Consistent, plodding Beckman with Chandler's Infinite Hero team get last laugh at Norwalk with third straight final, second event title
"We were planning to bring out a new car anyway to test here tomorrow so we'll just go back to the pit and strip whatever's left off this one," said co-crew chief Neal Strausbaugh who collaborated with Dean Antonelli and John Medlen to send Beckman down the track four times Sunday with less than stellar times in the ever-changing weather conditions that included 4.060, 4.078, 4.074 and 4.073 in the championship round.
Meanwhile Robert Hight of John Force Racing was dominating his opponents by consistently running one-tenth of a second quicker.
On paper, Beckman never seemed to have a chance to get around Hight. But in NHRA, you race on pavement and not paper.
The Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Powered by Pennzoil muscled down the track while Hight blew smoke not far off the starting line. It is the third final round for Beckman in three weeks and his team's second win during that run.
"I don't know that we're going to spend a whole lot of time soul searching about why we struggled here, because we left with the trophy," said Beckman, who won for the third time at the track and the 26th of his career. "We should look at that stuff, but I think we're going to dive in with that brand new race car and figure out what it needs.
Watch this exclusive DSR video from Norwalk
"What happens when you start running consistent is the other cars know that they have to step up a little and I think that we just enjoyed a little bit of that for the last few weekends. We weren't spectacular, but our car went to the finish line pretty consistently and folks knew they had to step up.
"When I say we weren't spectacular, recognize I'm talking about a tenth of a second off of where we'd like to be. Which is not even a blink of an eye, but we need to pick that up. I have every confidence we will pick that up. If it doesn't happen tomorrow we're going to keep testing this thing. We want to win some more races and we want to win the championship, which means by Indy we have to have a combination that listens to us. But between now and then they're giving a trophy away every weekend."
The win was the 11th in 12 events for DSR and the 310th for DSR since 1998.
Qualifying left the four DSR Dodge Charger R/Ts in the top half of the 16-car bracket and after each won their opening races the quartet battled in an intrasquad scrimmage in the second round where Beckman eliminated pole winner Matt Hagan (Mopar Express Lane) and Tommy Johnson Jr. (Make-A-Wish) defeated points leader Ron Capps (NAPA AUTO PARTS) to mark only the third time this season that Capps did not advance to the semifinals.
The outcome for DSR in Top Fuel, however, was not as glorious.
Leah Pritchett and the Papa John's Pizza dragster was the only one of the DSR trio to advance to the semifinals where Pritchett lost to event pole winner and runner-up Doug Kalitta of Kalitta Motorsports. Her loss combined with points leader Steve Torrence winning his four title of the year to extent the distance behind him to 50 points.
World champions Antron Brown (Matco Tools) and Tony Schumacher (U.S. Army) lost in the second round.
"Very solid, it's a good way to wrap up the swing," Pritchett said of the conclusion of the June Swing that presented four races in four weeks.
"We're constantly learning with our power. We're confident we make some of the highest amount of power in comparison to our competition, which is a testament to the success in the cooler weather conditions. So our overall fuel setup still needs some proper fine-tuning, fine discovery. They're still discovering how to harness that power in these hot conditions."
