19th annual Dodge NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil
23rd of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
November 1-3, 2019
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE
Defending Pro Stock Motorcycle world champ Matt Smith picked up his first playoff victory of 2019 thanks to his 6.855 at 195.90 in the final round on his Denso Auto Parts/Stockseth/MSR EBR. He outlasted Steve Johnson’s 6.863 at 194.04, picking up his second win this year and 24th in his career. He knocked off Katie Sullivan, Angie Smith and Andrew Hines to reach the final round. Smith, who won for the second time in Vegas, is fourth in points and trails Hines by 117 points.
“I can’t say enough about my guys and this team,” Smith said. “We took it into our own hands (against Andrew) and it’s not totally and mathematically over yet. I told everybody we were going to shoot for the moon in the finals, and it stuck. When it stuck, there’s nobody going to catch us when it runs like that. We just pulled it off in the final and did our job.”
Trying to play playoff spoiler, Johnson reached his second final round this year by beating Ron Tornow, Angelle Sampey and Scotty Pollacheck. Hines leads Jerry Savoie by 115 as he closes in on his sixth world title.
ROUND 1
| Driver | Angie Smith | Karen Stoffer |
|---|---|---|
| RT | .100 | .008 |
| 60 FT | 1.083 | 1.200 |
| 330 FT | 2.918 | 3.047 |
| 660 FT | 4.467 | 4.594 |
| 660 FT MPH | 157.96 | 158.09 |
| 1000 FT | 5.828 | 5.946 |
| ET | 6.994 | 7.105 |
| MPH | 191.92 | 192.99 |
|
12:17 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 76 degrees, relative humidity 13 percent, barometer 27.88 inches, adjusted altitude 3,759 feet, track temperature 93 degrees. Stoffer is 10 – 2 against Smith in prior events. Stoffer gets a great light but her bike bogs a little right off of the line. Smith went around her quickly and hung on for the win. Karen Stoffer’s incremental times: 60ft-1.200 sec., 330ft-3.047, 660ft-4.594/158.09 mph, 1,000ft-5.946. Angie Smith’s incremental times: 60ft-1.083 sec., 330ft-2.918, 660ft-4.467/157.96 mph, 1,000ft-5.828. |
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| Driver | Angelle Sampey | Hector Arana Jr |
| RT | .075 | -.006 |
| 60 FT | 1.047 | 1.066 |
| 330 FT | 2.858 | 2.889 |
| 660 FT | 4.400 | 4.436 |
| 660 FT MPH | 158.35 | 158.11 |
| 1000 FT | 5.752 | 5.791 |
| ET | 6.915 | 6.953 |
| MPH | 192.22 | 192.88 |
|
Arana Jr is 6 – 2 against Sampey in prior events. Arana leaves a little too soon and goes red giving the win to Sampey. |
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| Driver | Scott Pollacheck | Hector Arana |
| RT | .050 | -.049 |
| 60 FT | 1.061 | 1.078 |
| 330 FT | 2.879 | 2.915 |
| 660 FT | 4.414 | 4.474 |
| 660 FT MPH | 158.63 | 156.94 |
| 1000 FT | 5.764 | 5.831 |
| ET | 6.917 | 6.989 |
| MPH | 194.46 | 193.46 |
|
Pollacheck is 7 – 5 against Arana in prior events. Arana is a little too quick off of the line and goes red giving the win to Pollacheck. |
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| Driver | Andrew Hines | Melissa Surber |
| RT | .049 | .010 |
| 60 FT | 1.068 | 1.070 |
| 330 FT | 2.870 | 3.070 |
| 660 FT | 4.410 | 5.564 |
| 660 FT MPH | 158.76 | 86.67 |
| 1000 FT | 5.756 | 8.483 |
| ET | 6.910 | 11.776 |
| MPH | 193.79 | 61.13 |
|
Andrew Hines has been to the final round 7 times at this event and he has won it 5 times. Hines is 4 – 0 against Surber in prior events. Surber gets out of the gate first, stays in front past the sixty foot mark, then looks like she may have lost an engine. Hines gets around her quickly and pulls away for the win. |
