Massey, Capps set national speed records in NHRA qualifying at Supernationals

NHRA/National Dragster - Ron Capps posted the quickest run in NHRA history on Friday at Englishtown, N.J.

Spencer Massey and Ron Capps raced to the quickest runs in NHRA history in their respective categories to lead qualifying Friday at the Toyota NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J.

Jason Line topped the Pro Stock field in early qualifying at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event.

Massey and Capps took advantage of cool weather conditions in the evening qualifying session to post the track record performances. Should each driver record another performance within one percent as required by NHRA rules during the course of the weekend, those times will become NHRA national records.

Massey powered his FRAM/Prestone dragster to a time of 3.728 seconds at 329.91 mph to lead an extremely quick Top Fuel field. Morgan Lucas was second with a 3.739 at 324.51 in the GEICO/Lucas Oil dragster and Shawn Langdon powered his Al-Anabi Racing dragster to a 3.742 at 324.36. 

“It's unbelievable watching all these cars go down the racetrack and go excellent numbers,” Massey said. “I mean, Morgan [Lucas] went a .73. I believe Tony [Schumacher] went a .74 and didn't even get bonus points for getting in the top three. That just shows you how awesome this Top Fuel field is. Todd [Okuhara] and Phil [Shuler, crew chiefs] both told me if it sticks, hang on because it's going to run. I've heard that from them before, and it's usually right.”

Massey, who leads the points standings with three victories in four finals this season, said it was an amazing run from his viewpoint.

“It left, and it started quivering the tires a little bit when it started setting the front end down, and I'm just going, ‘Don't smoke, don't smoke, don't smoke,' and it made it,” Massey said. “Once it made it past that point, I knew it was going to be killer. I didn't think it was going to be .72. I figured maybe a .73 and change, but a .72 with an eight came up on the board, and I watched it go past when I crossed the finish line. Trust me, it was like winning a race jumping out at the top end. It's amazing to have a great group of crew guys and crew chiefs back there that can put my entire race car together and give me a chance to do what I just did.”

Capps became the second Funny Car driver in history to post a three-second time when he finished his qualifying attempt in 3.964 seconds at 320.89 in his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger. His teammate, Matt Hagan, was the first Funny Car driver to post a three-second run, with a 3.995 second effort, last September in Charlotte, N.C.

“It still hasn't sunk in,” Capps said. “My teammate [Matt] Hagan came over and high-fived me and about hurt my arm. I just can't believe it."

Like Top Fuel, the Funny Car session was very quick as well. More than 10 of the cars posted runs in the 4.0-second range. Robert Hight was second in the Auto Club Ford Mustang with a 4.013 at 318.02 and Johnny Gray was third in his Service Central Charger with a 4.022 at 318.84.

“This track is legendary when it cools off,” said Capps, who has advanced to the last four final rounds and is second in the points standings. “It's legendary anyway, but it's neat to get this historic track a record like that because it deserves it.”

Defending Pro Stock world champ Line sped to the top spot in the factory hot rod category with a 6.518 at 212.16 in his Summit Racing Pontiac GXP.

Friday

At Old Bridge Township Raceway Park

Englishtown, N.J.

Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.

Top Fuel

1. Spencer Massey, 3.728 seconds, 329.91 mph. 2. Morgan Lucas, 3.739, 324.51. 3. Shawn Langdon, 3.742, 324.36. 4. Tony Schumacher, 3.746, 327.11. 5. Steve Torrence, 3.759, 324.20. 6. Brandon Bernstein, 3.764, 323.27. 7. Khalid alBalooshi, 3.775, 322.81. 8. Antron Brown, 3.798, 322.34. 9. Clay Millican, 3.805, 313.07. 10. Doug Kalitta, 3.809, 319.37. 11. Bob Vandergriff, 3.828, 320.89. 12. Terry McMillen, 3.834, 316.75. Not Qualified: 13. T.J. Zizzo, 3.843, 309.27. 14. Dom Lagana, 3.864, 317.49. 15. David Grubnic, 3.867, 313.58. 16. Cory McClenathan, 3.869, 309.49. 17. Luigi Novelli, 3.931, 302.35. 18. Bruce Litton, 3.950, 303.71. 19. Ike Maier, 4.147, 262.49. 20. Rit Pustari, 4.424, 193.18. 21. Brady Kalivoda, 6.509, 99.06.

Funny Car

1. Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 3.964, 320.89. 2. Robert Hight, Ford Mustang, 4.013, 318.02. 3. Johnny Gray, Charger, 4.022, 318.84. 4. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.028, 309.56. 5. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.035, 306.05. 6. Alexis DeJoria, Toyota Camry, 4.040, 313.66. 7. Mike Neff, Mustang, 4.052, 312.71. 8. Jeff Arend, Camry, 4.060, 311.20. 9. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.065, 313.73. 10. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.065, 307.93. 11. John Force, Mustang, 4.066, 311.85. 12. Blake Alexander, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.116, 302.96. Not Qualified: 13. Jim Head, 4.167, 293.35. 14. Bob Bode, 4.192, 296.11. 15. Terry Haddock, 4.258, 286.56. 16. Todd Lesenko, 4.545, 197.74. 17. Tony Pedregon, 5.475, 163.00. 18. Courtney Force, 6.177, 135.86. 19. Mike Smith, 7.216, 164.49. 20. Cruz Pedregon, 8.464, 81.64.

Pro Stock

1. Jason Line, Pontiac GXP, 6.518, 212.16. 2. Allen Johnson, Dodge Avenger, 6.528, 211.56. 3. Mike Edwards, GXP, 6.529, 211.73. 4. Vincent Nobile, Avenger, 6.538, 211.69. 5. Erica Enders, Chevy Cobalt, 6.543, 211.39. 6. Ronnie Humphrey, GXP, 6.546, 211.63. 7. Rodger Brogdon, GXP, 6.548, 211.30. 8. Steve Kent, GXP, 6.552, 210.60. 9. Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.554, 211.56. 10. V. Gaines, Avenger, 6.555, 210.64. 11. Ron Krisher, GXP, 6.561, 211.36. 12. Shane Gray, GXP, 6.564, 210.57. Not Qualified: 13. Kurt Johnson, 6.568, 210.41. 14. Warren Johnson, 6.580, 210.37. 15. Bob Benza, 6.585, 209.43. 16. Larry Morgan, 6.587, 209.92. 17. Grace Howell, 6.612, 208.23. 18. Jeg Coughlin, 15.282, 79.52.