Englishtown Supernationals

SpeedZone coverage for the rest of the 2008 season is dedicated to Scott Kalitta.

June 19-22, 2008

Sunday Eliminations

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. --

Nitro gallery is here

Top Alcohol gallery is here

Pro Stock gallery is here

Five-time POWERade Series world champion Tony Schumacher raced to his first win at Englishtown in 12 years of competition at the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals.

The event was overshadowed by the loss of Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta, who died from multiple injuries suffered after his car went out of control in the fourth round of qualifying Saturday.

Tim Wilkerson, Greg Anderson, and Chip Ellis also won in their respective categories in the 11th of 24 events on the POWERade Series schedule.

Schumacher drove his U.S. Army dragster to a 4.589-second run at 325.06 to defeat runner-up Brandon Bernstein by half a car length to pick up his 46th win and pull within six of Joe Amato (52) for most Top Fuel wins all-time.

"With the passing of Scott Kalitta yesterday, today's race was extremely tough to get through from an emotional standpoint. But we managed to take care of business like Scott would have wanted us to," said Schumacher, who won from the No. 9 qualifying position.

In Funny Car, Wilkerson drove his Levi Ray & Shoup Chevy Impala SS to a 4.877 at 319.29 to defeat Rookie of the Year favorite Mike Neff, who was seeking his first career win in his third career final round.

"You come to the race track and you think there is always a chance of something happening," said Wilkerson. "Knowing Scott the way I knew Scott I think that he would've wanted us to come and race because he was just that kind of guy. With that in mind, we all came to the racetrack with the intention of winning."

Greg Anderson drove his Summit Racing Pontiac GXP to his third win of the season, posting a time of 7.520 at 200.23, which proved strong enough to get past runner-up Dave Connolly. It is Anderson's 54th career win, fourth in Englishtown and second consecutive at Raceway Park.

"It was a tough deal to come out and race today, without a doubt," said Anderson. "I don't really know how you really do it, how you really concentrate and we probably didn't very well, to be honest with you. You think about (Scott) all the time and you think, 'I know I'm going to wake up from this dream in a while.'"

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Chip Ellis was able to ride his Schumacher Racing Suzuki past No. 1 qualifier Chris Rivas to pick up his sixth career win and first with Don Schumacher Racing. Ellis ran a 7.040 at 187.21, which was enough to give him the win light after Rivas red-light at the start.

"To be perfectly honest it was awesome," said Ellis, referring to his win against his former team and crew chief. "I know what George Smith (Chris Rivas' crew chief) is capable of doing. I rode his bike all last year and he's a great tuner and Chris is doing a great job riding for him. But, on the other hand, I think I'm with the best tuner, and the man I'm talking about is Steve Tartaglia."

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. -- Sunday's final results from the 39th annual Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. The race is the 11th of 24 in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel -- Tony Schumacher, 4.589 seconds, 325.06 mph def. Brandon Bernstein, 4.562 seconds, 323.04 mph.

Funny Car -- Tim Wilkerson, Chevy Impala, 4.877, 319.29 def. Mike Neff, Ford Mustang, 4.883, 316.75.

Pro Stock -- Greg Anderson, Pontiac GXP, 7.578, 200.23 def. Dave Connolly, Chevy Cobalt, 20.285, 36.59.

Pro Stock Motorcycle -- Chip Ellis, Suzuki, 7.040, 187.21 def. Chris Rivas, Buell, foul.

Top Alcohol Funny Car -- Frank Manzo, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.600, 259.81 def. Mickey Ferro, Monte Carlo, 5.643, 257.53.

Top Alcohol Dragster -- Diana Harker, 5.578, 251.95 def. Dave DeAngelis, 9.194, 89.17.

Competition Eliminator -- Al Ackerman, Dragster, 8.128, 163.24 def. Arnie Martel, Chevy Roadster, 7.889, 166.07.

Super Stock -- Dave Ficacci, Chevy Cavalier, 10.244, 102.81 def. Billy Leber, Chevy S-10, 11.010, 91.91.

Stock Eliminator -- Peter Biondo, Chevy Camaro, 10.488, 118.09 def. Steve Szupka, Camaro, 11.600, 113.37.

Super Gas -- John Stover, Chevy Corvette, 9.904, 156.86 def. John Martin, Corvette, 9.895, 149.88.

