Crampton, Hight, Gray, and Krawiec will lead final fields into battle in St. Louis
Saturday, September 24, 2016 – Richie Crampton powered to the No. 1 qualifier in Top Fuel Saturday at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park just outside of St. Louis.
Robert Hight (Funny Car), Shane Gray (Pro Stock), and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also No. 1 qualifiers at the 20th event of 24 on the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule. The AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals is the second race of the six-race NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship.
Crampton used his Friday night performance of 3.733 seconds at 323.50 mph in his Lucas Oil dragster to earn his second No. 1 qualifier of the season and fifth of his career. Crampton, from Adelaide, South Australia, posted a runner-up finish earlier this year in Sonoma but has not won an event in 2016. He will look to improve on his 10th-place points standing as he opens eliminations against Kebin Kinsley Sunday morning.
“We were trying to get down the racetrack today, and it just didn’t work out, but to get a good run on the board Friday night is really important,” said Crampton, a seven-time event winner. “It was a good run yesterday, and I’m sure we left a little bit on the table today. We were just a little underpowered today in both sessions and maybe just treaded a little bit too lightly.”
Tony Schumacher, an eight-time Top Fuel world champion, qualified second with a 3.740 at 325.30 in his U.S. Army dragster. The two-time St. Louis winner will open eliminations against the ageless Chris Karamesines.
Sonoma winner J.R. Todd sits in the No. 3 spot with a 3.750 at 321.58 in his SealMaster dragster. Todd is paired with Kyle Wurtzel in the first round. Three-time St. Louis winner and three-time 2016 event winner Doug Kalitta is fourth and matched up with Terry McMillen, and Shawn Langdon is fifth and will battle reigning champion and current Top Fuel points leader Antron Brown Sunday morning.
In Funny Car, Hight also used his Friday night performance to head into Sunday’s eliminations as the category’s No. 1 qualifier. Hight’s 3.893 at 328.38 in his Auto Club Chevy Camaro during Friday’s second session was enough to earn him his first top qualifier of the season and 48th of his career. The Gainesville event winner will go up against John Hale to open eliminations.
“Saturday is more conducive to what you’re going to race in on Sunday,” said Hight. “Basically, three of the four runs we were low e.t., and that gives you a lot of confidence. That third run, we were still pushing hard. Sometimes it’s nice to know your limit so you don’t find that limit on Sunday. It’s been a great weekend, and I’m excited about tomorrow. I’m more excited about tomorrow’s race day than I have been in a long time.”
Jack Beckman qualified second in his Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T with a 3.907 at 325.22. The 2012 event winner and 2015 season runner-up will race Dale Creasy Jr. in the first round of eliminations.
Points leader Ron Capps is third with a 3.910 at 322.81 in his NAPA Dodge Charger R/T and will battle John Bojec Sunday morning. Tim Wilkerson is fourth and will meet Brian Stewart, and Matt Hagan is fifth and paired with Cruz Pedregon.
Shane Gray earned his second No. 1 qualifier of the season in Pro Stock with a 6.604 at 209.42 in his Gray Motorsports Chevy Camaro. Gray, who raced to the top spot in Chicago, has seven No. 1 qualifiers in his career and is seventh in points. He will race David River in the opening round of Sunday’s eliminations.
“I’m real confident with the car for tomorrow,” said Gray, who has never won in St. Louis. “The way I see it now is the only person that can screw this up is me. We’ve got a good car, and it’s making good runs. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.”
Bo Butner, who has four runner-up finishes this season in his Jim Butner Auto Chevy Camaro, is second with a 6.605 at 209.17. Butner is fourth in points and will meet Mark Hogan Sunday morning.
Greg Anderson qualified third with a 6.605 at 209.07 in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro. The seven-time 2016 event winner will go heads-up with Alan Prusiensky in the first round. Vincent Nobile, looking for his first win of the season, is fourth and paired with Deric Kramer, and Alex Laughlin is fifth and matched with Seattle event winner Aaron Strong.
Pro Stock points leader Jason Line is qualified sixth and will face back-to-back and reigning world champion Erica Enders.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Krawiec rode his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson to a 6.819 at 197.02 to earn his sixth No. 1 qualifier of the season and 33rd of his career. The two-time St. Louis winner and three-time world champion is fourth in points after a first-round loss last weekend in Charlotte. He will open eliminations against Joe DeSantis.
“We didn’t think we were going to run that number, but we were picking away at it a little bit at a time,” said Krawiec, who has two top qualifiers at Gateway Motorsports Park. “This last session, it was drying out a little more. That definitely helped aspirate the motorcycle. We didn’t think it was going to run that fast, but all the stars aligned. We know we have a great motorcycle; it’s just up to us to tune it right, and it’s easier said than done.”
