Ten more drivers locked up their berths in NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship playoffs thanks to their efforts at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd.
In Top Fuel, Steve Torrence and Spencer Massey clinched their spots in qualifying; Brittany Force, Khalid alBalooshi, and Richie Crampton all locked up their spots as the result of eliminations. Their qualification leaves just one spot open in the Top Fuel Countdown field.
In Funny Car, Ron Capps, Tommy Johnson Jr., Alexis DeJoria, Courtney Force, and Matt Hagan all clinched in eliminations.
No new drivers clinched in Pro Stock; Pro Stock Motorcycle did not compete at the event.
Twenty-seven drivers have so far locked up their spots after the Brainerd event, the 17th of 18 races that make up the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series’ regular season. Only the top-10 finishers in each of the four Mello Yello classes – Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle – can run for the championship in the season’s final six events.
Only the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis remains for drivers to lock up the 13 remaining spots scattered across the four classes.
Top Fuel
1. Doug Kalitta
2. Antron Brown
3. Shawn Langdon
4. Tony Schumacher
5. Steve Torrence
6. Spencer Massey
7. Brittany Force
8. Khalid alBalooshi
9. Richie Crampton
Funny Car
1. Robert Hight
2. John Force
3. Ron Capps
4. Tommy Johnson Jr.
5. Alexis DeJoria
6. Courtney Force
7. Matt Hagan
Pro Stock
1. Erica Enders-Stevens
2. Allen Johnson
3. Jeg Coughlin Jr.
4. Jason Line
5. Dave Connolly
6. Shane Gray
7. Vincent Nobile
Pro Stock Motorcycle
1. Andrew Hines
2. Eddie Krawiec
3. Hector Arana Jr.
4. Hector Arana Sr.