Super Street -- Mark Rizzo, Chevy Camaro, 10.906, 134.51 def. John Maggiulli Sr., Camaro, 10.888, 140.31.

Final qualifying

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. -

Kalitta's fatal crash show here on You Tube

The remainder of Saturday's schedule has been cancelled/postponed due to repairs needed following Scott Kalitta's crash during Funny Car qualifying. Specifically, the poles for the safety net were destroyed and have to be replaced.
Qualifying is complete, the fields are set and racing will resume Sunday morning at 11 a.m.

NHRA also made the following official release at 6 p.m.:

"Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta, 46, was transported to Old Bridge Township Hospital after his car went out of control and crashed in the fourth and final round of qualifying Saturday at the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals.

"More information will be provided as it becomes available."

TF

1 123 Antron Brown, Pittsboro IN, Hadman-TFX 4.502 326.24 326.24
2 3 Brandon Bernstein, Fairview TX, McKinney-TFX 4.525 323.27 323.27
3 1301 Doug Foley, Sewell NJ, Attac-TFX 4.532 327.43 327.43
4 44 David Grubnic, Ypsilanti MI, Attac-TFX 4.539 318.84 318.84
5 796 Cory McClenathan, Brownsburg IN, Hadman-TFX 4.542 325.92 325.92
6 2 Rod Fuller, Las Vegas NV, Hadman-TFX 4.551 328.46 328.46
7 5 Bob Vandergriff, Alpharetta GA, McKinney-TFX 4.565 315.19 315.19
8 475 Steve Torrence, Kilgore TX, Hadman-TFX 4.579 315.42 315.42
9 1 Tony Schumacher, Long Grove IL, Hadman-TFX 4.582 320.36 320.36
10 48 Hillary Will, Ypsilanti MI, Attac-TFX 4.584 323.12 323.12
11 743 Morgan Lucas, Brownsburg IN, Hadman-TFX 4.601 320.74 320.74
12 22 Doug Kalitta, Ypsilanti MI, Attac-TFX 4.609 319.14 319.14
13 91 Larry Dixon, Indianapolis IN, McKinney-TFX 4.684 310.05 313.58
14 6 Doug Herbert, Lincolnton NC, McKinney-BAE 4.773 304.25 304.25
15 304 Todd Paton, Bluff City TN, McKinney-TFX 4.984 242.80 242.80
16 7 J.R. Todd, Brownsburg IN, Hadman-TFX 5.412 203.71 301.33

FC

1 388 Jim Head, Columbus OH, '08 Solara 4.803 320.51 320.51
2 10 Ashley Force, Yorba Linda CA, '08 Mustang 4.803 314.75 314.75
3 7 John Force, Yorba Linda CA, '08 Mustang 4.810 321.12 321.12
4 2 Robert Hight, Yorba Linda CA, '08 Mustang 4.810 303.71 303.71
5 750 Del Worsham, Chino Hills CA, '08 Impala 4.831 314.53 314.53
6 507 Melanie Troxel, Avon IN, '08 Charger 4.835 321.50 321.50
7 28 Ron Capps, Carlsbad CA, '08 Charger 4.856 317.34 317.34
8 1777 Bob Tasca III, Cranston RI, '08 Mustang 4.856 316.38 316.38
9 347 Tim Wilkerson, Springfield IL, '08 Impala 4.863 312.71 317.27
10 7701 Mike Neff, Yorba Linda CA, '08 Mustang 4.870 306.12 306.74
11 729 Jerry Toliver, Temecula CA, '08 Charger 4.876 318.02 318.02
12 3 Gary Scelzi, Fresno CA, '08 Charger 4.883 315.64 315.64
13 319 Scott Kalitta, Ypsilanti MI, '08 Solara 4.974 300.73 300.73
14 33 Tommy Johnson Jr., Avon IN, '08 Charger 5.035 302.21 302.21
15 1 Tony Pedregon, Brownsburg IN, '08 Impala 5.236 253.23 253.23
16 782 Gary Densham, Bellflower CA, '08 Impala 5.319 259.41 280.25

