORE WINS AT NHRA ARIZONA NATIONALS

Tony Schumacher won a wild tire-smoking final round against Morgan Lucas Sunday to claim the Top Fuel victory at the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway.

Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Erica Enders-Stevens (Pro Stock) also were winners at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event near Phoenix.

Schumacher raced to his 70th career victory and fourth at FIR when he was able to get his 8,000-horsepower U.S. Army dragster under control and finish just in front of Lucas’ charging GEICO/Lucas Oil dragster. Both dragsters lost traction early in the side-by-side race and both drivers were on and off the throttle as they navigated the dragstrip.

“When you can win ugly like that it is so much fun,” said Schumacher, who beat Sidnei Frigo, Khalid alBalooshi and Antron Brown in earlier rounds. “Both cars were set up to run really fast and we both lost it and smoked the tires. It was lift, pedal, lift, pedal all the way down. I could hear Morgan beside me the whole time. As a driver that kind of race is so much fun and I enjoy winning like that more than a record run.”

It was the fourth consecutive final round appearance for Schumacher dating back to last season and he moves into the series points lead with the victory.

“Four finals in a row, it’s unbelievable that our team is that good,” Schumacher said. “Win number 70. I like that number. I was stuck on 69 for a long time.”

In Funny Car, Capps earned his 39th career victory and third at this event, outrunning Matt Hagan in the final round. Capps powered his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger to a 4.064 at 314.90 to finish in front of Hagan’s Mopar/Rocky Footwear Charger, which trailed with a 4.158 at 300.33.

Capps reeled off a series of quick runs in the mid 4.0 second range in early round wins over Tony and Cruz Pedregon and Tim Wilkerson. His machine was just as quick in the final round over Hagan.

“This new car really likes to be planted early, and so [crew chief] Rahn Tobler has been working on a new clutch package,” Capps said. “In (the final qualifying session) yesterday, we finally found out what it really liked. And when you give Tobler a new combination, he’s going to ‘bracket car’ it to death.”

With the victory Capps moves into the series points lead. With back-to-back final rounds to open the season, Capps says his NAPA team is picking up right where it left off last season.

“We are starting to feel like we are getting into the same rhythm that we were last year when we went to six finals in a row,” Capps said. “I think that both Rahn and I built up some confidence in each other [with our runner-up] at Pomona, and now here.”

Enders-Stevens outran top qualifier Mike Edwards in the Pro Stock final round to earn her fifth career victory. She used a quicker reaction time in her GK Racing Chevy Cobalt to take the win from Edwards in his Interstate Batteries / I Am Second Chevy Camaro. Enders-Stevens finished in 6.538 at 211.99, just in front of Edwards’ quicker but losing performance of 6.520 at 213.74.

“Coming off the season we had last year, and starting the way that we did this year, it was a kind of a gut check in that we wonder if we can ever get it done again,” Enders-Stevens said. “Our guys really worked their butts off during the winter, but we didn’t get the chance to test a lot. And I was a little bit nervous coming into this year because the other big teams got to test a lot. But our guys proved that they can pick up where they left off, and I’m excited.”

Enders, who moved to second in the points standings with the win, defeated Shane Gray, V. Gaines and Jason Line in the first three rounds and won from the No. 7 qualifying position.

“My crew chief, Dave Connolly, reminded me that every time that Jimmie Johnson wins, we win,” Enders-Stevens said with a smile. “And he told me that Jimmie won today’s Daytona 500 prior to the final. So needless to say, we’re going to be cheering for Jimmie all year.”

Following Courtney Force’s Funny Car win at Pomona, Calif. last weekend, this is the first time in NHRA history that two female drivers have won races in back-to-back events to open a season.

The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues March 14-17 with the Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville (Fla.).

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CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Final finish order (1-16) at the 29th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway.  The race is the second of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

TOP FUEL: 1.  Tony Schumacher; 2.  Morgan Lucas; 3.  Antron Brown; 4.  Spencer Massey; 5.  Larry Dixon; 6. Khalid alBalooshi; 7.  Leah Pruett; 8.  David Grubnic; 9.  Doug Kalitta; 10.  Clay Millican; 11.

Terry McMillen; 12.  Brandon Bernstein; 13.  Shawn Langdon; 14.  Brittany Force; 15.  Sidnei Frigo; 16.  Bob Vandergriff.

