The NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway saw three salty veterans claim victory in their respected classes. Antron Brown took home the glory in the Top Fuel division ending Doug Kalitta’s three event winning streak. Ron Capps raced his way to his second 2016 NHRA’s New England Nationals Funny Car event title when he out dragged fellow competitor and teammate Tommy Johnson Jr. For Greg Anderson in the Pro Stock Division, well it was business as usual, when he took the podium for the fouth time this season and the second straight at this event.
Antron Brown etched another step forward on NHRA’s Mello Yellow Series points leader Doug Kalitta with a dominating win over rival Steve Torrence in the final round. Brown powered his Matco Tools dragster to a winning time of 3.769 seconds at 314.61 miles per hour to stave off Torrence’s Capco Contractors machine, which sped down the track at a 3.778 second run at 325.30 miles per hour. It was Antron Brown’s New England Nationals victory was his second NHRA victory of the season. The mainstay was humble as ever in his post race interview.
“The car ran great all weekend at the New England Nationals,” said Brown, who is now 18-1 in head-to-head meetings versus Torrence. “We were fortunate to get the win. That Capco team over there is no joke. Steve is a real tough competitor, and we like racing against those guys because you know they are going to give you a great race every time. We’re going home to Englishtown this weekend, and we are ready for it. We’ve got to keep pushing.”
Ron Capps collected his second Funny Car win of the season at the New England Nationals when he beat out fellow DSR teammate Tommy Johnson Jr. in the final round. Johnson reacted quicker off of the line, but Capps quickly made up the difference to win with 3.923 second at 325.61 miles per hour run to Johnson’s 3.947 second 322.11 miles per hour posting.
The NHRA veteran’s NAPA Dodge was fast all weekend. Capps took the number one qualifying position and then had a consistent 3.9 second runs during eliminations to capture round victories over Dave Richards, Courtney Force, and John Force on his way to the final round at the New England Nationals. Capps’s post event interview revealed how much the speedster likes racing at this venue.
“I love coming here,” said Capps, who with the victory moved from sixth to third in the series points standings. “As a kid, I remember reading about this place in National Dragster magazine. It’s been a dream to win here for the second time. It’s huge. There’s so many old-school Funny Cars here on display this weekend. To be the guy that wins New England Dragway during the 50th anniversary of Funny Car is only fitting because I love ’em. I love the nostalgia series. I love driving them. I feel like I was born 25 years too late.”
In the Pro Stock Division there wasn’t any surprises for viewers and fans in attendance. Greg Anderson snatched his fourth podium appearance of the season and second straight at the New England Nationals when he rocketed past final round competitor Allen Johnson. Anderson eclipsed the distance in 6.598 seconds at 210.44 miles per hour in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro.
The victor held off Allen Johnson’s surging Marathon Petroleum Dodge Dart, which left the starting line first, but finished second with a 6.673 second at 208.71 miles per hour run. This was the ninth final round appearance in a row on the season for Anderson and teammate and Mello Yellow Drag Racing Series points leader Jason Line. It was the KB Racing team and Anderson’s 82nd career victory overall. Anderson was brimming with pride as he commented after his performance at The New England Nationals.
“It’s been a great start to the year,” said Anderson, who defeated V. Gaines, Alex Laughlin, and Line in early rounds. “This team is on fire. It’s a dream to drive that race car. I love racing here. It feels like racing back home in Minnesota. I had the best car on the grounds this weekend and only I could’ve screwed it up, and fortunately, I got the job done today.”
The series will continue on June 9-12 at in the NHRA Summer Nationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown.
NHRA Mello Yellow Raicng Series Point Standings:
Top Fuel
1. Doug Kalitta, 785; 2. Antron Brown, 739; 3. Steve Torrence, 658; 4. Brittany Force, 623; 5. Tony Schumacher, 483; 6. Clay Millican, 475; 7. J.R. Todd, 473; 8. Richie Crampton, 450; 9. Shawn Langdon, 399; 10. Leah Pritchett, 360.
Funny Car
1. Courtney Force, 654; 2. Jack Beckman, 639; 3. Ron Capps, 632; 4. Tim Wilkerson, 608; 5. Del Worsham, 558; 6. Matt Hagan, 556; 7. Robert Hight, 545; 8. John Force, 527; 9. Tommy Johnson Jr., 503; 10. Alexis DeJoria, 483.
Pro Stock
1. Jason Line, 1,026; 2. Greg Anderson, 937; 3. Bo Butner, 680; 4. Allen Johnson, 559; 5. Drew Skillman, 497; 6. Chris McGaha, 459; 7. Vincent Nobile, 405; 8. Alex Laughlin, 381; 9. Erica Enders, 373; 10. Jeg Coughlin, 372.