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| Driver | Jerry Savoie | Ryan Oehler |
| RT | .036 | .035 |
| 60 FT | 1.057 | 1.375 |
| 330 FT | 2.863 | 3.334 |
| 660 FT | 4.393 | 4.916 |
| 660 FT MPH | 160.19 | 155.61 |
| 1000 FT | 5.729 | 6.283 |
| ET | 6.875 | 7.446 |
| MPH | 195.05 | 190.54 |
|
Jerry Savoie won here in 2016. Savoie is 1 – 0 against Oehler in prior events. Oehler hits the throttle and loses traction. By the time he was able to get the tire to bite Savoie was pulling away. Savoie goes on through with the quickest pass of the round so far to take the win. |
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| Driver | Steve Johnson | Ron Tornow |
| RT | .022 | .004 |
| 60 FT | 1.054 | 1.068 |
| 330 FT | 2.852 | 2.924 |
| 660 FT | 4.378 | 4.504 |
| 660 FT MPH | 160.37 | 154.12 |
| 1000 FT | 5.711 | 5.898 |
| ET | 6.860 | 7.100 |
| MPH | 192.55 | 185.69 |
|
This is the first time Johnson and Tornow have faced each other in eliminations. Tornow gets a great light, stays in front for the first sixty feet, then Johnson gets around him and pulls away for the win with the quickest pass of the round so far. Steve Johnson’s incremental times: 60ft-1.054 sec., 330ft-2.852, 660ft-4.378/160.37 mph, 1,000ft-5.711. Johnson will have lane choice over Sampey in the next round. |
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| Driver | Eddie Krawiec | Kelly Clontz |
| RT | .076 | .051 |
| 60 FT | 1.079 | 1.073 |
| 330 FT | 2.887 | 2.899 |
| 660 FT | 4.419 | 4.463 |
| 660 FT MPH | 159.91 | 156.23 |
| 1000 FT | 5.756 | 5.832 |
| ET | 6.902 | 7.006 |
| MPH | 195.19 | 190.16 |
|
Eddie Krawiec has won this race three times and he was the runner-up last year. Krawiec is 5 – 0 against Clontz in prior events. Clontz gets the holeshot and stays in front past the 330 foot mark. Krawiec is able to reel him in and go around at that point and pull away for the win. Eddie Krawiec’s incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.031), 330 ft(-0.013), 660ft(0.019), 1,000ft(0.051). MOV: 0.0797 seconds (approximately 22 feet). Krawiec will have lane choice over Pollacheck in the next round. |
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| Driver | Matt Smith | Katie Sullivan |
| RT | .135 | .074 |
| 60 FT | 1.089 | 1.069 |
| 330 FT | 2.901 | 2.930 |
| 660 FT | 4.431 | 4.533 |
| 660 FT MPH | 160.04 | 151.73 |
| 1000 FT | 5.762 | 5.943 |
| ET | 6.897 | 7.153 |
| MPH | 196.99 | 184.65 |
|
Matt Smith was the winner here in 2013. Matt has set top speed of the meet 21 times in his career and 12 of those times have come this year. The #1 qualifier n the bike class is 16 -2 in round 1 at this event. Smith is 1 – 0 against Sullivan in prior events. Sullivan gets a big holeshot, stays in front past the 330 foot mark, but she can’t hold off Smith. Smith goes around her before half track and pulls away for the win. Matt Smith’s incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.081), 330 ft(-0.032), 60ft(0.041), 1,000ft(0.120). MOV: 0.1958 seconds (approximately 53 feet). Matt will have lane choice over his wife Angie in the next round. |
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ROUND 2
| Driver | Eddie Krawiec | Scott Pollacheck |
|---|---|---|
| RT | .016 | .030 |
| 60 FT | 1.079 | 1.072 |
| 330 FT | 2.893 | 2.890 |
| 660 FT | 4.447 | 4.432 |
| 660 FT MPH | 157.14 | 158.73 |
| 1000 FT | 5.801 | 5.775 |
| ET | 6.960 | 6.926 |
| MPH | 192.82 | 194.21 |
|
