sorry this will be quick and dirty.........( I swear I typed a lengthy article after the qualifying on Saturday, and when I hit 'send' it skittered off somewhere into cyberspace never to be seen again. arrgh! next time I'll remember to save as I go.)
semi finals TOP FUEL:
W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed
(W) Brandon Bernstein (Budweiser/Lucas Oil Drag 0.067 4.666 322.73
(L) Hillary Will (KB Racing Dragster) 0.085 4.672 325.14
3:31 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 81 degrees, relative humidity 31 percent, barometer 29.83 inches, adjusted altitude 2,025 feet, track temperature 118 degrees.
THis one was close all the way and Will was closing the gap on the top end, but ran out of race track. Brandon Bernstein's incremental margins: 60ft(0.021), 330 ft(0.049), 660ft(0.040), 1,000ft(0.029). Margin of Victory: 0.0244 seconds (approximately 12 feet).
(W) Tony Schumacher (U.S. Army Dragster) 0.063 4.741 304.87
(L) Larry Dixon (U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Dragste 0.052 4.850 274.83
Schumacher is running a new car here and it has not been as dominant as the previous car. That could change at any time. Dixon is 26 - 21 against Schumacher lifetime.
Both drivers had good reaction times, Dixon with a slight advantage. Both drivers hazed the tires on the top end, Dixon losing a lot more speed and momentum than Schumacher. Tony Schumacher's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.018), 330 ft(-0.004), 660ft(0.022), 1,000ft(0.050). Margine of Victory: 0.0983 seconds (approximately 40 feet). Schumacher faces Bernstein in the final round and Bernstein has lane choice.
this is one of the semi final races and the THIRD time these two have met this year. Score Schumacher 2, Dixon 1.
FINAL ROUND TOP FUEL:
W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed
(W) Tony Schumacher (U.S. Army Dragster) 0.061 4.603 325.37
(L) Brandon Bernstein (Budweiser/Lucas Oil Drag 0.064 4.665 323.27
5:32 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 82 degrees, relative humidity 26 percent, barometer 29.84 inches, adjusted altitude 2,032 feet, track temperature 117 degrees.
Schumacher is 16 - 8 Bernstein lifetime, and Schumacher is 3 - 2 against Bernstein in prior final rounds.
They left together, but Schumacher opened up a lead, which he steadily extended to win by over a car length to notch his 43rd win in 72 final rounds and puts him second on the all-time win list, one ahead of Dixon and nine behind Joe Amato.
FUNNY CAR FINAL:
W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed
(W) Tony Pedregon (Q Power Impala) 0.072 4.921 315.27
(L) Gary Densham (RaceBricks Impala) 0.093 4.924 309.13
Weather conditions: air temperature 82 degrees, relative humidity 26 percent, barometer 29.84 inches, adjusted altitude 2,032 feet, track temperature 117 degrees.
both of these guys have won this race before when a part Of JOHN FORCE RACING. Pedregon is 23 - 8 against Densham lifetime and Pedregon is 1 - 0 against Densham in prior final rounds. Pedregon with the starting line advantage and then Densham had the lead until just past half track when Pedregon drove around him. Pedregon wins his 37th National Event by 0.0248 seconds (approximately 11 feet).
FINAL ROUND PRO STOCK:
W/L Driver R-Time E-Time Speed
(W) Jeg Coughlin (Jegs.com Cobalt) 0.026 6.652 208.07
(L) Jason Line (Summit Racing Equipment GXP) 0.050 6.656 209.10
5:21 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 82 degrees, relative humidity 26 percent, barometer 29.84 inches, adjusted altitude 2,032 feet, track temperature 117 degrees.
Line is 11 - 4 against Coughlin lifetime and each has won once against the other in final rounds. This is Line's first back-to-back final since the '06 season.
Jegsie leaves first, Line's new car makes a small move toward the centerline on the launch, and Line was unable to close the gap. Jeg Coughlin's incremental margins: 60ft(0.027), 330 ft(0.034), 660ft(0.032), 1,000ft(0.030). Margin of Victory: 0.0283 seconds (approximately 9 feet). This is Coughlin's 39th national event win, in 62 final round appearances, and his second win of the 2008 season.
and lastly of GREAT import is this picture taken at PHOENIX FIREBIRD RACEWAY.
I don't know who the gal is, but the old guy is yours truly. (ok i'll confess, it's Sam's favorite driver, ASHLEY FORCE)
for those with sensitive eyes, here is an improved picture of the two of them: