{"id":14916,"date":"2018-02-23T23:31:27","date_gmt":"2018-02-24T05:31:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=14916"},"modified":"2018-02-24T14:47:12","modified_gmt":"2018-02-24T20:47:12","slug":"tony-schumacher-sets-the-top-fuel-speed-record-at-336-57-mph-en-route-to-preliminary-no-1-spot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2018\/02\/23\/tony-schumacher-sets-the-top-fuel-speed-record-at-336-57-mph-en-route-to-preliminary-no-1-spot\/","title":{"rendered":"Tony Schumacher sets the Top Fuel speed record at 336.57 mph en route to preliminary No. 1 spot"},"content":{"rendered":"

Courtesy of the NHRA<\/em><\/p>\n

CHANDLER, Ariz. — The 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series<\/a> season continued Friday as Tony Schumacher<\/strong> powered to the Top Fuel qualifying lead at the 34th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals<\/strong> at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Tony Schumacher. NHRA photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Alex Laughlin (Pro Stock) are also provisional qualifying leaders in their respective categories at the second of 24 events on the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule. <\/p>\n

Schumacher led the category with a run of 3.649-seconds at 334.65 mph in his US Army dragster posted during the first qualifying session to initially set the Top Fuel speed record. Clay Millican followed up with a record-breaking speed of 335.23 in his Great Clips\/Parts Plus dragster early in the second round of qualifying, which would only hold up for six pairs on this record-setting day.<\/p>\n

Schumacher\u2019s success continued in the second round as he reset the Top Fuel national speed record at 336.57 with a time of 3.667 seconds. The three fastest Top Fuel passes in NHRA history were all recorded on Friday at the NHRA Arizona Nationals.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Jack Beckman. NHRA photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s only Friday in Phoenix and there is a lot of racing left to be done this weekend, but today tells me that we have an awful lot of power in this car,\u201d Schumacher said. \u201cWorking with my crew chief Mike Neff this season continues to pay its dividends, and this team has really gelled so far.\u201d <\/p>\n

Beckman leads the Funny Car category with a run of 3.845 at 332.43 in his Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R\/T recorded during his second pass of the day. He\u2019s chasing the top position in Phoenix after qualifying third at the season-opening Winternationals.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it\u2019s this cold the tracks get so tricky, because it can get so cold that the window for hitting a great run closes,\u201d Beckman said. \u201cI like the fact that we were able to make great back-to-back runs like that, especially after we had some trouble with the car in the semifinals in Pomona.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"
Alex Laughlin. NHRA photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After earning a win in Pomona to start the season, Matt Hagan currently sits in sixth in the qualifying as defending category world champion Robert Hight is seventh entering Saturday.<\/p>\n

In Pro Stock, Laughlin currently holds the top spot after driving to a 6.537 at 209.43 run in his Hot Wheels Car Care Chevrolet Camaro during his second qualifying pass of the day. He is aiming to secure his first No. 1 qualifying position of the season and the second in his career.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s awesome to be able to go to sleep tonight as the current No. 1 qualifier,\u201d Laughlin said. \u201cObviously anything can change tomorrow, but we ran stellar times during testing and I don\u2019t know if it\u2019s the car or the track but I definitely hope that we are finally connecting the dots.\u201d<\/p>\n

Defending Pro Stock world champion Bo Butner is currently qualified ninth, as he looks to continue his 2018 success after earning a victory at the Winternationals in Pomona.<\/p>\n

Qualifying continues at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Media Center Interviews:<\/h3>\n

Tony Schumacher \u2013<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Friday-TonySchumacher-PHX.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack Beckman \u2013<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Friday-JackBeckman-PHX.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Alex Laughlin \u2013<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Friday-AlexLaughlin-PHX.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

CHANDLER, Ariz. — Friday’s results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 34th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, second of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.<\/p>\n

Top Fuel — 1. Tony Schumacher, 3.649 seconds, 336.57 mph; 2. Steve Torrence, 3.655, 331.85; 3. Clay Millican, 3.664, 335.23; 4. Richie Crampton, 3.683, 325.30; 5. Billy Torrence, 3.697, 331.45; 6. Blake Alexander, 3.705, 329.58; 7. Antron Brown, 3.717, 333.66; 8. Mike Salinas, 3.737, 326.32; 9. Terry McMillen, 3.740, 316.45; 10. Leah Pritchett, 3.755, 291.07; 11. Doug Kalitta, 3.786, 321.42; 12. Scott Palmer, 3.788, 326.63; 13. Brittany Force, 4.454, 172.72; 14. Greg Carrillo, 4.553, 176.49; 15. Troy Buff, 4.560, 164.53; 16. Kebin Kinsley, 9.187, 74.21. <\/p>\n