------------ Not Qualified ------------

17 6 Mike Ashley, Melville NY, '08 Charger RT 5.459 237.63 298.54
18 71 Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg IN, '08 Solara 5.766 187.52 224.88
19 427 Tony Bartone, Long Island City NY, '05 Monte C 6.062 34.55 124.58
20 5 Jack Beckman, North Hills CA, '08 Charger 8.114 95.01 317.12

PS

1 2 Greg Anderson, Mooresville NC, '08 GXP 6.599 209.23 209.23
2 6 Kurt Johnson, Sugar Hill GA, '08 Cobalt 6.600 209.36 209.36
3 8 Warren Johnson, Sugar Hill GA, '08 GXP 6.605 209.52 209.52
4 351 Ron Krisher, Warren OH, '08 Cobalt 6.607 208.23 208.23
5 4 Allen Johnson, Greeneville TN, '06 Stratus 6.618 208.65 208.65
6 5 Jason Line, Troutman NC, '08 GXP 6.620 209.23 209.23
7 3 Dave Connolly, Elyria OH, '08 Cobalt 6.627 208.36 208.36
8 7 Larry Morgan, Newark OH, '06 Stratus 6.627 208.26 208.26
9 1568 Justin Humphreys, Monrovia MD, '06 Stratus 6.627 207.88 207.88
10 445 Greg Stanfield, Bossier City LA, '08 GXP 6.628 207.85 207.85
11 14 Jim Yates, Occoquan VA, '08 GXP 6.628 207.40 207.40
12 44 Mike Edwards, Coweta OK, '08 GXP 6.634 208.01 208.01
13 1 Jeg Coughlin, Delaware OH, '08 Cobalt 6.637 207.82 207.85
14 10 V. Gaines, Lakewood CO, '06 Stratus 6.655 207.24 207.24
15 7406 Vinnie Deceglie, Rancho Cucamonga CA, '06 Stra 6.655 207.02 207.15
16 31 Johnny Gray, Artesia NM, '06 Stratus 6.669 207.56 207.94

------------ Not Qualified ------------

17 118 Dave Northrop, Perkasie PA, '06 GTO 6.682 206.86 207.15
18 103 Max Naylor, New Buffalo PA, '06 Stratus 6.709 205.26 207.34
19 109 Jim Cunningham, Crownsville MD, '07 Mustang 6.807 202.24 202.24
20 1465 Val Smeland, Shirley NY, '05 Grand Am 6.854 200.65 200.65
21 1028 Lee Zane, Perry Hall MD, '06 GTO 6.873 197.94 199.64
22 1525 John Nobile, Dix Hills NY, '06 Stratus 18.443 42.15 207.08

PS Motorcycle

1 44 Chris Rivas, Fresno CA, Buell 6.923 191.92 192.19
2 3 Chip Ellis, Brownsburg IN, Suzuki TL 1000 6.937 192.88 192.88
3 1 Matt Smith, King NC, Buell 6.952 191.38 191.38
4 5 Angelle Sampey, Decatur TX, Buell 6.956 190.83 190.83
5 2 Andrew Hines, Brownsburg IN, Harley V-Rod 6.973 188.25 189.92
6 6 Craig Treble, Houston TX, Suzuki TL 1000 6.990 191.38 191.84
7 8 Karen Stoffer, Smith NV, Suzuki TL 1000 6.992 190.65 190.65
8 25 Matt Guidera, Loomis CA, Buell 6.997 190.78 190.78
9 7 Eddie Krawiec, Brownsburg IN, Harley V-Rod 6.997 189.90 190.81
10 9 Steve Johnson, Irondale AL, Suzuki TL 1000 7.002 192.36 192.36
11 235 Hector Arana, Milltown IN, Buell 7.005 191.16 191.16
12 573 Mike Berry, Littleton CO, Buell 7.049 185.77 187.05
13 205 Shawn Gann, Stoneville NC, Suzuki TL 1000 7.058 188.62 190.32
14 371 Wes Wells, Greenwood IN, Suzuki GSXR 7.181 188.36 188.83
15 310 Joe DeSantis, Rootstown OH, Suzuki GSXR 7.207 186.56 187.13
16 308 Ryan Schnitz, Decatur IN, Kawasaki ZX 14 7.442 173.01 177.56

