PBR - Las Vegas, NV Wrap-Up - Alves Wins

Built Ford Tough Series

Last Cowboy Standing

MAY 10-11

1 Silvano Alves

2 L.J. Jenkins

3 Nathan Schaper

4 Valdiron de Oliveira

5 Eduardo Aparecido

6 Aaron Roy

7 Billy Robinson

8 Stormy Wing

9/10 Brant Atwood

9/10 Luke Snyder

2013 BFTS Standings

After 17 Events

1  Silvano Alves

2  Marco Eguchi

3  Shane Proctor

4  Joao Ricardo Vieira

5  Eduardo Aparecido

6  Cody Nance

7  J. B. Mauney

8  Aaron Roy

9  Douglas Duncan

10  Fabiano Vieira

By The Numbers

There were 89 bulls mounted with 23 qualified rides (25.84%).
Top 5 bulls were: Bushwacker (47.25), Lightmaker's Rango (47.00), Asteroid (46.75), David's Dream (46.25) and Mick E. Mouse (45.75).

Top 5 riders (scores) were: Silvano Alves on Smackdown (92.50), LJ Jenkins aboard Ford Hammer Down (89.50), Eduardo Aparecido on Flesh & Blood (88.75), Aaron Roy on Shameless (88.00) and Billy Robinson on Bioscience's Jukebox Hero (87.75).

Brown, Gray and Edwards Claim Victories

COMMERCE, Ga. -- 

Antron Brown raced to the Top Fuel victory Saturday at the weather-delayed Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway.

Johnny Gray (Funny Car) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) also were winners at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event, which was delayed for one week due to persistent rain showers.

Brown claimed his second victory of the season and his fifth win at the Georgia dragstrip, powering past Brandon Bernstein in the final round. Brown covered the distance in 3.801 seconds at 321.25 mph in his Matco Tools dragster, while Bernstein's ProtectTheHarvest.com dragster lost traction at the start and finished in 7.105 at 90.64.

"It's big to win down here at the Southern Nationals," said defending world champion Brown, who also defeated Pat Dakin, Spencer Massey and Doug Kalitta in earlier rounds to secure his 39th career victory.

"This track's been real special to me," Brown continued. "It reminds me of going to a racetrack in my hometown. It's been around forever, and it has that special atmosphere with great fans that pump you up. You get that aura of the passion for the sport that they have. Everybody was running so strong this weekend that it was monumental for us to get the job done."

With the win, Brown moved to second place in the points order, within five points of series

leader Tony Schumacher.

"Every team gets in a groove, and our car can run what the track will hold when we're in our groove," Brown said. "People probably know that, if they want to take that win from us, they're going to have to step up because we're not going to leave any scraps on the table. We threw some good numbers out there."

In Funny Car, Gray earned his second win of the season by defeating event No. 1 qualifier Matt Hagan in the final round. Gray's Pitch Energy Dodge Charger led the entire way down the track with a performance of 4.077 at 314.17 and Hagan trailed in his Magneti Marelli/Rocky Footwear Charger with a 4.160 at 309.49.

The victory pulled Gray out of bit of a mini-slump, which he had been in since winning in Gainesville, Fla. in March and included a DNQ at the Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte and a pair of second round losses at Las Vegas and Houston.

"We got over-center here for a couple of races and struggled pretty good," said Gray, who moved up from fifth to third in the series standings with the win. "The car was getting really inconsistent, and the boys made the election just to back the thing way down, get way over on the soft side, and start picking their way back up. I didn't know they'd pick it up quite that quick, but they picked on it pretty good today. The thing came back real strong."

Gray outran Robert Hight, Ron Capps and points leader Cruz Pedregon in earlier rounds to claim his fifth career victory and first ever at Atlanta Dragway.

