2025 15th Annual FABO NHRA "Pick 'Em" Game - I Can't Wait!!!
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ocdart
Well-Known Member
Following completion of the recent Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, the following drivers have locked their berths in the 2025 Countdown to the Championship:
Top Fuel
All others will be working harder to fight their way inside the top 10 to get a spot in the Countdown.
Only two races left before the Countdown: the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd (TF/FC/PS), and the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis (TF/FC/PS/PSM).
Remember, the U.S. Nationals is a "points-and-a-half" race.
Top Fuel
Top Fuel
- Shawn Langdon - 990 points
- Tony Stewart - 942
- Justin Ashley - 879
- Doug Kalitta - 869
- Antron Brown - 779
- Austin Prock - 1020 points
- Dallas Glenn - 1045 points
- Greg Anderson - 1008
- Gaige Herrera - 794 points
- Richard Gadson - 724
- Matt Smith - 672
- John Hall - 473
- Angie Smith - 445
All others will be working harder to fight their way inside the top 10 to get a spot in the Countdown.
Only two races left before the Countdown: the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd (TF/FC/PS), and the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis (TF/FC/PS/PSM).
Remember, the U.S. Nationals is a "points-and-a-half" race.
Top Fuel
- #6 Brittany Force - 738 points
- #7 Clay Millican - 605
- #8 Steve Torrence - 569
- #9 Josh Hart - 539
- #10 Shawn Reed - 422
- #11 Ida Zetterstron - 274
- #2 Matt Hagan - 819 points
- #3 Jack Beckman - 815
- #4 Ron Capps - 782
- #5 Paul Lee - 735
- #6 J.R. Todd - 621
- #7 Daniel Wilkerson - 617
- #8 Spencer Hyde - 568
- #9 Bob Tasca III - 534
- #10 Alexis DeJoria - 533
- #11 Cruz Pedregon - 531
- #3 Matt Hartford - 654 points
- #4 Cory Reed - 603
- #5 Eric Latino - 525
- #6 Aaron Stanfield - 511
- #7 Greg Stanfield - 474
- #8 Jeg Coughlin Jr. - 464
- #9 Cody Coughlin - 429
- #10 Deric Kramer - 414
- #11 Mason McGaha - 379
- #6 Chase Van Sant - 362 points
- #7 Jianna Everisto - 360
- #8 Chris Bostick - 335
- #9 Steve Johnson - 278
- #10 Marc Ingwersen - 237
- #11 Brayden Davis - 203
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ocdart
Well-Known Member
Interesting concept!
On Brian Lohnes' latest podcast today, while talking to Ron Capps he mentioned an idea for changing how the Funny Car Callout is run at the U.S. Nationals. Ron offered another thought and between them they came up with something that would make this specialty event really interesting:
What are your thoughts?
On Brian Lohnes' latest podcast today, while talking to Ron Capps he mentioned an idea for changing how the Funny Car Callout is run at the U.S. Nationals. Ron offered another thought and between them they came up with something that would make this specialty event really interesting:
- The Callout would still feature the top eight cars based on points over the past year of competition, But instead of each of the top four drivers calling out who they want to race, the individual matchups would be chosen by fan vote and not known until actual race time.
- Neither the teams nor the crewchiefs would know who they would be racing or if they had lane choice
- All eight teams would line up in the staging lanes
- The first two competitors would be announced and would then immediately pulled up to race
- After completion of the first race, the next two competitors would be announced and then race. Followed by the third pair and the final pair.
What are your thoughts?
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ocdart
Well-Known Member
Lane choice would be by lowest U.S. Nationals qualifying ET at the time.
The U.S. Nationals has five rounds of Pro qualifying so each of the Funny Car Callout teams would have three qualifying runs under their belt before the first runs of the Callout.
Quickest qualifying ET of each pair gets lane choice.
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I like that concept, get fans involved, online & at the track...
I'd like to see some grudge racing at the show, callouts & bets
get like an 'MGM Casinos' to sponsor it, put some cash real cash on the line
(sort of like the TooFastTooTastey Mission Foods Challenges, in qualifying)
hell, they/comentators all push off track betting so hard now anyway,
use it to make a show
they have an extra round of qualifying (especially at INDY) make good use of it
spice **** up, get some pizazz back into it, give the paying public a real show
it's the biggest damn race in the NHRA, make it "THE SHOW"
tones of downtime, plenty of teams would get in it, I'm sure
especially teams that probably won't make the show thru qualifying
get the single car teams in the $$$, attract even more independent teams
grow the damn sport, it's dying,
just look at the less than full Pro-classes entries elsewhere
needs something to get the locals out & race
F/C used to be all about the show, & winning, but big long burnouts
lots of characters & seriously try to outdo each other's showmanship, for the cash
on the way to showing them up & winning
trash talking, all in fun (not some stupid butthurt broads fights ****)
remember ?
like when John "Brute" Force, would do 1/2 track or 330+ft burnouts
(hell even TA/FC alcohol F/Cs even were into it)
or the heydays of Jungle Jim Leiberman, Don Schumacher, Ace McCullough
Army Navy rivalry, Snake & Mongoose, Prudhomme & McEwen
or the Kenny Bernstein 'batmobile' huge winged & swoopy car, but fast car
or Blue Max/Ramond Beatle (spell), old man Jim Dunn's Firemans Quicky
&/or any of Joe Pisano's drivers Mike Dunn, Al Segrini (spell) beautiful cars/wild paint
or
like any of the AA/FA Wild Willy Borsche's & Nanook's from the North, Dave Hough shows
or
AFX AWB cars
& doing it at night, huge flames, nobody was sitting down when they came out
the crowds dug it bigtime, filled the bleachers
Pro-stock were serious characters too,
multiple dry hops thru VHT liquid traction/Or that rosin powder, wheelstands
yeah it's a total waste of ET/Energy, but it was a show, put people in the stands
not everyone in the pits watching teardowns, ignoring actual racing
the Hemi, A/AH Dart/'cuda shootout is pretty good, but needs some showmanship
get people in the stands/seats more
to me, honestly for the most part especially TV coverage
it's all gone bland, too corporate BS, just blabbering occasionally,
& no show on the track, for the most part
I'm not talking about the once in a blue moon, T/FM S&S blown 'Harleys'
or the diesel spewers/jettcars
exhibition crap, most don't care about
albeit;
I do like the MM/PS mountain motor Pro-Stock,
but they are cool cars, with robots now too, spice it up
IMO it seems like NHRA guys/gals or drivers turned in a bunch of corporate ROBOTS
same spiel, except for a couple drivers, Capps Beckman Prock, used to be JFR show
love or hate him he got your attention, with his energy
it's not as entertaining as it used to be, they are faster, but it's nothing like it was
we needs some characters & some good rivalry's, put on a show
Oh & NHRA quit mandating to have the bodies tied down on F/Cs,
& give P/S cars some more rear wing, it's nucken' futs, unsafe
it's gonna' kill a driver or drivers, one taking out the other
get David Freiberger doing top end interviews, his rye smart *** comments
spice it up a lil'
get some trash talking, rivalry's
because it's the biggest freaken' drag race we have,
it's the NHRA's SUPERBOWL of sorts, it's supposed to be a big deal
& it's points & 1/2
make it a damn show, so it's not just 'another corporate plugging snoozer' otherwise
OK off my soapbox now, for now...
I'd like to see some grudge racing at the show, callouts & bets
get like an 'MGM Casinos' to sponsor it, put some cash real cash on the line
(sort of like the TooFastTooTastey Mission Foods Challenges, in qualifying)
hell, they/comentators all push off track betting so hard now anyway,
use it to make a show
they have an extra round of qualifying (especially at INDY) make good use of it
spice **** up, get some pizazz back into it, give the paying public a real show
it's the biggest damn race in the NHRA, make it "THE SHOW"
tones of downtime, plenty of teams would get in it, I'm sure
especially teams that probably won't make the show thru qualifying
get the single car teams in the $$$, attract even more independent teams
grow the damn sport, it's dying,
just look at the less than full Pro-classes entries elsewhere
needs something to get the locals out & race
F/C used to be all about the show, & winning, but big long burnouts
lots of characters & seriously try to outdo each other's showmanship, for the cash
on the way to showing them up & winning
trash talking, all in fun (not some stupid butthurt broads fights ****)
remember ?