------------ Not Qualified ------------

17 202 Junior Pippin, Conyers GA, Buell 10.468 77.63 187.18

TAD

1 8 TA/D John Finke, Selkirk NY, McKinney-BAE 5.258 280.43 280.43
2 7006 TA/D Travis Nicholson, Bixby OK, McKinney-BAE 5.317 263.36 263.67
3 122 A/FD Arthur Gallant, Boxboro MA, Dan Page-BAE 5.370 269.08 269.08
4 1482 TA/D Richard Bourke, Old Tappan NJ, Hadman-TFX 5.389 266.42 266.42
5 466 A/FD Diana Harker, Gainesville GA, Spitzer-BAE 5.393 261.17 261.17
6 110 A/FD Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville PA, Precis 5.417 262.74 263.87
7 23 TA/D Bill Evans, Miramar FL, Spitzer-BAE 5.428 263.92 263.92
8 13 A/FD Dan Mercier, Montreal PQ, McKinney-BAE 5.522 258.71 258.71
9 118 B/AD Ken Winward, Wilmington DE, Keir-KB 5.523 256.06 256.06
10 1712 B/AD Dave DeAngelis, Middlesex NJ, Yancer-BAE 5.544 256.21 258.96
11 1072 TA/D Bruce Horner, Bergenfield NJ, Pro Start- 5.545 248.75 250.09
12 1212 TA/D Jackie Fricke, Flemington NJ, ProStart-B 5.925 175.46 175.46
13 1008 B/AD Tom Pickett, Salem NH, URC-KB 6.142 241.41 241.41
14 104 A/FD Gene Arrigoni, Yorktown Hts NY, Heads up 6.353 239.53 239.53
15 106 B/AD Bruce Insinger, Dushore PA, Precision-KB 6.775 217.91 217.91

TAFC

1 1 Frank Manzo, Morganville NJ, '05 Monte Carlo 5.532 263.87 263.87
2 33 Marty Nothstein, Orefield PA, '08 Impala 5.566 261.72 261.72
3 308 Marc White, Glendale Hts. IL, '08 Mustang 5.654 250.51 250.51
4 1383 Dan Roman, Wolcott CT, '97 Firebird 5.660 255.97 255.97
5 17 Paul Gill, Brockton MA, '08 Mustang 5.661 252.24 252.24
6 6 Mickey Ferro, Stamford CT, '05 Monte Carlo 5.688 227.04 248.57
7 118 DJ Cox Jr., Whiteford MD, '02 Firebird 5.707 249.72 249.72
8 125 Eric Lourie, Terryville CT, '02 Camaro 5.723 250.41 250.41
9 1117 John Anderika, Pittson PA, '02 Camaro 5.757 247.79 247.79
10 147 Fred Tigges, Holbrook MA, '01 Avenger 5.796 249.49 249.49
11 1617 Lou Sgro, Slatington PA, '05 Monte Carlo 5.819 251.49 251.49
12 1320 Wayne Morris, Lincoln Univ PA, '06 Stratus 5.830 244.12 244.12
13 23 Keeter Ray, Newport Bch CA, '08 Mustang 5.838 248.84 248.84
14 296 Bunny Burkett, Spotsylvania VA, '07 Avenger 5.904 240.89 240.89
15 189 John Headley, Newportville PA, '00 Mustang 6.178 173.94 173.94
16 124 Scott McNiece, Brick NJ, '01 Cutlass 6.577 232.23 232.23

------------ Not Qualified ------------

17 1996 John Fiorini, Dalton MA, '00 Avenger 6.805 204.82 204.82
18 196 Bill Naves, Salisbury NC, '01 Avenger 7.075 218.76 218.76