"We're tickled to death," Gray said. "[Crew chiefs] Rob [Wendland] and Rip [Reynolds] are pretty phenomenal over there. They get a little left of center there every now and again, but, boy, it doesn't take them long to reel it back in, and when they've got it reeled in, man that's a hot rod. They give me a car good enough even I can't screw it up."

Edwards scored his second Pro Stock win of the season and the 36th of his career by defeating Gray's son Shane in the final round with a 6.595 at 209.14 in his Interstate Batteries/I Am Second Chevy Camaro.

"All things considered, it was a great day in the office," said Edwards, who beat Warren

Johnson, V. Gaines and Greg Anderson in the first three rounds. "Man, it just seemed like we were a little bit faster than a few of them. We're making good runs, just need to make better runs. We just tried all day long and couldn't make it go any faster, but hey, it just feels good to come out with a win. It was a great win for me and my guys."

The younger Gray posted a 6.643 at 208.17 in his Gray Motorsports Camaro in the runner-up effort in his third consecutive final round appearance. He barely missed joining his father in the Mello Yello Series winner's circle, which would have been a first in the sport. The only other time a father-son tandem advanced to final rounds in different Mello Yello Series categories at the same event was in 2008 at Brainerd, Minn., with Brandon Bernstein in Top Fuel and Kenny Bernstein in Funny Car. Neither driver won that day.

"Shane was on today," said Edwards, who with the win increased his series points lead to 126 over second-place Jeg Coughlin. "I asked him down there at the other end what he had this morning, and he said a big ol' box of Wheaties, so that's what I'm having in Kansas. He did a phenomenal job. I think that's three finals in a row for that team, so they're definitely catching fire, and they're running good."

Gray rattled off several amazing reaction times to advance to the final round, including back-to-back .002 and .001 starts in the semis and final. Edwards, the 2009 world champ, says winning an NHRA Pro Stock race just keeps getting tougher and tougher.

"The competition is amazing," Edwards said. "Pro Stock is just a great class. It's fun to be a part of, but I'll tell you what, the older I get, my nerves are getting shot. It's tough. Them guys are so good. They pull up there and just pop them .00s on you. Man, we made a real nice run in the final. I was a little worried because that was the first time we were going to be the first pair out, but it made a sweet run. It's all good when you win."

The NHRA Mello Yello Series continues with the NHRA Kansas Nationals, May 17-19 at Heartland Park Topeka (Kan.).

Saturday's final results from the 33rd annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. The race is the seventh of 24 in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series-

Top Fuel -- Antron Brown, 3.801 seconds, 321.35 mph def. Brandon Bernstein, 7.105 seconds, 90.64 mph.

Funny Car -- Johnny Gray, Dodge Charger, 4.077, 314.17 def. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.160, 309.49.

Pro Stock -- Mike Edwards, Chevy Camaro, 6.595, 209.14 def. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.643, 208.17.


Courtesy of NHRA Communications
Photo copyright 2013 Auto Imagery, Inc.

PBR - Des Moines, IA Wrap-Up - Vieira Wins

Built Ford Tough Series

Catepillar Classic

APR 20-21

1 Joao Ricardo Vieira

2 Kody Lostroh

3 Guilherme Marchi

4 Chase Outlaw

5 Valdiron de Oliveira

6 Billy Robinson

7 Silvano Alves

8 Brant Atwood

9 Luke Snyder

10 Aaron Roy

2013 BFTS Standings

After 15 Events

1 Shane Proctor

2 Silvano Alves

3 Marco Eguchi

4 Joao Ricardo Vieira

5 J. B. Mauney

6 Douglas Duncan

7 Eduardo Aparecido

8 Jordan Hupp

9 Cody Nance

10 Kody Lostroh

By The Numbers

There were 95 bulls mounted with 34 qualified rides (35.79%).
Top 5 bulls were: Asteroid (47), Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey (46), Smackdown (45.25), Jack Daniels Winter (44.75) and Speckled Ivory (44.75).

