{"id":4783,"date":"2016-07-24T01:00:08","date_gmt":"2016-07-24T06:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=4783"},"modified":"2016-07-24T10:35:10","modified_gmt":"2016-07-24T15:35:10","slug":"torrence-c-force-laughlin-and-hines-earn-no-1-qualifying-positions-at-mopar-mile-high-nhra-nationals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2016\/07\/24\/torrence-c-force-laughlin-and-hines-earn-no-1-qualifying-positions-at-mopar-mile-high-nhra-nationals\/","title":{"rendered":"Torrence, C. Force, Laughlin and Hines earn No. 1 qualifying positions at Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals"},"content":{"rendered":"

MORRISON, Colo. \u2013 Defending Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals<\/a> Top Fuel winner Steve Torrence<\/strong> will try to earn his second consecutive victory on Thunder Mountain Sunday from the No. 1 qualifying position.<\/p>\n

\"Steve

Steve Torrence (NHRA photo)<\/p><\/div>\n

Courtney Force (Funny Car), Alex Laughlin (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also will lead their classes into tomorrow\u2019s 11 a.m. eliminations as top qualifiers at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event at Bandimere Speedway near Denver. The race is the first of three consecutive weekends of racing known as the NHRA Western Swing.<\/p>\n

Torrence claimed his seventh No. 1 of the season and 12th of his career with a track record time of 3.776 seconds at 325.14 mph from Friday in his Capco Contractors dragster. He will race legendary Chris Karamesines in round one.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe way the car has performed has been flawless all weekend,\u201d Torrence said. \u201cIt does give you a lot of confidence and we\u2019re trying to catch Doug (Kalitta) and Antron (Brown) [in the Top Fuel points standings]. This is a great way to start race day and you can\u2019t sweep the Swing unless you win the first one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Series points leader and two-time Denver winner Antron Brown qualified second in his Matco Tools dragster and will face Rob Passey in the first round. Richie Crampton will start third in the Lucas Oil dragster with a 3.813 at 310.27 and will meet Bill Litton in the opener.<\/p>\n

By qualifying for this weekend\u2019s race Brown and Kalitta became the first Top Fuel drivers to secure berths in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, NHRA\u2019s six-race playoff series.<\/p>\n

\"Courtney

Courtney Force (NHRA photo)<\/p><\/div>\n

In Funny Car, Force raced to her first No. 1 of the season and 10th of her career based on her Friday track record time of 3.917 at 318.39 in her Traxxas Chevy Camaro. She was quickest in both Saturday sessions and carries a lot of momentum into her first round meeting with Jim Campbell as she pursues her second victory of the season.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt took a lot of hard work this weekend through a lot of late nights, and I am so proud of my guys,\u201d Force said. \u201cIt\u2019s been a lot of fun. I am in the new Traxxas Camaro body so it\u2019s exciting. It\u2019s a great way to start the Western Swing by picking up eight bonus points. It\u2019s great to see all the fans packing the stands and I am excited we were able to make all four runs and make some great passes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Six-time Denver winner John Force, who posted the first three-second run in track history on Friday and qualified with a 3.935 at 320.43 in his Realtree Peak Camaro, will race Jeff Diehl in the first round. Defending world champ Del Worsham qualified third with a 3.963 at 322.34 in his DHL Toyota Camry and will meet Todd Simpson in round one. Points leader Ron Capps will start 11th after posting a 4.062 at 309.84 in his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger. He will square off with teammate Matt Hagan.<\/p>\n

\"Alex

Alex Laughlin (NHRA photo)<\/p><\/div>\n

In Pro Stock, second-year pro Laughlin was beaming after scoring his first career No. 1 qualifying position with a performance of 6.926 at 199.02 in his Gas Monkey Garage Chevy Camaro.<\/p>\n

\u201cWords can\u2019t even describe how I feel right now,\u201d Laughlin said. \u201cOur team deserves it, and I want to thank everyone on this team. I am going to be tired tomorrow because I am not going to sleep tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughlin, a Texas native, earned his first No. 1 in only his 21st career start. He is the 62nd different Pro Stock driver to claim a No. 1 spot in NHRA history. He said he had a great feeling about his chances to go low prior to that run.<\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly I felt like we could get the No. 1 spot,\u201d Laughlin said. \u201cWe have the best race car this weekend. We came up and tested last week and that made all the difference in the world. I have to thank my sponsor (Gas Monkey Garage), my dad (team owner Kenny Laughlin) and everyone at Gray Motorsports. We\u2019ve had our highs and lows so far this year and this is the highest of the highs so far.\u201d<\/p>\n

Defending world champ Erica Enders qualified second with a 6.933 at 199.02 in her Elite Motorsports Dodge Dart and will race fellow Texan Chris McGaha in the opening round. Shane Gray qualified third in his Valvoline Nova Services Camaro with a 6.937 at 197.51 and will face local favorite and Colorado native Deric Kramer in round one.<\/p>\n

\"Andrew

Andrew Hines (NHRA photo)<\/p><\/div>\n

Hines earned his first top qualifying effort of the season and 37th of his career in Pro Stock Motorcycle by clocking a 7.161 at 185.36 on his Screamin\u2019 Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson. It isfo his third No. 1 at Denver, and he will go for his fourth career Bandimere victory when he lines up beside Scotty Pollacheck in round one.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had great success here,\u201d Hines said. \u201cMy guys have given me a flawless motorcycle this weekend. Eddie (Krawiec, teammate) has been stealing all the No. 1s here lately and it\u2019s nice to get a No. 1 on my side of the pit. The motorcycle is running pretty well. We are looking good for tomorrow and we tried some things today so I think we have a good tune-up for the race.\u201d<\/p>\n

