Team Valvoline Grabs Double Win in NHRA Mile-High Nationals
Team Valvoline nitro teams dominated Sunday's Mile-High Nationals near Denver, the first of the three-race Western Swing.
The Top Fuel and Funny Car divisions each saw an all Team Valvoline final. Tony Schumacher edged Antron Brown for the dragster title while Tim Wilkerson beat Jack Beckman for the Funny Car win.
It was the first race in NHRA history that the two nitromethane divisions ran to the 1,000-foot mark instead of the traditional quarter-mile.
Schumacher's winning numbers in the final round were an elapsed time of 4.007 seconds and a speed of 304.05 miles per hour. Brown ran a 4.173 at 276.97. It was the sixth win of the season for Schumacher and the 47th of his career.
"My car ran flawlessly all day," said Schumacher. "We went straight down a very hot track every time and there wasn't a hint of tire smoke. That's a credit to (crew chief) Alan Johnson and the entire U.S. Army team. As usual they rose to the occasion."
Wilkerson scored his third win in five races and fourth of the season. His winning numbers were 4.398 at 262.23. Beckman, driving the Valvoline Funny Car, ran a 4.661 at 205.41.
"We had a good car all weekend and went down the track every run," said Wilkerson. "I'm pretty proud of my guys. They're doing a great job. It was good racing all weekend."
Both Schumacher and Wilkerson lead their categories in the NHRA POWERade driver point standings.
The following are Valvoline Racing NHRA Team Results
NHRA Mile-High Nationals
July 13
Denver
Top Fuel:
Alan Bradshaw, Tuttle Motorsports
Did Not Enter
Point Standing: 14th
Antron Brown, David Powers Motorsports
Runner-up
Point Standing: 2nd
Rod Fuller, David Powers Motorsports
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 5th
Cory McClenathan, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Semifinal Round
Point Standing: 4th
Tony Schumacher, Don Schumacher Racing:
Won Event
Point Standing: 1st
Bob Vandergriff Jr., Vandergriff Motorsports
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 12th
Funny Car
Jack Beckman, Don Schumacher Racing
Runner-up
Point Standing: 10th
Ron Capps, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Quarterfinals
Point Standing: 7th
Gary Scelzi, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Quarterfinals
Point Standing: 13th
Jerry Toliver, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 15th
Tim Wilkerson
Won Event
Point Standing: 1st
Pro Stock
Ron Krisher
Lost in Semifinals
Point Standing: 7th
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Chip Ellis
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 3rd
Next NHRA Event
July 20
Seattle
