The NHRA Mello Yello Drag racing series crossed the Hoover Dam to get to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the NHRA Summitracing.com Nationals. Qualifying for the race began on Friday with some quick elapse times and big speeds. Saturday was the host of the K&N horsepower challenge for pro stock, with eight drivers competing for $50,000 prize.
In Top Fuel, JR Todd driver of the Red Line oil dragster, took the top qualifying position with a 3.758 at 324 mph, just edging out seven-time champion Tony Schumacher and the US Army squad. Schumacher put a 3.779 at 325 mph for the number two spot. Shawn Langdon and his Knuckle Sandwich team picked up the number three position with a 3.782 at 315 mph. Steve Torrance grabbed the fourth spot with his Capco Contractors car with a 3.783 at 323 mph. Richie Crampton rounded out the top five with his Lucas Oil team when he put up a 3.787 at 316 mph. Fan favorite Brittany Force started in the number seven position for Sunday’s race 3.801 at 310 mph.
The Funny Car class was led by Don Schumacher racing teammates with two-time series champion Matt Hagan leading the charge. Hagan in his Mopar Express Lube Dodge ran a 4.007 at 318 mph. Fast Jack Beckman took the number two spot with his Infinite Hero Dodge running a 4.014 at 315 mph. Tommy Johnson Jr. in the Make-A-Wish Dodge was right behind them with a 4.020 at 313 mph. Kalitta Motorsports picked up the fourth and fifth positions, Alexis Dejoria and the Patron XO Café Incendio Toyota started fourth on Sunday with a 4.037 at 308 mph. Del Worsham’s DHL Toyota qualified fifth, running a 4.048 at 316 mph. In rare fashion none of the three John Force racing Chevy Camaro’s made the top six positions. John Force qualified seventh, Robert Hight took the 10th spot, and Courtney Force could only manage the number 13 position.
Jason Line led Pro Stock qualifying in his Summit Racing Camaro with a 6.609 at 208 mph. The 2014 Series Champion Erica Enders-Stevens took the number two position with her Elite motorsports Camaro with a 6.617 at 208 mph. Greg Anderson teammate of Jason Line picked up the third position with a 6.621 at 208 mph. Chris McGaha took the number four spot with a 6.624 at 208 mph. Roger Brogdon in his Rooftec Camaro rounded out the top five with a 6.630 at 208 mph.
During Pro Stock qualifying the K&N Horsepower challenge took place featuring eight of the class’s top drivers. Defending winner Erica Enders-Stevens conquered the field once again. She took out Chris McGaha in round number one. She would then take on Jason Line in round two. She beat Line on a “hole shot.” She left the starting line first with a .017 reaction time to Line’s .033. Enders 6.652 was just enough to hold off Line’s 6.648. In the final round Enders would take on Vincent Nobile. They left the starting line together but Enders used her Elite Motor Sports horsepower to take him down running a 6.658 to Nobile’s 6.694 for the repeat win and the $50,000 payday.
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