Top 5 riders (scores) were: Joao Ricardo Vieira on Smackdown (92.25), Silvano Alves aboard Palm Springs (90.50), Joao Ricard Vieira on Who Dat (89.25), Luke Snyder on The Game Changer (88.25) and Fabiano Vieira on High Steaks (87.75).

Hagan, Massey, Edwards and Arana Jr. Race to Victories

CONCORD, N.C. -- 

Matt Hagan ended a 17-month winless drought by racing to the Funny Car victory Sunday at the Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals fueled by Full Throttle at zMAX Dragway.

Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners of the only NHRA Mello Yello Series Drag Racing event that features competition in four lanes simultaneously.

The Southwest Virginia cattle rancher powered his Magneti Marelli/Rocky Boots Dodge Charger to the final round win over fellow Virginian Blake Alexander, veteran driver Tim Wilkerson, and rookie Chad Head to take his sixth career victory.

Hagan covered the distance in 4.071 seconds at 315.34 mph and finished in front of Alexander's Auto Service Plus Charger, which ran 4.156 at 294.56 in his first ever runner-up finish. Wilkerson and event top qualifier Head both lost traction in their machines early in the four-wide final.

"This was a big win for us," Hagan said. "It's been a year since we won, or longer; I don't know. It's been too long, and that feeling is just great to have back.

Hagan moved through eliminations as the quickest in each of his first two rounds and it was a

great turnaround at this track for the 2011 world champ who has endured several spectacular explosions here in the past.

"We finally put some gremlins to rest here at the racetrack at zMAX," Hagan said. "I love this track. It's home for me, three hours away from home. It's one of those deals where it's a great track. Bruton Smith does a great job with it, and it's a fast facility. Our car just ran phenomenal in lane 2 all day long, and that says a lot for [crew chief] Dickie Venables. He's kind of been passed over and looked over the past couple of years as a crew chief. It's one of those deals where he's got two rings on his fingers, and he just hadn't found a home yet. Don Schumacher gave him an opportunity to go out here and do his own thing. The guy came in and is doing his own thing, and he's taking notes home and doing what he's supposed to be doing, and that drives me to do what I'm supposed to do and step up to the plate."

With the victory, Hagan moved into the series lead, 50 ahead of second place Cruz Pedregon. It is the first time Hagan has led the points since winning the 2011 world championship title.

"We took over the points lead, but it's too early to start counting that stuff," Hagan said. "But anybody who tells you they don't count it is foolish; everybody's counting points."

In Top Fuel, Massey earned his first victory in nearly a year and won his second consecutive title at this event by holding off Tony Schumacher at the finish line. Top qualifier Shawn Langdon and Brandon Bernstein finished third and fourth. Massey's Schumacher Electric dragster led all the way with a 3.771 at 325.45, while Schumacher was just behind in his U.S. Army dragster, finishing in 3.778 at 320.81.

"The last two years we've taken home the Wally, but if you think about it, [crew chiefs] Todd [Okuhara] and Phil [Shuler] have had an awesome car and an awesome team for a number of years," said Massey, also the winner of his first two rounds. "Back when Cory McClenathan drove that FRAM car, Cory owned this racetrack. The first four wide was won by my crew, so it bleeds over from the old team, which is my team now. Whenever there's a racetrack that you do well at, you just seem to do well at it. It doesn't seem to make sense, but you just seem to do well. When you have confidence, it really seems to help, and when I roll up here, I know that we can win. We've won here before, so we just get out there and do what we know how to do and have fun."

With his 11th career victory, Massey moves up to third in the points standings, trailing leader Schumacher and second place Antron Brown.

Pro Stock top qualifier Edwards led wire-to-wire to also put an end to a mini-slump, powering his I Am Second Chevy Camaro to a 6.495 at 213.67. Erica Enders-Stevens finished second in her GK Motorsports Camaro with a 6.521 at 211.76, while Greg Anderson and Shane Gray were third and fourth in their respective Camaros.

