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NHRA Countdown is upside down, 2 races for Pro Stocks
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Jeg Coughlin Jr. blasts a burnout
The Countdown has been upside down for season leaders in top pro classes in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Antron Brown, Tony Pedregon, Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Eddie Krawiec were first in points for most of the season, but during the playoffs all have stumbled, not so much by foot but by horsepower.
Top Fuel driver Antron Brown is fourth and minus 81 points from first place Tony Schumacher.
Funny Car driver Tony Pedregon is third and down 48 points from first place Robert Hight.
Pro Stock Car driver Jeg Coughlin Jr. is fourth and minus 232 points back from leader Mike Edwards.
Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Eddie Krawiec is second only 28 points away from surging Hector Arana.
Tony Schumacher (TF), Robert Hight (FC), Mike Edwards (PS) and Hector Arana (PSM) have surged to the top to claim the lead with two races -- Las Vegas, Nev., and Pomona, Calif., left in the Countdown to 1. Just eight rounds remain for one team in each class to achieve the championship.
It may be hard to put a season into a few words, but it seems Pro Stock Car and Motorcycle Countdown to 1 contenders find ways to describe their present position in the waning days of their championship quest.
Pro Stock Car Contender Comments:
Jeg Coughlin Jr. [JEGS.com Chevrolet Cobalt]
Jeg Coughlin Jr and the JEGS team are looking for a third Las Vegas title in a row to add to his five national event wins at The Strip. It’s already next year for Coughlin in championship terms, but two wins at Las Vegas and Pomona are at stake.
“We've had a rough Countdown,” Coughlin admits. “I feel as though we've made some uncharacteristic errors and they've cost us. We're out of running for first Full Throttle championship, which is disappointing, so now we'll just try to finish as high as we can and set the ball in motion for next year.
"We need to find the consistency we had earlier this year so we're going to use the days leading into Vegas to test the car over in Tucson. We need to take a step back and see what we can do to fix this thing.
"The exciting thing is we have all the pieces in place here to challenge for the 2010 title, and quite frankly for the trophies at these last two races. Nothing has changed on the team; we're still the same group of people that won the last two world titles. It just didn't go our way this season during a very crucial stretch of events. That's drag racing."
Mike Edwards [A.R.T./Young Life Pontiac GXP]
“I’m thinking (championship), but I don’t have it yet,” Edwards said. “It’s close, but you’ve still got to stay focused. You’ve still got to keep your goals ahead. Those two Summit (drivers) are going to be burning the midnight oil to try and get back up there with me. I’m not going to count my chickens yet before they hatch. But I’m living my dream right now, and I’m real close to it.”
The Summit Racing team with Greg Anderson and Jason Line is chasing track blistering Mike Edwards. Anderson is down 128 points and Line is out 151 points. That math is not insurmountable, but it’s not a slight deficit either.
Greg Anderson [Summit Racing Pontiac]
“This is definitely a different situation for us, but the old girl isn’t singing quite yet, so we’re not about to give up,” said Anderson. “We know our chances might be a little slim, and we’re going to need some outside help, but this Summit Racing team is still going to keep fighting.”
Jason Line [Summit Racing Pontiac]
“Whenever we get to Vegas, we’re either starting the season or ending it, so you always have mixed emotions,” said Line. “In the spring, you’re happy the season’s just begun, but know you have a lot of work ahead, while in the fall you’re happy the year’s almost over, but still have things you want to accomplish. Either way, you’re there to win.”
Kurt Johnson [ACDelco Chevrolet]
“With our place in the championship picture already determined, we're going to Las Vegas and Pomona with the attitude that we have nothing to lose," Johnson said. "First and foremost we want to win. We want to run competitively at the top of the qualifying page on Friday and Saturday, and then turn that into a win on Sunday.”
Pro Stock Motorcycle:
Hector Arana [Lucas Oil Buel]
Hector “The Hammer” Arana has always been a competitor, but never the leader until this year with blazing performances that include a national elapsed time record (6.851 seconds)
“It’s amazing how everything has turned around for me to win five races this season,” Arana said. “Now I just need to win (two) more and I’ll be good.”
Eddie Krawiec [Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson]
Eddie Krawiec has dominated recent seasons with two national championships and consistent lead, but he trails hot Arana by 28 points going into the two final races.
“We are still less than two rounds out of first place with two Countdown events to go, so anything can happen” Krawiec said. “We’ve just got to stay consistent and keep going rounds.”
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