{"id":372,"date":"2016-02-28T22:06:01","date_gmt":"2016-02-29T04:06:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=372"},"modified":"2016-02-28T22:06:01","modified_gmt":"2016-02-29T04:06:01","slug":"leah-pritchett-races-to-first-nhra-top-fuel-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2016\/02\/28\/leah-pritchett-races-to-first-nhra-top-fuel-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"Leah Pritchett races to first NHRA Top Fuel victory"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

CHANDLER, Ariz. \u2014 Leah Pritchett raced to her first Top Fuel victory Sunday at the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals.<\/p>\n

\"029-LeahPritchett-celeb-Sunday-Phoenix\"<\/p>\n

Tim Wilkerson (Funny Car) and Jason Line (Pro Stock) also picked up victories at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park near Phoenix.<\/p>\n

Pritchett used a quicker reaction time and a performance of 3.775 seconds at 323.12 mph in her Quaker State dragster to finish in front of Brittany Force\u2019s 3.774 at 321.35 in her Monster Energy dragster. It was the first all-female Top Fuel final since Shirley Muldowney defeated Lucille Lee in 1982 in Columbus, Ohio. It is only the fourth time two women have decided a pro class victory in the Mello Yello Series. Angelle Sampey and Karen Stoffer have met twice in finals in Pro Stock Motorcycle, most recently at Norwalk last season.<\/p>\n

Pritchett outran J.R. Todd, Clay Millican and Antron Brown in the first three rounds before defeating Force in the final. She is the 16th woman to win a Mello Yello Series race and the eighth female to win in the Top Fuel category.<\/p>\n

\"030-LeahPritchett-action-Sunday-Phoenix\"<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is the happiest day of my life, besides getting married of course,\u201d said Pritchett, who posted a runner-up finish in her only other Top Fuel final, last season at Atlanta. \u201cThis is what dreams are made of.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like I just won the Super Bowl, even though it\u2019s only the second race and it\u2019s not the U.S. Nationals, for me it\u2019s an incredible personal and professional victory to be able to compete with the team that I\u2019m with.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pritchett moved to fifth in the points standings with the win. Event top qualifier Doug Kalitta, who lost a close race to Force in the semis, is the points leader, eight ahead of Winternationals winner Steve Torrence, who was upset in the opening round.<\/p>\n

\"032-TimWilkerson-celeb-Sunday-Phoenix\"<\/p>\n

In Funny Car, Wilkerson earned his 19th career victory and first at Phoenix, taking out longtime rival John Force with a run of 3.937 at 320.43 in his Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang. Force trailed with a 4.016 at 275.34 in his Peak Chevy Camaro.<\/p>\n

Wilkerson made it past Robert Hight in semis and also knocked off Chad Head in the opening round and took out series points leader and event top qualifier Ron Capps in the second round.<\/p>\n

\"031-TimWilkerson-Sunday-action-Phoenix\"<\/p>\n

\u201cI am just happy to be here,\u201d said Wilkerson, who moves to fifth in the points order with the win. \u201cWe\u2019re very excited about what happened here today. That\u2019s the best run we had all weekend [in the final].\u201d<\/p>\n

Line beat Chris McGaha for the Pro Stock victory with a 6.666 at 205.16 in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro, while McGaha\u2019s Camaro posted a 6.671 at 208.75 in the runner-up effort. It was Line\u2019s second consecutive final round appearance of the season and the two-time world champ takes over the series points lead.<\/p>\n

\"034-JasonLine-celeb-Sunday-Phoenix\"<\/p>\n

Line defeated Matt Hartford and Jeg Coughlin in the first two rounds and then was able to gain back team bragging rights by outrunning teammate Greg Anderson in the semis. Line lost to Anderson in the Pomona final two weeks ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a fun day, a great way to start the year,\u201d said Line of his second Phoenix victory in four final round appearances at this event. \u201cWe are off to a much better start this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"033-JasonLine-action-Sunday-Phoenix\"<\/p>\n

The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues March 17-20 with the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Florida\u2019s Gainesville Raceway.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/p>\n

CHANDLER, Ariz. — Final finish order (1-16) at the 32nd annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park.\u00a0 The race is the second of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.<\/p>\n

