NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series veteran John Force has extended his Funny Car points lead with victory in Reading, also extending his lead of Top Fuel was Shawn Langdon.
Force charged the Castrol GTX High Mileage Ford Mustang to the win over second generation racer, Chad Head.
He now has a 65 point advantage over Matt Hagan. Crucially, he had to eliminate Countdown contenders Ron Capps, Cruz Pedregon and Jeff Arend in his path to the win.
“You give credit where it’s due, and my crew chief Jimmy Prock and this team is just great,” Force said. “What I look at as most exciting is the teamwork with this group. To get this win meant a lot to me, but they all mean a lot. I’ve got a good hot rod right now.”
TOP FUEL
Langdon continued his outstanding run of 2013 for Al-Anabi Racing making it to the final round and beating home Antron Brown.
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It was the sixth win by Langdon this year. Such has his dominance been in 2013, he has only seven career victories to his credit.
He had a fortunate first round pedal fest win against lady racer, Leah Pruett.
“We had a little bit of luck and you need that on Sundays,” said Langdon. “Going into the semifinals, that was a huge pressure situation. As a driver, I’m just trying to calm myself down. This Al-Anabi team knows how to win championships, and I’m just trying to do the best I can. My mentality is just don’t mess anything up.”
Australian Dave Grubnic got eliminated in the first round.
PRO STOCK
With his win in Pro Stock, Jeg Coghlin Jr moved to the top of the points tree.
His 57th career win came through a holeshot win over Allen Johnson.
Front runner Mike Edwards red lighted in the second round, whilst last round winner, Erica Enders-Stevens was also a round two casualty.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE
Matt Smith has zeroed in on his second NHRA Championship storming to victory at Reading.
He was another to defeat a defending Champion in the final round, sweeping by Eddie Kraewic.
This came after blowing the primary engine in his Screamin’ Eagle Harley Davidson.
The Countdown continues this weekend at The Strip, Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
