2013 SONOMA NATIONALS
Images by: John R. Andres & Randy Jones/SMM Staff Photographer
SONOMA, Calif. (July 28, 2013) – In an exciting Funny Car final at Sonoma Raceway, Ron Capps raced to his second win of the season Sunday and continued his recent domination at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals.
Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also winners of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event, the 15th of 24 in the 2013 season.
Capps powered his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger to his fourth win at the scenic Bay Area track with a holeshot performance of 4.085 seconds at 307.79 mph to hold off the Castrol GTX Ford Mustang of 15-time world champion John Force in the final round. It marked the 40th career win for the California native.
"You're not just racing any car in the final - you're racing John Force," said Capps, who has won at Sonoma Raceway three of the last four seasons. "It can be intimidating to a lot of people."
Capps outran Del Worsham, Jeff Arend, and Courtney Force to reach the final round. He leaves the event No. 2 in the Mello Yello points standings, his highest ranking since he left the Gainesville event tied for first in mid-March. Event top qualifier Matt Hagan, who was upset in the opening round by Alexis DeJoria, continues to lead the series standings by 27 points over Capps.
In Top Fuel, points leader Langdon claimed his fourth win of the season and fifth of his career by defeating former high school classmate Morgan Lucas in the final round. Langdon powered his Al-Anabi Racing dragster to a performance of 3.920 at 240.47 to hold off Lucas' GEICO/Lucas Oil dragster, which slowed near mid-track.
"This is a dream season," Langdon said. "To get four wins at this point in the season feels like we have a strong car. Racing Morgan was pretty cool because we grew up together and went to high school together. A lot of memories racing with friends."
With the win, his first at Sonoma, Langdon extends his series points lead to 102 over second place Spencer Massey. Langdon outran Houston winner Bob Vandergriff, veteran Doug Kalitta and defending world champion Antron Brown to advance to the final round.
In Pro Stock, Nobile and his Mountain View Tire Dodge Avenger team picked up their second win of the season. In the final round, Nobile drove to victory with a performance of 6.572 seconds at 208.58 mph against four-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. whose JEGS.com/Mopar Avenger shook the tires and shut off.
The victory is Nobile's second of the season and seventh of his career, moving him to fifth in points. Nobile defeated Jason Line, points leader and event top qualifier Mike Edwards and Greg Anderson to reach the final round.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Arana Jr. claimed his fourth win of the season, riding his Lucas Oil Buell to a performance of 6.878 at 195.45 to beat event top qualifier and Viper Motorcycle Company Buell rider Matt Smith in the final round. It is Arana Jr.'s seventh career victory and first at Sonoma.
Arana Jr. beat Scotty Pollacheck, Jerry Savoie and Katie Sullivan to reach the final round. With the victory, Arana Jr. remains the series points leader. With the runner-up finish, Smith clinched a berth into the Countdown to the Championship, NHRA's six-race postseason playoffs.
The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues Aug. 2-4 with the O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways near Seattle.
Sunday's final results from the 26th annual
NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway:
Top Fuel — Shawn Langdon, 3.920 seconds, 240.47 mph def. Morgan Lucas, 4.628 seconds, 183.69 mph.
Funny Car — Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 4.085, 307.79 def. John Force, Ford Mustang, 4.072, 311.13.
Pro Stock — Vincent Nobile, Dodge Avenger, 6.572, 208.59 def. Jeg Coughlin, Avenger, 7.627, 137.95.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.878, 195.45 def. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.877, 195.45.
Super Stock — Jody Lang, Chevy Malibu, 10.883, 119.26 def. Staci Smith, Dodge Daytona, 9.672, 133.99.
Stock Eliminator — Dan Fletcher, Chevy Camaro, 11.007, 117.20 def. Brent Calvert, Ford Mustang, 9.743, 132.21.
Super Comp — Steve Williams, Dragster, 8.928, 181.11 def. Ken Mostowich, Chevy Cavalier, 8.958, 167.16.
