{"id":5552,"date":"2016-09-18T19:24:17","date_gmt":"2016-09-19T00:24:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=5552"},"modified":"2016-09-18T19:24:17","modified_gmt":"2016-09-19T00:24:17","slug":"brown-j-force-line-ellis-pick-up-important-wins-at-nhra-carolina-nationals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2016\/09\/18\/brown-j-force-line-ellis-pick-up-important-wins-at-nhra-carolina-nationals\/","title":{"rendered":"Brown, J. Force, Line, Ellis pick up important wins at NHRA Carolina Nationals"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"348-antronbrown-sunday-charlotte\"<\/p>\n

CONCORD, N.C. \u2013 Antron Brown<\/strong> piloted his Matco Tools Top Fuel dragster to victory on Sunday at the ninth annual NHRA<\/a> Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C.<\/p>\n

John Force (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Chip Ellis (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners in their respective categories at the 19th event of 24 on the 2016 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule. The NHRA Carolina Nationals is the first race of the six race Countdown to the Championship playoffs.<\/p>\n

\"349-antronbrown-celebration-charlotte\"<\/p>\n

Brown claimed his 59th career victory, and fifth of the season, with a 3.763-second pass at 319.29 mph in his dragster to defeat Doug Kalitta and his Mac Tools machine, 3.811 at 320.28. It is Brown\u2019s second consecutive win at the NHRA Carolina Nationals, the opening event of the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. In 2015, Brown went on to win the Top Fuel World Championship.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m dreaming right now, someone needs to come and pinch me,\u201d Brown said. \u201dWhen you come here, this is the way you want to start the Countdown off. Qualifying didn\u2019t go the way we wanted it. We just kept digging. That was the key, to keep digging. The track was the hottest that we have had all year long. We knew it was going to be tricky. We navigated down it and we did what we had to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before picking up the victory over Kalitta, Brown faced down Clay Millican, Brittany Force, and Pat Dakin. Kalitta, the No. 1 qualifier, had to defeat Ike Maier, Leah Pritchett and Wayne Newby to reach the finals. Brown remains on top of the points with Kalitta in second.<\/p>\n

\"350-johnforce-sunday-charlotte\"<\/p>\n

Force, a 16-time world champion, powered his PEAK Antifreeze Chevy Camaro Funny Car to a 3.946 at 324.05 pass to defeat No. 1 qualifier Tommy Johnson Jr. and his Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R\/T\u2019s 3.987 at 315.71 run for his 146th career win, third of the season and second overall at zMAX Dragway. The win propels Force into third in the points standings.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s stadiums like this that really create the magic in your heart and you really want to race and we had a good day,\u201d Force said. \u201cI\u2019ve got a race car now that I can race with and when you have a race car and you\u2019re on your game, I ain\u2019t great, but I\u2019m good. But when I\u2019m on my game, I can win.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"351-johnforce-celebration-charlotte\"<\/p>\n

On his way to the win, Force defeated Dave Richards, Tim Wilkerson, and points leader Ron Capps. Johnson Jr. raced past Bob Gilbertson, national record holder Matt Hagan and defending champion Del Worsham before facing Force. Despite a semifinal exit, Capps maintains the points lead. Johnson Jr. is now fourth.<\/p>\n

For Line in Pro Stock, this is his eighth win of the season.\u00a0 He raced his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro to a winning pass of 6.621 at 209.39 to defeat Summit Racing Equipment teammate Greg Anderson and his Camaro\u2019s losing run of 6.639 at 209.20.<\/p>\n

\"352-jasonline-sunday-charlotte\"<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a great day for us,\u201d Line said, \u201cTo be sitting here is a great feeling. It\u2019s a great way to start the countdown. If you want to win the championship you have to come out smoking and somehow we were able to do that today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Line, a two-time world champion, powered past Shane Tucker, teammate Bo Butner and Vincent Nobile before defeating Anderson who picked up wins against Alan Prusiensky, Chris McGaha and Alex Laughlin in the earlier rounds. The teammates remain one and two in the points standings, respectively.<\/p>\n

\"354-chipellis-sunday-charlotte\"<\/p>\n

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Ellis rode his PiranaZ\/Pippin Motorsports Buell to a 6.879 at 194.88 to defeat points leader Andrew Hines and his Screamin\u2019 Eagle Vance & Hines Harley Davidson\u2019s 6.908 at 193.49 in the final. Ellis has seven wins in his Pro Stock Motorcycle career. His last win came in Englishtown, N.J. in 2008.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m ecstatic with our performance today,\u201d Ellis said. \u201cI did get a couple breaks today against Angelle when her bike broke and LE had some issue or else he probably would have beat us. As a racer, some days you just have a feeling where today\u2019s the day and today\u2019s the day.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the earlier rounds, Ellis defeated Shawn Gann, LE Tonglet and No. 1 qualifier Angelle Sampey to reach the finals. Hines rode past Melissa Surber, Steve Johnson and Jim Underdahl before falling to Ellis. He maintains the points lead and Ellis jumps to the number two spot.<\/p>\n

NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing will continue at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Ill., Sept. 23-25.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

CONCORD, N.C. — Final finish order (1-16) at the ninth annual NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMax Dragway.\u00a0 The race is the 19th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.<\/p>\n

TOP FUEL:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Antron Brown; 2.\u00a0 Doug Kalitta; 3.\u00a0 Wayne Newby; 4.\u00a0 Pat Dakin; 5.\u00a0 Brittany Force; 6.\u00a0 Leah Pritchett; 7.\u00a0 Steve Torrence; 8.\u00a0 Cameron Ferre; 9.\u00a0 Shawn Langdon; 10.\u00a0 J.R. Todd; 11.\u00a0 Scott Palmer; 12.\u00a0 Ike Maier; 13.\u00a0 Clay Millican; 14.\u00a0 Tony Schumacher; 15.\u00a0 Richie Crampton; 16.\u00a0 Chris Karamesines.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    FUNNY CAR:<\/p>\n

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

      PRO STOCK:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Jason Line; 2.\u00a0 Greg Anderson; 3.\u00a0 Vincent Nobile; 4.\u00a0 Alex Laughlin; 5.\u00a0 Bo Butner; 6.\u00a0 Chris McGaha; 7.\u00a0 Jeg Coughlin; 8.\u00a0 Shane Gray; 9.\u00a0 Curt Steinbach; 10.\u00a0 Allen Johnson; 11.\u00a0 Matt Hartford; 12.\u00a0 Kenny Delco; 13.\u00a0 Shane Tucker; 14.\u00a0 Drew Skillman; 15.\u00a0 John Gaydosh Jr; 16.\u00a0 Alan Prusiensky.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Chip Ellis; 2.\u00a0 Andrew Hines; 3.\u00a0 Jim Underdahl; 4.\u00a0 Angelle Sampey; 5.\u00a0 Steve Johnson; 6. Hector Arana Jr; 7.\u00a0 Karen Stoffer; 8.\u00a0 LE Tonglet; 9.\u00a0 Jerry Savoie; 10.\u00a0 Matt Smith; 11. \u00a0Eddie Krawiec; 12.\u00a0 Shawn Gann; 13.\u00a0 Cory Reed; 14.\u00a0 Melissa Surber; 15.\u00a0 Mark Paquette; 16.\u00a0 Hector Arana.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          CONCORD, N.C. — Sunday’s final results from the ninth annual NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMax Dragway. The race is the 19th of 24 in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:<\/p>\n

          Top Fuel — Antron Brown, 3.763 seconds, 319.29 mph\u00a0 def. Doug Kalitta, 3.811 seconds, 320.28 mph.<\/p>\n

          Funny Car — John Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.946, 324.05\u00a0 def. Tommy Johnson Jr., Dodge Charger, 3.987, 315.71.<\/p>\n

          Pro Stock — Jason Line, Chevy Camaro, 6.621, 209.39\u00a0 def. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.639, 209.20.<\/p>\n

          Pro Stock Motorcycle — Chip Ellis, Buell, 6.879, 194.88\u00a0 def. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.908, 193.49.<\/p>\n

          Pro Modified — Bob Rahaim, Chevy Corvette, 6.349, 207.85\u00a0 def. Mike Castellana, Corvette, 9.322, 94.55.<\/p>\n

          Top Alcohol Dragster — Shawn Cowie, 5.350, 268.06\u00a0 def. Rich McPhillips, 5.401, 268.81.<\/p>\n

          Top Alcohol Funny Car — DJ Cox Jr., Chevy Camaro, 5.539, 266.53\u00a0 def. Ulf Leanders, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.605, 264.18.<\/p>\n

          Competition Eliminator — Doug Doll Jr., Dragster, 7.438, 155.94\u00a0 def. Van Puckett, Chevy Cavalier, 8.641, 149.53.<\/p>\n

          Super Stock — Peter Biondo, Pontiac Firebird, 9.712, 132.67\u00a0 def. Jeffery Jewell, Chevy Corvette, 9.722, 138.77.<\/p>\n

          Stock Eliminator — C.J. McDonald, Chevy Camaro, 11.990, 94.28\u00a0 def. Brad Ford, Camaro, Foul – Red Light.<\/p>\n

          Super Comp — Ray Miller Jr., Dragster, 8.880, 180.16\u00a0 def. Steve Hoyt, Dragster, 8.877, 184.67.<\/p>\n