FUNNY CAR: 1.  Ron Capps; 2.  Matt Hagan; 3.  John Force; 4.  Tim Wilkerson; 5.  Bob Tasca III; 6.  Robert Hight; 7.  Cruz Pedregon; 8.  Todd Lesenko; 9.  Tony Pedregon; 10.  Alexis DeJoria; 11.  Phil Burkart; 12.  Del Worsham; 13.  Jack Beckman; 14.  Courtney Force; 15.  Jeff Arend; 16.  Johnny Gray.

PRO STOCK: 1.  Erica Enders-Stevens; 2.  Mike Edwards; 3.  Jason Line; 4.  Greg Anderson; 5.  Allen Johnson; 6.  V. Gaines; 7.  Jeg Coughlin; 8.  Vincent Nobile; 9.  Chris McGaha; 10.  Steve Kent; 11.  Matt Hartford; 12.  Deric Kramer; 13.  Shane Gray; 14.  Larry Morgan; 15.  Greg Stanfield; 16.  Rodger Brogdon.

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Sunday's final results from the 29th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway. The race is the second of 24 in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel -- Tony Schumacher, 4.606 seconds, 213.20 mph  def. Morgan Lucas, 4.652 seconds, 258.67 mph.

Funny Car -- Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 4.064, 314.90  def. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.158, 300.33.

Pro Stock -- Erica Enders-Stevens, Chevy Cobalt, 6.538, 211.99  def. Mike Edwards, Chevy Camaro, 6.520, 213.74.

Super Stock -- Harry Doolittle, Pontiac Firebird, 12.069, 109.67  def. Mike Graham, Ford Mustang, 10.265, 129.74.

Stock Eliminator -- Zack Torres, Chevy Camaro, 11.622, 110.88  def. Matthew Hawk, Ford Mustang, 12.367, 100.56.

Super Comp -- Jack DeRencin, Dragster, 8.905, 164.47  def. Jim Berry, Dragster, 8.924, 166.89.

Super Gas -- Brad Pierce, Chevy Corvette, 9.899, 141.34  def. Russ Ginger, Dodge Aspen, 9.857, 161.21.

Super Street -- Kevin Kleineweber, Chevy Lumina, 11.001, 143.26  def. Ryan Giacone, Ford Thunderbird, 11.127, 119.57.

Top Dragster -- Chuck Hawk, Dragster, 6.914, 197.16  def. Moe Trujillo, Dragster, foul.

Top Sportsman -- JR Lobner, Chevy S-10, 7.457, 184.22  def. Ted Carli, Chevy Cobalt, 6.682, 207.75.

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Final round-by-round results from the 29th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway, the second of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:

TOP FUEL:

ROUND ONE -- Leah Pruett, 4.522, 234.25 def. Shawn Langdon, 5.466, 144.30; Morgan Lucas, 4.074, 211.99 def. Clay Millican, 4.073, 256.89; David Grubnic, 5.580, 198.38 def. Brittany Force, 5.851, 115.95; Antron Brown, 3.798, 321.96 def. Terry McMillen, 4.752, 156.15; Spencer Massey, 3.774, 326.00 def. Doug Kalitta, 3.756, 329.67; Tony Schumacher, 3.806, 313.80 def. Sidnei Frigo, 9.965, 80.81; Khalid alBalooshi, 3.770, 325.85 def. Bob Vandergriff, broke; Larry Dixon, 4.942, 283.13 def. Brandon Bernstein, 4.991, 168.66;

QUARTERFINALS -- Lucas, 3.773, 327.43 def. Grubnic, 9.378, 62.38; Brown, 3.786, 307.93 def. Pruett, 7.773, 81.33; Massey, 3.750, 324.05 def. Dixon, 5.151, 149.03; Schumacher, 3.747, 329.91 def. alBalooshi, 5.172, 154.78;

SEMIFINALS -- Lucas, 3.860, 316.08 def. Massey, 5.137, 141.82; Schumacher, 3.765, 327.82 def. Brown, 3.752, 325.45;

FINAL -- Schumacher, 4.606, 213.20 def. Lucas, 4.652, 258.67.

FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE -- Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 4.061, 313.51 def. Tony Pedregon, Toyota Camry, 4.097, 299.06; Robert Hight, Ford Mustang, 5.703, 150.77 def. Johnny Gray, Charger, DQ; Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.078, 310.27 def. Phil Burkart, Chevy Impala, 4.389, 285.47; Todd Lesenko, Charger, 5.206, 191.92 def. Courtney Force, Mustang, 11.228, 46.83; Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.094, 289.76 def.