Angelle Sampey qualified second with a 6.831 at 197.02 on her Star Racing/Precision Service Equipment Buell. Sampey, who claimed her first victory since 2007 this season in Englishtown, leads the category with three wins at Gateway Motorsports Park and is third in points. She will race Angie Smith in the first round.
Charlotte winner Chip Ellis is slotted third with a 6.850 at 196.53 on his PiranaZ/ Pippin Motorsports Buell. Ellis, in second place, is paired with Jim Underdahl to open eliminations. Alligator farmer Jerry Savoie is fourth and will race veteran Steve Johnson, and Matt Smith is fifth and will battle rookie Melissa Surber Sunday morning. Points leader Andrew Hines qualified sixth and will race defending event winner Hector Arana Jr. in the first round.
Eliminations for the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park are set to begin at 11 a.m. Sunday.
Von Smith sprinted to a No. 1 qualifier and first-round victory Saturday at the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series portion of the event. This weekend’s Pro Mod racing at Gateway Motorsports Park is presented by Precision Turbo & Engine. This is the ninth race of 10 in the 2016 NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series season.
Smith, driving his Al-Anabi Racing ’69 Chevy Camaro, posted a 5.814-second pass at 247.70 mph to earn his second No. 1 qualifier of the season and second of his career.
Smith then powered to a 5.872 at 244.12 to defeat Norwalk event winner Bill Glidden’s 5.993 at 214.21 in his ’10 Mickey Thompson Ford Mustang. Smith will meet two-time national champ and points leader Rickie Smith, who beat Steven Whiteley in the first round, in Sunday’s second round.
“I’ve got to hand it to the team – they’re the ones that do it,” said Smith. “I get the fun portion of it: driving the car, or trying to anyway. They’ve really tried hard all year, obviously, and we all have cumulatively as a team. To see it get together and make more than a couple good passes at a time, it’s really been great for everybody’s morale.”
Reigning and two-time national champion Troy Coughlin outlasted No. 2 qualifier and Charlotte winner Bob Rahaim in the first round and will meet Steve Matusek in the second round Sunday.
Khalid alBalooshi, the 2011 Pro Mod champ, will go up against Jim Whiteley in the second round, and Pete Farber will meet Michael Biehle II.
Eliminations in the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series portion of the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals are slated to continue Sunday with two more rounds before the final at 2:40 p.m.
Von Smith sprinted to a No. 1 qualifier and first-round victory Saturday at the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series portion of the event. This weekend’s Pro Mod racing at Gateway Motorsports Park is presented by Precision Turbo & Engine. This is the ninth race of 10 in the 2016 NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series season.
Smith, driving his Al-Anabi Racing ’69 Chevy Camaro, posted a 5.814-second pass at 247.70 mph to earn his second No. 1 qualifier of the season and second of his career.
Smith then powered to a 5.872 at 244.12 to defeat Norwalk event winner Bill Glidden’s 5.993 at 214.21 in his ’10 Mickey Thompson Ford Mustang. Smith will meet two-time national champ and points leader Rickie Smith, who beat Steven Whiteley in the first round, in Sunday’s second round.
“I’ve got to hand it to the team – they’re the ones that do it,” said Smith. “I get the fun portion of it: driving the car, or trying to anyway. They’ve really tried hard all year, obviously, and we all have cumulatively as a team. To see it get together and make more than a couple good passes at a time, it’s really been great for everybody’s morale.”
Reigning and two-time national champion Troy Coughlin outlasted No. 2 qualifier and Charlotte winner Bob Rahaim in the first round and will meet Steve Matusek in the second round Sunday.
Khalid alBalooshi, the 2011 Pro Mod champ, will go up against Jim Whiteley in the second round, and Pete Farber will meet Michael Biehle II.
Eliminations in the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series portion of the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals are slated to continue Sunday with two more rounds before the final at 2:40 p.m.