It is the 35th career victory for Edwards, who opened up an 84-point lead on defending world

champ Allen Johnson in the series standings. The Oklahoma native picked up an additional 20 points during the weekend for setting the national elapsed time record at 6.471 seconds during qualifying.

"It does feel satisfying to close the deal," said Edwards, who finished first in each of the first two rounds of eliminations. "We've had numerous opportunities, and anytime you can run really good and win, it's a phenomenal day. We ran good but we were really conservative. I've been shooting myself in the foot, but today, I thought if we get beat it's not going to be because we squared the tires up and not because of the lame-brained driver we have. I'm off to a better start than my championship season. Our team is coming together, and it's a long season, but another [title] would be great."

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Arana Jr. claimed his second straight victory of the season and fifth of his career with a final round performance of 6.896 at 190.73 to defeat defending world champ Eddie Krawiec, who rode his Harley-Davidson to a 6.924 at 190.65. The semifinalists in the four-wide final were Scotty Pollacheck and Jim Underdahl.

"This feels excellent," said Arana Jr., who finished second in the opening round and was first in the second round. "This just goes to show that we really wanted to get wins, and after last year, we're making up for lost time. To win the four wide my first time, I love this race. My bike was fast. Since last year it has been super-fast and very consistent. We do our routine maintenance, and we stay on top of our parts a little better this year."

Arana Jr. increased his series lead to 93 over second place Scotty Pollacheck in points standings.

The Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues with the O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA SpringNationals presented by Super Start Batteries, April 26-28 at Royal Purple Raceway near Houston.

Sunday's final results from the Fourth annual Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals fueled by Full Throttle at zMax Dragway. The race is the fifth of 24 in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series-

Top Fuel -- Spencer Massey, 3.771 seconds, 325.45 mph def. Tony Schumacher, 3.778 seconds, 320.81 mph and Shawn Langdon, 3.975 seconds, 275.28 mph and Brandon Bernstein, 4.740 seconds, 153.47 mph;

Funny Car -- Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 4.071, 315.34 def. Blake Alexander, Charger, 4.156, 294.56 and Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 5.141, 153.39 and Chad Head, Toyota Camry, 10.525, 67.05;

Pro Stock -- Mike Edwards, Chevy Camaro, 6.495, 213.67 def. Erica Enders-Stevens, Camaro, 6.521, 211.76 and Greg Anderson, Camaro, 11.354, 78.84 and Shane Gray, Camaro, 13.465, 63.67;

Pro Stock Motorcycle -- Hector Arana Jr., Buell, 6.896, 190.73 def. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.924, 190.65 and Scotty Pollacheck, Buell, 6.948, 187.96 and Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 6.942, 192.82

PBR - Louisville, KY Wrap-Up - Nance Wins

Built Ford Tough Series

Bass Pro Chute Out

APR 13-14

1 Cody Nance

2 Kody Lostroh

3 Eduardo Aparecido

4 Stormy Wing

5 Ben Jones

6 Fabiano Vieira

7 Guilherme Marchi

8 Jared Farley

9 Mike Lee

10 Ryan Dirteater

2013 BFTS Standings

After 14 Event

1 Shane Proctor

2 Marco Eguchi

3 Silvano Alves

4 J. B. Mauney

5 Douglas Duncan

6 Eduardo Aparecido

7 Joao Ricardo Vieira

8 Jordan Hupp

9 Cody Nance

10  Aaron Roy

By The Numbers

There were 80 bulls mounted with 90 qualified rides (23.75%).
Top 5 bulls were: Bushwacker (48.25), I'm a Gangster Too (45.25), King Lopez (45.25), Asteroid (44.75) and Red Dragon (44.75)

Top 5 riders (scores) were: Kody Lostroh on The Game Changer(89.50), Stormy Wing on California Sports Coat (88.75), Fabiano Vieira aboard Alternator (88.50), Guilherme Marchi on Flesh & Blood (88.25) and Eduardo Aparecido on Sasquatch (88.00).

