Torrence, Pedregon, Enders And Savoie Winners At NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals

(CONCORD, NC - APRIL 29, 2018 - RIS) Steve Torrence scored his third consecutive Top Fuel win, joined by Cruz Pedregon, Erica Enders-Stevens and Jerry Savoie in capturing the Wallies trophies for NHRA winners at the NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals.

Jerry Savoie won Pro Stock Motorcycle, edging out the field after Matt Smith clipped the finish line block in the final round. This is Savoie’s first win since Brainerd last year and his ninth career victory in the class.

Pro Stock No. 1 qualifier Drew Skillman is trying to become the first top qualifier in the class to win this season. He lined up in the first lane, next to Erica Enders-Stephens, with Erica winning as Skillman’s car coasted most of the length, with McGaha having tire shake and Nobile just slow off the line, compared to the champion’s 0.014 reaction time in her new Jerry Haas chassis. Her pass statistics show a 6.535 et and trap speed of 212.73 mph.

Cruz Pedregon grabbed his first Wally trophy since 2014, beating out John Force by over a length, followed by Tommy Johnson Jr when Courtney Force had her car almost shut off just off the line. 

Top Fuel, the final ‘big’ Pro class of the day, had Steve Torrence secure a hat trick of his third consecutive four-wide victory, starting with last year’s race here, then Las Vegas this season and now today’s race. Torrence parlayed a reaction time of 0.035 with an ET of 3.813 sec and a trap speed of 326.56 mph into the victory over the field.

Here is the official release from NHRA:
Torrence, Pedregon, Enders And Savoie Secure Victories At NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
•  Steve Torrence notches third victory in six events to open the season
•  Cruz Pedregon earns his first win in 92 races as he emerges victorious in Charlotte
•  After a runner-up finish in Houston, Erica Enders bounces back with the win at zMAX Dragway
•  Jerry Savoie returns to the winner's circle for the ninth time in his career with four-wide win

CONCORD, N.C. – Steve Torrence raced to the Top Fuel victory Sunday at the ninth annual NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway.

Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also winners in their respective categories at the sixth event on the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

Torrence piloted his Capco Contractors dragster to a 3.813-second pass at 326.56 mph as he became the first driver to reach three victories on the season. He defeated Doug Kalitta, Terry McMillen and Clay Millican in the final round for his 19th career win and second at zMAX Dragway.

With the victory, Torrence moves back into sole possession of the Top Fuel points lead after entering Charlotte in a first-place tie with Tony Schumacher, who was eliminated in the first round.

Pedregon ran a 4.059 at 310.84 in his Snap-On Tools Toyota Camry for his 36th career victory and first since Englishtown 2014. After qualifying sixth for the event, he was able to knock off 16-time Funny Car world champion John Force, Tommy Johnson Jr. and No. 1 qualifier Courtney Force in the final round to earn the victory.

“I knew we had our work cut out for us when I pulled up to the starting line in the finals, and I actually didn’t believe my ears when my team manager told me that I won,” Pedregon said. “It was surreal, and I cannot believe that I won this race.”

This was Pedregon’s 36th career Funny Car win, moving him past the legendary Don Prudhomme into sole possession of fifth place for all-time in Funny Car victories.

In Pro Stock, Enders picked up her 23rd career victory and second win in Charlotte with a 6.535 at 212.73 in her Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro. She took down Vincent Nobile, Chris McGaha and No. 1 qualifier Drew Skillman in the final round to lock down her first victory since Epping in 2017.

“In my opinion I have the best team in all of motorsports, so I am really lucky to be their driver,” Enders said. “We made a car change going into our home race in Houston last week and we made it to the finals, so we came into this race with some confidence and this is definitely a special victory for me.”

Jerry Savoie emerged victorious in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class, as he earned his ninth career victory and first at zMAX Dragway when he ran a 6.784 at 195.73 on his White Alligator Racing Suzuki in the final round. He bested Andrew Hines, Scotty Pollacheck and Matt Smith in the final round to lock down his first victory since Brainerd last season.