****
MADISON, Ill. – FastNews Network – Final order after 4 rounds of qualifying in Top Fuel at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, fifth annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals:
Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed
1. Richie Crampton Lucas Oil Dragster 3.733 323.50
2. Tony Schumacher U.S. Army Dragster 3.740 325.30
3. J.R. Todd SealMaster Dragster 3.750 322.04
4. Doug Kalitta DEWALT FLEXVOLT Dragster 3.752 325.92
5. Shawn Langdon Red Fuel/Sandvik Dragster 3.766 325.61
6. Steve Torrence Capco Contactors Dragster 3.768 323.19
7. Leah Pritchett Papa Johns Dragster 3.770 325.92
8. Brittany Force Monster Energy Dragster 3.778 323.35
9. Clay Millican Denso/Great Clips Dragster 3.798 323.35
10. Wayne Newby Rapisarda Autosport Internatio 3.801 318.69
11. Pat Dakin Commercial Metal Fabrications 3.805 309.06
12. Antron Brown Matco Tools Dragster 3.808 316.97
13. Terry McMillen Amalie Motor Oil Dragster 3.895 310.41
14. Kyle Wurtzel Xtreme Edge Inc. Dragster 3.896 315.19
15. Chris Karamesines Lucas Oil/Strange Engineering 3.979 301.00
16. Kebin Kinsley Hennen Motorsports Dragster 4.000 307.16
– Not Qualified –
17. Luigi Novelli National Machine Repair Dragst 4.168 263.92
18. Scott Palmer Mark Industries/VooDoo II Drag 5.305 198.67
19. Troy Buff BME Dragster 6.737 95.96
MADISON, Ill. – FastNews Network – Final order after 4 rounds of qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, fifth annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals:
Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed
1. Robert Hight Auto Club Camaro 3.893 328.38
2. Jack Beckman Infinite Hero Charger 3.907 325.22
3. Ron Capps NAPA Auto Parts Charger 3.910 322.81
4. Tim Wilkerson Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang 3.912 325.61
5. Matt Hagan Mopar Express Lane/Rocky Boots 3.914 327.51
6. Courtney Force Traxxas Camaro 3.918 324.36
7. Del Worsham DHL Camry 3.929 324.75
8. Tommy Johnson Jr. Make A Wish Charger 3.944 324.12
9. Alexis DeJoria Tequila Patron Camry 3.945 323.27
10. John Force Peak Camaro 3.958 323.19
11. Chad Head Head Inc. Camry 3.994 321.42
12. Cruz Pedregon Snap-on/Wix Filters Camry 4.009 314.68
13. Brian Stewart Brian Stewart Motorsports Must 4.009 295.79
14. John Bojec Speed City Solara 4.037 293.22
15. Dale Creasy Jr. Tek Pak Inc. Impala 4.118 294.56
16. John Hale Oberto Beef Jerky Charger 4.156 279.56
– Not Qualified –
17. Jack Wyatt Jack Wyatt Racing Stratus 4.274 283.91
18. Brandon Welch AutoAnything Monte Carlo 4.289 290.07
MADISON, Ill. – FastNews Network – Final order after 4 rounds of qualifying in Pro Stock at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, fifth annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals:
Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed
1. Shane Gray Valvoline/Nova Services Camaro 6.604 209.65
2. Bo Butner Jim Butner Auto Camaro 6.605 209.36
3. Greg Anderson Summit Racing Equipment Camaro 6.605 209.92
4. Vincent Nobile Mountain View Tire Camaro 6.606 209.43
5. Alex Laughlin Gas Monkey Garage/360 Wraps Ca 6.610 209.14
6. Jason Line Summit Racing Equipment Camaro 6.611 209.43
7. Chris McGaha Harlow Sammons of Odessa Camar 6.621 209.07
8. Drew Skillman Ray Skillman Chevy Camaro 6.625 209.04
9. Allen Johnson Marathon Petroleum Dart 6.625 208.46
10. Jeg Coughlin Magnetimarelli/JEGS Dart 6.648 207.46
11. Erica Enders Elite Motorsports Dart 6.663 207.21
12. Aaron Strong Strong Trucking/FigSpeed Camar 6.674 207.15
13. Deric Kramer American Ethanol/Novozymes Dar 6.679 206.57
14. Alan Prusiensky Arcraceengines.com Dart 6.750 205.26
15. Mark Hogan EMSI Inc. GXP 6.797 203.09
16. Dave River River Racing Cobalt 6.904 198.93
MADISON, Ill. – FastNews Network – Final order after 4 rounds of qualifying in Pro Stock Motorcycle at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, fifth annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals:
Psn Rider Vehicle ET Speed
1. Eddie Krawiec Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines 6.819 197.02
2. Angelle Sampey Precision Service Equipment Bu 6.831 197.02
3. Chip Ellis PiranaZ Buell 6.850 196.53