Super Gas — Rick Beckstrom, Pontiac Grand Am, 9.911, 168.51 def. Mike Blodgett, Chevy Vega, 9.891, 143.22.
Top Dragster — Bob Button, Dragster, 6.807, 187.55 def. George Prather, Dragster, 6.693, 196.73.
Top Sportsman — Jeff Gillette, Pontiac GTO, 6.962, 200.14 def. Mike Ferderer, Pontiac Grand Am, 7.376, 180.60.
Final round-by-round results from the 26th annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway, the 15th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:
TOP FUEL:
ROUND ONE — Antron Brown, 3.787, 322.58 def. Clay Millican, 3.795, 323.12; Shawn Langdon, 3.743, 324.51 def. Bob Vandergriff, 3.786, 320.66; Khalid alBalooshi, 3.794, 323.50 def. Brandon Bernstein, 3.872, 322.27; David Grubnic, 3.795, 324.59 def. Terry McMillen, 3.876, 321.65; Tommy Johnson Jr., 3.786, 324.51 def. Steve Torrence, 3.918, 310.63; Doug Kalitta, 3.785, 326.87 def. Brittany Force, 4.770, 163.35; Spencer Massey, 4.291, 242.71 def. Tony Schumacher, 5.380, 148.35; Morgan Lucas, 3.757, 328.30 def. T.J. Zizzo, 3.835, 321.81;
QUARTERFINALS — Massey, 3.822, 324.59 def. alBalooshi, 3.820, 323.97; Brown, 3.835, 314.31 def. Johnson Jr., 6.996, 85.31; Lucas, 4.296, 266.16 def. Grubnic, 4.323, 193.68; Langdon, 3.799, 324.67 def. Kalitta, 3.819, 326.87;
SEMIFINALS — Lucas, 3.808, 322.50 def. Massey, 3.832, 317.72; Langdon, 3.804, 324.98 def. Brown, 5.346, 114.57;
FINAL — Langdon, 3.920, 240.47 def. Lucas, 4.628, 183.69.
FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE — Johnny Gray, Dodge Charger, 4.057, 315.42 def. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 4.941, 157.25; Ron Capps, Charger, 4.066, 311.20 def. Del Worsham, Toyota Camry, 4.855, 188.94; Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 4.705, 185.08 def. Matt Hagan, Charger, 5.228, 189.87; Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.057, 313.29 def. Todd Lesenko, Charger, DQ; John Force, Mustang, 4.073, 312.86 def. Tony Pedregon, Camry, 4.267, 258.22; Jeff Arend, Charger, 4.170, 287.23 def. Gary Densham, Charger, 5.081, 151.70; Courtney Force, Mustang, 4.088, 317.72 def. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.831, 168.94; Robert Hight, Mustang, 4.018, 317.49 def. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.105, 312.21;
QUARTERFINALS — C. Force, 4.089, 315.34 def. Beckman, 4.067, 313.51; J. Force, 4.057, 313.95 def. Gray, 4.991, 153.14; DeJoria, 4.145, 306.33 def. Hight, 4.127, 283.91; R. Capps, 4.099, 308.35 def. Arend, 6.018, 115.56;
SEMIFINALS — R. Capps, 4.048, 315.34 def. C. Force, 4.506, 186.59; J. Force, 4.086, 311.34 def. DeJoria, 4.095, 309.84;
FINAL — R. Capps, 4.085, 307.79 def. J. Force, 4.072, 311.13.