Schumacher, Pedregon & Johnson Race to Wins at The Strip in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS -- 

Allen Johnson raced to the Pro Stock victory Sunday at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals and claimed more than $100,000 during the weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel) and Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car) also were winners at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event.

Johnson, who won the $50,000 K&N Horsepower Challenge all-star event on Saturday, pocketed $25,000 for winning today's race and the $25,000 NHRA Sweep Bonus for winning both events. Johnson is the seventh Pro Stock driver to sweep both events in the 29-year history of the K&N Horsepower Challenge.

Johnson cruised to his second consecutive win of the season and second straight at this event with a final round performance of 6.713 seconds at 206.76 mph in his Mopar's Express Lane Fast Oil Changes Dodge Avenger. His final round opponent Erica Enders-Stevens shut her GK Motorsports Chevy Camaro off at mid-track.

In earlier rounds, Johnson defeated JR Carr, Vincent Nobile and Jeg Coughlin. The Tennessee driver moved into the points lead for the first time this season, jumping ahead of the event's No. 1 qualifier, Mike Edwards, by four points.

"It seems like our car really likes altitude tracks, and hats off to my guys for pulling off the sweep today," said defending world champion Johnson of his 18th career victory. "Erica is a great driver and has come into her own and she makes me rise to the occasion. We're good friends, but the friendship kind of goes on hold when the helmet goes on. It's awesome to win both races. It takes a lot of money to run these cars so anytime you can infuse a little extra money into the budget it is a good thing."

Schumacher claimed his second win of the season and 71st of his career in Top Fuel as he

drove to his seventh win at this track with a performance of 3.851 at 323.27 in his U.S. Army dragster, finishing just in front of runner-up Antron Brown's Matco Tools dragster, which posted a 3.956 at 299.60.

"I don't know that we had the best car this weekend," Schumacher said. "We were good, but there were faster cars than us. Sometimes you have to go consistent and sometimes you have to get down the racetrack. That's what we did this weekend."

Schumacher, who moved into the series points lead with the victory, says he was thrilled to get a win on his crew chief Mike Green's birthday so he could put the spotlight on his crew for their great efforts during the weekend.

"I didn't drive amazing today," Schumacher said. "I didn't have stellar lights like Antron and Spencer, but you try so hard to not be the weak link. It wasn't like I did anything supernatural or different to win this race. Every now and then the driver does something great to win the race, but the majority of the time it is the hard work and dedication of the crew. Those guys work so hard and I don't think most fans understand just how hard they do work. I am happy for all my guys."

In Funny Car, Pedregon powered past Courtney Force for his first victory of the season and the 31st of his career. Pedregon's Snap-on Tools Toyota Camry finished in 4.173 at 298.40, while Force's Traxxas Ford Mustang lost traction near mid-track and trailed with a 5.244 at 175.59.

There was a tense moment in the final round just after Pedregon's burnout when his car wouldn't go into reverse. His crew members pushed the car back to the starting line for the run.

"I've won a lot of races a lot of different ways, but today the consistency of this car impressed me and the quick turnaround time by my team made a big difference," Pedregon said. "It was pretty challenging for me. Great credit goes to my team for pushing my car back and getting me into position for the run. I wouldn't have wanted to hold Courtney up. She was a great opponent and she had me nervous. She kept us honest. We were pressing and trying to run a 4.10 or 4.12 in that round."

Pedregon said he wasn't sure what the problem was with the car after the final round burnout.

"I would expect the clutch clearances were a little too tight," Pedregon said. "We have to work on those things as a team because of the quick turnaround time there are little things we need to clean up in our pit area and we will, but I don't want to take anything away from the team. I am proud of what we did. This is an impressive win for us. It means a lot."

