SONOMA, California — It was a record-breaking day on Friday at the FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals at Infineon Raceway, and it can only get better the rest of the weekend.
"I love the Bruton Smith facilities. It’s so nice to come here and have that sort of confidence in a track,"— Jack Beckman
Five track records were broken on the lightning-quick drag strip before a packed crowd in the Sonoma Valley, highlighted by Larry Dixon’s pass in Top Fuel. Dixon covered the drag strip at a blistering speed of 317.79 mph (3.839 seconds), besting the prior record of 316.45, set by Antron Brown in 2008.
It was enough to secure the No. 1 qualifying spot Friday for Dixon, who entered the weekend atop the Top Fuel standings. He was followed by Brown (3.863, 315.86) and five-time Sonoma winner Doug Kalitta (3.899, 309.49).
“The first run was a great run,” said Dixon. “To make it fair for everyone, they decided not to run the second session tonight (because of the 10 p.m. track curfew). I’m glad we got down the track and made a good run. During the first session we hit it good.”
In Funny Car, Jack Beckman was tops with a record-setting pass for both elapsed time (4.063) and speed (311.56). He was followed by Gary Densham (4.103, 300.26) and seven-time Sonoma winner John Force (4.104, 307.30). Beckman bested the prior records for elapsed time and speed set by Matt Hagan in 2009 (4.068, 307.51).
“I love the Bruton Smith facilities. It’s so nice to come here and have that sort of confidence in a track,” said Beckman. “Two hundred-fifty feet into the run, you know if it’s on a good run. It ran good. I was very surprised that we outlasted those 10 cars. I think tomorrow is going to be difficult for someone to top this time.”
Allen Johnson set the pace in Pro Stock, shattering both the elapsed time and speed records. Johnson clocked in at 6.545 (210.77). Jeg Coughlin had just set the elapsed-time record one run prior (6.552), while Jason Line had owned the prior speed record (210.44, 2009). Line went on to win the Pro Stock title in Sonoma in 2009.
“This is the best conditions we’ve had in a while,” Johnson said. “The track is awesome and the air is awesome and we made a decent run. Hopefully that will hold (tomorrow).”
Coughlin was second, with Ron Krisher third at 6.565 (290.14)
Matt Smith took the top spot for Pro Stock Motorcycle with a run of 6.912 seconds (191.32) over the quarter-mile. He was followed by Craig Treble (6.919, 192.58) and Michael Phillips (6.926, 193.99). If Smith can maintain the top spot on Saturday, it will be his second top-qualifying spot of the year.
“When we came up at first, I thought we could run a .91 or .92, but the track kept getting tighter and the air kept getting colder,” said Smith. “Right now I’m happy. The Al-Anabi bike is running awesome.”
Action returns on Saturday at Infineon Raceway with the final two rounds of qualifying at 11:45 a.m. and 2 p.m. In addition to the on-track action, race fans will be treated to a Don Schumacher Racing autograph session at 11 a.m. in the Winner’s Circle, as well as the first Nostalgia Get-Together behind the staging lanes. Tickets are available at the gate, which opens at 8 a.m.
AGATE
FRAM AUTOLITE NHRA NATIONALS
SONOMA, Calif. – Results Friday after the first one of four rounds of qualifying for the 23rd annual FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals at Infineon Raceway, 15th of 23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Larry Dixon, 3.839 seconds, 317.79 mph; 2. Antron Brown, 3.863, 315.86; 3. Doug Kalitta, 3.899, 309.49; 4. Brandon Bernstein, 3.914, 305.29; 5. Tony Schumacher, 3.926, 305.98; 6. Steve Torrence, 3.943, 305.08; 7. Morgan Lucas, 3.966, 294.88; 8. Rod Fuller, 3.977, 293.98; 9. Troy Buff, 3.981, 259.81; 10. Shawn Langdon, 3.987, 288.64; 11. Mike Strasburg, 4.051, 300.33; 12. Terry McMillen, 4.066, 282.01. Not Qualified: 13. Cory McClenathan, 6.338, 91.85; 14. Terry Haddock, 6.734, 100.69; 15. David Grubnic, 6.852, 89.23; 16. Bob Vandergriff, 9.059, 75.35; 17. Steve Faria, 9.393, 86.53.
Funny Car -- 1. Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 4.063, 311.56; 2. Gary Densham, Chevy Impala, 4.103, 300.26; 3. John Force, Ford Mustang, 4.104, 307.30; 4. Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Solara, 4.112, 304.19; 5. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.130, 304.39; 6. Robert Hight, Mustang, 4.172, 301.87; 7. Ashley Force Hood, Mustang, 4.187, 292.77; 8. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.188, 293.09; 9. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.202, 284.93; 10. Del Worsham, Toyota Camry, 4.213, 282.13; 11. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.223, 284.51; 12. Jeff Arend, Solara, 4.253, 286.13. Not Qualified: 13. Paul Lee, 4.274, 284.15; 14. Tony Pedregon, 4.415, 257.09; 15. Brian Thiel, 4.442, 276.92; 16. Melanie Troxel, 4.496, 262.79; 17. Jeff Diehl, 8.068, 82.34; 18. Grant Downing, 8.107, 79.69.
Pro Stock -- 1. Allen Johnson, Dodge Avenger, 6.545, 210.77; 2. Jeg Coughlin, Chevy Cobalt, 6.552, 210.31; 3. Ron Krisher, Cobalt, 6.565, 209.14; 4. Greg Anderson, Pontiac GXP, 6.570, 209.72; 5. Mike Edwards, GXP, 6.574, 210.28; 6. Johnny Gray, GXP, 6.575, 209.59; 7. Bob Yonke, GXP, 6.584, 208.68; 8. Kurt Johnson, Cobalt, 6.595, 208.78; 9. V. Gaines, Avenger, 6.598, 208.78; 10. Greg Stanfield, GXP, 6.599, 209.07; 11. Shane Gray, GXP, 6.613, 208.33; 12. Jason Line, GXP, 6.615, 209.98. Not Qualified: 13. Erica Enders, 6.638, 207.43; 14. Warren Johnson, 6.640, 208.88; 15. Rodger Brogdon, 6.643, 208.39; 16. Larry Morgan, 6.659, 207.15; 17. Vinnie Deceglie, 6.671, 208.20; 18. Gordie Rivera, 6.789, 203.95; 19. Jim Cunningham, 6.799, 201.79.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.912, 191.32; 2. Craig Treble, Suzuki, 6.919, 192.58; 3. Michael Phillips, Suzuki, 6.926, 193.99; 4. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.928, 192.14; 5. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.934, 192.71; 6. Hector Arana, Buell, 6.936, 192.69; 7. Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 6.965, 191.70; 8. David Hope, Buell, 6.989, 187.60; 9. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.994, 189.82; 10. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 7.010, 188.31; 11. Angie Smith, Buell, 7.030, 188.83; 12. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.045, 188.73. Not Qualified: 13. Mike Berry, 7.087, 184.07; 14. GT Tonglet, 7.097, 183.74; 15. Larry Cook, 7.101, 183.54; 16. Freddie Camarena, 7.146, 188.02; 17. Shawn Gann, 7.157, 185.79; 18. Katie Sullivan, 7.318, 180.07; 19. James Surber, 7.382, 181.35; 20. Chris MacLaurin, 7.477, 178.90; 21. Scotty Pollacheck, 10.682, 74.80; 22. Redell Harris, 26.215, 259.21.
