Volume X, Issue 6, Page 32

Words compiled from team and NHRA press releases by Kay Burk
Photos by Todd Dziadosz and Debbie Gastelu
6/24/2008

(Debbie Gastelu photo)

Five-time POWERade Series world champion Tony Schumacher raced to his first win at Englishtown in 12 years of competition at the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals on June 22, but the event was overshadowed by the loss of Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta on Saturday. Tim Wilkerson, Greg Anderson, and Chip Ellis also won.

TOP FUEL

Schumacher drove his U.S. Army, Alan Johnson tuned  dragster (it was also Alan Johnson’s first ever trip to a final round at Englishtown)  to a 4.589-second run at 325.06 to defeat runner-up Brandon Bernstein by half a car length to pick up his 46th win and pull within six of Joe Amato (52) for most Top Fuel wins all-time. Bernstein had a quicker 4.562/323.04 but couldn’t cover the Sarges hole-shot. Once again there were just 16 Top Fuel cars for a 16 car field. 


Privateer and IHRA Top Fuel regular Todd Paton had a blowup on the starting line in the first round Sunday against Brandon Bernstein. Paton seems to have a fire at every event he has attended.  (Debbie Gastelu photo)

Brandon Bernstein finally changed his fortune at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. At the Lucas Oil Supernationals he drove the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster to a runner-up finish, his first career final round appearance at Raceway Park. 

In second round pairing Bernstein faced Bob Vandergriff, Jr., who lost traction near half track. Bernstein battled the same malady near the finish line but got the round win with a 5.068/238.13 to Vandergriff’s 8.655/96.96.

The semifinals saw a battle between Bernstein and Hot Rod Fuller. Bernstein had the better reaction time off the starting line and held the advantage all the way to the finish line. He clocked 4.616/319.22 while Fuller started to mix up cylinders at the end of the track finishing his day with a 4.813/256.84.

“He was always quick with a smile and I will miss seeing him out here. We're racers and we know the risks. It doesn't make it any easier, but it's what we do, and Scott loved the sport.".
– Cruz Pedregon

FUNNY CAR

Tim Wilkerson driving his Levi Ray & Shoup Chevy Impala SS continued his domination of the class with a final round victory over Force team racer Mike Neff. Wilkerson’s 4.877/319.29 edged out 2008 Rookie of the Year favorite Mike Neff’s game 4.883/316.75, who was seeking his first career win in his third career final round.

“After Scott’s crash yesterday, it was like someone turned down the volume all around here,” said Wilkerson. “Nobody wanted to be here but knowing Scott the way I knew Scott I know he would have wanted us to keep racing today. We came to the track this morning with the intention of winning because that’s the only way you get through these kinds of things. We put our heart and soul into it and hoped for the best and it all worked out. But it got harder to do with every round win. I invited the whole DHL crew to join me in the winner’s circle and gave them all a big hug."

And after all the hugging in the winner’s circle, Wilkerson paid honor to Scott by giving the team his trophy.