PRO STOCK:
ROUND ONE — Vincent Nobile, Dodge Avenger, 6.565, 210.70 def. Jason Line, Chevy Camaro, 6.573, 210.97; Jeg Coughlin, Avenger, 6.562, 210.54 def. Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 6.586, 211.43; Rickie Jones, Camaro, 6.541, 211.56 def. Larry Morgan, Ford Mustang, 6.563, 210.57; V. Gaines, Avenger, 6.555, 211.96 def. Steve Kent, Camaro, 6.608, 210.05; Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.571, 211.36 def. JR Carr, Mustang, 6.608, 208.91; Mike Edwards, Camaro, 6.541, 212.09 was unopposed; Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.523, 212.23 def. Deric Kramer, Avenger, 6.608, 209.43; Allen Johnson, Avenger, 6.534, 211.93 def. Chris McGaha, Avenger, 6.600, 210.47;
QUARTERFINALS — Anderson, 6.559, 211.30 def. Gaines, 6.541, 212.06; Nobile, 6.559, 211.16 def. Edwards, 6.532, 212.33; Johnson, 6.534, 212.06 def. Jones, foul; Coughlin, 6.544, 211.43 def. Gray, 6.541, 211.89;
SEMIFINALS — Nobile, 6.557, 211.39 def. Anderson, foul; Coughlin, 6.556, 211.53 def. Johnson, 6.539, 211.63;
FINAL — Nobile, 6.572, 208.59 def. Coughlin, 7.627, 137.95.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:
ROUND ONE — Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.824, 195.56 def. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.873, 195.00; Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.874, 195.11 def. Adam Arana, Buell, 6.838, 195.79; Angie Smith, Buell, 6.866, 193.99 def. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.830, 195.51; Katie Sullivan, Suzuki, 6.871, 191.08 def. Michael Ray, Buell, 7.635, 140.43; LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 6.858, 194.55 def. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, foul; Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.842, 194.83 def. Scotty Pollacheck, Buell, 6.854, 193.79; Hector Arana, Buell, 6.805, 198.15 def. John Hall, Buell, 6.884, 192.82; Matt Smith, Buell, 6.826, 196.44 def. Shawn Gann, Buell, 6.922, 194.10;
QUARTERFINALS — Sullivan, 6.928, 190.35 def. A. Smith, foul; Arana Jr, 6.851, 196.64 def. Savoie, 6.872, 195.11; M. Smith, 6.843, 196.73 def. Krawiec, 6.842, 196.87; H. Arana, 6.816, 198.44 def. Tonglet, 6.868, 195.22;
SEMIFINALS — Arana Jr, 6.856, 195.25 def. Sullivan, 6.904, 190.89; M. Smith, 6.827, 195.59 def. H. Arana, 6.891, 196.07;
FINAL — Arana Jr, 6.878, 195.45 def. M. Smith, 6.877, 195.45.
Point standings (top 10) following the 26th annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway, the 15th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series
Top Fuel
1. Shawn Langdon, 1,210; 2. Spencer Massey, 1,108; 3. Tony Schumacher, 1,106; 4. Doug Kalitta, 924; 5. Antron Brown, 904; 6. Khalid alBalooshi, 865; 7. Clay Millican, 769; 8. Morgan Lucas, 768; 9. Bob Vandergriff, 726; 10. Steve Torrence, 688.
Funny Car
1. Matt Hagan, 1,034; 2. Ron Capps, 1,007; 3. Cruz Pedregon, 983; 4. John Force, 961; 5. Johnny Gray, 945; 6. (tie) Jack Beckman, 910; Courtney Force, 910; 8. Tim Wilkerson, 804; 9. Del Worsham, 799; 10. Robert Hight, 782.
Pro Stock
1. Mike Edwards, 1,339; 2. Allen Johnson, 1,273; 3. Jeg Coughlin, 1,147; 4. Shane Gray, 948; 5. Vincent Nobile, 918; 6. Jason Line, 902; 7. Greg Anderson, 821; 8. Erica Enders-Stevens, 743; 9. V. Gaines, 742; 10. Rodger Brogdon, 660.
Pro Stock Motorcycle
1. Hector Arana Jr, 795; 2. Matt Smith, 646; 3. Michael Ray, 599; 4. Hector Arana, 553; 5. John Hall, 534; 6. Scotty Pollacheck, 523; 7. Eddie Krawiec, 465; 8. Adam Arana, 462; 9. Shawn Gann, 428; 10. Steve Johnson, 424.