1:44 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 78 degrees, relative humidity 11 percent, barometer 27.84 inches, adjusted altitude 3,919 feet, track temperature 97 degrees. Krawiec is 19 – 1 against Pollacheck in prior events. Krawiec gets the advantage off of the line, stays in front to half track, then Pollacheck is able to get around him and pull away for the win. Scotty Pollacheck’s incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.007), 330 ft(-0.011), 660ft(0.001), 1,000ft(0.012). MOV: 0.0206 seconds (approximately 6 feet). |
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| Driver | Matt Smith | Angie Smith |
| RT | .024 | .110 |
| 60 FT | 1.055 | 1.080 |
| 330 FT | 2.869 | 2.908 |
| 660 FT | 4.414 | 4.461 |
| 660 FT MPH | 158.20 | 157.76 |
| 1000 FT | 5.759 | 5.812 |
| ET | 6.903 | 6.970 |
| MPH | 195.85 | 192.91 |
|
Matt gets a big holeshot and extends his lead all the way through the run. Angie improves on her round one time but was falling behind all the way through the run. |
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| Driver | Steve Johnson | Angelle Sampey |
| RT | .085 | -.022 |
| 60 FT | 1.051 | 1.067 |
| 330 FT | 2.843 | 2.885 |
| 660 FT | 4.381 | 4.431 |
| 660 FT MPH | 158.61 | 158.30 |
| 1000 FT | 5.727 | 5.780 |
| ET | 6.888 | 6.937 |
| MPH | 189.92 | 193.32 |
|
Sampey is 22 – 7 against Johnson in prior events. Sampey is a little too quick off of the line and goes red giving the win to Johnson. Johnson will have lane choice over Pollacheck in the next round. |
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| Driver | Jerry Savoie | Andrew Hines |
| RT | .082 | .020 |
| 60 FT | 1.056 | 1.077 |
| 330 FT | 2.873 | 2.886 |
| 660 FT | 4.410 | 4.433 |
| 660 FT MPH | 159.12 | 158.35 |
| 1000 FT | 5.753 | 5.782 |
| ET | 6.901 | 6.937 |
| MPH | 194.58 | 193.54 |
|
Hines is 15 – 11 against Savoie in prior events. |
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SEMI-FINAL ROUND
| Driver | Matt Smith | Andrew Hines |
|---|---|---|
| RT | .029 | -.011 |
| 60 FT | 1.053 | 1.080 |
| 330 FT | 2.864 | 2.893 |
| 660 FT | 4.413 | 4.451 |
| 660 FT MPH | 158.39 | 156.97 |
| 1000 FT | 5.753 | 5.809 |
| ET | 6.895 | 6.969 |
| MPH | 196.19 | 193.21 |
|
3:09 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 78 degrees, relative humidity 11 percent, barometer 27.82 inches, adjusted altitude 3,961 feet, track temperature 91 degrees. Hines misses the tree on the wrong side and goes red giving the win to Smith. Hines is going to his 54th final round, fourth this year, and the fourth at this event. |
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| Driver | Steve Johnson | Scott Pollacheck |
| RT | .013 | .019 |
| 60 FT | 1.050 | 1.064 |
| 330 FT | 2.845 | 2.891 |
| 660 FT | 4.382 | 4.451 |
| 660 FT MPH | 159.14 | 157.03 |
| 1000 FT | 5.724 | 5.802 |
| ET | 6.876 | 6.953 |
| MPH | 193.82 | 194.83 |
|
Johnson gets a little advantage off of the line and extends his lead all the way through the run. Steve Johnson’s incremental margins: 60ft(0.020), 330 ft(0.052), 660ft(0.075), 1,000ft(0.084). MOV: 0.0831 seconds (approximately 24 feet). Johnson is going to his 22nd career final round, the second this year, and the first at this event. |
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FINAL ROUND
| Driver | Steve Johnson | Matt Smith |
|---|---|---|
| RT | .028 | .031 |
| 60 FT | 1.058 | 1.045 |
| 330 FT | 2.851 | 2.844 |
| 660 FT | 4.379 | 4.378 |
| 660 FT MPH | 160.12 | 159.57 |
| 1000 FT | 5.714 | 5.713 |
| ET | 6.863 | 6.855 |
| MPH | 194.04 | 195.90 |
|