4. Jerry Savoie Savoie’s Alligator Farm Suzuki 6.852 196.27
5. Matt Smith Victory Motorcycles Victory 6.860 195.36
6. Andrew Hines Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines 6.867 194.58
7. Hector Arana Lucas Oil Buell 6.880 195.53
8. Cory Reed Precision Service Equipment Bu 6.884 194.13
9. LE Tonglet Nitro Fish Suzuki 6.899 195.22
10. Karen Stoffer Big St Charles Motorsports/SEP 6.904 195.14
11. Hector Arana Jr Lucas Oil Racing TV Buell 6.910 195.68
12. Melissa Surber Kosman Specialties Buell 6.914 193.74
13. Steve Johnson Slick 50 Suzuki 6.929 193.57
14. Jim Underdahl Bad Boy Buggies Suzuki 6.955 195.73
15. Angie Smith Victory Motorcycles Victory 6.968 191.35
16. Joe DeSantis Team Joey D Suzuki 7.271 188.49
MADISON, Ill. – FastNews Network – Final order after 3 rounds of qualifying in Pro Modified at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, fifth annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals:
Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed
1. Von Smith Al-Anabi Racing *’16 Corvette 5.814 247.70
2. Bob Rahaim TLC Waste Disposal Services n’ 5.840 248.02
3. Sidnei Frigo Artivinco Racing/FuelTech t’16 5.843 252.33
4. Mike Janis Jan-Cen Racing Engines *’13 Ca 5.845 245.63
5. Michael Biehle Biehle Motorsports t’67 Mustan 5.852 254.76
6. Danny Rowe Agave Underground Tequila *’16 5.858 248.75
7. Todd Tutterow Galot Motorsports *’69 Camaro 5.875 244.52
8. Rickie Smith IDG n’15 Camaro 5.876 249.21
9. Steven Whiteley Y-Not/J&A Sevice *’14 CTS-V 5.879 247.66
10. Steve Matusek Aeromotive/Agave Underground * 5.885 247.43
11. Khalid alBalooshi AAP n’68 Camaro 5.904 246.93
12. Doug Winters Meritor *’69 Chevelle 5.910 242.80
13. Pete Farber CRC Brakleen *’69 Daytona 5.927 246.71
14. Jim Whiteley J&A Service/Y-Not *’69 Chevell 5.933 243.99
15. Troy Coughlin Jegs.com t’15 Corvette 5.935 251.25
16. Bill Glidden Mickey Thompson n’10 Mustang 5.941 243.99
– Not Qualified –
17. Chip King Dreamworks Motorsports *’70 Ch 5.955 242.89
18. Shane Molinari S&T Truck Repair t’68 Firebird 5.970 251.86
19. Harold Martin Martin Motorsports n’15 Corvet 5.971 242.41
20. Kenny Lang Summit Racing *’69 Camaro 5.972 244.74
21. Jay Payne FireIce *’14 Camaro 5.976 244.47
22. Chuck Little CV Racing *’63 Corvette 6.009 242.41
23. Gerry Capano Split Racing *’69 Camaro 6.015 240.85
24. Jim Bell JB’S Power Centre t’69 Camaro 6.015 229.12
25. Clint Satterfield BAC Enterprises t’68 Firebird 6.091 241.93
26. Mike Castellana Al-Anabi n’15 Corvette 6.209 226.81
27. Mike Knowles Knowles Transportation *’67 Mu 6.402 234.09
28. Eric Latino Gesi/Quality Plus Compressors 8.180 114.79
29. Dan Stevenson Stevenson Crane Rental t’16 Ca 9.466 96.67
Saturday
Results for Elimination Round 1
MADISON, Ill. – FastNews Network – Results of round 1 eliminations in Pro Modified at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, fifth annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals:
W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed
(W) Rickie Smith (IDG n’15 Camaro) 0.051 5.837 249.30
(L) Steven Whiteley (Y-Not/J&A Sevice *’14 CTS- 0.081 6.520 232.63
(W) Khalid alBalooshi (AAP n’68 Camaro) 0.052 5.897 248.29
(L) Danny Rowe (Agave Underground Tequila *’16 0.081 5.932 243.72
(W) Von Smith (Al-Anabi Racing *’16 Corvette) 0.053 5.872 244.12
(L) Bill Glidden (Mickey Thompson n’10 Mustang) 0.057 5.993 214.21
(W) Pete Farber (CRC Brakleen *’69 Daytona) 0.050 5.957 245.45
(L) Mike Janis (Jan-Cen Racing Engines *’13 Cam 0.086 6.037 232.83
(W) Jim Whiteley (J&A Service/Y-Not *’69 Chevel 0.009 5.907 245.09
(L) Sidnei Frigo (Artivinco Racing/FuelTech t’1 0.036 13.953 72.99
(W) Michael Biehle (Biehle Motorsports t’67 Mus 0.053 5.888 251.53
(L) Doug Winters (Meritor *’69 Chevelle) 0.158 5.986 234.33
(W) Troy Coughlin (Jegs.com t’15 Corvette) 0.018 5.882 252.00
(L) Bob Rahaim (TLC Waste Disposal Services n’1 0.051 5.883 247.02
(W) Steve Matusek (Aeromotive/Agave Underground 0.053 5.879 245.81
(L) Todd Tutterow (Galot Motorsports *’69 Camar 0.025 9.817 89.18
* = Supercharged Engine
n = Nitrous Engine
t = Turbocharged
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