DIXON, SCELZI, COUGHLIN AND SCALI WIN

Source: John Cardinale
Date: 08/03/2003

SONOMA, Calif. - Larry Dixon became the fourth driver in NHRA history to sweep the three-race Western Swing Sunday at the FRAM-Autolite Nationals at Infineon Raceway.

Gary Scelzi, Jeg Coughlin and Geno Scali also were winners in their respective categories at the $1.9 million event, the 15th of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

Dixon powered his Miller Lite dragster to his eighth Top Fuel victory of the season and 33rd of his career when he clocked a performance of 4.640 seconds at 319.67 mph to outdistance first-time finalist David Baca, who recorded a run of 4.805 at 298.47 in his American Racing Wheels dragster.

"It feels unbelievable," said Dixon. "This feels like going through the Iron Man Triathalon and coming out on the right side. I give all the credit here to the guys on the team. Those same crew guys are the ones that log all those miles from Denver to Seattle to here at Infineon."

Dixon used a consistent tune-up to defeat John Smith, Tony Schumacher and Rhonda Hartman-Smith before defeating Baca in the final round. With the victory, Dixon extended his lead in the POWERade points standings to 310 points over Doug Kalitta.

Scelzi became the 13th driver in NHRA history to earn victories in both nitro categories when he drove his Oakley Dodge Stratus to his first career Funny Car victory. Scelzi, a 25-time Top Fuel winner, used a run of 4.958 at 312.21 to edge Dean Skuza in the final round. Skuza clocked a pass of 4.966 at 306.74 behind the wheel of his Meat Loaf-themed Pontiac Firebird Funny Car.

"It's pretty incredible," said Scelzi. "This is the whole reason why I race, to win. I didn't want to drive just any car. I wanted to drive a car that was capable of winning and I really wanted to be with Schumacher Racing. I always felt I could drive anything with four wheels and I felt I could win. It's great to get this thing off our backs and prove we could win."

Scelzi knocked off teammates Scotty Cannon and Whit Bazemore in the first two rounds, then 12-time champion John Force in the semifinals before besting Skuza in the finals.

Funny Car points leader Tony Pedregon lost in the opening round for the third consecutive week. However, he still leads Bazemore by 44 points.

Jeg Coughlin raced to his first victory of the season and 32nd of his career by using a starting-line advantage to defeat Pro Stock points leader Greg Anderson. Coughlin drove his Jeg's Mail Order Chevy Cavalier to a run of 6.839 at 201.07 to knock off Anderson's quicker, but losing 6.798 at 203.37 in his Vegas General Construction Pontiac Grand Am.

"It certainly feels great," said Coughlin. "This racetrack is a lot of fun to run on and the fans here are great. We've had some good runs here the last couple of years and come up short. We knew we had our work cut out for us and we knew we'd have to pull a couple tricks out of our hat against Greg."

Coughlin defeated Greg Stanfield, Dave Connolly and Allen Johnson before holding off Anderson in the final. With the victory, Coughlin moved to third place in the Pro Stock points standings. Anderson leads Kurt Johnson by 139 points.

Scali extended his lead in the Pro Stock Bike standings by defeating Andrew Hines. Scali rode his Trim-Tex Suzuki to a run of 7.177 at 189.68 to hold off Hines' Screamin' Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson, which recorded a run of 7.264 at 180.48.

"You start beliving in the championship when you're 188 points ahead," said Scali. "The No. 2 person (Angelle Savoie) went out in the first round, the No. 3 person (Shawn Gann) went out in the first round and you're like is this real or what? I am happy we were able to take advantage of the opportunity. I really have to pinch myself after today."

Scali recorded victories over Sean Conner, Antron Brown and No. 1 qualifier Craig Treble before his victory over Hines in the final round. Scali now leads Angelle Savoie by 188 points in the Pro Stock Bike standings.

The next NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event is the 22nd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, Aug. 14-17, at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minn.