3:59 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 78 degrees, relative humidity 11 percent, barometer 27.82 inches, adjusted altitude 3,951 feet, track temperature 83 degrees. Smith is 16 – 12 against Johnson in prior events and each has won 1 times against the other in final rounds. Johnson gets the advantage off of the line, Smith reels him in at half track and holds him off to take the win with his quickest run of the day. Matt Smith’s incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(0.010), 330 ft(0.004), 660ft(-0.002), 1,000ft(-0.002). MOV: 0.0053 seconds (approximately 18 inches). This is Smith’s 24th career win, second this year, and first at this event. |
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Matt Smith sweeps Dodge NHRA Nationals for second win of 2019
Matt Smith saved his best performance for the last run of the Dodge NHRA Nationals. That worked out just fine. Smith took down rival Steve Johnson to win for the second time in 2019 as he went wire-to-wire, combining pole position with a Wally.
Matt Smith saved his best performance for the last run of the Dodge NHRA Nationals. That worked out just fine. Smith took down rival Steve Johnson to win for the second time in 2019 as he went wire-to-wire, combining pole position with a Wally after running a 6.855-second pass at 195.90-mph to beat Johnson’s 6.863 at 194.04.
Smith took advantage of his sixth pole position of 2019 to reach his fourth final of the campaign. The rider of the Denso EBR took down Katie Sullivan, his wife and teammate Angie Smith and rival Andrew Hines while riding the most consistent bike he’s had this season.
“It doesn’t matter who’s in the other lane,” said Smith, reference his and Johnson’s war of words from earlier in the season. “We’re just out here to win no matter what for our partners. (The championship chase) is not totally over yet. It’s not mathematically over but (Andrew Hines) has got a pretty big dagger in it and we’re gonna do our best to try to pair up against him in the first round and knock him out in Pomona.”
Johnson reached his second final of the season, both of which came in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, from the No. 2 position. His performance surge has come after taking several races off during the middle of the season, which cost him a shot at making the playoffs.
That has not kept him from being a contender during the Countdown. Johnson defeated Ron Tornow, Angelle Sampey and Scotty Pollacheck en route to the final. He took advantage of a red-light by Sampey, but used terrific performance in the first three rounds to set up a matchup with Smith.
Andrew Hines will enter the final race of the season, the Auto Club NHRA Finals, with a 115-point lead over Jerry Savoie. There are 191 points on the table at the Pomona-based event and Savoie, Eddie Krawiec, Karen Stoffer and Matt Smith are all still in contention for the world championship.
The Auto Club NHRA Finals are set to begin on Nov. 14. You can get your tickets here. Smith and Krawiec battled in the final round to decide the 2018 title, with Smith earning the 2018 title over 2017 world champion Krawiec.
Point Standings
- Andrew Hines, 2,540
- Jerry Savoie, 2,425
- Eddie Krawiec, 2,424
- Matt Smith, 2,423
- Karen Stoffer, 2,416
- Hector Arana Jr, 2,306
- Angelle Sampey, 2,302
- Angie Smith, 2,233
- Ryan Oehler, 2,191
- Hector Arana, 2,160
SATURDAY QUALIFYING
Defending Pro Stock Motorcycle world champ Smith was even better Saturday, lowering the track record he set the previous day to a 6.840 at 196.93 on his Denso Auto Parts/Stockseth/MSR EBR. Smith grabbed the No. 1 spot for the sixth time this season 37th time in his career, and he will face Katie Sullivan in the first round of eliminations as the veteran seeks his first playoff win of 2019.
