Hight, B. Torrence, Enders & Johnson Strike First with Provisional No.1 Spots at AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals

MADISON, IL – September 28, 2019 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Robert Hight put on a show during qualifying on Friday, racing to the provisional No. 1 spot in Funny Car during the eighth annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Worldwide Technology Raceway.

Billy Torrence (Top Fuel), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Steve Johnson (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also provisional No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories at the second of six races during the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs. It is also the 20th of 24 events in during the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.

Returning to the site where he broke his collarbone during a crash just past the finish line in the final round a year ago, Hight put together an outstanding run of 3.877-seconds at 334.90 mph in his AAA Missouri Chevrolet Camaro SS on Friday. Hight, the defending event champ, is racing for his ninth No. 1 qualifier of 2019 and 69th in his standout career as he looks to regain the points lead in St. Louis. Bob Tasca III is currently in the second spot thanks to his run of 3.904 at 324.98, while John Force is a spot back after going 3.911 at 329.18. Points leader Jack Beckman is in fourth with a run of 3.916 at 329.99.

“We had high hopes,” Hight said. “We made four really good runs testing, and (crew chief) Jimmy Prock was not going to let this thing slow down. That’s not how you’re going to win a championship and it’s not what you need in the Countdown. It was pretty exciting and to do it in AAA country and at my sponsor’s race, that’s a good way to shine and show off. We need to keep gathering up those little qualifying points. That’s going to put us back in the ballgame.”

Top Fuel’s Billy Torrence put together a blistering pass of 3.699 at 321.88 in his Capco Contractors dragster to move into the top spot. It would be Torrence’s second No. 1 qualifier this season and third in his career if it holds. A spot behind sits his son, Steve, who is the defending race winner and world champ. The younger Torrence, who won eight races in the regular season, went 3.711 at 325.85, while Top Fuel rookie Austin Prock’s 3.726 at 328.94 has him third. Points leader Doug Kalitta is fifth after his run of 3.743 at 323.58.

In Pro Stock, Enders continued her impressive performance in qualifying during the Countdown to the Championship, going 6.580 at 207.15 in her Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro. Enders is aiming for her second straight No. 1 qualifier and 21st of her career. The two-time world champ is also after her first win of the year. Deric Kramer is second with a run of 6.585 at 209.20 and Bo Butner is third with his 6.586 at 208.17. Points leader Jason Line sits sixth after Friday’s two sessions with a 6.593 at 209.14.

Pro Stock Motorcycle veteran Johnson raced to the top spot on his Slick 50 Suzuki, going 6.838 at 196.02 to set a commanding statement to open the weekend. It would be Johnson’s first No. 1 qualifier since 2013 if it holds, and the fourth in his career. Johnson also put considerable distance between his next competitor, as Andrew Hines is currently qualified second with a 6.879 at 195.85. Eddie Krawiec is a spot back with a 6.884 at 196.70, while points leader Jerry Savoie is seventh after going 6.908 at 196.62.

Qualifying continues Saturday at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at 1:45 p.m.

MADISON, IL — Friday’s results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the eighth
annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway, 20th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.

Top Fuel — 1. Billy Torrence, 3.699 seconds, 321.88 mph; 2. Steve Torrence, 3.717, 325.85; 3. Austin Prock, 3.726, 328.94; 4. Mike Salinas, 3.728, 327.90; 5. Doug Kalitta, 3.743, 323.58; 6. Antron Brown, 3.764, 323.04; 7. Scott Palmer, 3.771, 322.73; 8. Pat Dakin, 3.785, 325.45; 9. Leah Pritchett, 3.794, 322.27; 10. Terry McMillen, 3.804, 315.93; 11. Richie Crampton, 3.867, 312.86; 12. T.J. Zizzo, 3.900, 261.07; 13. Kyle Wurtzel, 3.945, 296.31; 14. Clay Millican, 3.971, 247.47; 15. Cameron Ferre, 3.973, 301.20; 16. Brittany Force, 4.055, 228.11.
Not Qualified: 17. Luigi Novelli, 5.874, 103.27; 18. Chris Karamesines, 6.338, 92.86; 19. Lex Joon, 7.593, 90.60.

Funny Car — 1. Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 3.877, 334.90; 2. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.904, 324.98; 3. John Force, Camaro, 3.911, 329.18; 4. Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 3.916, 329.99; 5. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.921, 327.66; 6. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 3.938, 326.63; 7. Jonnie Lindberg, Mustang, 3.939, 319.90; 8. J.R. Todd, Toyota Camry, 3.940, 329.83; 9. Shawn Langdon, Camry, 3.940, 328.62; 10. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.949, 309.91; 11. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.012, 323.50; 12. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 4.036, 310.98; 13. Jim Campbell, Charger, 4.038, 314.90; 14. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 4.047, 314.97; 15. Bob Bode, Mustang, 4.212, 275.11; 16. Terry Haddock, Mustang, 4.232, 285.11.
Not Qualified: 17. Dale Creasy Jr., 4.258, 237.05; 18. Jack Wyatt, 7.335, 98.44.

Pro Stock — 1. Erica Enders, Chevy Camaro, 6.580, 207.15; 2. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.585, 209.20; 3. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.586, 208.17; 4. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.588, 207.82; 5. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.589, 207.62; 6. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.593, 209.14; 7. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.597, 206.76; 8. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.603, 208.10; 9. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.617, 208.88; 10. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.622, 208.10; 11. Fernando Cuadra, Camaro, 6.625, 208.78; 12. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.633, 208.42; 13. Alan Prusiensky, Dodge Dart, 6.654, 207.56; 14. Val Smeland, Camaro, 6.659, 207.50; 15. Cristian Cuadra, Ford Mustang, 6.661, 205.04; 16. Wally Stroupe, Camaro, 6.673, 205.88.
Not Qualified: 17. Fernando Cuadra Jr., 6.684, 206.86; 18. Steve Graham, 6.686, 207.46; 19. Robert River, 6.843, 202.73.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.838, 196.02; 2. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.879, 195.85; 3. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.884, 196.70; 4. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.886, 195.76; 5. Angelle Sampey, Harley-Davidson, 6.897, 194.80; 6. Scotty Pollacheck, EBR, 6.908, 196.79; 7. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.908, 196.62; 8. Matt Smith, EBR, 6.910, 197.94; 9. Angie Smith, EBR, 6.955, 197.59; 10. Hector Arana, EBR, 6.961, 195.76; 11. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.963, 195.93; 12. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.998, 192.71; 13. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 7.021, 195.25; 14. Andie Rawlings, Suzuki, 7.140, 185.05; 15. Jianna Salinas, Suzuki, 7.209, 185.92; 16. Michael Ray, Victory, 7.488, 146.48.

About NHRA

Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 24 national events featuring the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, and E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and the NHRA Drags: Street Legal Style presented by AAA. NHRA also offers NHRA Jr. Street program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League for youth ages 5 to 17. In addition, NHRA owns and operates four racing facilities: Atlanta Dragway in Georgia; Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis; and Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California. For more information, log on to NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

Source: National Hot Rod Association NHRA Midwest Nationals

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