Besides NHRA Carolina Nationals was packed full of dramatic confrontations, and very unexpected failures of the leaders in the background break some riders from the lower rows of the table.
Top Fuel: stability — a sign of skill
Antron Brown opened the second consecutive playoff series with a victory in Concord and in the last year of his triumph at the Zmax Dragway eventually became the first step to the second league title. The pilot, although the seventh place in qualifying, was able to gather on the day of the race, and very confidently demonstrated time in the redistribution of the 3.7-second zone, having won a victory in the final on Dugi Kalittoy, increasing thus the gap between its main rival.
Steve Torrence is still ranked third in points, while in the second round lost to newcomer Wayne Newby, who had shocked the fans by sending in the paddock champion 2013 Shawn Langdon.
Tony Schumacher won at the last stage in Indianapolis everything that could be won, and fell down in the first round, the drain due to lack of toe Cameron Ferre, whose last event was the first Top Fuel driving dregster in his career.
On the one hand affects the growing tension with each event, on the other — that such errors may eventually cost the coveted Big Wally.
Brittany Force also flashed past weekend, however, due to the failure of the eightfold champion moved to the fourth line of personal credit, and now comes with a minimum margin at the Torrens heel. It is very difficult to make any predictions about how the confrontation between the parties will develop in the future, because the importance of merit in the regular season reduced to a minimum, and the fate of the championship crown can be solved literally overnight. Leah Pritchett, launched in Countdown To The Championship from the last position, was able to move to the two points above, but the reason for that was not only the merits of the pilots very much the failure of opponents.
Funny Car: triumphant return Force
Shestnadtsatikratny champion knows better than most that would win if we are talking about statistics, but some are more equal than others win when the national championship has already reached a critical stage, and to the completion of a series of six stages left.
John Force thanks to the 146-th in the career Wally immediately jumped to the third place on points with eighth, ahead of drivers who objectively throughout the championship look more convincing. Until the pile 67-year veteran at 8 mph improved the course record, and basically looked at the weekend as the indestructible blocks.
Ron Capps and Del Vorshem dropped out of the fight in the semi-final heats, and at the moment both feel is far from being so at ease in their positions after strong breakthrough of John, the violence in the finals with Tommy Johnson, who in turn pressed Matt Hagan and Courtney Force.
A certain piquancy to the situation adds that according to statistics in the Countdown To The Championship Force has an impressive advantage in personal meetings with both leaders. So seventeenth title in the bank associations of the victorious pilot is more than real. Jack Beckman, who in the last season before the last predicted victory in the championship, left home in the first round and rolled right on to the eighth position.
Pro Stock: KB Racing back in the game
Apparently, in the camp unconditionally dominant in the first half of the season the team made the right conclusions and make the necessary adjustments to get back on the podium again. Greg Anderson and Jason Line skated excellently qualified and swept all rivals on the way to the final, where he met face to face in the best traditions.
This time the victory went to Lyne, increase the gap from Anderson, who is still firmly holds the second place. But Vincent Nobile, very confident speaking in recent months, was able for the first time this year, to dilute in the top division three pilots KB Racing, sliding the Bo Butner on the fourth position. The young rider from the Event to the event never ceases to please their fans. Despite the fact that during the current championship, he never held out for the coveted trophy, at the moment it is probably the main contender for the title in addition to the Line, Anderson and Butner.
Extremely upset current champion Erica Enders Stephens, for the first time since 2010 did not qualify. no one could have at the start of the national championship to assume that the guarantee for racers so does not ask: incredible number of retirements in the early knockout rounds, the passage in the playoffs with a creak, and as a result of a failed qualification. And if hopes for a high place in the championship before the still warm, it is now possible to say with almost absolute certainty. «Not this time» Hopefully, during the winter vacation specialists Elite Motorsports will be able to solve all the technical problems, and in the 2017 season not only Vincent Nobile, who, by the way, this year's car is piloted by old Stephen Enders, will be able to compete for the highest regalia.
Pilot Event: John Force had a near perfect weekend ended takeoff just five points in the standings, with the exception that gape at the start of the second round. However, in this case, luck was on the side of veteran Tim Wilkerson, despite an impressive advantage in the tree, poured outright race due to lack of a hook.
Failure Event: Apsetov in Concord was such a huge amount that distinguish something concrete is not possible. First, all three riders holding on points in fourth place (Courtney Force, Tony Schumacher and Allen Johnson), were defeated in the first round and thus surrendered their positions. Second, Steve Torrence and Schumacher sent home inveterate beginners. And thirdly, the results of the qualification Erica — is, sorry, do not go into any gates.
Check Event: In the second round, Antron Brown snatched victory from Brittany Force with a difference of a few thousandths of a second, while the rest of the racers at this stage of the knockout rounds showed a slower time. The opposition was very tense, of course, if you have time to tense up in 3.7 seconds.
Next stop — St. Louis. Degree passions rolls, for the title on points difference between the main contenders is minimal, and I repeat: everything can turn upside down at any time.
Photo: open source