SONOMA, Calif. -- Final finish order (1-16) for professional categories at the 16th annual FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals at Infineon Raceway. The $1.9 million race is the 15th of 23 events in the $50 millionNHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

TOP FUEL:

1. Larry Dixon; 2. David Baca; 3. Kenny Bernstein; 4. Rhonda Hartman-Smith; 5. Tony Schumacher; 6. Doug Kalitta; 7. Scott Weis; 8. Darrell Russell; 9. Paul Romine; 10. Don Lampus; 11. Cory McClenathan; 12. Doug Herbert; 13. Mike Strasburg; 14. John Smith; 15. David Grubnic; 16. Chris Karamesines.

FUNNY CAR:

1. Gary Scelzi, Dodge Stratus; 2. Dean Skuza, Pontiac Firebird; 3. Cruz Pedregon, Firebird; 4. John Force, Ford Mustang; 5. Keith Jackson, Firebird; 6. Whit Bazemore, Stratus; 7. Tommy Johnson Jr., Chevy Camaro; 8. Del Worsham, Firebird; 9. Arnie Karp, Firebird; 10. Dale Creasy Jr., Firebird; 11. Ron Capps, Camaro; 12. Tony Pedregon, Mustang; 13. Frank Pedregon, Firebird; 14. Scotty Cannon, Firebird; 15. Johnny Gray, Firebird; 16. Tim Wilkerson, Firebird.

PRO STOCK:

1. Jeg Coughlin, Chevy Cavalier; 2. Greg Anderson, Pontiac Grand Am; 3. Allen Johnson, Dodge Stratus R/T; 4. Kurt Johnson, Cavalier; 5. Dave Connolly, Cavalier; 6. Gene Wilson, Stratus R/T; 7. Mike Edwards, Grand Am; 8. Scott Geoffrion, Ford ZX2; 9. Warren Johnson, Grand Am; 10. Larry Morgan, Dodge Neon; 11. Mark Whisnant, Cavalier; 12. Bruce Allen, Grand Am; 13. Greg Stanfield, Neon; 14. Mark Pawuk, Grand Am; 15. JR Carr, Cavalier; 16. Ron Krisher, Cavalier.

PRO STOCK BIKE:

1. Geno Scali, Suzuki; 2. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson; 3. Michael Phillips, Suzuki; 4. Craig Treble, Suzuki; 5. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki; 6. GT Tonglet, Harley-Davidson; 7. Antron Brown, Suzuki; 8. Blaine Hale, Suzuki; 9. Fred Collis, Suzuki; 10. Reggie Showers, Suzuki; 11. Mike Berry, Suzuki; 12. Steve Johnson, Suzuki; 13. Sean Conner, Suzuki; 14. Fred Camarena, Suzuki; 15. Angelle Savoie, Suzuki; 16. Shawn Gann, Suzuki.

SONOMA, Calif. -- Sunday's final results from the 16th annual FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals at Infineon Raceway. The $1.9 million race is the 15th of 23 in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel -- Larry Dixon, 4.640 seconds, 319.67 mph def. David Baca, 4.805 seconds, 298.47 mph.

Funny Car -- Gary Scelzi, Dodge Stratus, 4.958, 312.21 def. Dean Skuza, Pontiac Firebird, 4.966, 306.74.

Pro Stock -- Jeg Coughlin, Chevy Cavalier, 6.839, 201.07 def. Greg Anderson, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.798, 203.37.

Pro Stock Bike -- Geno Scali, Suzuki, 7.177, 189.68 def. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 7.264, 180.48.

Top Alcohol Dragster -- Alan Bradshaw, 5.304, 259.46 def. Garrett Bateman, 5.399, 259.01.

Top Alcohol Funny Car -- Bucky Austin, Pontiac Firebird, 5.665, 254.42 def. Jay Payne, Chevy Camaro, 5.729, 251.34.

Competition Eliminator -- Gary Anderson, Pontiac Firebird, 8.575, 157.32 def. Mark Lelchook, Dragster, 7.095, 182.16.

Super Stock -- Terry Anderson, Chevy Nova, 10.198, 129.40 def. Joe Kohorst, Chevy Camaro, 9.666, 136.32.

Stock Eliminator -- David Rampy, Chevy Camaro, 11.339, 113.20 def. Clark Holroyd, Chevy Nova, foul.

Super Comp -- Rick Beckstrom, Dragster, 8.906, 170.62 def. George Scott, Dragster, 8.888, 149.33.