TOP FUEL
Event winner: Steve Torrence (CAPCO Contractors)
No. 1 qualifier: Doug Kalitta (Kalitta Motorsports) 3.709 sec., 327.43 mph
LEAH PRITCHETT, Papa John's Pizza Top Fuel dragster
Crew chief: Todd Okuhara; Assistant: Joe Barlam
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: PRITCHETT (3.760 sec., 324.12 mph) def. Ike Maier (8.295, 105.60)
Second round: PRITCHETT (3.848, 322.04) def. Antron Brown (5.187, 142.16)
Semifinals: Doug Kalitta (3.782, 325.85) def. PRITCHETT (3.800, 314.46)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 4
FRIDAY: 3.720 sec., 322.27 mph, (Session 1); 7.173, 85.95, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 10.772, 72.53, (Session 3); 3.808, 323.81, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.658 sec.-world record (2017, Phoenix); 330.23 mph (2017, Topeka)
NORWALK BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 18), Bristol, Tenn.: Qualified No. 3, lost in championship round to Clay Millican
A year ago at Norwalk: Qualified No. 13, lost in second round to J.R. Todd
Career at Norwalk: Wins 0; Runner-ups 0; Poles 0
ANTRON BROWN, Matco Tools/U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster
Crew chiefs: Brian Corradi, Mark Oswald; Assistant: Brad Mason
SUNDAY'SCHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: BROWN (3.768 sec., 323.35 mph) def. Dom Lagana (3.828, 322.34)
Second round: Leah Pritchett (3.848, 322.04) def. BROWN (5.187, 142.16)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 5
FRIDAY: 5.988 sec., 114.61 mph, (Session 1); 3.736, 332.26, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 3.786, 327.19, (Session 3); 4.882, 150.82, (Session 4)
Best time, speed: 3.667 (2017, Phoenix); 333.16 mph (2017, Topeka)
NORWALK BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 18), Bristol, Tenn.: Qualified No. 7, lost in second round to Shawn Langdon
A year ago at Norwalk: Qualified No. 2, lost in second round to Shawn Langdon
Career at Norwalk: Wins 1 (2014); Runner-ups 2 (2010, 2015); Poles 0
TONY SCHUMACHER, U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster
Crew chief: Mike Green; Assistant: Phil Shuler
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: SCHUMACHER (3.789 sec., 326.56 mph) def. Mike Salinas (7.129, 96.03)
Second round: Doug Kalitta (3.782, 325.85) def. SCHUMACHER (4.099, 232.04)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 8
FRIDAY: 3.785 sec., 328.38 mph, (Session 1); 3.766, 325.06, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 3.874, 296.63, (Session 3); 3.789, 323.74, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.660 sec. (2017, Topeka); 332.51 mph (2016, Brainerd)
NORWALK BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 18), Bristol, Tenn.: Qualified No. 6, lost in first round to Scott Palmer
A year ago at Norwalk: Qualified No. 6, lost in second round to Brittany Force
Career at Norwalk: Wins 1 (2007); Runner-ups 0; Poles 0
FUNNY CAR
Event winner: Jack Beckman (Don Schumacher Racing)
No. 1 qualifier: Matt Hagan (Don Schumacher Racing) 3.865 sec.-track record, 333.33 mph
JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: BECKMAN (4.060 sec., 319.82) def. Cruz Pedregon (4.180, 266.11)
Second round: BECKMAN (4.078, 310.84) def. Matt Hagan (4.152, 275.06)
Semifinals: BECKMAN (4.074, 319.45) def. Tommy Johnson Jr. (6.049, 118.22)
Final: BECKMAN (4.074, 319.45) def. Robert Hight (6.673, 98.53 mph)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 9
FRIDAY: 12.165 sec., 81.77 mph, (Session 1); 6.723, 103.40, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.321, 224.88, (Session 3); 3.971, 322.04, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016)
NORWALK BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 18), Bristol, Tenn.: Qualified No. 5, lost in championship round to Ron Capps
A year ago at Norwalk: Qualified No. 5, lost in first round to Alexis DeJoria
Career at Norwalk: Wins 3 (2009, 2015, 2017); Runner-ups 0; Poles 0
TOMMY JOHNSON JR., Terry Chandler's Make-A-Wish 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chief: John Collins; Assistant: Rip Reynolds
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: JOHNSON (3.942 sec., 322.34 mph) def. J.R. Todd (4.032, 318.69)
Second round: JOHNSON (3.960, 324.44) def. Ron Capps (3.965, 324.83)
