Behind a third national championship, and the current championship already, we can say, in all statistical indicators and inflame passions udelyvaet last year's series. And NHRA Kansas Nationals once again became the clearest proof of that. On the one hand, it has been rewritten three out of six records in the professional classes on the first day of qualifications, on the other — in the races Shootout riders flew out of the race mainly due to lack of adhesion to the strip surface. On the one hand on the podium smiled in all forty-two teeth are the same drivers that have won at Atlanta, on the other — in the middle of the standings had enough of their intrigues and surprises. But let's all in order.
Top Fuel
Doug Kalitta, judging by his third triumph in a row, finally caught his lucky wave, and at the moment the pilot presentation looks much more confident and convincing than anything that he can oppose opponents. In Atlanta, he snatched victory from his teammate at the finish with a difference of not more than one ten-thousandth of a second, and last weekend was able to beat the defending champion in the final Antron Brown in one of the most spectacular races of Event. Both drivers were not able to really catch on at the start, and repeatedly let go the right pedal to keep on course dregster not cross the center line and do not meet the striker. As a result, a veteran of some miracle could come out of a very deep by the standards of drag racing skid and catapult his car to the finish. Spectators witnessed a truly filigree wheel and accelerator at exorbitant rates. And the race was the clearest example that in this sport from the pilot is required is not only the ability to press in the gas to the floor with a green light.
On Friday, Brittany Force set a new record for the class, rewriting last year's achievement Antron Brown. And now, with the result of 3.676 seconds racer is the fastest driver in NHRA history. Many justify its success at the beginning of the championship that much more experienced opponents have not yet rolled into the track and did not gain the necessary momentum. This is largely a pure truth, and three wins Doug Kalitty fully justify this version. However, if last season, a rare appearance in the finals was for the daughter of the titular character in the world of drag resinge unprecedented achievement, now in its two asset Wally and national record in the rapid division of NHRA. And we have to admit that many titled sportsmen who know how to win and repeatedly try on the championship crown, this year could not even reach the semifinals. We will not point fingers. As a result, Kalitta has once again confirmed its leadership, Antron Brown due to the appearance in the final and Brittany mistakes in the second round remained in second position in the standings, and Miss Force closes the top three.
Funny Car
Matt Hagan also continued its triumphal march and secured the success in Atlanta the most convincing way possible. Thanks to one race with the result of 3.862 @ 335.57 mph, twice champion chalked up record, both in the classroom and secured first place in qualifying. In the final Haganah got his teammate Jack Beckman, and thus in the decisive battle met again the two fastest riders in the division in recent years. And similar to the duel between Brown and Kalitty dregster thwarted slicks in the slip at the start: a cloud of blue smoke of the race cars sideways, and a desperate struggle with the drift in the performance of both pilots on the way to the finish line. As in the previous event again luck was on the side of the Haganah, and Beckmann had to settle for the second time in a row, «silver». Fighting in this class is becoming more intense with each step. And while Courtney Force, Tim Wilkerson and Jack Beckman at times wrong, Matt Hagan is not just involved in the fight for the top regalia and extremely straightforward outlined their intentions, jumping a couple of weeks with the right ninth to fourth place standings. In top Individuals situation remained unchanged: Courtney with a minimum margin of Beckman continues to hold the number one position, and Wilkerson was in third place. This time, Tim again unlucky in the semi-finals: in Atlanta, he has suffered from the lack of a hook, and this weekend has left after his meeting with the two concrete barriers immediately after the start. For more information about this accident will be discussed in one of our forthcoming materials.
Pro Stock
If the repeated success of the Haganah and Kalitty in principle was not completely expected outcome Event, the happy face Jason Line on the podium in Topeka after winning the previous stage it is hardly surprised at least someone. Once again (I lost count, to be honest) met in the finals Line and his teammate Greg Anderson, and the second time in a row blue Chevrolet Camaro crossed the finish line before the difference in polkapota. Line for the national championship was absolutely in all rounds of the races Shootout and lost only three times all the same Anderson, only because gape on the Christmas tree. So explicit and overwhelming dominance strips NHRA have not seen for a long time. Other pilots can win hundredths of a second at the start, but by the middle of the distance-earned advantage dissolves without a trace, and dregster with Summit Racing logos on the sides is at the finish line with an impressive margin. No one knows what was invented, engineers and mechanics team clocked KB Racing, but we all look forward with great anticipation fracture in the championship and the emergence of at least some hint of sane competition. Especially in the division lacks champions who know how to fight on the limit and know the true price of victory. But until something like this...
Failure Event: the old man in Topeka Force presented its new brand-new Chevrolet Camaro, over which a team of specialists working for over a year. Dregster absorbed himself many years of experience gained by engineers and mechanics, and is in many ways a new word in the industry. However, to unlock the full potential of technology veteran failed due to a collision with striker during the second qualifying race. Balance Force Event held last year in the cockpit of the car and said goodbye to the chance of a trophy in the first round of races Shootout. At the end of the race shestnadtsatikratny champion is ranked ninth in the standings, but the next stage in Epping, judging by the statements of John, a revolutionary device will be in the ranks. Well, we can not wait to see the new generation of Funny Car in the case.
Pilot Event: once again the victory in this nomination goes to Matt Haganah. The pilot of Don Schumacher Racing has collected all possible regalia during this weekend, demonstrating outrageous skills behind the wheel of his Dodge Charger. If this continues, and further, the advantage earned by its competitors at the beginning of the championship, will soon come to naught.
Check Event: friday's qualification by the Haganah shocked many, and there can hardly be a different opinion. The maximum speed that the driver developed to tysyachefutovoy distance, became a new absolute record NHRA. Yes, Top Fuel dregster at all times were faster touring cars Funny Car, but the two-time champion of this fact, it seems, did not confused, judging by the ease with which he crushed two national records.
Photo: motorsport.com, open source