TOP FUEL:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Leah Pritchett; 2.\u00a0 Brittany Force; 3.\u00a0 Doug Kalitta; 4.\u00a0 Clay Millican; 5.\u00a0 Antron Brown; 6. Dave Connolly; 7.\u00a0 Tony Schumacher; 8.\u00a0 Terry McMillen; 9.\u00a0 Shawn Langdon; 10.\u00a0 Steve Torrence; 11. Steven Chrisman; 12.\u00a0 J.R. Todd; 13.\u00a0 Scott Palmer; 14.\u00a0 Richie Crampton; 15.\u00a0 Troy Buff.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    FUNNY CAR:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Tim Wilkerson; 2.\u00a0 John Force; 3.\u00a0 Robert Hight; 4.\u00a0 Courtney Force; 5.\u00a0 Del Worsham; 6.\u00a0 Jack Beckman; 7.\u00a0 Ron Capps; 8.\u00a0 Tommy Johnson Jr.; 9.\u00a0 Alexis DeJoria; 10.\u00a0 Jeff Diehl; 11.\u00a0 Matt Hagan; 12.\u00a0 Jim Campbell; 13.\u00a0 Cruz Pedregon; 14.\u00a0 John Hale; 15.\u00a0 Chad Head; 16.\u00a0 Terry Haddock.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      PRO STOCK:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Jason Line; 2.\u00a0 Chris McGaha; 3.\u00a0 Bo Butner; 4.\u00a0 Greg Anderson; 5.\u00a0 Jeg Coughlin; 6.\u00a0 Drew Skillman; 7.\u00a0 Deric Kramer; 8.\u00a0 Alex Laughlin; 9.\u00a0 Joey Grose; 10.\u00a0 Erica Enders; 11.\u00a0 Vincent Nobile; 12.\u00a0 V. Gaines; 13.\u00a0 Allen Johnson; 14.\u00a0 Matt Hartford.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        CHANDLER, Ariz. — Sunday’s final results from the 32nd annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. The race is the second of 24 in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:<\/p>\n

        Top Fuel — Leah Pritchett, 3.775 seconds, 323.12 mph\u00a0 def. Brittany Force, 3.774 seconds, 321.35 mph.<\/p>\n

        Funny Car — Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 3.937, 320.43\u00a0 def. John Force, Chevy Camaro, 4.016, 275.34.<\/p>\n

        Pro Stock — Jason Line, Chevy Camaro, 6.666, 205.16\u00a0 def. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.671, 208.75.<\/p>\n

        Super Stock — Gary McGlasson, Chevy Camaro, 9.825, 129.53\u00a0 def. Bernie Cunningham, Pontiac Firebird, 10.867, 120.77.<\/p>\n

        Stock Eliminator — Randi Lyn Shipp, Pontiac Firebird, 10.349, 120.09\u00a0 def. Jerry Hatch, Plymouth Duster, 10.717, 110.31.<\/p>\n

        Super Comp — Chandler Meziere, Dragster, 8.956, 155.85\u00a0 def. Steve Williams, Dragster, 9.424, 165.15.<\/p>\n

        Super Gas — Brad Pierce, Chevy Corvette, 10.100, 121.68\u00a0 def. Clint Fishel, Chevy Beretta, 10.282, 145.00.<\/p>\n

        Super Street — Frank Kohutek, Chevy Vega, 10.917, 137.93\u00a0 def. Joe Greco, AMX, 10.929, 146.54.<\/p>\n

        Top Dragster — Bobby Ray McMahan, Dragster, 6.551, 206.95\u00a0 def. Phil Unruh, Dragster, 6.362, 215.41.<\/p>\n

        Top Sportsman — Chris Newman, Chevy Cobalt, 6.878, 194.94\u00a0 def. Jeff Gillette, Pontiac GTO, 6.986, 200.32.<\/p>\n

        Top Fuel Harley — Jay Turner, Dixie, 6.295, 228.96\u00a0 def. Tii Tharpe, Dixie, 6.496, 219.83.<\/p>\n

        CHANDLER, Ariz. — Final round-by-round results from the 32nd annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, the second of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:<\/p>\n

        TOP FUEL:<\/p>\n

        ROUND ONE — Brittany Force, 3.723, 325.45 def. Shawn Langdon, 3.772, 321.65; Tony Schumacher, 3.742, 325.77 def. Scott Palmer, 7.611, 84.19; Doug Kalitta, 3.716, 328.22 was unopposed; Antron Brown, 3.766, 317.64 def. Steven Chrisman, 4.119, 257.04; Terry McMillen, 3.840, 304.53 def. Steve Torrence, 3.851, 312.28; Clay Millican, 3.940, 304.53 def. Troy Buff, 8.780, 84.00; Leah Pritchett, 4.361, 245.54 def. J.R. Todd, 4.612, 168.05; Dave Connolly, 3.765, 324.12 def. Richie Crampton, 8.532, 85.67; QUARTERFINALS — Pritchett, 3.808, 322.19 def. Brown, Foul – Red Light; Millican, 4.747, 223.06 def. Schumacher, 5.874, 124.21; Force, 3.771, 321.04 def. McMillen, 6.641, 105.60; Kalitta, 3.770, 323.19 def. Connolly, 5.070, 139.26; SEMIFINALS — Pritchett, 3.832, 317.05 def. Millican, 3.878, 299.86; Force, 3.760, 319.67 def. Kalitta, 3.794, 322.50; FINAL — Pritchett, 3.775, 323.12 def. Force, 3.774, 321.35.<\/p>\n