Pro Mod

1 1090 Raymond Commisso, Toronto ON, *'68 Firebird 5.989 239.36 239.36
2 1986 John Russo, Middleton MA, *'68 Firebird 5.993 242.80 242.80
3 763 Kirk Kuhns, Yorba Linda CA, *'41 Willys 6.018 236.59 236.59
4 1 Joshua Hernandez, Conroe TX, *'68 Camaro 6.043 240.72 240.72
5 272 Roger Burgess, Duluth GA, *'63 Corvette 6.045 240.94 240.94
6 402 Taylor Lastor, Knoxville NC, '67 Camaro 6.049 241.02 241.02
7 38 Danny Rowe, Laguna Hills CA, *'67 Camaro 6.076 219.22 219.22
8 2103 Joe Baker, Milton FL, *'41 Willys 6.094 233.80 233.80
9 1152 Tony Pontieri, Bolton ON, *'57 Bel Air 6.099 239.31 239.31
10 8 Shelly Payne, Ontario CA, *'06 Stratus 6.106 225.22 225.22
11 44 Mike Castellana, Westbury NY, '68 Camaro 6.196 232.35 232.35
12 6 Tim Tindle, Santa Rosa FL, *'67 Shelby GT 6.265 229.51 229.51
13 1112 Vinny Budano, Hicksville NY, '68 Camaro 6.293 222.11 223.06
14 348 Brad Personett, Elkhart IN, '53 Corvette 6.409 227.92 227.92
15 51 Tommy Gray, Baltimore MD, *'06 GTO 6.409 220.80 220.80
16 1770 Nicholas Montana, Selden NY, '67 Camaro 6.447 216.06 216.06

------------ Not Qualified ------------

17 320 Steve Engel, Shandon OH, *'63 Corvette 7.046 177.72 177.72
18 3 Jay Payne, Ontario CA, *'69 Camaro 7.862 220.62 220.62
19 1212 Scott Ray, Greenville OH, *'53 Corvette 8.156 165.99 165.99
20 1277 David Hance, , '57 Bel Air DQ

 

Friday qualifying

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. --

After nearly 15 years since his last No. 1 qualifier, Funny Car driver Jim Head raced to the provisional top spot Friday at the place he last collected his No. 1 qualifier, the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals.
Larry Dixon, Greg Anderson and Chris Rivas were also No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories at the 11th of 24 events on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

Head drove his Head Racing Toyota Solara to a 4.803-second pass at 320.51 mph to become the provisional top qualifier. It would be Head's second career No. 1 qualifier, with his first coming in 1993 in Englishtown in the Top Fuel category.

"The conditions of the track were really good," said Head. "I thought the guys running after us would've had a lower number though. Fifteen to twenty minutes at that time of night is a really big thing."

Current Funny Car points leader Tim Wilkerson sits 10th after two rounds of qualifying, while defending event winner Tommy Johnson Jr. did not record a successful qualifying run on Friday and will get two more chances to get in the field of 16 on Saturday.

New Jersey native Antron Brown took the provisional top spot in Top Fuel, driving his Matco Tools dragster to a 4.502 at 326.24. It's would be Brown's second No. 1 qualifier of the season, and third at Englishtown, with his previous two at the track coming in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

"This track is the hometrack for me, I only lived 25 minutes away," said Brown, who grew up in Chesterfield, N.J. "It was about 22 years ago at this racetrack at the Summernationals, we were watching all these guys like Snake, Kenny Bernstein, Don Garlits, all those guys, and I always had that dream that I wanted to do that one day, but you never put it in perspective because you never think you'll actually be there."

Defending world champion Tony Schumacher sits in the ninth spot while Larry Dixon did not record a successful qualifying run on Friday and will get two more chances to get in the field of 16 on Saturday.

Defending event winner in Pro Stock, Greg Anderson, drove his Summit Racing Pontiac GXP to the provisional top spot with a 6.599 run at 209.23. It would be his second of the season, 64th of his career, fourth at Raceway Park and second consecutive in at the track.

"These Pro Stock cars are so close right now," said Anderson. "It's just who makes the right call at the right time and this was obviously the right time. You've got to make the most of it when the times are right and tonight the times were right."

Current points leader Kurt Johnson just missed the top spot of the day, coming in second, while defending world champion Jeg Coughlin sits in the 12th spot.

Following up his win in Chicago just one event previous, Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Chris Rivas rode his G-Squared/S&S Buell to a 6.932 at 191.21 and the provisional No. 1 qualifying spot. It would be Rivas' second consecutive career and season No. 1 qualifier.

"After the Chicago race I told the guys, 'you're going back to the shop, but don't touch the bike. Leave everything alone and we can use all the same parts, it's all still good,'" said Rivas. "I told them as long as they leave everything alone we can keep doing the same thing."

Current points leader Andrew Hines sits fourth while defending event winner Craig Treble is 12th.

Qualifying continues Saturday with sessions at noon and 2:30 p.m. Sunday's eliminations begin at 11 a.m.