| | Associated Press
CLERMONT, Ind. -- Tony Schumacher raced to his first U.S.
Nationals victory Monday, beating Gary Clapshaw in the final to
regain the lead in the NHRA Top Fuel standings.
Schumacher, who won when Clapshaw fouled at the start, moved 69
points ahead of first-round loser Gary Scelzi. Schumacher has four
victories this year and five in his career.
Schumacher, who defeated Doug Herbert, Larry Dixon and Kenny
Bernstein in earlier rounds, had a final run of 4.644 seconds at a
top speed of 316.90 mph in his U.S. Army dragster.
Jim Epler, Jeg Coughlin, Antron Brown and Bob Panella also raced
to their first U.S. Nationals victories in the $2.6 million
competition at Indianapolis Raceway Park.
Epler drove his WWF Racing Chevy Camaro to his second Funny Car
victory of the season, beating Whit Bazemore with a pass of 5.017
seconds at 285.41 mph. Bazemore lost traction and finished in 5.968
seconds at 197.19 mph.
Coughlin extended his Pro Stock lead with his seventh victory of
the season and 17th of his career. He beat Ron Krisher with a run
of 6.968 seconds at 196.96 mph.
Brown earned $35,000 with his third Pro Stock Motorcycle victory
of the season. Brown, who added a $10,000 NHRA double-up bonus to
his weekend winnings of $25,000, beat John Smith with a
7.268-second run at 181.03 mph.
Panella extended his Pro Stock Truck lead with a victory over
John Coughlin. Panella had a track-record run of 7.535 seconds at
176.86 mph for his fourth victory of the season. | |
ALSO SEE
NHRA U.S. Nationals results
NHRA Nationals: Force races to fifth Budweiser Shootout win
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