Winning streak continues for drag racing’s women
Courtney Force knocks off Wilkerson in Funny Car final
It was only appropriate that legendary Top Fuel driver Shirley Muldowney would be in attendance this weekend at the NHRA Spring-Nationals at Royal Purple Raceway.
After all, Muldowney blazed the trail for female drag racers more than 40 years ago.
Courtney Force’s victory over No. 1 qualifier Tim Wilkerson in Sunday’s Funny Car final continued what has been an unprecedented season for female drivers in the NHRA’s pro divisions and established several “firsts.”
Force’s win enabled her to tie Wilkerson for the Funny Car points lead and, coupled with sister Brittany Force’s lead in Top Fuel, it marks the first time two women — not to mention sisters — have simultaneously led the point standings in the nitro divisions. And there has been at least one female winner at each of the last five na-
tional events.
“It’s pretty amazing for the females in our sport,” Courtney Force said. “I was nervous going in about keeping the streak alive for the women, but to be in the points lead with my sister is something that I can’t describe. I will cherish this for a long time.”
Already this season, Courtney Force and Brittany Force (with two wins) have been joined in Victory Lane by fellow female racers Leah Pritchett (Top Fuel) and Alexis Dejoria (Funny Car).
In Top Fuel on Sunday, Doug Kalitta beat top qualifier Steve Torrence in the final for his third career and second consecutive victory here. It was his 39th career win, tying him with Kenny Bernstein and Antron Brown for fourth on the all-time list for Top Fuel victories.
“When I first started hanging around drag racing, Kenny was the one to watch and has been one of my heroes, so it’s a great accomplishment,” Kalitta said. “And Antron is one of the best in our field, so I’m proud to tie those guys.”.
KB Racing teammates Greg Anderson and Jason Line squared off in the Pro Stock final, with Anderson winning for the third time this season and continuing the team’s domination of the class. Anderson or Line has won at every stop in 2016.
“The car was great and was a dream to drive ev- ery run, and I knew I had a great chance to win the event,” Anderson said.
Sunday’s final eliminations took place under mostly cloudy skies and with considerably cooler track conditions (100 degree track temperatures) than Saturday when track t emperatures soared above 130 degrees.
Sunday’s first round got off to an explosive start, when Top Fuel driv- ers Tony Schumacher, the eighth qualifier, and No. 9 Terry McMillen met in the first race of the day. The engine of McMillen’s Don Schumacher Racing dragster exploded at the finish line, sending a ball of flame into the air and left the supercharger assembly dangling by the safety tether designed to keep it attached to the car. With a flat left tire, McMillen steered the car toward the right side retaining wall to keep it from entering Schumacher’s lane before exiting the car apparently unscathed.
The first round also included three upsets in Top Fuel, with Pritchett, the 14th qualifier, knocking off Clay Millican when the No. 3 qualifier smoked his tires past half track. Kebin Kinsley took down Brittany Force, the No. 7 qualifier, when Force shook the tires at the start, and Scott Palmer (13th) beat Richie Crampton (fourth) when Crampton smoked his tires.