Pedregon outran Gary Densham, Johnny Gray and Alexis DeJoria to advance to the final round. Like Schumacher, Pedregon says his team went to a conservative tune-up in the warm desert southwest weather conditions.

"We had to pull back a little bit," Pedregon said. "We just raced the track and we were smart. You live and learn. Even though I am in love with the big numbers and setting records and low E.T., sometimes you have to take what you can get and race within yourself and that's what we did today."

With the runner-up finish Force moved back into the points lead and she is 14 ahead of Gray. Pedregon moves to third overall, 17 back of the leader.

The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues with the Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals fueled by Full Throttle, April 19-21 at zMAX Dragway near Charlotte, N.C.

Sunday's final results from the 14th annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The race is the fourth of 24 in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series-

Top Fuel -- Tony Schumacher, 3.851 seconds, 323.27 mph def. Antron Brown, 3.956 seconds, 299.60 mph.

Funny Car -- Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Camry, 4.173, 298.40 def. Courtney Force, Ford Mustang, 5.244, 175.59.

Pro Stock -- Allen Johnson, Dodge Avenger, 6.713, 206.76 def. Erica Enders-Stevens, Chevy Camaro, 10.200, 89.41.

PBR - Billings, MT Wrap-Up - Vieira Wins

Built Ford Tough Series

Stanley Make Something Great Invitational

April 5-7

1 Joao Ricardo Vieira

2 Shane Proctor

3 Douglas Duncan

4 Cody Nance

5 Brendon Clark

6 Markus Mariluch

7 L.J. Jenkins

8 Luke Snyder

9 J. B. Mauney

10 Guilherme Marchi

2013 BFTS Standings

After 13 Event

1  Shane Proctor

2  Marco Eguchi

3  Silvano Alves

4  J. B. Mauney

5  Douglas Duncan

6  Joao Ricardo Vieira

7  Jordan Hupp

8  Aaron Roy

9  Eduardo Aparecido

10  Luke Snyder

By The Numbers

There were 130 bulls mounted with 47 qualified rides (36.15%).
Top 5 bulls were: Smackdown (46), Shepherd Hills Tested (45.375), Great White (45.25), Buck Wild (45.25) and Chocolate Thunder (45).

Top 5 riders (scores) were: Aaron Roy aboard Meathook (90.00), Joao Ricardo Vieira on Yellowjacket Jr. (89.50), Luke Snyder on New Holland PowerStar (89.25) Jordan Hupp on Hot Iron (89.25) and Kody Lostroh on Another One (89.00).

PBR - Albuquerque, NM Wrap-Up - Vieira Wins

Built Ford Tough Series

Ty Murray Invitational

Mar 22-24

1 Joao Ricardo Vieira

2 Emilio Resende

3 J. B. Mauney

4 Fabiano Vieira

5 Eduardo Aparecido

6 Jordan Hupp

7 Douglas Duncan

8 Billy Robinson

9 Cody Nance

10/11 Chase Outlaw

10/11 Aaron Roys

2013 BFTS Standings

After 12 Event

1 Marco Eguchi

2 Shane Proctor

3 Silvano Alves

4 J. B. Mauney

5 Jordan Hupp

6 Douglas Duncan

7 Eduardo Aparecido

8 Mike Lee

9 Aaron Roy

10 Joao Ricardo Vieira

By The Numbers

There were 118 bulls mounted with 44 qualified rides (37.29%).
Top 5 bulls were: Bushwacker (47.25), Asteroid (46.5), Meathook (46.25), David's Dream (45.75) and Mick E. Mouse (45.75)

Top 5 riders (scores) were: Joao Ricardo Vieira on Smackdown (92.25), Ben Jones aboard Showboat (90.00), Fabiano Vieira on Altercation (90.00), JB Mauney on Santiago (89.75), Emilio Resende on Red Man (89.50) and Kody Lostroh on Johnny Walker Black Jr. (89.00).

