NHRA: NOTHING FUNNY ABOUT RECORD FORCE IN COMMAND OF FASTEST FIELD.Byline: Steve Ramirez Staff Writer POMONA - John Force is the ultimate showman. He has a tendency to upstage his fellow National Hot Rod Association
The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) competitors, and Saturday at the Auto Club NHRA NHRA National Hot Rod Association NHRA Northland Human Resource Association NHRA National Human Resources Association NHRA Nursing Home Reform Act NHRA National Hospice Regatta Alliance NHRA National Heritage Resources Act (South Africa) Finals at Fairplex was no exception. Force, during a day that saw Andrew Hines Andrew Hines Andrew Hines (born May 25, 1983 in Villa Park, California) is a three-time NHRA Pro Stock Motocycle Champion. He rides the flagship Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson V-rod. secure his first Powerade Drag Racing drag racing Form of motor racing in which two contestants race side by side from a standing start over a straight quarter-mile strip of pavement. Winners go on to compete against others in their class until only one is left undefeated. Series Pro Stock Bike title and Pro Stock juggernaut Greg Anderson Greg Anderson may refer to:
The Bell Gardens native, winner of 113 national events since 1987 and 13 championships since 1990, became the first Funny Car driver at Pomona Raceway to eclipse the 4.6-second barrier. He piloted his Castrol Ford Mustang For other Ford Mustang models and concepts, see . The Ford Mustang is an automobile produced by the Ford Motor Company, originally based on the Ford Falcon compact.[1] to the third-quickest pass in class history with a stout 4.698 at 329.18 mph. Only Force's runs of 4.665 and 4.697, made last month at Route 66 Raceway Route 66 Raceway is a drag racing strip in Joliet, Illinois. It opened in 1998 and features a ½ mile (0.8 km) dirt oval and a ¼ mile (0.4 km) drag strip. The drag strip hosts several events including the NHRA Car Quest Nationals in mid-June. in Joliet, Ill., have been quicker. Also qualifying No. 1 for today's event, which begins at 11 a.m., are Doug Kalitta Doug Kalitta (b. August 20 1964, Ypsilanti, Michigan) is an American auto racing driver. He was the 1994 USAC National Sprint Car Champion and is a current NHRA top fuel drag racer. Doug Kalitta is the nephew of Hall of Fame driver Connie Kalitta. in Top Fuel, Anderson in Pro Stock and Chip Ellis in Pro Stock Bike. ``We knew it was there,'' said Force, who set the pace for the quickest field in Funny Car history. ``It's just unbelievable to run a 4.60 here. (To do it in) Chicago, who cares? (But) here, it's bitchin'. This is my home track. ``It's cool. I'm just really excited. We did it. It was so awesome.'' Hines had a similar feeling after securing his first Pro Stock Bike title. But it wasn't easy. Needing just to qualify for today's event to earn the title, Hines survived a mechanical breakdown in the morning before making a solid 7.184 run to claim the No. 12 qualifying position and lock up the championship. ``I'm just so proud,'' said Hines, who was nearly forced to sit out the afternoon session when his Harley-Davidson entry broke a bike chain, causing damage to the bike and slightly injuring his ankle. ``I'm just so proud to be able to hold this trophy. ``This has been just a hectic weekend. But what a team. They put it back together and we were able to get it down the track (during the afternoon). I couldn't have won the championship without them. It feels awesome.'' Not to be outdone out·do tr.v. out·did , out·done , out·do·ing, out·does To do more or better than in performance or action. See Synonyms at excel. , Ellis rode his G Squared Motorsports entry to a track- record 7.024. ``Any time you can be No. 1, it's awesome,'' Ellis said. ``It doesn't matter whether it's NHRA, or Little League. We're happy to get it.'' Anderson, who already set single-season marks for wins (14) and round wins (72), scored a record 16th No. 1 qualifying position in Pro Stock with a track-record 6.705. ``It feels great,'' Anderson said. ``Anytime you can break a record, it's cool. It's almost more exciting than the wins.'' Kalitta, who made a 4.472 run Thursday, held onto the top spot in Top Fuel. He ran a 4.48 in Saturday's late qualifying session. Tony Schumacher, who ran his second 4.4 pass of the weekend Saturday, is second at 4.485, with David Baca third at 4.487. Louis Brewster contributed to this report. Steve Ramirez, (626) 962-8811 steve.ramirez(at)sgvn.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: John Force (right) beats Del Worsham off the line en route to the first 4.6-second Funny Car pass in Pomona history. Will Lester/Staff Photographer |
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