Or rather to say — not over: before the final race from heaven flooded in torrents, and the fate of the title NHRA Northwest Nationals will be decided at the last two events of the regular season. However, despite the absence of winners, there is talk about.
Top Fuel
For a start it is worth noting that the Pacific Raceways never been famous as a springboard for the record. Except for last year's achievement of Jack Beckman, the existing clean time last barriers have been broken in this strip as much as in 1988, however, it happened in three professional classes. Usually the weather conditions in this region do not have a high speed and low seconds, but over the weekend the track surface temperatures, coupled with cold air, which did not have time to warm up because of the overcast sky, turned this event into a genuine sensation. Five pilots in three days were able to overcome the 3.7-second mark, and for the eight-time champion Tony Schumacher and stage winner in Sonoma JR Todd Seattle became a ticket to the so-called «Club 3.6». A month ago, no one dared to such bold predictions in principle, but today it is already a fact, and there is every reason to believe that this year we will have at least another dozen visits of 3.7 seconds.
Special surprises this time did not happen: the pilots, demonstrated in recent years consistently high level of performance in full force reached the semi-finals, the results of which for the trophy in Brainerd will fight winner of the national record of pure time pass tysyachefutovoy distance Steve Torrence, who this year good as ever, and the defending champion Antron Brown, nestled on the first place of personal credit. And here's a shot in the beginning of the season veteran Doug Kalitta and Brittany Force, noting the two podiums, fell in the first round, that had no effect on their position in the standings, but significantly increased the lead over the competition.
Funny Car
The best pilots of the division, it seemed nothing could stop. Racers repeatedly flew a thousand feet in a phenomenal time. For one weekend, eight were recorded results below the current record Matt Haganah, set them in Topeka in May this year. And it is in terms of the changed regulation, the main purpose of which was precisely to reduce sharply increased performance dregster. In the finals Vorshem Affairs, moving closer bar of pure time twice during qualifying, and Ron Capps, leading on points. It is noteworthy that our eyes repeat last year's scenario: when everyone thought that the championship crown in the Jack Beckman hands, but at the end of the regular season if the devil-the-box appeared Vorshem and all of a sudden a few steps changed the balance of power in their favor the most radical manner. At the moment, the reigning champion took fourth place, and can greatly complicate the lives of the leaders of the national championship in the future.
Courtney Force despite the accident in the first round remained in second place, but the gap from Capps because of early retirements is growing with every step. Fuel to the fire poured notably chronic outsider Jeff Diehl, who had, in principle, never the first not crossed the finish line. Once again, he rider and his mechanics were so not ready for such a turn of events that the semifinal his car serviced forces immediately a few instructions, and brake parachutes packed for a couple of minutes before the start before the tree.
Among the leitmotifs of Event can be identified that both nitromethane classes most of the riders improved their personal achievements. The only difference is that someone rewrote the national record, while others such as the first time in his career chetyrehsekundny overcome the barrier. In general, despite the defeat in consequence of various reasons, the vast majority of participants were very satisfied with their performances.
Pro Stock
While the pilots are «senior» divisions destroyed the second and recorded at his own expense a new landmark results in the Pro Stock class initiative intercepted participants that throughout the championship holed up in the shadow of the clear favorites. The real sensation was another outsider Aaron Strong, who is not even listed in the top 15. First he traveled to a leader (at the time) series Greg Anderson, and then sent home acting champion Eric Enders Stephens, well, so that all jaws surely fell on the floor, secured the road to the finals, disposing of the Bo Butner, who is a member the strongest teams of the championship. Strong For the finals was not just the first in his career, with three wins on the way to the decisive battle began, in principle, only three victories in his life. But for his first trophy, he will fight with Vincent Nobile, who took first place in qualifying and fight vybivshim of Jason Line, which is a couple's Event ago seemed invincible. By the way, the fate of Wally also was to be decided in Brainerd, Strong but not be able to participate in this event, which is essentially automatically makes Nobila winner. Nevertheless racer nobly agreed to postpone the decisive battle in the U.S. Nationals, which will be held in the late summer.
It is worth noting an important victory in the first round of the Erika, whereby pilotessa secured a place in the top 10, allowing it to go to the Countdown To The Championship, if it is not to lose its advantage over the other two stages of the regular season.
Failure Event: An unexpected similarity Greg Anderson in the first round of races Shootout. At the four-time champion, who for a couple with his colleague on the team one wicket dominated throughout the season, simply stalled the engine in the middle distance.
Pilot Event: Unconditionally, Aaron Strong. This «from rags to riches» in steps NHRA happened well for a long time.
Check Event: finish with a minimum difference in time for this weekend is more than enough, so a victory in this nomination, we think, can in good conscience give Cause Vorshemu, set the new record on Saturday pure time in a very exciting duel with Jack Beckman.
Photo: NHRA and open source