Funny Car — 1. Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 3.845, 332.43; 2. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.845, 328.70; 3. Jonnie Lindberg, Toyota Camry, 3.866, 317.27; 4. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 3.879, 328.62; 5. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 3.888, 333.25; 6. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.926, 330.88; 7. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.927, 329.26; 8. J.R. Todd, Camry, 3.944, 324.20; 9. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.971, 316.75; 10. Jeff Diehl, Camry, 4.148, 306.67; 11. Richard Townsend, Camry, 4.244, 235.27; 12. Shawn Langdon, Camry, 4.333, 209.59; 13. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.474, 188.81; 14. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.551, 182.82; 15. John Force, Camaro, 6.745, 96.00; 16. Del Worsham, Camry, 7.374, 93.25.<\/p>\n

Not Qualified: 17. Jim Campbell, 7.402, 91.58. <\/p>\n

Pro Stock — 1. Alex Laughlin, Chevy Camaro, 6.537, 209.49; 2. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.545, 210.54; 3. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.546, 211.13; 4. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.553, 210.57; 5. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.554, 209.49; 6. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.558, 210.31; 7. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.561, 210.41; 8. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.567, 210.08; 9. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.572, 210.50; 10. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.573, 209.65; 11. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.581, 209.36; 12. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.582, 208.84; 13. Tanner Gray, Camaro, 6.591, 209.65; 14. Val Smeland, Camaro, 6.640, 208.65; 15. Steve Graham, Camaro, 6.659, 208.55; 16. Alan Prusiensky, Dodge Dart, 6.690, 206.83. <\/p>\n