Jeff Arend, Charger, 12.595, 66.51; John Force, Mustang, 4.047, 316.82 def. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 4.164, 305.22; Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.336, 221.78 def. Jack Beckman, Charger, 6.342, 111.57; Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.252, 245.94 def. Del Worsham, Camry, 5.295, 165.07;

QUARTERFINALS -- Capps, 4.059, 310.55 def. C. Pedregon, DQ; Hagan, 4.259, 254.76 def. Tasca III, 6.845, 97.60; J. Force, 8.107, 74.04 def. Lesenko, broke; Wilkerson, 4.102, 309.06 def. Hight, 6.937, 97.81;

SEMIFINALS -- Capps, 4.037, 316.67 def. Wilkerson, 10.942, 85.73; Hagan, 4.049, 311.13 def. J. Force, 4.105, 315.56;

FINAL -- Capps, 4.064, 314.90 def. Hagan, 4.158, 300.33.

PRO STOCK:

ROUND ONE -- Vincent Nobile, Dodge Avenger, 8.750, 109.09 def. Greg Stanfield, Chevy Camaro, foul; Erica Enders-Stevens, Chevy Cobalt, 6.561, 212.39 def. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.652, 188.44; Jeg Coughlin, Avenger, 6.537, 212.49 def. Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 17.529, 46.85; Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.543, 212.63 def. Matt Hartford, Avenger, 6.608, 210.73; V. Gaines, Avenger, 6.564, 212.06 def.

Larry Morgan, Ford Mustang, 6.713, 182.85; Mike Edwards, Camaro, 6.541, 212.83 def. Steve Kent, Pontiac GXP, 6.592, 210.21; Jason Line, Camaro, 6.554, 212.83 def. Deric Kramer, Avenger, 6.609, 209.79; Allen Johnson, Avenger, 6.540, 212.79 def. Chris McGaha, Avenger, 6.576, 211.36;

QUARTERFINALS -- Enders-Stevens, 6.553, 212.79 def. Gaines, 6.553, 211.83; Edwards, 6.505, 213.77 def. Nobile, 6.582, 210.73; Anderson, 6.556, 211.96 def. A. Johnson, 6.549, 212.53; Line, 6.538, 212.76 def. Coughlin, 6.581, 212.59;

SEMIFINALS -- Enders-Stevens, 6.563, 212.19 def. Line, 6.619, 212.76; Edwards, 6.522, 213.50 def. Anderson, 7.552, 132.32;

FINAL -- Enders-Stevens, 6.538, 211.99 def. Edwards, 6.520, 213.74.

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Point standings (top 10) following the 29th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway, the second of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel

1.  Tony Schumacher, 228; 2.  Shawn Langdon, 149; 3.  Antron Brown, 148; 4.  Khalid alBalooshi, 131; 5.  Morgan Lucas, 124; 6.  David Grubnic, 112; 7.  Doug Kalitta, 103; 8.  Spencer Massey, 100; 9.  Brandon Bernstein, 93; 10.  Larry Dixon, 86.

Funny Car

1.  Ron Capps, 210; 2.  Courtney Force, 165; 3.  Matt Hagan, 151; 4.  Bob Tasca III, 124; 5. Johnny Gray, 122; 6.  Cruz Pedregon, 117; 7.  (tie) John Force, 106; Tim Wilkerson, 106; 9.  Todd Lesenko, 102; 10.  Robert Hight, 83.

Pro Stock

1.  Vincent Nobile, 171; 2.  Erica Enders-Stevens, 155; 3.  Mike Edwards, 153; 4.  Jeg Coughlin, 149; 5.  V. Gaines, 142; 6.  Jason Line, 119; 7.  (tie) Greg Anderson, 109; Allen Johnson, 109; 9. Greg Stanfield, 104; 10.  (tie) Shane Gray, 83. Chris McGaha, 83.

BROWN, BECKMAN, ENDERS AND KRAWIEC WIN AAA INSURANCE NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS AT GATEWAY MOTORSPORTS PARK

Antron Brown raced to his sixth Top Fuel victory of the season Sunday at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park and in the process increased his championship points lead.

Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners of the event, the first race for NHRA in the St. Louis area in more than two years.

Brown defeated championship rival Spencer Massey in the final round and moved 21 points ahead of the Texas driver as only three races remain in the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

Brown, who battled side-by-side with Massey all weekend, took the victory with a final round performance of 3.766 seconds at 325.22 mph in his Matco Tools/Aaron’s dragster, while Massey trailed with a 3.812 at 324.05 in his FRAM/Prestone dragster.

“Our team hit a grand slam here this weekend,” Brown said. “We qualified No. 1 and took it one round at a time. It was a great weekend, but it’s always a struggle. This class is very competitive, and these guys aren’t playing anymore. You have your struggles here and there, and you have to keep on overcoming them. I’m just so happy for our Aaron’s/Matco guys.”

Brown beat Bruce Litton, Steve Torrence and Brandon Bernstein in early rounds before unleashing his quickest run of the day in the final against Massey. 

“It was a stressful day where we matched up against some great competition,” Brown said. “Matching up against my teammate [Massey] in the final was big – we’ve been back and forth in the points.  It’s great to have six wins, but right now they’re all in the past.  We need to go back to the shop and get focused on these last three races. It’s just so competitive out here and this points race is going to go down to the last race.”

Beckman moved to within 30 points of Funny Car points leader Ron Capps by racing to his third victory of the season. He took the final round win in his Valvoline NextGen Dodge Charger over Matt Hagan, who fouled at the start in his DieHard Dodge Charger.

“It’s nice to know that we have a car that can challenge for the championship,” said Beckman, who beat Alexis DeJoria, Jeff Arend and Tony Pedregon to advance to the final round. “This wasn’t do-or-die, but it’s getting pretty close. I’m not saying we counted points, but we had a tablet going with a lot of cross marks and updated math. Losing to Capps by four-thousandths in Dallas hurt a lot, but today went a long way towards healing that. It’s awesome to know that we have three races to go and are only 30 points back. All we want is a fighting chance going into Pomona."

Points leader Capps lost in the second round to Hagan, a non-Countdown performer and the defending world champ who has now advanced to back-to-back final rounds in the playoffs. Beckman was surprised when he saw Hagan blast away from the line so early in the final.

“From my perspective, you’re ready to go up there and squeeze the trigger if anything happens,” Beckman said. “I heard noise, saw the red light come on, and saw the big DieHard logo from Matt’s car. We have a big respect for that car. Over the last four races, it might be the best-running car on average.”

In Pro Stock, Enders earned her fourth victory of the season and first ever in the playoffs by using a reaction time advantage to defeat series points leader Allen Johnson in the final round. She powered her GK Motorsports Chevy Cobalt to a 6.540 at 211.79 to finish just inches in front of Johnson’s Team Mopar Dodge Avenger, who posted a quicker, but losing run of 6.538 at 212.13.

“This is the win I wanted to get in Texas last week, but I’ll take it,” Enders said. “We were definitely consistent this weekend and that’s why we got to the final so I could race my bud [Allen Johnson] and get to the winner’s circle.”

Enders outran Shane Gray, teammate Dave Connolly and event top qualifier Jason Line to advance to her second straight Countdown final round appearance.

“It is a total team effort every week,” she said. “My team is the reason why I get to do this. They’re great. They helped me get down a tricky track when other guys were getting in pedal-fests. We were a little behind performance-wise in the final, but we made a good run and I did my job.”

With the runner-up finish and third straight final round appearance in the Countdown playoffs, Johnson increased his series lead to 109 over Line, while Enders moved to third in the standings, 126 back of Johnson.

Krawiec claimed his seventh Pro Stock Motorcycle victory of the season and increased his points lead to 33 over his final round opponent and teammate, Andrew Hines. Krawiec took his 18th career victory when Hines fouled on his identically-prepared Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson.

Krawiec took three of his round wins via red-light starts by his opponents, including his first round win over Steve Johnson and second round win over Chip Ellis. Krawiec used a strong performance on his Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson to outrun Hector Arana Sr.’s Lucas Oil Buell in the semifinals.

“Andrew and I were lucky to take out the Hectors in the semis and that really helped us in the points,” Krawiec said. “I lost in Dallas due to rider error. I had a .066 light which is unacceptable. This week I was good on the tree and had a good bike which is what it takes to win some rounds. Yes, I had three red-lights against me here but I did well and all my runs were good. I pushed it a little in the final but I know the potential of what he [Andrew] has. He crushed me in Charlotte.”

The NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship playoffs continues with round four of six, Oct. 4-7 with the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, Reading, Pa.

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MADISON, Ill. -- Final finish order (1-16) at the Inaugural AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park.  The race is the 20th of 23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

TOP FUEL:

1.  Antron Brown; 2.  Spencer Massey; 3.  Brandon Bernstein; 4.  David Grubnic; 5.  Tony Schumacher; 6.  Khalid alBalooshi; 7.  Steve Torrence; 8.  Shawn Langdon; 9.  Doug Kalitta; 10. Bob Vandergriff; 11.  Larry Dixon; 12.  Clay Millican; 13.  Morgan Lucas; 14.  T.J. Zizzo; 15. Terry McMillen; 16.  Bruce Litton.

FUNNY CAR:

1.  Jack Beckman; 2.  Matt Hagan; 3.  Tim Wilkerson; 4.  Tony Pedregon; 5.  Ron Capps; 6.  Dale Creasy Jr.; 7.  Mike Neff; 8.  Jeff Arend; 9.  Johnny Gray; 10.  Jim Head; 11.  Alexis DeJoria; 12. Robert Hight; 13.  Cruz Pedregon; 14.  John Force; 15.  Bob Tasca III; 16.  Courtney Force.

PRO STOCK:

1.  Erica Enders; 2.  Allen Johnson; 3.  Vincent Nobile; 4.  Jason Line; 5.  Greg Anderson; 6. Buddy Perkinson; 7.  Dave Connolly; 8.  Mike Edwards; 9.  V. Gaines; 10.  Larry Morgan; 11.  Chris McGaha; 12.  Jeg Coughlin; 13.  Shane Gray; 14.  Greg Stanfield; 15.  Ron Krisher; 16.  Warren Johnson.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:

1.  Eddie Krawiec; 2.  Andrew Hines; 3.  Hector Arana; 4.  Hector Arana Jr; 5.  Karen Stoffer; 6. Chip Ellis; 7.  Scotty Pollacheck; 8.  Shawn Gann; 9.  Matt Smith; 10.  Michael Ray; 11.  John Hall; 12.  Jim Underdahl; 13.  Jerry Savoie; 14.  Mike Berry; 15.  LE Tonglet; 16.  Steve Johnson.

Red-hot Enders aims at Indy title

KLR Group driver Erica Enders rolls into the 58th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Auto-Plus at Lucas Oil Raceway as the hottest driver in the sport, fresh off back-to-back victories in the ultra-competitive Pro Stock class.

Enders, who moved up to fifth in the points standings after her victory at Brainerd, has also won three of the last six events.

"There is no better time to be hot that right now," Enders said. "I'm excited that it's Indy, too. It's the biggest race of the year. I'm hopeful that we can make it three in a row."

Enders has long dreamed of winning a national event in one of NHRA's professional categories, but now that she's accomplished that goal, she's not done. Her sights are set even higher as the Countdown to the Championship looms after Indy.

"I'm excited about the recent success, but at the same time, I've got the championship in mind," Enders said. "We've just got to keep pressing forward, working hard and doing our best every week."

Enders' best has been good enough to join Allen Johnson as the only drivers to win consecutive races this season. And who did Enders beat in the finals to win the last two races? Johnson.

Enders will be joined at Indy this weekend by GK Motorsports teammate Dave Connolly, who will drive the IDG Chevrolet, and by fiancé Richie Stevens, who is entered in a Dodge for Johnson.

"It's really exciting that my best friend and my fiancé both get to drive this weekend," Enders said. "Dave and I are working together as teammates for the Countdown. But when it comes to Monday, each man for himself. I say game on. They better pack a lunch.

"I'm glad they both have the opportunity to be behind the wheel again. They're two extremely talented drivers. But business is business."

That's the way Enders approaches every race, and Indy will be no different. The U.S. Nationals may be the biggest race of the year, but when Enders flips the visor on her helmet down in qualifying and eliminations, the only thing on her mind is doing her job.

"I do appreciate that it's not just another race, but I'm not changing my mindset," Enders said. "I'm not going to put more pressure on this particular event. That's not how I've done it before and not how I do it now."