“We struggled all weekend, but my team worked really hard to get things right so we went out and gave it all we got and figured some things out,” Savoie said. “My reaction times on this bike are traditionally not great, but I was able to do pretty well today and we had the power on this bike to get a win.”

The 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season continues with the NHRA Southern Nationals Powered by Mello Yello at Atlanta Dragway in Atlanta, Georgia from May 4-6.

***

CONCORD, N.C.-- Final finish order (1-16) for professional categories at the ninth annual NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway. The race is the sixth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

TOP FUEL:1. Steve Torrence
2. Doug Kalitta
3. Terry McMillen
4. Clay Millican
5. Dom Lagana
6. Shawn Reed
7. Mike Salinas
8. Audrey Worm
9. Brittany Force
10. Tony Schumacher
11. Antron Brown
12. Kyle Wurtzel
13. Leah Pritchett
14. Scott Palmer
15. Richie Crampton
16. Pat Dakin. 

FUNNY CAR:1. Cruz Pedregon
2. John Force
3. Tommy Johnson Jr.
4. Courtney Force
5. J.R. Todd
6. Robert Hight
7. Jack Beckman
8. Ron Capps
9. John Smith
10. Bob Tasca III
11. Tim Wilkerson
12. Dale Creasy Jr.
13. Jim Campbell
14. Matt Hagan
15. Jonnie Lindberg
16. Shawn Langdon. 

PRO STOCK:1. Erica Enders
2. Vincent Nobile
3. Chris McGaha
4. Drew Skillman
5. Jeg Coughlin
6. Bo Butner
7. Alex Laughlin
8. Tanner Gray
9. Jason Line
10. Greg Anderson
11. John Gaydosh Jr
12. Alan Prusiensky
13. Val Smeland
14. Deric Kramer
15. Matt Hartford
16. Kenny Delco. 

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:1. Jerry Savoie
2. Andrew Hines
3. Scotty Pollacheck
4. Matt Smith
5. LE Tonglet
6. Ryan Oehler
7. Cory Reed
8. Angelle Sampey
9. Angie Smith
10. Karen Stoffer
11. Joey Gladstone
12. Jim Underdahl
13. Eddie Krawiec
14. Steve Johnson
15. Hector Arana Jr
16. Hector Arana. 

CONCORD, N.C. -- Sunday's final results from the ninth annual NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway. The race is the sixth of 24 in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel-- Steve Torrence, 3.813 seconds, 326.56 mph def. Doug Kalitta, 4.010 seconds, 278.12 mph and Terry McMillen, 4.361 seconds, 235.72 mph and Clay Millican, 5.295 seconds, 129.97 mph

Funny Car -- Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Camry, 4.059, 310.84 def. John Force, Chevy Camaro, 4.098, 307.93 and Tommy Johnson Jr., Dodge Charger, 4.143, 275.39 and Courtney Force, Camaro, 6.215, 114.46

Pro Stock -- Erica Enders, Chevy Camaro, 6.535, 212.73 def. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.520, 212.69 and Chris McGaha, Camaro, 8.237, 118.82 and Drew Skillman, Camaro, 18.515, 43.69

Pro Stock Motorcycle -- Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.784, 195.73 def. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.873, 197.05 and Scotty Pollacheck, Suzuki, 6.865, 193.79 and Matt Smith, Victory, DQ

Pro Modified -- Jose Gonzalez, Chevy Camaro, 5.743, 254.09 def. Steve Jackson, Camaro, 5.763, 243.68 and Rickie Smith, Camaro, 5.775, 250.74 and Brandon Snider, Chevy Corvette, 6.393, 162.10

Top Alcohol Dragster -- Megan Meyer, 5.192, 276.29 def. Dan Page, 5.250, 276.97. 

Top Alcohol Funny Car-- Annie Whiteley, Chevy Camaro, 5.467, 267.59 def. DJ Cox Jr., Camaro, 6.296, 177.77. 

Competition Eliminator -- Frank Aragona, Dragster, 7.378, 172.83 def. Al Ackerman, Dragster, 7.983, 151.39. 