like when John "Brute" Force, would do 1/2 track or 330+ft burnouts
(hell even TA/FC alcohol F/Cs even were into it)
or the heydays of Jungle Jim Leiberman, Don Schumacher, Ace McCullough
Army Navy rivalry, Snake & Mongoose, Prudhomme & McEwen
or the Kenny Bernstein 'batmobile' huge winged & swoopy car, but fast car
or Blue Max/Ramond Beatle (spell), old man Jim Dunn's Firemans Quicky
&/or any of Joe Pisano's drivers Mike Dunn, Al Segrini (spell) beautiful cars/wild paint
or
like any of the AA/FA Wild Willy Borsche's & Nanook's from the North, Dave Hough shows
or
AFX AWB cars
& doing it at night, huge flames, nobody was sitting down when they came out
the crowds dug it bigtime, filled the bleachers
Pro-stock were serious characters too,
multiple dry hops thru VHT liquid traction/Or that rosin powder, wheelstands
yeah it's a total waste of ET/Energy, but it was a show, put people in the stands
not everyone in the pits watching teardowns, ignoring actual racing
the Hemi, A/AH Dart/'cuda shootout is pretty good, but needs some showmanship
get people in the stands/seats more
to me, honestly for the most part especially TV coverage
it's all gone bland, too corporate BS, just blabbering occasionally,
& no show on the track, for the most part
I'm not talking about the once in a blue moon, T/FM S&S blown 'Harleys'
or the diesel spewers/jettcars
exhibition crap, most don't care aboutalbeit;
I do like the MM/PS mountain motor Pro-Stock,
but they are cool cars, with robots now too, spice it up
IMO it seems like NHRA guys/gals or drivers turned in a bunch of corporate ROBOTS
same spiel, except for a couple drivers, Capps Beckman Prock, used to be JFR show
love or hate him he got your attention, with his energy
it's not as entertaining as it used to be, they are faster, but it's nothing like it was
we needs some characters & some good rivalry's, put on a show
Oh & NHRA quit mandating to have the bodies tied down on F/Cs,
& give P/S cars some more rear wing, it's nucken' futs, unsafe
it's gonna' kill a driver or drivers, one taking out the other
get David Freiberger doing top end interviews, his rye smart *** comments
spice it up a lil'
get some trash talking, rivalry's
because it's the biggest freaken' drag race we have,
it's the NHRA's SUPERBOWL of sorts, it's supposed to be a big deal
& it's points & 1/2
make it a damn show, so it's not just 'another corporate plugging snoozer' otherwise
OK off my soapbox now, for now...
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If the match ups are unknown how about the lane choice being unknown too. Make the crew chiefs flip a coin or something like that. Take their performance completely out of the equation.
ocdart
Well-Known Member
Shawn Reed is entered in Top Fuel at both the upcoming Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd, MN, and the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. However, he has not yet healed sufficiently from his nasty accident at the recent Northwest Nationals so he will be using fill-in replacement drivers for both events to help secure his spot in the 2025 Countdown.
He announced today that Jordan Vandergriff will be driving the Reed Trucking & Excavating Top Fuel dragster at the Lucas Oil Nationals.
The replacement driver for the U.S. Nationals will be announced in the near future.
He announced today that Jordan Vandergriff will be driving the Reed Trucking & Excavating Top Fuel dragster at the Lucas Oil Nationals.
The replacement driver for the U.S. Nationals will be announced in the near future.
ocdart
Well-Known Member
Here's your 'Tuesday before the race' notice for the 43rd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, August 14-17, at Brainerd International Raceways in Brainerd, MN.
Please check the driver entries and post your picks before Pro Stock and Nitro qualifying starts so you will be eligible for all event bonus points.
As of this morning nhra.com currently shows the following entries:
14 Top Fuel
16 Funny Car
20 Pro Stock
Pro Stock Motorcycle will not compete at this event.
Because of the short field in Top Fuel, I suggest you double-check to make sure all of your driver picks are racing. There have also been some no-shows at recent race events of the season. If your posted driver skips the event and you do not select a replacement prior to the start of eliminations, I will use your posted driver from the most recent completed event. Unfortunately, any replacement driver after the start of qualifying will not be eligible for any event bonus points.
Despite the short entry field there are several drivers making their initial 2025 debuts:
* 2 Top Fuel entries are making their season debut at this event and one of them is a seasoned veteran
* 2 Pro Stock entries are making their season debut at this event
The current weekend weather forecast shows:
* Friday currently shows partly cloudy with a high of 80F at the start of Q1 dropping to mid-70sF at the start of Q2
* Saturday forecast is for early morning rain, then mostly cloudy with a high of 72F at the start of Q3 going up to upper-70sF for Q4
* Sunday weather forecast for Eliminations show a chance of rain all day with temps in the low 70sF. This could be 'iffy'.