Enders has raced at Indianapolis several times, dating back to 1994 when she was 10 old racing a Junior Dragster. Plus, she reached the semifinals in Super Comp in her rookie season of 2000 when she was 16, out of 174 cars entered.

"That was really cool," Enders said. "And I runnered-up my first year there in 1994 at the Jr. Dragster Nationals. I've been racing there for almost 20 years.

"I grew up with my dad racing, so I knew what a big deal Indy was. I was always excited to have the opportunity to race on that track. To get to do it at the age of 10 was pretty sweet. I've been going there for a long time. We've never won there. We've gotten second a few times and third a few times. We've got to get it done." 

CAPPS DEFEATS J. FORCE, TAKES OVER POINTS LEAD; LUCAS, ENDERS AND KRAWIEC ALSO VICTORIOUS AT BRAINERD

Ron Capps raced to the Funny Car victory Sunday at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals and moved into the Full Throttle Series points lead for the first time this season with one race remaining before the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

Morgan Lucas (Top Fuel), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners at the penultimate regular season event in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

Capps powered away from 15-time world champ John Force in the Funny Car final round to take his third win of the season, third at Brainerd International Raceway and 36th of his career. Capps cruised to a final round performance of 4.134 seconds at 304.05 mph in his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger, while Force’s Castrol GTX High Mileage Ford Mustang lost traction and finished in 6.633 at 116.35.

"I’m pretty excited to go to Indy with the points lead," said Capps, who now leads Robert Hight by 53 points. "Force is cagey. He’s good here. He could be having the worst year ever and still come here and win. I was doubtful that we were going to get a win. He’s been eking it out all day and getting on a roll. He knows how to take it to the next level. I looked over at about 800 feet and didn’t see him ahead of me, and we got the win light."

In Top Fuel, Lucas edged Antron Brown at the finish line for his third victory of the season and his third win at this event, sponsored by his family’s oil company. Lucas posted a 3.818 at 316.90 in his GEICO/Lucas Oil dragster to hold off Brown’s charging Matco Tools dragster, which trailed with a 3.831 at 313.80.

“Anytime you can win here for our family, especially for my dad who is so involved in this race, is a dream come true," Lucas said. "Hopefully, it’s a sign of good things to come for us. You can’t help but get a lot of confidence out of an outing like this. You never know with these cars. There is a lot of hard work put in that is starting to show on the track.”

With the runner-up finish, Brown moved into the series points lead, 58 ahead of Spencer Massey.

Enders continues to make Pro Stock history as she raced to her third victory of the season and second in a row.  She outran series points leader Allen Johnson in the final round with a performance of 6.649 at 208.26 in her GK Motorsports Chevy Cobalt. Johnson’s Team Mopar Dodge Avenger experienced tire shake at the start and slowed near mid-track. Enders is the first female to win at BIR since Shirley Muldowney won a Top Fuel title here in 1982.

“Beating AJ [Allen Johnson isn’t easy,” Enders said. “There are a lot of tough guys out there. To be able to run against the best out here shows that our hard work is finally paying off. We’ve been chasing them for a number of years.”

Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson rider Krawiec remained undefeated in Pro Stock Motorcycle, claiming his sixth victory of the season in as many finals and increasing his series points lead by defeating final round opponent Hector Arana Jr., who fouled at the start on his Lucas Oil Buell.

“He jumped out in front of me and at first I thought I was late but about 300 feet out, I looked up and saw that my win light was on,” Krawiec said. “I realized that he red-lighted.”

The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series continues Aug. 29-Sept. 3 with the 58th Annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Auto-Plus in Indianapolis, the world’s most prestigious drag race.

BRAINERD, Minn. -- Final finish order (1-16) at the 31st annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway.  The race is the 16th of 23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series: 

TOP FUEL:

1.  Morgan Lucas; 2.  Antron Brown; 3.  Tony Schumacher; 4.  Doug Kalitta; 5.  Khalid alBalooshi; 6.  David Grubnic; 7.  Bruce Litton; 8.  Cory McClenathan; 9.  Brandon Bernstein; 10.  Bob Vandergriff; 11.  Steve Torrence; 12.  Keith Murt; 13.  Shawn Langdon; 14.  Clay Millican; 15.Spencer Massey; 16.  Terry McMillen.

