{"id":38485,"date":"2022-04-22T23:59:12","date_gmt":"2022-04-23T04:59:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=38485"},"modified":"2022-04-23T14:09:49","modified_gmt":"2022-04-23T19:09:49","slug":"brittany-force-ron-capps-camrie-caruso-and-karen-stoffer-grab-provisional-no-1-spots-at-final-nhra-springnaationals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2022\/04\/22\/brittany-force-ron-capps-camrie-caruso-and-karen-stoffer-grab-provisional-no-1-spots-at-final-nhra-springnaationals\/","title":{"rendered":"Brittany Force, Ron Capps, Camrie Caruso and Karen Stoffer grab provisional No. 1 spots at final NHRA SpringNationals"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

BAYTOWN, Texas \u2013 Brittany Force rocketed to the fastest pass in the history of Houston Raceway Park, grabbing the provisional No. 1 spot in Top Fuel and kicking off the final NHRA SpringNationals in impressive fashion on Friday at the legendary facility. Ron Capps (Funny Car), Camrie Caruso (Pro Stock) and Karen Stoffer (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also the provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the fifth of 22 races during the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.<\/p>\n

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Brittany Force. Photo courtesy of the NHRA<\/p><\/div>\n

Force previously held the speed record at the Houston Raceway Park in Top Fuel but went 3.695-seconds at a record-breaking 333.58 mph in her 11,000-horsepower Monster Energy dragster to close out qualifying on Friday and give her the fastest run in both nitro categories. Coming off an impressive win in Las Vegas, Force put on a show in Houston, with her performance putting her in line for her second No. 1 qualifier this season and 34th in her career.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s just huge for our team and everyone that was part of tonight,\u201d Force said. \u201cIt\u2019s the final race here in Houston, so to put on a show for them like that is pretty exciting for all of us. We were right on our target with our run and just looking at our season, we\u2019ve put up some pretty big speeds. It was cool to put on a show like that for our fans. That win in Vegas just pumped us up and motivated us, and when you\u2019re in that winner\u2019s circle you want to get back at it. There\u2019s just an extra energy in the pits and we want more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Justin Ashley is currently second after the first session with a 3.697 at 330.80, while Force\u2019s Top Fuel teammate, Austin Prock, is third after going 3.701 at 330.15.<\/p>\n

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Ron Capps. Photo courtesy of the NHRA<\/p><\/div>\n

Still riding high from his first career victory as a team owner, reigning Funny Car world champion Capps kept rolling on Friday in Houston, going to the No. 1 spot with a standout run of 3.864 at 326.16 in his 11,000-horsepower NAPA Auto Parts Funny Car. It was just enough to slip past Robert Hight as the two standouts continue their thrilling duel this season and puts Capps in line to collect his third No. 1 qualifier in 20222 and 32nd in his career. Capps and Hight are also tied with four Funny Car wins in Houston and the two-time champ would like to collect another in the final event at the track.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur team makes me look way better than I am,\u201d Capps said. \u201cIt\u2019s a good hot rod right now and you\u2019ve got to enjoy it when it\u2019s like this. You show up first round and you hope you can put up a number like that. It\u2019s imperative that you can do that. You go on these runs like this where you win rounds and win races, (but) you can\u2019t get arrogant about it. You just take it as it comes and just be glad that you\u2019ve got a good hot rod.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hight, whose first career Funny Car win came in Houston, took the second spot to close out the opening round of qualifying, going 3.865 at 331.36. Cruz Pedregon had a run of 3.881 at 324.67, which currently puts him third.<\/p>\n

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Camrie Caruso. Photo courtesy of the NHRA<\/p><\/div>\n

In just her fifth career start, rookie Caruso put on a show and is now on track for her first career No. 1 qualifier in Pro Stock after going 6.547 at 209.39 in her Sand Haulers of America Chevrolet Camaro. The young standout has enjoyed a strong start in the first year of her Pro Stock career in 2022 and Friday\u2019s performance was the latest example. But Caruso has continually praised her team, one that has helped put her on the cusp of her first top spot.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was really exciting, and it felt really smooth,\u201d Caruso said. \u201cI\u2019m really thankful for my guys and my team, and hopefully it holds. I always have confidence in my car and my team because they do a great job, but we just want to continue to make A to B runs and then we can improve from that. I wasn\u2019t expecting No. 1, but I\u2019ll take it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Houston native Erica Enders took the second spot on Friday thanks to her 6.553 at 210.87 as she looks for a win in the final race at her home track. Enders\u2019 Elite Motorsports teammate and points leader Aaron Stanfield ran 6.555 at 210.57 to sit in the third position.<\/p>\n

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Karen Stoffer. Photo courtesy of the NHRA<\/p><\/div>\n

Stoffer simply picked up where she left off, vaulting to the top spot in Pro Stock Motorcycle after setting the world record and winning the opener in Gainesville. This time, she went 6.775 at 199.64 on her Ray Skillman Auto Group\/Big St. Charles\/Suzuki Extended Protection bike on Friday, hoping to pick up her sixth career No. 1 qualifier. Stoffer also has a strong history in Houston, winning a pair of races, and has been nothing but incredible to open the 2022 season.<\/p>\n