Not Qualified: 17. Joey Grose, 6.730, 205.94. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Courtesy of the NHRA CHANDLER, Ariz. — The 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season continued Friday as Tony Schumacher powered to the Top Fuel qualifying lead at the 34th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Alex Laughlin (Pro Stock) are also provisional qualifying leaders<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14920,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[4],"tags":[198,100,6,378,217,550],"class_list":["post-14916","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nhra","tag-alex-laughlin","tag-jack-beckman","tag-nhra","tag-nhra-arizona-nationals","tag-tony-schumacher","tag-wild-horse-pass-motorsports-park"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-3SA","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":229,"url":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2016\/02\/22\/top-fuel-driver-leah-pritchett-looking-to-shine-at-carquest-auto-parts-nhra-nationals\/","url_meta":{"origin":14916,"position":0},"title":"Top Fuel driver Leah Pritchett looking to shine at CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals","author":"Mike Haag","date":"February 22, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Courtesy of the NHRA CHANDLER, Ariz. \u2013 Leah Pritchett is in uncharted territory in her young NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series career, but this is the moment she has always wanted and the Top Fuel driver plans to take advantage. Pritchett earned a full-time driving position behind the wheel\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "NHRA"","block_context":{"text":"NHRA","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/category\/nhra\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/22-LeahPritchettCandidPAPreview-e1456194129328.jpg?fit=600%2C400&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/22-LeahPritchettCandidPAPreview-e1456194129328.jpg?fit=600%2C400&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/22-LeahPritchettCandidPAPreview-e1456194129328.jpg?fit=600%2C400&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7242,"url":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/02\/13\/top-fuel-star-leah-pritchett-banking-on-another-impressive-performance-approaching-nhra-arizona-nationals\/","url_meta":{"origin":14916,"position":1},"title":"Top Fuel star Leah Pritchett banking on another impressive performance approaching NHRA Arizona Nationals","author":"Mike Haag","date":"February 13, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"CHANDLER, Ariz. \u2013 After winning the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season opener in Pomona, Calif. Leah Pritchett, the rising Top Fuel star, knows she will feel right at home at the second stop on the tour, the NHRA Arizona Nationals, which takes place Feb. 24-26 at Wild\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "NHRA"","block_context":{"text":"NHRA","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/category\/nhra\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/011-LeahPritchett-SundayPomona1Celeb.jpg?fit=799%2C1200&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/011-LeahPritchett-SundayPomona1Celeb.jpg?fit=799%2C1200&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/011-LeahPritchett-SundayPomona1Celeb.jpg?fit=799%2C1200&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/011-LeahPritchett-SundayPomona1Celeb.jpg?fit=799%2C1200&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14965,"url":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2018\/02\/24\/c-force-sets-funny-car-track-records-earns-top-qualifying-position-with-schumacher-and-kramer\/","url_meta":{"origin":14916,"position":2},"title":"C. Force sets Funny Car track records, earns top qualifying position with Schumacher and Kramer","author":"Mike Haag","date":"February 24, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Courtesy of the NHRA CHANDLER, Ariz. -- The 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season continued Saturday as Courtney Force set both ends of the Funny Car track record at the 34th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel) and Deric Kramer\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "NHRA"","block_context":{"text":"NHRA","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/category\/nhra\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/31-CourtneyForce-Saturday-Phoenix.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/31-CourtneyForce-Saturday-Phoenix.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/31-CourtneyForce-Saturday-Phoenix.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/31-CourtneyForce-Saturday-Phoenix.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/31-CourtneyForce-Saturday-Phoenix.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":23558,"url":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2019\/02\/19\/funny-cars-tommy-johnson-jr-set-to-celebrate-30-years-off-nitro-racing-at-magic-dry-absorbent-nhra-arizona-nationals\/","url_meta":{"origin":14916,"position":3},"title":"Funny Car\u2019s Tommy Johnson Jr. set to celebrate 30 years off Nitro racing at Magic Dry Absorbent NHRA Arizona Nationals","author":"racedaysaeditor","date":"February 19, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Courtesy of the NHRA CHANDLER, Ariz. \u2013 Tommy Johnson Jr.\u2019s first trip to Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, the site of this weekend\u2019s 35th annual Magic Dry Organic Absorbent NHRA Arizona Nationals, as a nitro driver came in 1989. With the race marking the 30th anniversary of his Top Fuel\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "NHRA"","block_context":{"text":"NHRA","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/category\/nhra\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/445-TommyJohnson-Friday-Pomona2.jpg?fit=1200%2C763&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/445-TommyJohnson-Friday-Pomona2.jpg?fit=1200%2C763&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/445-TommyJohnson-Friday-Pomona2.jpg?fit=1200%2C763&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/445-TommyJohnson-Friday-Pomona2.jpg?fit=1200%2C763&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/445-TommyJohnson-Friday-Pomona2.jpg?fit=1200%2C763&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16438,"url":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2018\/04\/19\/nhra-mello-yello-drag-racing-series-returns-to-texas-this-weekend-for-31st-annual-nhra-springnationals\/","url_meta":{"origin":14916,"position":4},"title":"NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series returns to Texas this weekend for 31st annual NHRA SpringNationals","author":"Mike Haag","date":"April 19, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"BAYTOWN, Texas \u2013 The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series rolls into Southeast Texas this weekend for the 31st annual NHRA SpringNationals at Royal Purple Raceway. The event marks the first of two annual NHRA stops in the Lone Star State and the fifth of 24 races during the 2018\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "NHRA"","block_context":{"text":"NHRA","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/category\/nhra\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/NHRA-Sprng-Natl-Sat-4-25-2440.jpg?fit=1200%2C684&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/NHRA-Sprng-Natl-Sat-4-25-2440.jpg?fit=1200%2C684&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/NHRA-Sprng-Natl-Sat-4-25-2440.jpg?fit=1200%2C684&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/NHRA-Sprng-Natl-Sat-4-25-2440.jpg?fit=1200%2C684&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/NHRA-Sprng-Natl-Sat-4-25-2440.jpg?fit=1200%2C684&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":23555,"url":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2019\/02\/19\/top-fuel-veteran-doug-kalitta-looks-to-keep-early-momentum-at-magic-dry-organic-absorbent-nhra-arizona-nationals\/","url_meta":{"origin":14916,"position":5},"title":"Top Fuel veteran Doug Kalitta looks to keep early momentum at Magic Dry Organic Absorbent NHRA Arizona Nationals","author":"racedaysaeditor","date":"February 19, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Courtesy of the NHRA CHANDLER, Ariz. \u2013 Doug Kalitta matched last year\u2019s quick start by winning the first race of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season for a second straight year, this one coming with a final-round win against defending Top Fuel world champ Steve Torrence. But unlike\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "NHRA"","block_context":{"text":"NHRA","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/category\/nhra\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/015-DougKalitta-Monday-Pomona1-e1549939220963.jpg?fit=640%2C427&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/015-DougKalitta-Monday-Pomona1-e1549939220963.jpg?fit=640%2C427&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/015-DougKalitta-Monday-Pomona1-e1549939220963.jpg?fit=640%2C427&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/29-TonySchumacher-Friday-Phoenix.jpg?fit=2200%2C1467","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14916","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14916"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14916\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14924,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14916\/revisions\/14924"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14920"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14916"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14916"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14916"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}