Super Stock -- Anthony Bertozzi, Pontiac Grand Am, 9.411, 110.71 def. Bryan Worner, Chevrolet, Foul - Red Light. 

Stock Eliminator -- Thomas Fletcher, Chevy Camaro, 10.228, 117.67 def. James Williamson, Camaro, 11.485, 113.49. 

Super Comp -- Jonathan Anderson, Dragster, 8.891, 162.78 def. Sherman Adcock, Dragster, 8.880, 166.91. 

Super Gas -- Ken Griffiths, Chevy Corvette, 9.884, 152.68 def. Steve Furr, Chevy Camaro, Foul - Red Light. 

Factory Stock Showdown -- Arthur Kohn, Chevy Camaro, 8.087, 168.56 def. David Barton, Chevy Camaro, 8.036, 167.84. 

Top Dragster presented by RacingRVs.com -- Holden Laris, Dragster, 6.235, 208.71 def. Larry Roberts, Dragster, 6.104, 221.13. 

Top Sportsman presented by RacingRVs.com -- Don O'Neal, Chevrolet, 6.903, 193.29 def. Sandy Wilkins, Chevy Camaro, 6.627, 208.14. 

CONCORD, N.C. -- Final round-by-round results from the ninth annual NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway, the sixth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:

TOP FUEL: ROUND ONE -- Steve Torrence, 3.709, 331.53 and Terry McMillen, 4.453, 237.71 def. Kyle Wurtzel, 5.500, 122.46 and Pat Dakin, broke
Doug Kalitta, 3.762, 328.70 and Mike Salinas, 4.087, 222.84 def. Antron Brown, 4.872, 130.04 and Richie Crampton, 10.437, 38.24
Dom Lagana, 3.834, 324.05 and Clay Millican, 4.376, 194.18 def. Tony Schumacher, 4.726, 219.72 and Leah Pritchett, 4.999, 174.77
Shawn Reed, 4.045, 238.60 and Audrey Worm, 4.238, 225.86 def. Brittany Force, 4.473, 264.18 and Scott Palmer, 9.401, 91.73

SEMIFINALS-- Kalitta, 3.809, 317.64 and Millican, 3.874, 317.34 def. Lagana, 3.903, 309.13 and Salinas, 4.934, 155.24
McMillen, 3.850, 321.65 and Torrence, 3.873, 286.80 def. Reed, 3.956, 285.47 and Worm, broke

FINAL-- Torrence, 3.813, 326.56 def. Kalitta, 4.010, 278.12, McMillen, 4.361, 235.72 and Millican, 5.295, 129.97. 

FUNNY CAR: ROUND ONE-- Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 4.566, 273.27 and Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 4.585, 218.16 def. Dale Creasy Jr., Dodge Stratus, 4.703, 174.91 and Jonnie Lindberg, Ford Mustang, 9.074, 77.52
Courtney Force, Camaro, 3.979, 311.41 and John Force, Camaro, 4.307, 283.19 def. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.686, 199.17 and Jim Campbell, Charger, 5.052, 157.72
Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Camry, 4.156, 243.55 and Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.374, 215.00 def. John Smith, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.315, 256.84 and Matt Hagan, Charger, 5.145, 127.07
J.R. Todd, Camry, 4.031, 305.42 and Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.427, 237.71 def. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.667, 167.63 and Shawn Langdon, Camry, 14.795, 79.49

SEMIFINALS-- Pedregon, 4.055, 309.20 and Johnson Jr., 4.007, 314.02 def. Hight, 4.610, 192.49 and Capps, 5.233, 140.44
J. Force, 4.108, 299.66 and C. Force, 4.115, 255.68 def. Todd, 4.435, 245.94 and Beckman, 4.717, 204.79

FINAL-- Pedregon, 4.059, 310.84 def. J. Force, 4.098, 307.93, Johnson Jr., 4.143, 275.39 and C. Force, 6.215, 114.46. 