Semifinals: Jack Beckman (4.074, 319.45) def. JOHNSON (6.049, 118.22)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 5
FRIDAY: 8.568 sec., 82.47 mph, (Session 1); 3.925, 329.34, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.008, 320.05, (Session 3); 3.990, 316.38, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.837 sec. (Phoenix 2017); 330.80 mph (Seattle, 2016)
NORWALK BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 18), Bristol, Tenn.: Qualified No. 8, lost in semifinals to Jack Beckman
A year ago at Norwalk: Qualified No. 8, lost in semifinals to Courtney Force
Career at Norwalk: Wins 0; Runner-ups 0; Poles 0
RON CAPPS, NAPA AUTO PARTS 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chief: Rahn Tobler; Assistant: Eric Lane
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: CAPPS (3.993 sec., 310.27 mph) def. Jonnie Lindberg (8.596, 84.51)
Second round: Tommy Johnson Jr. (3.960, 324.44) def. CAPPS (3.965, 324.83)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 13
FRIDAY: 4.420 sec., 196.64 mph, (Session 1); 4.144, 236.13, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.201, 239.53, (Session 3); 4.018, 321.19, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.839 sec. (2017, Phoenix); 333.58 mph (2017, Phoenix)
NORWALK BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 18), Bristol, Tenn.: Qualified No. 10, won in championship round over Jack Beckman
A year ago at Norwalk: Qualified No. 3, won in championship round over Courtney Force
Career at Norwalk: Wins 1 (2016); Runner-ups 3 (2011, 2013, 2014); Poles 0
MATT HAGAN, Mopar Express Lane 2017 Dodge Charger R/T Crew chief: Dickie Venables; Assistant: Michael Knudsen
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: HAGAN (4.349 sec., 216.62 mph) def. Jeff Diehl (14.165, 61.22)
Second round: Jack Beckman (4.078, 310.84) def. HAGAN (4.152, 275.06)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 1
FRIDAY: 3.881 sec., 332.02 mph, (Session 1); 3.865-track record, 333.33, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.034, 321.88, (Session 3); 3.979, 327.35, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.802 sec.-world record (2017,Topeka); 338.85 mph-world record (2017, Topeka)
NORWALK BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 18), Bristol, Tenn.: Qualified No. lost in semifinals to eventual event winner Ron Capps
A year ago at Norwalk: Qualified No. 6, lost in first round to John Force
Career at Norwalk: Wins 0; Runner-ups 0; Poles 2 (2015, 2017)
2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES TOP FUEL STANDINGS
(Official after Norwalk, Ohio.; 12th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)
1. Steve Torrence (4) 1,071 -----
2. LEAH PRITCHETT (3) 1,021 -50
3. ANTRON BROWN (2) 990 -81
4. TONY SCHUMACHER (1) 856 -215
5. Doug Kalitta 781 -290
6. Brittany Force (1) 734 -337
7. Clay Millican (1) 695 -376
8. Terry McMillen 477 -594
9. Troy Coughlin Jr. 464 -607
9. Scott Palmer 464 -607
2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNY CAR STANDINGS
(Official after Norwalk, Ohio; 12th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)
1. RON CAPPS (5) 1,095 -----
2. MATT HAGAN (3) 946 -149
3. JACK BECKMAN (2) 855 -240
4. Robert Hight 809 -286
5. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1) 739 -356
6. Courtney Force 714 -381
7. John Force (1) 683 -412
8. Tim Wilkerson 525 -570
9. J.R. Todd 508 -587
10. Cruz Pedregon 431 -664
About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields eight professional NHRA teams. In Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, the Matco Tools dragster driven by three-time world champion Antron Brown and the Papa John's Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett; and in Funny Car, 2016 world champion Ron Capps in the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T; 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T, 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge, and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr.
DSR has won 309 NHRA national event titles and 16 world championships.
Follow Don Schumacher Racing at ShoeRacing.com, on Twitter at @shoeracing and Facebook.com/shoeracing.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jeff Wolf (wolfj@shoeracing.com), 702.524.1368
Leah Vaughn (vaughnl@shoeracing.com), 618.516.1988
