ENNIS, Texas (AP) — Tony Schumacher won in Top Fuel and Matt Hagan topped the Funny Car field to give Don Schumacher Racing a nitro sweep Saturday in the rain-delayed finals from the NHRA Carolina Nationals
Jonathan Gray won in Pro Stock and Eddie Krawiec in Pro Stock Motorcycle in the Countdown-opening event that was completed at Texas Motorplex after being washed out last weekend in Concord, North Carolina.
Schumacher raced to his 75th Top Fuel victory, beating Khalid alBalooshi with a run of 3.866 seconds at 318.77 mph. Schumacher took the points lead with five events left.
“It couldn’t have come at a better time,” Schumacher said. “It is the first race in the Countdown even though we had to move it. It doesn’t really matter. In reality, fantastic timing.
In Funny Car, Hagan beat 65-year-old John Force for his second victory of the season and 12th of his career. Force fouled at the start in his Ford Mustang, giving the automatic victory to Hagan, who posted a 4.200 at 297.17 in his Dodge Charger.
In Pro Stock, rookie driver Gray raced to his first career win in his third final. Gray beat series points leader Jason Line with a 6.589 at 209.10 in a Chevy Camaro.
Krawiec rode his Harley-Davidson to his third consecutive Pro Stock Motorcycle victory and extended his series lead. He earned his 26th career win, beating Steve Johnson with a 6.888 at 193.49.
In the Texas NHRA FallNationals, Courtney Force took her fourth No. 1 qualifying position of the season Saturday with her track-record run of 4.039 at 314.90 on Friday.
“It feels good to have the Traxxas Ford Mustang back in the No. 1 spot, especially back here in Texas,” said Force, a two-time event winner this season. “I’m very proud of my team for giving me a very good race car this weekend. Definitely, hope we can continue it tomorrow throughout race day.”
J.R. Todd led Top Fuel qualifying, Shane Gray was the fastest in Pro Stock, and Krawiec topped the Pro Stock Motorcycle lineup. Todd had a 3.761 at 317.87, Gray finished at 6.566 at 210.08 in a Chevy Camaro, and Krawiec ran a 6.841 at 194.83 on a Harley-Davidson.
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