Super Gas -- Ray Connolly, Chevy Corvette, 9.904, 151.41 def. Brian Smith, Chevy Vega, 9.872, 138.56.

SONOMA, Calif. -- Final round-by-round results from the 16th annual FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals at Infineon Raceway, the 15th of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series -

TOP FUEL:

ROUND ONE -- David Baca, 4.808, 304.25 def. Doug Herbert, 5.129, 211.16; Tony Schumacher, 5.643, 169.02 def. Chris Karamesines, broke; Rhonda Hartman-Smith, 4.820, 254.95 def. Cory McClenathan, 5.034, 269.78; Darrell Russell, 4.645, 315.12 def. Paul Romine, 4.729, 309.77; Kenny Bernstein, 4.623, 319.60 def. David Grubnic, 8.079, 82.92; Scott Weis, 4.869, 259.91 def. Don Lampus, 4.895, 294.11; Larry Dixon, 4.606, 322.11 def. John Smith, 6.139, 156.28; Doug Kalitta, 4.666, 316.90 def. Mike Strasburg, foul;

QUARTERFINALS -- Hartman-Smith, 4.881, 259.01 def. Weis, 6.345, 144.72; Baca, 4.746, 305.98 def. Kalitta, 5.038, 288.15; Bernstein, 4.642, 318.84 def. Russell, 10.886, 87.18; Dixon, 4.593, 323.27 def. Schumacher, 4.877, 287.78;

SEMIFINALS -- Baca, 4.657, 319.82 def. Bernstein, 4.682, 316.08; Dixon, 4.599, 321.88 def. Hartman-Smith, 5.858, 151.46;

FINAL -- Dixon, 4.640, 319.67 def. Baca, 4.805, 298.47.

FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE -- Dean Skuza, Pontiac Firebird, 4.967, 301.40 def. Ron Capps, Chevy Camaro, 5.044, 290.01; Cruz Pedregon, Firebird, 5.016, 298.34 def. Johnny Gray, Firebird, 13.859, 78.97; John Force, Ford Mustang, 4.956, 298.07 def. Dale Creasy Jr., Firebird, 5.043, 300.86; Del Worsham, Firebird, 5.326, 277.37 def. Frank Pedregon, Firebird, 6.302, 127.15; Keith Jackson, Firebird, 5.017, 275.90 def. Tony Pedregon, Mustang, 5.433, 227.15; Whit Bazemore, Dodge Stratus, 4.924, 311.77 def. Arnie Karp, Firebird, foul; Gary Scelzi, Stratus, 4.899, 316.97 def. Scotty Cannon, Firebird, 7.041, 119.08; Tommy Johnson Jr., Camaro, 5.038, 286.44 def. Tim Wilkerson, Firebird, 25.309, 50.36;

QUARTERFINALS -- Skuza, 5.020, 302.28 def. Worsham, 6.029, 169.27; Force, 5.664, 253.09 def. Johnson Jr., 6.017, 215.48; Scelzi, 4.975, 309.77 def. Bazemore, 5.178, 273.72; C. Pedregon, 4.999, 302.28 def. Jackson, 5.014, 296.31;

SEMIFINALS -- Skuza, 4.971, 304.80 def. C. Pedregon, 5.017, 303.16; Scelzi, 4.954, 308.99 def. Force, 5.028, 297.94;

FINAL -- Scelzi, 4.958, 312.21 def. Skuza, 4.966, 306.74.

PRO STOCK:

ROUND ONE -- Gene Wilson, Dodge Stratus R/T, 6.848, 202.36 def. Ron Krisher, Chevy Cavalier, 6.951, 201.46; Dave Connolly, Cavalier, 6.836, 202.39 def. Bruce Allen, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.842, 202.09; Allen Johnson, Stratus R/T, 6.810, 202.48 def. Larry Morgan, Dodge Neon, 6.828, 202.97; Scott Geoffrion, Ford ZX2, 6.874, 201.91 def. Mark Whisnant, Cavalier, foul; Kurt Johnson, Cavalier, 6.807, 203.09 def. Warren Johnson, Grand Am, 6.796, 203.40; Mike Edwards, Grand Am, 6.817, 202.21 def. Mark Pawuk, Grand Am, 6.856, 201.19; Greg Anderson, Grand Am, 6.787, 204.08 def. JR Carr, Cavalier, 6.860, 201.25; Jeg Coughlin, Cavalier, 6.795, 202.67 def. Greg Stanfield, Neon, 6.852, 202.00;

