CDR: 2009 Eliminations #2-4 - NHRA Carolinas Nationals

CONCORD, N.C. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of eliminations in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, Second annual NHRA Carolinas Nationals:

W/L	#	L	Driver	Car	R/T	E.T.	Speed
W	8	R	Jeff AREND	Solara	0.072	4.465	283.5
L	16	L	John FORCE	Mustang	0.104	No Time	N/A

Jeff Arend is into his fifth semifinal of the season but some early wheelspin may cost him the lane choice against his next opponent. John Force, now with a 2-3 in the quarterfinals, barely got away before his car simply died.

W/L	#	L	Driver	Car	R/T	E.T.	Speed
W	12	L	Tony PEDREGON	Impala	0.062	4.192	303.8
L	4	R	Ron CAPPS	Charger	0.106	4.626	280.0

The poor start from Ron Capps proved helpful in Tony Pedregon winning his 36th race of the year and tying the season series between at 1-1; the first meeting occurring all the way back in the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.

W/L	#	L	Driver	Car	R/T	E.T.	Speed
R	7	R	Del WORSHAM	Solara	0.030	4.043	313.3
L	2	L	Ashley FORCE-HOOD	Mustang	0.085	4.980	287.5

Del Worsham had lost twice to Force-Hood in the opening three rounds of the season, but his revenge finally came with a lightning fast start and smooth driving all the way down the track. Ashley is 4-6 in the last six events.

W/L	#	L	Driver	Car	R/T	E.T.	Speed
W	14	L	Jack BECKMAN	Charger	0.095	4.472	302.0
L	6	R	Robert HIGHT	Mustang	0.126	5.172	284.3

A tenth consecutive race victory for Jack Beckman came at the expense of two-time semifinalist Robert Hight. The start proved to be all important as Hight was struggling to find much purchase on the heavily-favoured right hand lane.

Semifinals

W/L	#	L	Driver	Car	R/T	E.T.	Speed
W	8	L	Jeff AREND	Solara	0.124	4.726	296.5
L	12	R	Tony PEDREGON	Impala	0.090	4.798	281.5

A third final awaits Jeff Arend as another left-hand lane driver takes a big win. Tony Pedregon falls to 2-1 against his opponent, missing out on his eighth final of the year, but he has increased his lead over his title rivals.

W/L	#	L	Driver	Car	R/T	E.T.	Speed
W	7	R	Del WORSHAM	Solara	0.064	4.166	313.8
L	14	L	Jack BECKMAN	Charger	0.095	4.642	304.0

Wheelspin before the line was not enough to keep Del Worsham out of his first final in '09. After enjoying the better start Worsham was then pulled back by Beckman, his ninth defeat in twenty races, before extending the lead again.

Final

W/L	#	L	Driver	Car	R/T	E.T.	Speed
W	7	R	Del WORSHAM	Solara	0.058	4.043	302.8
L	8	L	Jeff AREND	Solara	0.110	6.505	219.3

Jeff Arend is the bridesmaid for a third time thanks in part to a minor mechanical problem as he passed the tree. Del Worsham has taken his first victories at both the semifinal and final stage of an event to surely propel him up the standings.