Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals
Event 15 of 24 (Sonoma)
Sonoma Raceway
Sonoma, California
July 27-29, 2018
DSR Sonoma Elimination Highlights:
- Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel) and Ron Capps (Funny Car) raced to runner-up finishes at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals
- Capps’ final round appearance was his second in two races
- Four DSR drivers clinched berths in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs:
Top Fuel: Leah Pritchett, Tony Schumacher
Funny Car: Ron Capps, Matt Hagan - By clinching a spot in the Countdown to the Championship, Schumacher has set himself up to finish in the ‘top 10’ for the 20th consecutive year
- Schumacher and Capps advanced to second in points in their respective categories
- Capps reached a milestone round win, setting off his 700th professional win light during round two
- All four DSR Funny Cars advanced to the quarterfinals
(EXCERPT)
Driver Information:
Funny Car:
TOMMY JOHNSON JR.
Driver of the Make-A-Wish Foundation Dodge Charger R/T
Qualified: No. 7 (3.988 E.T. at 322.04 MPH)
The Results:
E1: 4.012 E.T. at 321.58 MPH defeated Cruz Pedregon 4.103 E.T. at 306.40 MPH
E2: 4.016 E.T. at 323.35 MPH defeated Jack Beckman 4.013 E.T. at 314.83 MPH
E3: 3.990 E.T. at 323.81 MPH defeated by Robert Hight 3.956 E.T. at 322.04 MPH
Race Recap:
At the scene of his career-first No. 1 qualifier, Tommy Johnson Jr. earned a position in the top-half of the Funny Car field to start race day in Sonoma. Against first round opponent Cruz Pedregon, Johnson navigated the Make-A-Wish Dodge down the stretch in 4.012-seconds, earning the round win and a spot in the quarterfinals.
Johnson lined up opposite teammate Jack Beckman in round two. Johnson had the starting line advantage against Beckman and was able to use his quick reaction time to snag the holeshot win over Beckman and advance to the semifinals.
The John Collins-led team tuned Johnson to a solid 3.990-second at 323.81-mph pass, but the Make-A-Wish car was narrowly defeated by Robert Hight’s 3.956-second run, ending their day at the semifinals.
Quotable:
“It’s been a tough season. We’ve struggled and have not been as consistent as we’d like, but we’re starting to gain some traction and we’re starting to get the car real consistent and become really competitive. We went to the semis and would have liked to have gone further, but really happy with how the car is starting to come around. I think that’s super important because there’s just three races left before the Countdown and it’s the right time to start making some headway. So, I’m really happy and look forward to going to Seattle and continuing.”
NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship Points Standings:
Funny Car
1. Courtney Force – 1197*
2. Ron Capps – 1032*
3. Robert Hight – 1024*
4. Matt Hagan – 1001*
5. Jack Beckman – 967
6. J.R. Todd – 863
7. Tommy Johnson Jr. – 819
8. John Force – 807
9. Shawn Langdon – 680
10. Bob Tasca III – 656
*Clinched berth in NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship