First Funny Car Win to Langdon at NGK Four Wide Nationals

The NHRA weekend that had almost everything ended with victories by Shawn Langdon in Funny Car, Steve Torrence in Top Fuel and Andrew Hines in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

Friday's first day of qualifying got interrupted by a couple of rainstorms with hail falling in one of them, then action was delayed and only one round of Pro qualifying in the books, thanks to high winds that were blowing debris, pollen and potentially cars, around. After the day's abbreviated sessions, Karen Stoffer, Mike Salinas and Jack Beckman led the time sheets in Pro Stock Motorcycle, Top Fuel and Funny Car, while Pro Mod had to wait until Saturday for their sessions.

The strange happenings continued on Sunday when an electrical power supply issue kept the staging lights in Hector Arana Sr's lane from working as he tried to stage his Pro Stock Motorcycle. The system triggered the countdown correctly but Arana never moved, knowing there was a problem with the equipment. After checking, the fault was found and NHRA decided to rerun the quad completely after allowing the teams time to service their motorcycles.

When the time came for the re-do, both Arana Sr and Angie Smith left early, giving the advance to the final round to Andrew Hines and Hector Arana Jr. Hines went on to win the final, beating out Ryan Oehler, Eddie Krawiec and Arana with a pass of 6.831 sec at 198.17 mph with a reaction time of 0.047 sec.

A regional drifting organization, East10Drift, put on a smoking, sliding, crowd pleasing show, including ridealongs for donors to selected charities. 

The next NHRA event is next weekend at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, GA.

LANGDON GETS FIRST FUNNY CAR VICTORY AT NGK SPARK PLUGS NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS

CONCORD, N.C.– Shawn Langdon picked up his first Funny Car win at the 10th annual NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals to become only the second driver in history to win in both the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories at zMAX Dragway. He is the 17th driver in NHRA history to secure victories in both categories.

Steve Torrence (Top Fuel) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also victors in their respective NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series categories.

Langdon clinched his first Funny Car victory when he powered his Global Electronics Technology Toyota Camry Funny Car to an impressive run of 4.125-seconds at 305.08 mph. Langdon also secured his first Top Fuel victory at zMAX Dragway in 2012. He faced a final quadrant of Robert Hight, John Force and Matt Hagan. Hight finished as the runner up in the category.

“There’s so many things that I’ve gone through to get to this point,” said Langdon. “The reason I’m here is because of the people I’ve been surrounded by. They’re the ones who picked me to drive the car and I’ve been so fortunate to get to drive for a legend like Connie Kalitta. Working with a guy like that, and then working with a guy like J.R. (Todd) who’s a teammate and champion, very talented. I bounce ideas off of him all the time. And then working with Nicky Boninfante who’s worked with some of the greatest drivers out here and to bring Del Worsham in, that has been a big key factor. Working with these guys has really elevated my game.”

Reigning world champion Torrence piloted his Capco Contractors Top Fuel dragster to the winner’s circle for the first time this season with his pass of 3.778 at 323.19 taking out Leah Pritchett, Clay Millican and Terry McMillen. Millican came in second. Torrence is the sixth different winner in Top Fuel this season.

“Richard Hogan (crew chief) and Bobby Lagana (assistant crew chief) and every one of those Capco boys, they just instill confidence in you,” said Torrence. “I hadn’t been driving with the most confidence. Maybe I was driving on the defense instead of on the offense. I changed my mindset and just went out there and did what I know how to do instead of thinking about it. In Vegas at the Four-Wide I got up there and let my mind get in front of my foot. We’ve had a lot of success here at zMAX. I really like this place.”

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Hines won with his run of 6.831 at 198.17 on his Screamin' Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Street Rod to pick up his 50th career victory and is the first rider in NHRA history to make it to this milestone. He faced teammate Eddie Krawiec, Hector Arana Jr. and Ryan Oehler in the final round. Krawiec was the runner up in the category. 

“The day went pretty good. It got hotter and hotter which made it tougher and tougher,” said Hines. “Our crew is pretty good at persevering in different weather conditions and we had to do that all weekend long. Not one of those days was similar to the other.”

The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series travels to Atlanta next week for the Arby’s NHRA Southern Nationals May 3-5 for the seventh race of the 2019 season.