NORWALK, Ohio – After qualifying in the top spot to start the day at the 14th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series driver Jose Gonzalez took home the win at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park.
The Norwalk event marked the fourth race of the 2021 E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service season, and with today’s victory, Gonzalez currently sits second in the points standings.
His journey to the winner’s circle began when he defeated Alex Laughlin in the opening round. He then took down Mike Castellana in the quarterfinals and later Doug Winters in the semifinal round. It was his 5.723-second pass at 250.09 mph over points leader Brandon Snider.
Snider, the No. 7 seed, defeated Justin Jones, Lyle Barnett and Jerico Balduf en route to his first final round of the season.
The E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service returns to action July 16-18 at the Dodge//SRT Mile-High NHRA Nationals Presented By Pennzoil at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colo.
Final finish order (1-16) at the 14th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park. The race is the fourth of 12 events in the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.
PRO MODIFIED:
1. Jose Gonzalez
2. Brandon Snider
3. Jerico Balduf
4. Doug Winters
5. Justin Bond
6. Mike Castellana
7. Lyle Barnett
8. Jim Whiteley
9. Steve Jackson
10. Mike Salinas
11. Eric Latino
12. Justin Jones
13. Alex Laughlin
14. Jeffery Barker
15. Khalid alBalooshi
16. JR Gray.
Sunday's final results from the 14th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park. The race is the fourth of 12 events in the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.
Pro Modified:
Jose Gonzalez, Chevy Camaro, 5.723, 250.09 def. Brandon Snider, Chevy Corvette, 5.777, 248.84.
Final round-by-round results from the 14th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park, the fourth of 12 events in the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.
PRO MODIFIED:
ROUND ONE:
Jerico Balduf, Chevy Chevelle, 5.880, 244.92 def. Mike Salinas, Chevy Camaro, 5.909, 245.58; Doug Winters, Chevelle, 5.906, 245.76 def. Jeffery Barker, Toyota Camry, 6.057, 219.76; Jose Gonzalez, Camaro, 5.795, 248.48 def. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 5.931, 239.78; Jim Whiteley, Camaro, 5.858, 244.87 def. Steve Jackson, Camaro, 5.846, 247.79; Lyle Barnett, Camaro, 5.936, 243.50 def. Khalid alBalooshi, Camaro, 6.628, 154.07; Brandon Snider, Chevy Corvette, 5.829, 248.52 def. Justin Jones, Corvette, Foul - Red Light; Justin Bond, Camaro, 5.836, 247.88 def. Eric Latino, Camaro, 5.913, 242.45; Mike Castellana, Camaro, 5.871, 245.23 def. JR Gray, Camaro, 6.712, 199.43; QUARTERFINALS -- Winters, 5.923, 243.02 def. Whiteley, Foul - Red Light; Snider, 5.819, 247.97 def. Barnett, 6.248, 166.66; Gonzalez, 5.800, 246.89 def. Castellana, 5.847, 246.35; Balduf, 5.862, 244.25 def. Bond, 5.812, 248.66; SEMIFINALS -- Snider, 5.794, 248.25 def. Balduf, 5.833, 246.21; Gonzalez, 5.752, 248.93 def. Winters, 5.922, 223.14; FINAL -- Gonzalez, 5.723, 250.09 def. Snider, 5.777, 248.84.
Point standings (top 10) following the 14th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park, the fourth of 12 events in the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.
Pro Modified:
1. Justin Bond, 328
2. Jose Gonzalez, 322
3. Brandon Snider, 294
4. Steve Jackson, 254
5. Khalid alBalooshi, 204
6. Jeffery Barker, 192
7. Mike Castellana, 177
8. JR Gray, 169
9. Doug Winters, 164
10. Alex Laughlin, 147.
2021 Major Events
At Sonoma Raceway