          Super Gas — Jason Lynch, Olds Cutlass, 9.909, 161.17\u00a0 def. Jim Perry, Chevy S-10, 9.923, 166.46.<\/p>\n

          Top Dragster — Bob Mandell III, Dragster, 6.442, 206.80\u00a0 def. Jeff Strickland, Dragster, 7.194, 184.83.<\/p>\n

          Top Sportsman — Gerald Milette, Chevy Corvette, 7.077, 188.36\u00a0 def. Jonathan Gibbs, Chevy Camaro, 7.443, 185.54.<\/p>\n

          CONCORD, N.C. — Final round-by-round results from the ninth annual NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMax Dragway, the 19th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:<\/p>\n

          TOP FUEL:<\/p>\n

          ROUND ONE — Leah Pritchett, 3.840, 310.20 def. Richie Crampton, 7.051, 97.33; Antron Brown, 3.762, 318.99 def. Clay Millican, 5.606, 117.33; Brittany Force, 3.759, 321.81 def. Chris Karamesines, Broke; Doug Kalitta, 3.768, 324.20 def. Ike Maier, 5.535, 128.37; Cameron Ferre, 4.138, 226.73 def. Tony Schumacher, 6.860, 99.72; Steve Torrence, 4.416, 240.47 def. Scott Palmer, 4.849, 152.16; Wayne Newby, 3.982, 246.71 def. Shawn Langdon, 4.121, 263.36; Pat Dakin, 3.811, 319.90 def. J.R. Todd, 4.667, 173.85; QUARTERFINALS — Newby, 3.849, 316.90 def. Torrence, 3.843, 280.25; Dakin, 5.327, 127.65 def. Ferre, Broke – No Show; Kalitta, 3.817, 320.20 def. Pritchett, 3.836, 320.13; Brown, 3.796, 319.60 def. Force, 3.797, 320.97; SEMIFINALS — Kalitta, 3.879, 311.13 def. Newby, 4.096, 225.41; Brown, 3.870, 311.85 def. Dakin, 6.090, 101.73; FINAL — Brown, 3.763, 319.29 def. Kalitta, 3.811, 320.28.<\/p>\n

          FUNNY CAR:<\/p>\n

          ROUND ONE — Tommy Johnson Jr., Dodge Charger, 5.330, 132.70 def. Bob Gilbertson, Chevy Monte Carlo, Broke; Ron Capps, Charger, 3.972, 318.99 def. John Hale, Charger, 26.289, 23.60; John Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.965, 324.75 def. Dave Richards, Ford Mustang, 4.295, 271.19; John Bojec, Toyota Solara, 4.059, 308.78 def. Alexis DeJoria, Toyota Camry, Foul – Centerline; Del Worsham, Camry, 3.976, 321.12 def. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.275, 220.37; Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.029, 312.28 def. Chad Head, Camry, 4.172, 253.99; Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.916, 327.51 def. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.828, 175.25; Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.975, 323.89 def. Courtney Force, Camaro, 4.024, 308.85; QUARTERFINALS — J. Force, 4.013, 319.90 def. Wilkerson, 7.401, 103.50; Capps, 3.983, 314.31 def. Hight, 4.008, 320.51; Worsham, 4.045, 317.34 def. Bojec, Foul – Red Light; Johnson Jr., 3.970, 320.74 def. Hagan, 3.992, 322.11; SEMIFINALS — Johnson Jr., 3.949, 321.19 def. Worsham, 3.990, 322.27; J. Force, 3.957, 323.27 def. Capps, 4.003, 317.57; FINAL — J. Force, 3.946, 324.05 def. Johnson Jr., 3.987, 315.71.<\/p>\n

          PRO STOCK:<\/p>\n

          ROUND ONE — Chris McGaha, Chevy Camaro, 6.689, 207.72 def. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.718, 208.52; Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.649, 208.97 def. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.708, 207.75; Jeg Coughlin, Dodge Dart, 6.687, 206.76 def. Allen Johnson, Dart, 6.703, 207.98; Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.658, 208.36 def. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.714, 207.40; Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.624, 209.17 def. John Gaydosh Jr, Chevrolet Camaro, 6.736, 205.94; Jason Line, Camaro, 6.639, 208.94 def. Shane Tucker, Camaro, 6.715, 207.46; Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.642, 209.23 def. Alan Prusiensky, Dart, 6.762, 205.35; Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.637, 208.49 def. Curt Steinbach, Camaro, 6.700, 206.07; QUARTERFINALS — Anderson, 6.663, 208.39 def. McGaha, 6.690, 208.10; Line, 6.642, 209.01 def. Butner, 6.672, 209.75; Nobile, 6.660, 207.94 def. Coughlin, 6.705, 206.61; Laughlin, 6.681, 208.78 def. Gray, 6.952, 209.01; SEMIFINALS — Anderson, 6.673, 208.59 def. Laughlin, 6.674, 209.36; Line, 6.630, 209.20 def. Nobile, 6.646, 209.30; FINAL — Line, 6.621, 209.39 def. Anderson, 6.639, 209.20.<\/p>\n

          PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:<\/p>\n

          ROUND ONE — Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.924, 193.29 def. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.895, 194.21; Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 6.920, 193.07 def. Matt Smith, 6.915, 192.03; Chip Ellis, Buell, 6.875, 194.74 def. Shawn Gann, Buell, 6.959, 191.92; Angelle Sampey, Buell, 10.044, 97.19 def. Mark Paquette, Buell, Foul – Red Light; Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.971, 190.16 def. Melissa Surber, Buell, 7.073, 188.15; LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 6.884, 195.25 def. Cory Reed, Buell, 6.997, 192.30; Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.932, 194.18 def. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.948, 193.74; Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.901, 194.86 def. Hector Arana, Buell, Broke; QUARTERFINALS — Underdahl, 6.956, 192.49 def. Stoffer, 7.011, 193.32; Sampey, 6.896, 194.02 def. Arana Jr, 6.954, 193.74; Ellis, 6.905, 194.24 def. Tonglet, 7.125, 174.93; Hines, 6.921, 193.29 def. Johnson, 6.926, 192.74; SEMIFINALS — Hines, 6.955, 191.40 def. Underdahl, 6.972, 194.44; Ellis, 6.890, 194.16 def. Sampey, 10.377, 77.18; FINAL — Ellis, 6.879, 194.88 def. Hines, 6.908, 193.49.<\/p>\n

          CONCORD, N.C. — Point standings (top 10) following the ninth annual NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMax Dragway, the 19th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series –<\/p>\n

          Top Fuel<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Antron Brown, 2,226; 2.\u00a0 Doug Kalitta, 2,184; 3.\u00a0 Steve Torrence, 2,126; 4.\u00a0 Brittany Force, 2,110; 5.\u00a0 Tony Schumacher, 2,099; 6.\u00a0 J.R. Todd, 2,074; 7.\u00a0 Shawn Langdon, 2,067; 8.\u00a0 Leah Pritchett, 2,054; 9.\u00a0 Clay Millican, 2,052; 10.\u00a0 Richie Crampton, 2,046.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Funny Car<\/p>\n

              \n
            1. Ron Capps, 2,194; 2.\u00a0 Del Worsham, 2,152; 3.\u00a0 John Force, 2,144; 4.\u00a0 Tommy Johnson Jr., 2,132; 5.\u00a0 Matt Hagan, 2,122; 6.\u00a0 Courtney Force, 2,094; 7.\u00a0 Robert Hight, 2,093; 8.\u00a0 Jack Beckman, 2,084; 9.\u00a0 Tim Wilkerson, 2,067; 10.\u00a0 Alexis DeJoria, 2,036.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              Pro Stock<\/p>\n

                \n
              1. Jason Line, 2,233; 2.\u00a0 Greg Anderson, 2,183; 3.\u00a0 Vincent Nobile, 2,129; 4.\u00a0 Bo Butner, 2,123; 5.\u00a0 Allen Johnson, 2,095; 6.\u00a0 Chris McGaha, 2,082; 7.\u00a0 Shane Gray, 2,081; 8.\u00a0 Drew Skillman, 2,073; 9.\u00a0 Jeg Coughlin, 2,052; 10.\u00a0 Erica Enders, 2,020.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                Pro Stock Motorcycle<\/p>\n

                  \n
                1. Andrew Hines, 2,205; 2.\u00a0 Chip Ellis, 2,161; 3.\u00a0 Angelle Sampey, 2,156; 4.\u00a0 Eddie Krawiec, 2,120; 5.\u00a0 LE Tonglet, 2,106; 6.\u00a0 Jerry Savoie, 2,099; 7.\u00a0 Hector Arana Jr, 2,083; 8.\u00a0 Hector Arana, 2,052; 9.\u00a0 Matt Smith, 2,042; 10.\u00a0 Cory Reed, 2,032.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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

                  CONCORD, N.C. \u2013 Antron Brown piloted his Matco Tools Top Fuel dragster to victory on Sunday at the ninth annual NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C. John Force (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Chip Ellis (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners in their respective categories at the 19th event of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5554,"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":[6],"class_list":["post-5552","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhra","tag-nhra"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/348-AntronBrown-Sunday-Charlotte.jpg?fit=2250%2C1500&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-1ry","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5552","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=5552"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5552\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5563,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5552\/revisions\/5563"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5554"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5552"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5552"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5552"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}