CAPPS, KALITTA, ENDERS-STEVENS VICTORIOUS AT NHRA SPRINGNATIONALS
Ron Capps took Funny Car honors for the second time this season with a win on Sunday at the NHRA O’Reilly SpringNationals in Houston. He was joined by Doug Kalitta and native Texan Erica Enders-Stevens as NHRA Mello Yello professional class champions.
NHRA SpringNationals
Erica Enders-Stevens won the NHRA O’Reilly SpringNationals in her home state of Texas for the second year in a row in Pro Stock, defeating Chris McGaha in the final. With the win, her second this season, Enders-Stevens moved into the points lead in the factory hot rod class. In Funny Car, Ron Capps also won for the second time in 2015, ousting teammate Jack Beckman in a tire-hazing affair, 4.24 to 4.48, while in Top Fuel, Doug Kalitta ousted arch-nemesis Tony Schumacher in the final, 3.82 to a slowing 4.01.
Top Fuel: Doug Kalitta
Funny Car: Ron Capps
Pro Stock: Erica Enders-Stevens
Pro Modified: Don Walsh Jr.
Top Alcohol Dragster: Randy Meyer
Top Alcohol Funny Car: Doug Gordon
Competition Eliminator: David Rampy
Super Stock: Jimmy Hidalgo Jr.
Stock: David Latino
Super Comp: Jeff Lopez
Super Gas: Robby Lopez
Super Street: Rick Huffman
Top Sportsman: Bob Gulitti
Top Dragster: J.R. Baxter
IHRA Palm Beach Nationals
IHRA Nitro Jam stars Mike McIntire Jr. and John Montecalvo were victorious for the second weekend in a row in Nitro Funny Car and Pro Stock, respectively, after taking wins on Saturday night at the IHRA Palm Beach Nationals at the Palm Beach International Raceway in Florida. McIntire Jr., who won a week ago in Bradenton, Fla., made his trip south a good one, defeating Mike Smith in the final round with a stellar 5.94. In Pro Stock, Montecalvo downed Matt Bertsch in the money round, 6.31 to a 6.36, while Florida native Jimmy Keen took Pro Mod honors with a slowing 6.33 as opponent Isaias Rojas broke and couldn’t challenge for the title.
Nitro Funny Car: Mike McIntire Jr.
Pro Mod: Jimmy Keen
Pro Stock: John Montecalvo
Nitro Harley: Jay Turner
Jet Dragster: Marsha Falk
Top Dragster: Paul Rabis
Top Sportsman: Keith Russell
Quick Rod: Mick Rice
Super Rod: Mick Rice
Hot Rod: Sonny Freeland
Super Stock: Mark Nowicki
Stock: Myron Piatek
Box: Claude Debonis
No Box: Sonny Freeland
Jr. Dragster Master: Camryn Fredrickson
Jr. Dragster Advanced: Michael Carpenter
Jr. Dragster Beginner: William Craft
NHRA Division 1
Persistent rain showers throughout the weekend hampered the efforts of the NHRA’s Northeast division Lucas Oil Series racers from completing their season-opening event at the Virginia Motorsports Park, and ultimately, the event was postponed on Sunday to next weekend. Richard Bourke led Top Alcohol Dragster qualifying with a 5.27, heading a strong field of 14 dragsters that was anchored by Earl Nichols Jr. with a 5.48. In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Mickey Ferro closed out qualifying atop the field with his 5.52 best.