***

CONCORD, N.C.-- Final finish order (1-16) for professional categories at the 10th 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. Clay Millican;
3. Terry McMillen;
4. Leah Pritchett;
5. Scott Palmer;
6. Doug Kalitta;
7. Mike Salinas;
8. Dom Lagana;
9. Spencer Massey;
10. Antron Brown;
11. Austin Prock;
12. Richie Crampton;
13. Audrey Worm;
14. Brittany Force;
15. Lex Joon;
16. Cameron Ferre.

FUNNY CAR:
1. Shawn Langdon;
2. Robert Hight;
3. John Force;
4. Matt Hagan;
5. Tim Wilkerson;
6. Tommy Johnson Jr.;
7. J.R. Todd;
8. Jack Beckman;
9. Jeff Diehl;
10. Cruz Pedregon;
11. Bob Tasca III;
12. Dave Richards;
13. Jonnie Lindberg;
14. Ron Capps;
15. Terry Haddock;
16. Bob Gilbertson.

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

CONCORD, N.C.-- Sunday's final results from the 10th 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, 3.778 seconds, 323.19 mph def. Clay Millican, 4.035 seconds, 310.48 mph and Terry McMillen, 4.349 seconds, 219.08 mph and Leah Pritchett, 4.435 seconds, 246.30 mph;

Funny Car-- Shawn Langdon, Toyota Camry, 4.125, 305.08 def. Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 4.159, 242.89 and John Force, Camaro, 4.517, 200.59 and Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 5.252, 172.89;

Pro Stock Motorcycle-- Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.831, 198.17 def. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.858, 197.68 and Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.908, 198.82 and Ryan Oehler, Buell, 6.959, 196.27;

Top Alcohol Dragster -- Julie Nataas, 5.268, 277.49 def. Duane Shields, 5.339, 277.20.

Top Alcohol Funny Car-- Tyler Scott, Chevy Camaro, 5.705, 252.28 def. Annie Whiteley, Camaro, 6.545, 227.00.

Competition Eliminator-- Jim Kimbrough, Dragster, 6.781, 185.92 def. Randy Daniels, Pontiac Sunfire, 8.492, 159.32.

Super Stock-- Monty Bogan, Chevy Camaro, 9.409, 121.28 def. Joe Santangelo, Pontiac Firebird, Foul - Red Light.

Stock Eliminator-- Drew Skillman, Ford Mustang, 8.868, 148.38 def. Monty Bogan, Chevy Camaro, 10.832, 121.20.

Super Comp-- Jonathan Anderson, Dragster, 8.904, 158.95 def. Ray Miller III, Dragster, 8.881, 169.72.

Super Gas-- Joe Harper, Dodge Avenger, 9.913, 150.95 def. Shannon Brinkley, Chevy Corvette, 9.881, 158.39.

Top Sportsman presented by RacingRVs.com -- Jerry Albert, Chevy Camaro, 6.732, 205.19 def. Chuck Harris, Camaro, 7.707, 177.91.

Factory Stock Showdown-- Bill Skillman, Ford Mustang, 7.940, 174.10 def. Bo Butner, Mustang, 7.953, 175.91.

Pro Modified-- Mike Janis, Chevy Camaro, 5.799, 248.52 def. Rickie Smith, Ford Mustang, 5.817, 257.63 and Steve Jackson, Camaro, 6.235, 211.49 and Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.460, 173.45;

Mountain Motor Pro Stock-- Christopher Powers, Chevy Camaro, 6.417, 220.48 def. Todd Hoerner, Camaro, 6.373, 223.36 and Steven Boone, Chevy Cobalt, 6.643, 212.90 and Dwayne Rice, Camaro, broke;

CONCORD, N.C. -- Final round-by-round results from the 10th 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-- Leah Pritchett, 3.775, 327.03 and Doug Kalitta, 3.779, 320.13 def. Richie Crampton, 4.851, 153.72 and Lex Joon, 6.231, 111.37;
Steve Torrence, 3.743, 321.42 and Terry McMillen, 3.815, 322.96 def. Spencer Massey, 3.861, 317.57 and Audrey Worm, 4.589, 181.50;
Scott Palmer, 3.782, 325.61 and Dom Lagana, 3.796, 320.51 def. Antron Brown, 4.161, 276.92 and Brittany Force, 5.495, 102.18;
Clay Millican, 3.815, 321.27 and Mike Salinas, 3.768, 324.90 def. Austin Prock, 4.224, 250.13 and Cameron Ferre, broke;
SEMIFINALS-- Millican, 3.877, 295.59 and Pritchett, 3.947, 271.30 def. Kalitta, 4.736, 163.65 and Salinas, 5.423, 149.81;
Torrence, 3.777, 324.05 and McMillen, 3.828, 316.75 def. Palmer, 4.279, 217.53 and Lagana, 9.246, 81.51;

FINAL-- Torrence, 3.778, 323.19 def. Millican, 4.035, 310.48, McMillen, 4.349, 219.08 and Pritchett, 4.435, 246.30.

FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE-- John Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.920, 326.56 and Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.953, 325.14 def. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 4.671, 184.02 and Jonnie Lindberg, Ford Mustang, 4.786, 181.25;
J.R. Todd, Toyota Camry, 3.966, 320.81 and Robert Hight, Camaro, 4.617, 267.22 def. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.687, 192.03 and Bob Gilbertson, Chevy Monte Carlo, broke;
Jack Beckman, Charger, 3.925, 324.83 and Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.954, 317.27 def. Dave Richards, Mustang, 5.044, 175.32 and Ron Capps, Charger, 5.172, 152.95;
Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 3.978, 321.35 and Shawn Langdon, Camry, 3.982, 321.19 def. Jeff Diehl, Camry, 4.492, 236.09 and Terry Haddock, Mustang, 11.602, 69.75;
SEMIFINALS-- Hight, 3.977, 322.58 and Langdon, 4.311, 248.93 def. Johnson Jr., 4.363, 213.60 and Todd, 5.051, 252.14;
Force, 4.046, 320.81 and Hagan, 3.997, 316.30 def. Wilkerson, 4.062, 290.07 and Beckman, 7.194, 99.31;
FINAL-- Langdon, 4.125, 305.08 def. Hight, 4.159, 242.89, Force, 4.517, 200.59 and Hagan, 5.252, 172.89.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:
ROUND ONE-- Eddie Krawiec, Harley Street Rod, 6.886, 196.85 and Ryan Oehler, Buell, 6.889, 196.56 def. Joey Gladstone, EBR, 6.925, 194.83 and Steve Johnson, Suzuki TL, 6.933, 192.33;
Andrew Hines, Street Rod, 6.849, 197.39 and Hector Arana, EBR, 6.876, 196.82 def. Jerry Savoie, TL, 6.877, 195.59 and Kelly Clontz, TL, 18.533, 34.79;
Karen Stoffer, TL, 6.811, 197.57 and Cory Reed, EBR, 6.888, 195.65 def. Jim Underdahl, Suzuki GS, 6.937, 195.03 and Angelle Sampey, Street Rod, 7.133, 151.58;
Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.817, 198.12 and Angie Smith, EBR, 6.923, 197.16 def. Matt Smith, EBR, 6.908, 196.24 and Scotty Pollacheck, EBR, 6.966, 193.49;
SEMIFINALS-- Krawiec, 6.859, 197.91 and Oehler, 6.890, 196.90 def. Reed, 6.914, 195.03 and Stoffer, 6.956, 177.60;
Hines, 6.825, 198.06 and Arana Jr, 6.928, 196.27 def. Arana, 6.979, 196.42 and A. Smith, 7.019, 192.14; 
FINAL-- Hines, 6.831, 198.17 def. Krawiec, 6.858, 197.68, Arana Jr, 6.908, 198.82 and Oehler, 6.959, 196.27.

CONCORD, N.C.-- Point standings (top 10) for NHRA professional categories following the 10th 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, 460;
2. Doug Kalitta, 426;
3. Clay Millican, 394;
4. Mike Salinas, 384;
5. Brittany Force, 382;
6. Leah Pritchett, 378;
7. Antron Brown, 317;
8. Terry McMillen, 309;
9. Richie Crampton, 296;
10. Billy Torrence, 265.

Funny Car:
1. Robert Hight, 582;
2. Matt Hagan, 440;
3. John Force, 417;
4. (tie) Jack Beckman, 394;
J.R. Todd, 394;
6. Tommy Johnson Jr., 371;
7. Tim Wilkerson, 339;
8. Shawn Langdon, 338;
9. Ron Capps, 318;
10. Bob Tasca III, 282.

