The most prestigious in the world championship drag racing after the Mopar Mile-High Nationals back to sea level, and outstanding results were not long in coming.
Jack Beckman held a series of excellent races, almost came close to championship leader Matt Haganah, Antron Brown gathered in a fist all that is possible, and proved that he is not just dominated much of the championship, and Chris McGahee earned first Wally this season. But let's take first things first.
In the class Top Fuel (TF) star stage, of course, was Antron Brown. After a series of failed the event, where he lost in the early rounds Shootout much weaker pilots Antron took first place in qualifying. Later confident traveled all of his opponents, including the defending champion Tony Schumacher, showing the best time passing strip in Sonoma — 3.707 seconds @ 326.95 mph, which is only five thousandths slower than the world record, which, incidentally, belongs to him also. Among other notable races worth noting how Schumacher Steve Torrence avenged the defeat in Denver. The difference at the finish line was again a minimum — 0.0113 seconds. Larry Dixon in the second round a shame lost teammate and obvious underdog Dave Connolly. However, all these troubles have absolutely no impact on the top of the standings Schumacher still holds the top spot, Brown — the second, Dickson, which this year is totally out of luck — the third.
However, the main action takes place in races Funny Car (FC). Jack Beckman one wicket dominated in qualifying, and eventually broke held without the small two years for John Forsyth world record breaking distance of 1,000 feet in 3.921 seconds. Next in races Shootout Jack to prove that the nickname «Fast» (Quick), he got not for beautiful eyes. As a result, the victory over Robert Hite, who was finally able to reach the semifinals and first step in the fight against teammate Tommy Johnson Jr. This is the fifth podium of the season for Beckman and twentieth of his career. In addition, Jack hopes to win the next stage NHRA Northwest Nationals, and to become the second driver in the history of FC, winning all three stages of the so-called Western Swing (three races in three weeks on the Strip West of America).
John Force, this time lost to Cruz Pedregonu in the second round. His daughter Courtney lost at the beginning of the races Shootout his teammate Robert Hite, which made its position in the standings is very precarious, because the young left the pilots only three Event to break into the Top 10 and thus secure a place in the Countdown To One. The rest of the balance of power between the leaders remained the same: Matt Hagan continues to occupy first place, Beckman breathing down his neck from the second and shestnadtsatikratny champion John Force continues to steadily hold the third.
It is noteworthy that Sonoma Nationals become a unique stage in the history of the NHRA, when all four riders (including the pilot Pro Stock Motorcycles Eddie Kravika), won first place in qualifying, were the winners of Event. In the Pro Stock class at this time had no equal Chris McGahee, whose podium in Sonoma became the first of the season. For the rest, the cars again crossed the finish line with a difference of a few inches, the leaders of the championship Erika Ender, Stevens and Greg Anderson said goodbye to the chances for the top prize in the second round only because of the fact that the failed launch, and outsiders were able to get to the championship semifinals.
It is worth noting that the incident with Aaron Strong in qualifying, when he did not open the drogue parachute, and his Chevrolet Camaro stopped sand trap at the end of the strip. Fortunately he suffered a nose cone dregster.
This was the stage in Sonoma: rich in records, and the sensation is truly spectacular race. Next stop — Seattle, which will host the final event series Western Swing this weekend.