        FUNNY CAR:<\/p>\n

        ROUND ONE — Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.930, 326.79 def. Terry Haddock, Toyota Solara, 6.911, 91.55; Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 3.965, 319.29 def. Jeff Diehl, Solara, Foul – Red Light; John Force, Camaro, 3.955, 322.65 def. John Hale, Charger, 4.398, 231.75; Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.905, 327.11 def. Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Camry, 4.313, 213.87; Del Worsham, Camry, 3.991, 318.24 def. Jim Campbell, Charger, 4.298, 242.41; Jack Beckman, Charger, 3.939, 318.39 def. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 3.964, 320.74; Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.003, 317.64 def. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.229, 266.32; Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 3.970, 320.81 def. Chad Head, Camry, 5.554, 158.93; QUARTERFINALS — C. Force, 3.973, 319.67 def. Johnson Jr., 7.998, 92.39; Hight, 3.977, 320.97 def. Worsham, 4.711, 170.82; J. Force, 4.014, 319.07 def. Beckman, 6.082, 110.62; Wilkerson, 4.597, 228.19 def. Capps, 6.168, 115.86; SEMIFINALS — J. Force, 4.006, 318.02 def. C. Force, 9.212, 82.51; Wilkerson, 3.994, 317.19 def. Hight, 8.351, 84.37; FINAL — Wilkerson, 3.937, 320.43 def. J. Force, 4.016, 275.34.<\/p>\n

        PRO STOCK:<\/p>\n

        ROUND ONE — Jeg Coughlin, Dodge Dart, 6.653, 206.89 def. Alex Laughlin, Chevy Camaro, 6.684, 208.71; Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.633, 208.33 def. Erica Enders, Dart, 6.705, 207.53; Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.634, 209.14 def. Joey Grose, Camaro, Foul – Red Light; Deric Kramer, Dart, 6.747, 206.95 def. Allen Johnson, Dart, 6.711, 206.16; Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.611, 207.69 def. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.710, 207.78; Jason Line, Camaro, 6.595, 208.07 def. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.713, 206.99; Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.590, 209.30 def. V. Gaines, Dart, 6.710, 206.61; QUARTERFINALS — McGaha, 6.664, 208.78 def. Kramer, 22.660, 34.45; Anderson, 6.630, 207.85 def. Skillman, 6.684, 207.46; Line, 6.641, 207.78 def. Coughlin, 6.670, 206.76; Butner, 6.638, 208.52 was unopposed; SEMIFINALS — McGaha, 6.692, 208.07 def. Butner, 6.690, 208.10; Line, 6.650, 207.53 def. Anderson, 13.587, 63.30; FINAL — Line, 6.666, 205.16 def. McGaha, 6.671, 208.75.<\/p>\n

        CHANDLER, Ariz. — Point standings (top 10) following the 32nd annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, the second of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series –<\/p>\n

        Top Fuel<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Doug Kalitta, 171; 2.\u00a0 Steve Torrence, 163; 3.\u00a0 Brittany Force, 133; 4.\u00a0 Clay Millican, 131; 5. Leah Pritchett, 129; 6.\u00a0 Antron Brown, 110; 7.\u00a0 Richie Crampton, 109; 8.\u00a0 J.R. Todd, 105; 9.\u00a0 Tony Schumacher, 98; 10.\u00a0 Terry McMillen, 97.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Funny Car<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Ron Capps, 183; 2.\u00a0 John Force, 168; 3.\u00a0 Robert Hight, 158; 4.\u00a0 Del Worsham, 154; 5.\u00a0 Tim Wilkerson, 147; 6.\u00a0 Courtney Force, 141; 7.\u00a0 Jack Beckman, 121; 8.\u00a0 Alexis DeJoria, 87; 9.\u00a0 Chad Head, 86; 10.\u00a0 Tommy Johnson Jr., 85.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Pro Stock<\/p>\n

              \n
            1. Jason Line, 227; 2.\u00a0 Greg Anderson, 209; 3.\u00a0 Bo Butner, 171; 4.\u00a0 Drew Skillman, 131; 5.\u00a0 Chris McGaha, 129; 6.\u00a0 Jeg Coughlin, 106; 7.\u00a0 Allen Johnson, 87; 8.\u00a0 Vincent Nobile, 86; 9.\u00a0 Deric Kramer, 83; 10.\u00a0 Alex Laughlin, 66.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              \"035-PhoenixWinnersCircle\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              Courtesy of the NHRA CHANDLER, Ariz. \u2014 Leah Pritchett raced to her first Top Fuel victory Sunday at the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals. Tim Wilkerson (Funny Car) and Jason Line (Pro Stock) also picked up victories at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park near Phoenix. Pritchett […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":374,"comment_status":"open","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":[45,6],"class_list":["post-372","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhra","tag-leah-pritchett","tag-nhra"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/029-LeahPritchett-celeb-Sunday-Phoenix.jpg?fit=1464%2C2200&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-60","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/372","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=372"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/372\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":381,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/372\/revisions\/381"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/374"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=372"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=372"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=372"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}