Krawiec will start second on his Screamin\u2019 Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson with a 7.177 at 186.72 and he will meet Karen Stoffer in round one. Angelle Sampey qualified third on her Precision Service Equipment Buell and will race fellow veteran rider Hector Arana on his Lucas Oil Buell in the opener.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/p>\n

MORRISON, Colo. — Sunday’s first-round pairings for eliminations for the 37th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway, the 14th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.\u00a0 Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.<\/p>\n

Top Fuel — 1. Steve Torrence, 3.776 seconds, 325.14 mph\u00a0 vs. 16. Chris Karamesines, 5.576, 122.28; 2. Antron Brown, 3.805, 305.36\u00a0 vs. 15. Rob Passey, 4.959, 168.81; 3. Richie Crampton, 3.813, 310.27\u00a0 vs. 14. Bill Litton, 4.606, 196.36; 4. Brittany Force, 3.813, 316.30\u00a0 vs. 13. Terry McMillen, 4.284, 208.04; 5. Clay Millican, 3.815, 319.14\u00a0 vs. 12. Terry Haddock, 4.278, 288.33; 6. J.R. Todd, 3.816, 316.38\u00a0 vs. 11. Scott Palmer, 4.026, 290.82; 7. Shawn Langdon, 3.826, 314.02\u00a0 vs. 10. Leah Pritchett, 3.866, 313.37; 8. Doug Kalitta, 3.835, 313.73\u00a0 vs. 9. Tony Schumacher, 3.836, 313.07.<\/p>\n

Funny Car — 1. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.917, 318.39\u00a0 vs. 16. Jim Campbell, Toyota Camry, 7.173, 85.88; 2. John Force, Camaro, 3.935, 320.43\u00a0 vs. 15. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Solara, 6.562, 103.95; 3. Del Worsham, Camry, 3.963, 322.34\u00a0 vs. 14. Todd Simpson, Camaro, 4.935, 164.13; 4. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 3.975, 318.69\u00a0 vs. 13. John Hale, Dodge Charger, 4.889, 153.47; 5. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.975, 315.86\u00a0 vs. 12. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.169, 281.83; 6. Jack Beckman, Charger, 3.985, 313.58\u00a0 vs. 11. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.062, 309.84; 7. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.010, 316.67\u00a0 vs. 10. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 4.042, 316.45; 8. Chad Head, Camry, 4.024, 312.93\u00a0 vs. 9. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.029, 308.92.<\/p>\n

Pro Stock — 1. Alex Laughlin, Chevy Camaro, 6.926, 199.02\u00a0 vs. Bye; 2. Erica Enders, Dodge Dart, 6.933, 198.03\u00a0 vs. 15. Alan Prusiensky, Dart, 7.477, 192.55; 3. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.937, 198.12 vs. 14. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 7.076, 196.04; 4. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.939, 198.64\u00a0 vs. 13. Deric Kramer, Dart, 7.059, 195.65; 5. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.940, 197.62\u00a0 vs. 12. Richie Stevens, Dart, 7.032, 195.56; 6. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.951, 197.42\u00a0 vs. 11. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.990, 196.96; 7. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.957, 197.80\u00a0 vs. 10. Allen Johnson, Dart, 6.988, 197.25; 8. Jeg Coughlin, Dart, 6.979, 196.73\u00a0 vs. 9. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.981, 197.45.<\/p>\n

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 7.161, 186.41\u00a0 vs. 16. Scotty Pollacheck, Buell, 7.303, 183.19; 2. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 7.177, 186.72\u00a0 vs. 15. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.288, 183.87; 3. Angelle Sampey, Buell, 7.178, 187.31\u00a0 vs. 14. Hector Arana, Buell, 7.285, 185.56; 4. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 7.204, 184.90\u00a0 vs. 13. Tyler Fisher, Suzuki, 7.278, 182.90; 5. Matt Smith, Victory, 7.209, 186.25\u00a0 vs. 12. Angie Smith, Victory, 7.276, 180.79; 6. Michael Ray, Buell, 7.219, 185.82\u00a0 vs. 11. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 7.244, 186.02; 7. Chip Ellis, Buell, 7.226, 186.23 vs. 10. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 7.237, 184.67; 8. Shawn Gann, Buell, 7.235, 185.92\u00a0 vs. 9. Cory Reed, Buell, 7.235, 184.67.\u00a0 Did Not Qualify: 17. Melissa Surber, 7.304, 183.64; 18. Michael Phillips, 7.314, 183.62; 19. Jim Underdahl, 7.379, 181.50; 20. Steve Johnson, 7.383, 182.97; 21. Mike Berry, 7.405, 180.60; 22. Lance Bonham, 7.482, 176.81; 23. Kristen Ashby, 7.721, 174.55.<\/p>\n

Story and photos courtesy of the NHRA<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

MORRISON, Colo. \u2013 Defending Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals Top Fuel winner Steve Torrence will try to earn his second consecutive victory on Thunder Mountain Sunday from the No. 1 qualifying position. Courtney Force (Funny Car), Alex Laughlin (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also will lead their classes into tomorrow\u2019s 11 a.m. eliminations […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4788,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_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}},"categories":[4],"tags":[289,294,6],"class_list":["post-4783","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhra","tag-bandimere-speedway","tag-mopar-mile-high-nationals","tag-nhra"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/225-Steve-Torrence-Saturday-Denver.jpg?fit=2200%2C1464","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-1f9","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4783","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=4783"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4783\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4789,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4783\/revisions\/4789"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4788"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4783"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4783"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4783"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}