(Chandler, Arizona) - After 4 rounds of qualifying at the 28th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Arizona the #1 qualifiers are Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), Johnny Gray (Funny Car) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock).
Shawn Langdon's Friday night run of 3.754 ET @ 323.12 was good enough to move him into the #1 position in Top Fuel which he held for the remaining two rounds of qualifying on Saturday. It also was the quickest and fastest pass of his career and good enough to set the track ET record. Langdon will face Troy Buff in the first round of eliminations on Sunday. The other match-ups will be (#2) Tony Schumacher vs. (#15) Mike Strasburg, (#3) Steve Torrence vs. (#14) Brandon Bernstein, (#4) Spencer Massey vs. (#13) Cory McClenathan, (#5) Antron Brown vs. (#12) Terry McMillen, (#6) David Grubnic vs. (#11) Clay Millican, (#7) Doug Kalitta vs. (#10) Bob Vandergriff, (#8) Morgan Lucas vs (#9) Khalid alBalooshi.
Funny Car racer Johnny Gray earned his second #1 of his career with a 4.074 ET @ 298.93 pass on Friday night. Gray took his car down the track cleanly on three out of four of his qualifying runs and will face Grant Downing in the first round of eliminations on Sunday. The other first round match-ups are (#2) Mike Neff vs. (#15) Bob Bode, (#3) Jim Head vs. (#14) Jeff Arend, (#4) Matt Hagan vs. (#13) Todd Lesenko, (#5) John Force vs. (#12) Courtney Force, (#6) Jack Beckman vs. (#11) Tony Pedregon, (#7) Cruz Pedregon vs. (#10) Ron Capps and (#8) Robert Hight vs. (#9) Bob Tasca III. Some notable names who did not qualify include Alexis DeJoria, Gary Densham, Tim Wilkerson and Jeff Diehl.
Mike Edwards set the track Pro Stock ET record with a 6.536 ET pass in the 3rd round of qualifying and held on for the #1 spot in Pro Stock. This is Edwards' 41st #1 qualifying spot and he will face Warren Johnson in the first round of eliminations. The other first round match-ups in Pro Stock include (#2) Jason Line vs. (#15) Jeg Coughlin, (#3) Ronnie Humphrey vs. (#14) Greg Stanfield, (#4) Vincent Nobile vs. (#13) Shane Gray, (#5) Greg Anderson vs. (#12) Kurt Johnson, (#6) Allen Johnson vs. (#11) Larry Morgan, (#7) Erica Enders vs. (#10) Steve Kent and (#8) Ron Krisher vs. (#9) Roger Brogdon. Some notable names who did not qualify include Grace Howell and V. Gaines.
Here are my predictions for the final round tomorrow in all three classes:
Top Fuel: Cory McClenathan over Bob Vandergriff
Funny Car: Jack Beckman ove John Force
Pro Stock: Jeg Coughlin over Mike Edwards
My picks aren't doing so well. Look for the race recap later tonight/early tomorrow morning.
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