Backstretch Motorsports

Funny Car legend John Force fails to qualify in zMax Dragway debut and Countdown to 1 opener

CONCORD, N.C. – Larry Dixon put a temporary hold on Tony Schumacher’s recent dominance by racing to the No. 1 qualifying position in Top Fuel Saturday at the NHRA Carolinas Nationals. Meanwhile, Funny Car icon John Force failed to qualify in his debut at the spectacular zMAX Dragway and the opening race of the Countdown to 1, NHRA’s playoffs.

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Local favorite Johnson, Pedregon and Smith also earn victories at Brainerd International Raceway

BRAINERD, Minn. — Tony Schumacher raced to his fourth consecutive victory and ninth of the season Sunday at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway, and moved within two of all-time Top Fuel wins leader Joe Amato’s longstanding record of 52 victories.

Tony Pedregon, Kurt Johnson and Matt Smith also earned victories in their respective categories at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event, the 16th of 18 events in the Countdown to 10, NHRA’s regular season. The Countdown to 1, NHRA’s six-race championship playoffs, begins Sept. 11-14 at zMax Dragway at Concord, near Charlotte, N.C

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ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. – When Larry Dixon was 12 years old, he told race officials he was 14 just so he could get into the pits at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.

It was against the rules for anyone younger than 14 to enter that area, he said. By that time, Dixon had already known for eight years he wanted to be a professional NHRA driver. Eight years of daydreaming about the car he’d have; eight years of sneaking off to read auto magazines while his mom shopped for groceries. Eight years of wanting to be his father. It didn’t seem like the time for patience.

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JOLIET, Ill. – One day after his second explosion fit for the highlight reels this season, Tony Pedregon powered his Q Horsepower Chevy Impala SS to a trip to the winner’s circle at the 11th annual Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals.

Another Tony – Chicago’s own Tony Schumacher – took center stage in Top Fuel with an event-best time and speed in the final round, while Kurt Johnson (Pro Stock) and Chris Rivas (Pro Stock Motorcycle) drove away with event titles as well.

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BRISTOL, Tenn. – Mike Neff raced to the provisional top spot in Funny Car Friday as he looks to collect the first No. 1 qualifier of his career at the eighth annual O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.

Neff drove his Old Spice Ford Mustang to a 4.783-second pass at 321.04 mph to become the provisional top qualifier at Bristol Dragway.

Tony Schumacher and Kurt Johnson (shown at left) were also No. 1 qualifiers in there respective categories at the eighth of 24 events on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

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WILKERSON, FULLER, K. JOHNSON AND HINES WIN; FORCE EARNS 1,000TH ROUND WIN

MADISON, Ill. - Tim Wilkerson denied John Force Racing’s Mike Neff his first career win on the same day Neff’s boss made history at the 12th annual O’Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals presented by Castrol.

Rod Fuller, Kurt Johnson and Andrew Hines also were winners in their respective categories Sunday at Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis.

Wilkerson earned his first win at his hometown track, his second of the season and seventh of his career when he drove his Levi, Ray & Shoup Chevy Impala SS to a 4.874-second finish at 317.27 mph to Neff’s 4.886 at 321.58 in his Old Spice Ford Mustang.

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