“We’ve got a lot of confidence going into tomorrow,” said Smith, who also qualified No. 1 at the Vegas spring race. “All in all, I’ve think we’ve got a pretty fast hotrod for tomorrow. This motorcycle is running pretty mean right now. After the helmet goes on, it’s all serious and it’s all business, and we’re having a good time.”
Steve Johnson stayed second with a 6.848 at 194.18, while Eddie Krawiec qualified third thanks to his 6.864 at 195.11. Points leader Andrew Hines is right behind in fourth after going 6.866 at 194.63 on Saturday.
| POS | DRIVER | ET | MPH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Matt Smith | 6.840 | 196.93 |
| 02 | Steve Johnson | 6.848 | 194.18 |
| 03 | Eddie Krawiec | 6.864 | 195.11 |
| 04 | Andrew Hines | 6.866 | 194.63 |
| 05 | Jerry Savoie | 6.870 | 193.93 |
| 06 | Scott Pollacheck | 6.877 | 194.44 |
| 07 | Angelle Sampey | 6.877 | 193.9 |
| 08 | Karen Stoffer | 6.893 | 195 |
| 09 | Angie Smith | 6.929 | 192.77 |
| 10 | Hector Arana Jr | 6.930 | 193.24 |
| 11 | Hector Arana | 6.933 | 194.04 |
| 12 | Ryan Oehler | 6.942 | 194.55 |
| 13 | Melissa Surber | 6.947 | 190.35 |
| 14 | Kelly Clontz | 6.991 | 190.86 |
| 15 | Ronald Tornow | 7.048 | 182.92 |
| 16 | Katie Sullivan | 7.049 | 191.78 |
| 17 | Jianna Salinas | 7.075 | 188.57 |
| 18 | Eiji Kawakami | 7.180 | 188.2 |
| 19 | Andie Rawlings | 7.391 | 175.78 |
FRIDAY QUALIFYING
Defending Pro Stock Motorcycle world champ Smith set both ends of the track record on his Denso Auto Parts/Stockseth/MSR EBR with a 6.842 at 198.64. Smith, who is looking for his first playoff win in 2019, is in line for his sixth No. 1 this season and 37th in his career. Steve Johnson is second after his 6.872 of 193.93 and Angelle Sampey is a spot behind thanks to her 6.877 at 193.90. Points leader Andrew Hines qualified seventh on Friday with a run of 6.907 at 194.86.
| POS | DRIVER | ET | MPH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Matt Smith | 6.842 | 198.64 |
| 02 | Steve Johnson | 6.872 | 193.93 |
| 03 | Angelle Sampey | 6.877 | 193.9 |
| 04 | Eddie Krawiec | 6.880 | 196.07 |
| 05 | Jerry Savoie | 6.894 | 194.46 |
| 06 | Karen Stoffer | 6.896 | 195.22 |
| 07 | Andrew Hines | 6.907 | 194.86 |
| 08 | Scott Pollacheck | 6.924 | 194.16 |
| 09 | Ryan Oehler | 6.942 | 194.55 |
| 10 | Angie Smith | 6.949 | 191.38 |
| 11 | Kelly Clontz | 6.991 | 190.86 |
| 12 | Melissa Surber | 6.991 | 189.66 |
| 13 | Hector Arana | 7.029 | 193.74 |
| 14 | Hector Arana Jr | 7.043 | 192 |
| 15 | Ronald Tornow | 7.048 | 182.92 |
| 16 | Katie Sullivan | 7.049 | 191.78 |
| 17 | Jianna Salinas | 7.075 | 188.57 |
| 18 | Eiji Kawakami | 7.180 | 188.2 |
| 19 | Andie Rawlings | 7.926 | 129.27 |
Qualifying continues Saturday at the Dodge NHRA Nationals Presented by Pennzoil at 12:45 p.m. PT.
ABOUT NHRA – Headquartered in Glendora, CA, is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 24 national events featuring the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and the NHRA Drags: Street Legal Style presented by AAA. NHRA also offers NHRA Jr. Street program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League for youth ages 5 to 17. In addition, NHRA owns and operates four racing facilities: Atlanta Dragway in Georgia; Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis; and Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California. For more information, log on to NHRA.com