PRO STOCK: ROUND ONE-- Alex Laughlin, Chevy Camaro, 6.548, 211.96 and Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.544, 212.33 def. John Gaydosh Jr, Chevrolet Camaro, 7.149, 154.16 and Deric Kramer, Camaro, 7.957, 103.40
Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.515, 212.66 and Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.513, 212.16 def. Alan Prusiensky, Dodge Dart, 7.283, 150.06 and Matt Hartford, Camaro, 10.321, 89.57
Tanner Gray, Camaro, 6.534, 211.30 and Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.540, 212.03 def. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.541, 212.93 and Kenny Delco, Camaro, 15.879, 52.83
Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.500, 212.56 and Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.524, 212.03 def. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.539, 211.46 and Val Smeland, Camaro, 6.639, 209.23

SEMIFINALS-- McGaha, 6.545, 211.63 and Nobile, 6.540, 211.93 def. Coughlin, 6.547, 211.76 and Gray, 6.546, 212.06
Enders, 6.517, 212.86 and Skillman, 6.526, 212.79 def. Butner, 6.552, 211.49 and Laughlin, 6.535, 211.96

FINAL-- Enders, 6.535, 212.73 def. Nobile, 6.520, 212.69, McGaha, 8.237, 118.82 and Skillman, 18.515, 43.69. 

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE: ROUND ONE-- Andrew Hines, Harley Street Rod, 6.843, 195.03 and Angelle Sampey, Buell, 6.847, 194.66 def. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki TL1000, 6.924, 191.48 and Hector Arana, EBR, 16.364, 27.42
Scotty Pollacheck, Suzuki GSXR, 6.822, 193.88 and Matt Smith, Victory, 6.893, 194.69 def. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.907, 193.79 and Steve Johnson, TL1000, 6.924, 195.25
LE Tonglet, 6.854, 195.59 and Jerry Savoie, TL, 6.857, 191.95 def. Jim Underdahl, GSXR, 7.111, 176.95 and Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 9.362, 92.90
Cory Reed, Buell, 6.819, 194.66 and Ryan Oehler, Buell XB9R, 6.896, 194.88 def. Joey Gladstone, GSXR, 6.946, 187.11 and Eddie Krawiec, Street Rod, 6.881, 197.45

SEMIFINALS-- Savoie, 6.765, 195.73 and Hines, 6.800, 197.94 def. Tonglet, 6.839, 196.02 and Sampey, 13.129, 57.27
Pollacheck, 6.844, 194.21 and M. Smith, 6.883, 194.24 def. Oehler, 6.930, 193.68 and Reed, 6.947, 194.16

FINAL-- Savoie, 6.784, 195.73 def. Hines, 6.873, 197.05, Pollacheck, 6.865, 193.79 and M. Smith, DQ. 

Point standings (top 10) for NHRA professional categories following the ninth annual NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway, the sixth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series - 

Top Fuel: 1. Steve Torrence, 503
2. Tony Schumacher, 426
3. Doug Kalitta, 401
4. Clay Millican, 384
5. Antron Brown, 362
6. Leah Pritchett, 315
7. Brittany Force, 311
8. Terry McMillen, 305
9. Richie Crampton, 263
10. Scott Palmer, 249.

Funny Car: 1. Jack Beckman, 466
2. Courtney Force, 425
3. J.R. Todd, 403
4. Matt Hagan, 395
5. Robert Hight, 381
6. Tommy Johnson Jr., 376
7. Ron Capps, 352
8. Cruz Pedregon, 274
9. Shawn Langdon, 269
10. Jonnie Lindberg, 256.

Pro Stock: 1. Bo Butner, 434
2. Vincent Nobile, 417
3. Erica Enders, 406
4. Chris McGaha, 403
5. Greg Anderson, 377
6. Drew Skillman, 362
7. Deric Kramer, 359
8. Tanner Gray, 340
9. Jason Line, 335
10. Alex Laughlin, 316.

Pro Stock Motorcycle:1. Andrew Hines, 204
2. Eddie Krawiec, 166
3. Scotty Pollacheck, 154
4. Jerry Savoie, 148
5. Cory Reed, 107
6. (tie) Hector Arana, 105
Angelle Sampey, 105
8. LE Tonglet, 95
9. Steve Johnson, 88
10. (tie) Ryan Oehler, 83, Karen Stoffer, 83.

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