FUNNY CAR:

1.  Ron Capps; 2.  John Force; 3.  Matt Hagan; 4.  Tim Wilkerson; 5.  Johnny Gray; 6.  Cruz Pedregon; 7.  Jack Beckman; 8.  Mike Neff; 9.  Jeff Arend; 10.  Courtney Force; 11.  Robert Hight; 12.  Jim Head; 13.  Bob Tasca III; 14.  Dale Creasy Jr.; 15.  Tony Pedregon; 16.  Alexis DeJoria.

PRO STOCK: 

1.  Erica Enders; 2.  Allen Johnson; 3.  Ron Krisher; 4.  Larry Morgan; 5.  Jason Line; 6.  Mike Edwards; 7.  Jeg Coughlin; 8.  Mark Martino; 9.  V. Gaines; 10.  Vincent Nobile; 11.  Warren Johnson; 12.  Rodger Brogdon; 13.  Chris McGaha; 14.  Ronnie Humphrey; 15.  Shane Gray; 16.  Greg Anderson.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:

1.  Eddie Krawiec; 2.  Hector Arana Jr; 3.  Andrew Hines; 4.  John Hall; 5.  Karen Stoffer; 6.Scotty Pollacheck; 7.  Michael Phillips; 8.  LE Tonglet; 9.  Mike Berry; 10.  Matt Smith; 11. Michael Ray; 12.  Steve Johnson; 13.  Jim Underdahl; 14.  Chip Ellis; 15.  Shawn Gann; 16.  Hector Arana.

Two-time winner Enders anxious to add to her totals

KLR Group driver Erica Enders has accomplished her lifelong goal two times over now, having won two of the last four NHRA Pro Stock events.

But that doesn't mean Enders and her GK Motorsports team will simply kick up their heels and relax. Hardly, as the Full Throttle Drag Racing Series championship is clearly in their sights.

"It's very important to us," Enders said as she prepares for this weekend's Lucas Oil Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. "We've got a couple race wins under our belts so now we want to keep pressing forward. There's no better time than the present to capitalize on our good race car and the momentum we have.

"It certainly is my goal to win the championship. Like everything else I set my out for, I will work hard to accomplish it."

Enders, sixth in the Pro Stock standings, has already clinched a spot in the Countdown to the Championship, NHRA's version of the playoffs. But coming off her second career victory, scored in the most recent race in Seattle, Enders is looking for more.

"We're all excited to win, but you start over every week," Enders said. "Does it give you added confidence? Sure, knowing that we can do it now. But it's a new weekend, and we all start from scratch."

The Countdown starts in Charlotte in September, but there is still plenty of work to be done before then. First, there's this weekend's race in Brainerd and then the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. With her two wins, Enders is positioned well for the Countdown, and she'd like to stay on a roll.

"We've got a really good car right now and things are going well," Enders said. "The next two races are important before we head into the Countdown because it positions you for those final six races."

In the last five races, Enders has two victories and has qualified in the top half of the field five times, including fourth or better three times. Crew chiefs Dave Connolly and Tommy Utt have her Chevrolet running well, just like it was at Brainerd last year.

In that race, Enders qualified eighth, beat Ron Krisher in the first round, took out Jason Line on a holeshot in the second round and beat Rodger Brogdon in the semifinals to reach her third final round of the year. But she lost to Greg Anderson in the finals, giving her motivation for this season's race.

"Last year we had a good race there," Enders said. "We almost got it done. We've got a lot of data for BIR, and track conditions and weather should be similar to last year. It gives us a little more confidence going into the weekend knowing that we did well there last year." 

WOMEN DOMINATE THE NHRA IN THE NORTHWEST AS COURTNEY FORCE AND ERICA ENDERS CLAIM VICTORIES; STEVE TORRENCE ALSO WINS

For the first time in NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series history, two female drivers claimed Wally trophies at the same event. Courtney Force powered her Traxxas Ford Mustang Funny Car to the winner's circle for the first time in her career, and Erica Enders earned her second career Pro Stock victory in her GK Racing Chevy Cobalt at the O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Northwest Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries at Pacific Raceways. 

"To have both me and Erica in the winner's circle is awesome," Force said. "We're not just out here to race the boys, we're here to beat the boys and today just proves that."

“This [the women drag racers] is a big family out here, and all of the girls tend to stick together,” Enders said. “I couldn’t be more proud of her. She’s an awesome driver and she does a tremendous job out here.”