\u201cGainesville seems like it was forever ago, so you\u2019re definitely wondering if you can continue that momentum, but we were excited about putting together another good pass,\u201d said Stoffer, who has two career Houston wins. \u201cI think there\u2019s more out there and there\u2019s definitely going to be a lot of competition, but I hope it holds. It was fun and I\u2019m just having such a blast on that bike. It\u2019s just so fun to ride and it\u2019s going so smooth and so straight and so fast. I\u2019m just having a good time with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angie Smith, who finished as the runner-up to Stoffer in Gainesville, gave females the top two spots in the class with a 6.798 at 199.97, while Steve Johnson rounded out the top three with a 6.804 at 197.68 after the first qualifying session.<\/p>\n

Qualifying continues at 1 p.m. CT on Saturday at the final NHRA SpringNationals at Houston Raceway Park.<\/p>\n

Interviews:<\/h3>\n

Brittany Force – <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ron Capps – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/RonCapps-2.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Camrie Caruso – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/CamrieCuruso.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Karen Stoffer – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/KarenStoffer.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

BAYTOWN, Texas — Friday’s results after the first one of three rounds of qualifying for the 35th annual NHRA SpringNationals at Houston Raceway Park, fifth of 22 events in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.<\/p>\n

Top Fuel — 1. Brittany Force, 3.695 seconds, 333.58 mph; 2. Justin Ashley, 3.697, 330.80; 3. Austin Prock, 3.701, 330.15; 4. Antron Brown, 3.704, 330.55; 5. Steve Torrence, 3.704, 327.03; 6. Leah Pruett, 3.719, 328.54; 7. Tony Schumacher, 3.720, 326.79; 8. Mike Salinas, 3.722, 329.18; 9. Shawn Langdon, 3.733, 329.42; 10. Doug Kalitta, 3.740, 326.08; 11. Alex Laughlin, 3.782, 317.12; 12. Doug Foley, 3.800, 310.48; 13. Clay Millican, 3.803, 312.42; 14. Josh Hart, 3.929, 236.63; 15. Mitch King, 4.202, 239.95; 16. Billy Torrence, 4.216, 200.23. Not Qualified: 17. Buddy Hull, 5.601, 116.61; 18. Cameron Ferre, 8.527, 81.39.<\/p>\n

Funny Car — 1. Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 3.864, 326.16; 2. Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 3.865, 331.36; 3. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.881, 324.67; 4. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.882, 329.58; 5. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.887, 330.47; 6. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 3.911, 326.71; 7. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.926, 319.37; 8. Alexis DeJoria, Toyota Supra, 3.929, 329.26; 9. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.984, 297.02; 10. Jim Campbell, Charger, 4.034, 311.77; 11. Paul Lee, Charger, 4.282, 229.78; 12. J.R. Todd, Supra, 4.362, 202.88; 13. Terry Haddock, Mustang, 4.445, 205.04; 14. Bobby Bode, Mustang, 4.447, 193.05; 15. John Force, Camaro, 6.334, 108.71.<\/p>\n

Pro Stock — 1. Camrie Caruso, Chevy Camaro, 6.547, 209.39; 2. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.553, 210.87; 3. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.555, 210.57; 4. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.559, 209.82; 5. Kyle Koretsky, Camaro, 6.560, 210.70; 6. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.565, 210.50; 7. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.568, 209.52; 8. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.571, 209.69; 9. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.582, 209.43; 10. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.585, 209.75; 11. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.585, 209.33; 12. Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 6.589, 209.62; 13. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Ford Mustang, 6.599, 209.10; 14. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.603, 209.36; 15. Fernando Cuadra, Mustang, 6.615, 209.10; 16. Shane Tucker, Camaro, 6.615, 208.78. Not Qualified: 17. Cristian Cuadra, 6.643, 209.30; 18. Alan Prusiensky, 6.664, 208.65; 19. John Callahan, 23.759, 38.69.<\/p>\n

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.776, 199.64; 2. Angie Smith, EBR, 6.798, 199.97; 3. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.804, 197.68; 4. Joey Gladstone, Suzuki, 6.833, 198.90; 5. Matt Smith, Suzuki, 6.856, 199.49; 6. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 6.879, 195.14; 7. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.893, 195.39; 8. Eddie Krawiec, Suzuki, 6.899, 196.53; 9. Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 6.931, 199.08; 10. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.971, 196.30; 11. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 7.037, 191.65; 12. Michael Ray, Victory, 7.173, 166.39; 13. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 7.253, 159.72; 14. Angelle Sampey, Suzuki, 9.969, 87.64; 15. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 21.631, 31.65.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Courtesy of the NHRA BAYTOWN, Texas \u2013 Brittany Force rocketed to the fastest pass in the history of Houston Raceway Park, grabbing the provisional No. 1 spot in Top Fuel and kicking off the final NHRA SpringNationals in impressive fashion on Friday at the legendary facility. Ron Capps (Funny Car), Camrie Caruso (Pro Stock) and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":38488,"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":[117,870,738,510,6,194,108],"class_list":["post-38485","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhra","tag-brittany-force","tag-camrie-caruso","tag-houston-raceway-park","tag-karen-stoffer","tag-nhra","tag-nhra-springnationals","tag-ron-capps"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/MG1_2616.webp?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-a0J","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38485","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\/676"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38485"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38485\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38504,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38485\/revisions\/38504"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38488"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38485"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38485"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38485"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}