Pro Stock Motorcycle:
1. Andrew Hines, 319;
2. Eddie Krawiec, 281;
3. Hector Arana Jr, 278;
4. Matt Smith, 204;
5. Ryan Oehler, 158;
6. Karen Stoffer, 152;
7. Jerry Savoie, 139;
8. Joey Gladstone, 138;
9. (tie) Hector Arana, 137;
Angie Smith, 137.

JANIS WINS PRO MOD TITLE AT NGK SPARK PLUGS NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS

CONCORD, N.C.– Mike Janis, the reigning world champion in the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service, nabbed his first victory of the season Sunday at the NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals where the series was presented by SMP Racing.

Janis landed in the winner’s circle at zMAX Dragway with his run of 5.799-seconds at 248.52 mph. He got the final win light of the day facing a fierce quadrant of Erica Enders, Rickie Smith and Steve Jackson. Smith came in second in this highly competitive category.

“This Four-Wide is so unpredictable and I knew we had a good chance of winning, but you never know at a race like this,” said Janis. “My son (Mike Janis Jr.) and my whole team worked real hard for this one and I’m really proud to be standing here in the winner circle.”

The E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service continues at the Arby’s NHRA Southern Nationals in Atlanta May 3-5.

***

CONCORD, N.C. -- Final finish order (1-16) at the 10th annual NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway. The race is the third of 12 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.

PRO MODIFIED:

1. Mike Janis;
2. Rickie Smith;
3. Steve Jackson;
4. Erica Enders;
5. Todd Tutterow;
6. Jose Gonzalez;
7. Jeremy Ray;
8. Chad Green;
9. Khalid alBalooshi;
10. Marc Caruso;
11. Eric Latino;
12. Steven Whiteley;
13. Brandon Snider;
14. Alex Laughlin;
15. Bob Rahaim;
16. Sidnei Frigo. 

CONCORD, N.C.-- Sunday's final results from the 10th annual NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway. The race is the third of 12 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.

Pro Modified -- Mike Janis, Chevy Camaro, 5.799, 248.52 def. Rickie Smith, Ford Mustang, 5.817, 257.63 and Steve Jackson, Camaro, 6.235, 211.49 and Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.460, 173.45

CONCORD, N.C. -- Final round-by-round results from the 10th annual NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway, the race is the third of 12 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.

PRO MODIFIED: 
ROUND ONE-- Rickie Smith, Ford Mustang, 5.771, 256.89 and Chad Green, Chevy Camaro, 8.272, 120.46 def. Steven Whiteley, Camaro, 10.198, 87.98 and Sidnei Frigo, Camaro, 13.953, 47.37;
Todd Tutterow, Camaro, 5.842, 249.67 and Steve Jackson, Camaro, 5.839, 248.02 def. Khalid alBalooshi, Camaro, 5.825, 248.98 and Bob Rahaim, Camaro, 8.751, 125.37;
Jeremy Ray, Chevy Corvette, 5.810, 247.57 and Mike Janis, Camaro, 5.905, 226.43 def. Eric Latino, Camaro, 5.893, 243.19 and Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.390, 235.06;
Jose Gonzalez, Camaro, 5.809, 257.87 and Erica Enders, Camaro, 5.836, 259.96 def. Marc Caruso, Camaro, 5.866, 246.62 and Brandon Snider, Corvette, 6.109, 242.23;
SEMIFINALS-- Janis, 5.813, 248.16 and Jackson, 5.827, 250.27 def. Tutterow, 5.825, 250.41 and Ray, 5.826, 248.16;
Enders, 5.861, 258.22 and Smith, 5.820, 255.29 def. Gonzalez, 5.890, 227.31 and Green, 6.204, 245.99;
FINAL-- Janis, 5.799, 248.52 def. Smith, 5.817, 257.63, Jackson, 6.235, 211.49 and Enders, 6.460, 173.45. 

CONCORD, N.C.-- Point standings (top 10) following the 10th annual NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway, the race is the third of 12 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.

Pro Modified
1. Steve Jackson, 296;
2. Todd Tutterow, 278;
3. Mike Janis, 227;
4. Jose Gonzalez, 183;
5. Jeremy Ray, 171;
6. Rickie Smith, 170;
7. Chad Green, 155;
8. Steven Whiteley, 146;
9. Erica Enders, 145;
10. Bob Rahaim, 129.

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