PBR - Fresno, CA Wrap-Up - Alves Wins

Built Ford Tough Series

Table Mountain Casino Invitational

MAR 16-17

1 Silvano Alves

2 L.J. Jenkins

3 Emilio Resende

4 Marco Eguchi

5 Zack Brown

6 Kody Lostroh

7 Joao Ricardo Vieira

8/9 Chase Outlaw

8/9 Douglas Duncan

10 Ben Jones

2013 BFTS Standings

After 11 Event

1  Shane Proctor

2  Marco Eguchi

3  Silvano Alves

4  J. B. Mauney

5  Mike Lee

6  Jordan Hupp

7  Aaron Roy

8  Ty Pozzobon

9  Douglas Duncan

10  Eduardo Aparecido

By The Numbers

There were 79 bulls mounted with 24 qualified rides (30.38%).
Top 5 bulls were:  Rango (45.25), After Party (45), Palm Springs (45), David's Dream (44.75) and Showboat (44.75)

Top 5 riders (scores) were: Kody Lostroh on Hell Pony (88.50), Silvano Alves aboard Red Man (88.25), Joao Ricard Vieira on Shameless (88.25), Douglas Duncan on Money Blue (87.50) and Chase Oulaw on Sic 'em Sam (87.50).

Brown, Gray, Johnson and Arana Jr. Race to Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals Victories

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- 

Antron Brown raced to the Top Fuel victory at the Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals Sunday at historic Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville, giving Don Schumacher Racing its 200th team win.

Johnny Gray (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners at the tradition-rich NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event.

One month after walking away from a spectacular high-speed crash at the season-opening race at Pomona, Calif., Brown powered his Matco Tools dragster to a 3.761 second run at 318.77 mph to finish in front of Clay Millican, who posted a 3.813 at 319.67 in his Parts-Plus dragster. It was defending world champion Brown's 38th career victory and his first of the season.

"It's a great team effort," Brown said. "It felt good to bring that win home and hopefully we can put Pomona behind us and keep moving forward."

Brown outran Larry Dixon, Steve Torrence and Spencer Massey in the first three rounds to advance to the final. He moved into the points lead, four up on second place Tony Schumacher, who lost in the opening round.

"To win you have to have every piece of the pie," Brown said. "It was important to be consistent and as fast and quick as you can be. Every round was tough. It's a great win for this team. It gives you great confidence as a driver to see the car running like this and come out and win after what happened in Pomona."

Schumacher earned five of his victories as a driver and 195 have come over the years from a variety of drivers in all four NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series categories. Only John Force Racing has more team victories in NHRA history, with 218, all earned in the Funny Car category.

"It's incredible," Don Schumacher said. "It started in 1970 in Indianapolis when I won the U.S. Nationals. I am not someone who ever counts things like that. I never thought it would happen or even considered it. Thanks to all of my drivers. They do an incredible job day in and day out."

Prior to Brown claiming the 200th DSR win, Gray earned his fourth career victory in Funny Car and the 199th team win for Schumacher as he held off Del Worsham at the finish. Gray covered the distance in 4.053 at 315.49 in his Pitch Energy Dodge Charger while Worsham trailed in his DHL Toyota Camry with a 4.100 at 303.50.

Gray, who was runner-up at this race one year ago, defeated early round opponents Jeff Arend, Alexis DeJoria and defending world champ Jack Beckman to get back to the final round here.

"The Gatornationals is such a prestigious race and to win it is just a great feeling," Gray said. "I was disappointed last year we had a great race car and should've won it, but it wasn't our day."

Gray, who says he will retire from full-time driving at the end of the season, was also thrilled to play a key role in his team owner's special day.

"Don has been great to me and to be a part of that it's an awesome feeling for everybody down the line who has contributed to this, which started with Don winning the first one," Gray said. "To be a part of his organization is unbelievable."