QUARTERFINALS -- A. Johnson, 6.848, 201.37 def. Edwards, 6.865, 201.58; K. Johnson, 6.829, 202.58 def. Geoffrion, 6.880, 202.09; Coughlin, 6.827, 202.24 def. Connolly, 6.845, 202.24; Anderson, 6.795, 203.58 def. Wilson, 6.850, 202.21;

SEMIFINALS -- Coughlin, 6.828, 202.03 def. A. Johnson, 6.838, 201.73; Anderson, 6.798, 203.49 def. K. Johnson, 6.838, 202.12;

FINAL -- Coughlin, 6.839, 201.07 def. Anderson, 6.798, 203.37.

PRO STOCK BIKE:

ROUND ONE -- PRO STOCK BIKE:

ROUND ONE -- Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.181, 185.51 def. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, foul; Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 7.115, 187.50 def. Fred Collis, Suzuki, 7.167, 184.52; Craig Treble, Suzuki, 7.115, 188.07 def. Fred Camarena, Suzuki, 7.219, 184.04; GT Tonglet, Harley-Davidson, 7.168, 185.23 def. Reggie Showers, Suzuki, foul; Antron Brown, Suzuki, 7.206, 185.56 def. Angelle Savoie, Suzuki, foul; Geno Scali, Suzuki, 7.070, 188.73 def. Sean Conner, Suzuki, foul; Michael Phillips, Suzuki, 7.193, 187.70 def. Mike Berry, Suzuki, foul; Blaine Hale, Suzuki, 7.177, 186.05 def. Shawn Gann, Suzuki, broke;

QUARTERFINALS -- Phillips, 7.243, 184.12 def. Tonglet, 7.257, 181.69; Treble, 7.162, 185.41 def. Stoffer, foul; Scali, 7.171, 184.50 def. Brown, 8.181, 119.95; Hines, 7.213, 183.17 def. Hale, broke;

SEMIFINALS -- Hines, 7.243, 182.72 def. Phillips, 7.341, 183.54; Scali, 7.169, 188.20 def. Treble, 11.695, 62.38;

FINAL -- Scali, 7.177, 189.68 def. Hines, 7.264, 180.48.

SONOMA, Calif. -- Point standings (top 10) for NHRA professional categories following the 16th annual FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals at Infineon Raceway, the 15th of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series -

Top Fuel

1. Larry Dixon, 1,462; 2. Doug Kalitta, 1,152; 3. Darrell Russell, 880; 4. Cory McClenathan, 778; 5. Tony Schumacher, 773; 6. David Baca, 731; 7. John Smith, 685; 8. Doug Herbert, 682; 9. Brandon Bernstein, 629; 10. Rhonda Hartman-Smith, 620.

Funny Car

1. Tony Pedregon, 1,210; 2. Whit Bazemore, 1,166; 3. John Force, 1,011; 4. Del Worsham, 944; 5. Gary Densham, 836; 6. Ron Capps, 830; 7. Tommy Johnson Jr., 780; 8. Gary Scelzi, 718; 9. Cruz Pedregon, 706; 10. Johnny Gray, 689.

Pro Stock

1. Greg Anderson, 1,337; 2. Kurt Johnson, 1,198; 3. Jeg Coughlin, 982; 4. Warren Johnson, 978; 5. Allen Johnson, 707; 6. Ron Krisher, 671; 7. Mike Edwards, 649; 8. Scott Geoffrion, 638; 9. Bruce Allen, 579; 10. Greg Stanfield, 540.

Pro Stock Bike

1. Geno Scali, 784; 2. Angelle Savoie, 596; 3. Shawn Gann, 567; 4. Craig Treble, 503; 5. Antron Brown, 500; 6. Reggie Showers, 482; 7. (tie) Mike Berry, 455; Andrew Hines, 455; 9. Fred Collis, 451; 10. Karen Stoffer, 436.

See Also .:

• Infineon Raceway Track Page

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