Steve Torrence also earned his third career Top Fuel victory at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event.

Force, the youngest daughter of 15-time Funny Car world champion John Force and sister of the first woman to win in Funny Car, Ashley Force Hood, earned her firstcareer Funny Car victory at the same track where she earned her first victory in the Lucas Oil series in 2009.

“I remember coming out here and getting my Top Alcohol Dragster win,” Force said, “I looked at that Wally and remember thinking how much I couldn’t wait for the day I could get one that said Funny Car on the side. Being that it’s my rookie season, I didn’t expect it to happen this year at all. This is my learning season. I’m doing everything I can to be the best at what I’m trying to do.”

Force struggled throughout qualifying, starting from the No. 14 spot but managed to get the tune-up right for Sunday's eliminations as she maintained lane choice in the semifinal and final round in the tough conditions. 

“Our Traxxas Ford Mustang was running good today but we worked hard just to get it in the show. This track is tough.”

Force took out Cruz Pedregon in the opening round, Bob Tasca in the quarterfinals and her father in the semifinals. Then Force’s 4.238-second pass at 293.54 mph in the final round was too much for reigning Funny Car world champ Matt Hagan's 4.328-second pass at 276.58 mph.

“Cruz (Pedregon), Bob Tasca, my dad, and Matt Hagan are some heavy hitters,” Force said. “We had tough competition today. Taking out a Schumacher car in the process was a huge accomplishment for us.”

This win is a dream come true for the rookie Funny Car driver who has dreamt of competing in Funny Car with her dad since she was a seven-year old girl.

“It was huge,” Force said. “Seeing that win light, I really couldn’t believe it. Getting that victory and having to take out my dad in the process was a huge accomplishment. I was listening to my guys on the radio, and I was yelling back at them. As a kid being in a tow truck watching my dad race, I told myself I wanted to be out there racing against my dad.”

Enders drove her GK Racing Chevy Cobalt straight to the winner’s circle for the second time in her career in the tough conditions at Pacific Raceways.

“I’m soproud of my guys because they won this race today,” Enders said. “They gave me a great car for me to drive, and we drove it right to the winner’s circle. I’m honored to be their driver, and hopefully we can get a few more wins before the season is over. If we can position ourselves well before the Countdown begins, this is a good time to be starting to gain momentum.”

Enders took out three of the heavy hitters in Pro Stock en route to her second career victory including four-time Pro Stock world champ Greg Anderson in the quarterfinals, points leader and the winner of the past two events Allen Johnson in the semifinals, and reigning Pro Stock world champ Jason Line in the final round.  

“Beating those guys [Greg Anderson, Allen Johnson, and Jason Line] is something elsebecause they’ve always been on the top of my list, guys that I’ve looked up to my entire life. Allen and Pam are very good friends of mine. I knew that [Allen] wanted to sweep [the Western Swing], but I told him I was going to take that dagum broom out of his hand, and he wasn’t leaving here with it. I’m just very proud to do it for Gaston Kirby and the team.”

With the win, Enders clinched her spot in the Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s playoffs that start in Charlotte, Sept. 14-16.

Texas native Torrence also had a successful weekend in the Northwest as he earned his first victory at Pacific Raceways. The hot conditions made it tough for the CapcoContractors Top Fuel team but they made the most of their day earning theirthird win of the season.

“We’ll take them anyway we can get them,” Torrence said. “It wasn’t pretty. We definitely had to work for it today, but we got our third win of the season and I’m so proud of my team.”

Torence raced fellow young-gun pilot Shawn Langdon and his Al-Anabi Racing dragster in the final round. The final-round wasn’t a picture perfect pass, but Torrence’s 4.168-second pass at 261.98 mph was enough to take out a tire-smoking Langdon.

“Shawn had me nervous in the final,” Torrence said. “He’s a great leaver and a great race car driver. Alan Johnson has had that Al-Anabi car runnin’ all day. I counted on Richard Hogan and had a lot of confidence and did my job. I felt it start to knock the tire off in the final round and went as quick as I could to get it back going. Today, we were just on the right side. We’re living lucky.”

Torrence also clinched his spot in the Countdown to the Championship.

Seattle-native Megan Ellingson also won Super Street in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA's sportsman category, making even more history as this is the first NHRA event where three women have claimed victories across all categories of NHRA competition. 

The next NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event is the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, Aug. 16-19 at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minn.