In Pro Stock, Johnson used a quicker reaction time to defeat teammate Jeg Coughlin in the final round for his first victory of the season and the 17th of his career. The defending world champion finished in 6.535 at 212.59 in his Team Mopar Dodge Avenger, just in front of the quicker, but losing, JEGS.com/Mopar Dodge Avenger of Coughlin, which posted a 6.514 at 212.25.

"Everyone asks me why I would hire two assassins," Johnson said about his teammates Coughlin and Vincent Nobile. "They make me better. Vincent challenges me and it's the same with Jeggie; I knew I would have to do my ultimate best to beat him. I hope we have to go head-to-head like that a bunch more."

It is the first Gatornationals victory for Johnson and his first final round in The Swamp. To advance to the final, Johnson drove around Matt Hartford, Erica Enders-Stevens and Jason Line.

"I think we're one of the premier teams in Pro Stock now," said Johnson, who moved to third place in the points standings. "We have a great team that makes great decisions based on scientific methods and data and we keep improving those decision making tools. We aren't the fastest car right now, but we are consistent and we can win some races like that."

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Arana Jr. scored his fourth career victory and first in more than a year when he outran veteran rider Steve Johnson in the final. Arana Jr. rode his Lucas Oil Buell to a 6.885 at 195.65 to hold off Johnson's Suzuki, which trailed with a 6.920 at 193.99.

"To grab the race win for Team Arana and Lucas Oil is a big accomplishment and it proves that having a third bike (with brother Adam riding the third team bike) isn't going to slow us down, but actually speed us up," said Arana Jr., who beat Michael Phillips, defending world champ and three-time defending Gatornationals winner Eddie Krawiec, and Hector Arana Sr. to advance to the final.

"I am looking forward to a very competitive season and some close racing this season," Arana Jr. said. "This is a step in the right direction. When my dad won his championship he won the Gatornationals and Eddie Krawiec has done that the last two years. I hope to keep that trend going this year as well."

The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues April 5-7 with the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Sunday's final results from the 44th annual Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville. The race is the third of 24 in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series -

Top Fuel -- Antron Brown, 3.761 seconds, 318.77 mph def. Clay Millican, 3.813 seconds, 319.67 mph.

Funny Car -- Johnny Gray, Dodge Charger, 4.053, 315.49 def. Del Worsham, Toyota Camry, 4.100, 303.50.

Pro Stock -- Allen Johnson, Dodge Avenger, 6.535, 212.59 def. Jeg Coughlin, Avenger, 6.514, 212.26.

Pro Stock Motorcycle -- Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.888, 195.65 def. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.909, 193.99.


Courtesy of NHRA Communications
Photo copyright 2013 Auto Imagery, Inc.

PBR - Tacoma, WA Wrap-Up - Eguchi Wins

Built Ford Tough Series

Built Ford Tough Invitational

March 9-10

1 Marco Eguchi

2 J. B. Mauney

3 Renato Nunes

4 Eduardo Aparecido

5 Aaron Roy

6/7 Ryan Dirteater

6/7 Emilio Resende

8 Shane Proctor

9 Ben Jones

10 Reese Cates

2013 BFTS Standings

After 10 Event

1 Shane Proctor

2 Marco Eguchi

3 Silvano Alves

4 J. B. Mauney

5 Mike Lee

6 Aaron Roy

7 Ty Pozzobon

8 Jordan Hupp

9 Eduardo Aparecido

10 Douglas Duncan

By The Numbers

There were 81 bulls mounted with 31 qualified rides (38.27%).
Top 5 bulls were:  Buck Wild (45), Meathook (45), Rango (44.75), Buckey (44.25), Badger Milk (44)

Top 5 riders (scores) were: JB Mauney on Santiago (89.50), Marco Eguchi aboard Jordan's Jacket (88.50), Marco Eguchi on Sic 'em Sam (87.75), Renato Nunes on Night Rider (87.50) and Shane Proctor on Buck Naked (87.25).