The current television schedule for the Lucas Oil Nationals...
* Qualifying Show 1: 10:00-11:30pm EDT (7:00pm-8:30pm PDT), Friday, August 15 on FS1
* Qualifying Show 2: 7:00-8:30pm (4:00pm-5:30pm PDT), Satuday, August 16 on FS1
* Eliminations: 3:00-6:00pm EDT (Noon-3:00pm PDT), Sunday, August 17 on FOX
All television coverage will also re-air at later times. Check www.nhra.com.
Don't miss out!
Please check the driver entries and post your picks before Pro Stock and Nitro qualifying starts so you will be eligible for all event bonus points.
As of this morning nhra.com currently shows the following entries:
14 Top Fuel
16 Funny Car
20 Pro Stock
Pro Stock Motorcycle will not compete at this event.
Because of the short field in Top Fuel, I suggest you double-check to make sure all of your driver picks are racing. There have also been some no-shows at recent race events of the season. If your posted driver skips the event and you do not select a replacement prior to the start of eliminations, I will use your posted driver from the most recent completed event. Unfortunately, any replacement driver after the start of qualifying will not be eligible for any event bonus points.
Despite the short entry field there are several drivers making their initial 2025 debuts:
* 2 Top Fuel entries are making their season debut at this event and one of them is a seasoned veteran
* 2 Pro Stock entries are making their season debut at this event
The current weekend weather forecast shows:
* Friday currently shows partly cloudy with a high of 80F at the start of Q1 dropping to mid-70sF at the start of Q2
* Saturday forecast is for early morning rain, then mostly cloudy with a high of 72F at the start of Q3 going up to upper-70sF for Q4
* Sunday weather forecast for Eliminations show a chance of rain all day with temps in the low 70sF. This could be 'iffy'.
The current television schedule for the Lucas Oil Nationals...
* Qualifying Show 1: 10:00-11:30pm EDT (7:00pm-8:30pm PDT), Friday, August 15 on FS1
* Qualifying Show 2: 7:00-8:30pm (4:00pm-5:30pm PDT), Satuday, August 16 on FS1
* Eliminations: 3:00-6:00pm EDT (Noon-3:00pm PDT), Sunday, August 17 on FOX
All television coverage will also re-air at later times. Check www.nhra.com.
Don't miss out!
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Good article on Tony Stewart doing a Pro Stock test in an Elite motorsports car. Maybe he's looking for a new ride if Leah comes back and takes her car back. I don't think it would go over to well with Mopar if he were to drive a chubby.
Tony Stewart Talks NHRA Pro Stock After Eye-Opening Test Session with Elite Motorsports | Drag Illustrated
Tony Stewart Talks NHRA Pro Stock After Eye-Opening Test Session with Elite Motorsports | Drag Illustrated
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Mopar/may be coming back too,
the hemi coming back (street trucks/cars), maybe not in a Pro-stock configuration
but with Tony "they may very well do something like that"
(Arrington Performance (former RPettyMS), owns shophemi.com
old guys great sponsor & connection, he knows the newer hemi's, maybe not the P/S version 'yet")
(the Hemi's they are coming back !! probably not in NASCAR, I doubt it will be a hemi,
great place to get the 'promotion values', NHRA drag racing where a Hemi is dominant)
Direct Connection/MoPar & Tony Stewart Racing
already have a relationship & sponsor deal now
seems like a perfect fit
Maybe get Allen Johnson/Brothers of old P/S Champion (last 2012) fame for advice
they need to rev the piss out of the new hemi's, is the only issues,
*with the newer P/S rule of 10,500rpm max now,
the P/S Hemi is just waking up there, short runners would need to change for sure
*& the fact they use EFI too, will throw a curveball in the situation too
he did have some knowledge of it in NASCAR Stewart/Haas Racing Cup Series
*Also Liberty trans/rear gearing would be a lot different, than the GMs are
*Also need to be computer savvy, clutch savvy, really good up on the wheel
the latter part shouldn't be an Issue for Tony, he's a 'pure driver'/wheelman
God I hope he doesn't join Elite Racing, that'd suck ***/big blue donkey dongs
it's one thing to do a test
a whole different animal to join them as a team
(not my favorite team in Drag racing 'at all' or ever,
**outside of Jeggy 5-6 time Champion, & he was/is a MoPar man too)
EFI is just now going as fast as the split dominators were, when they made the switch
6.40's @ 208-212
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Outlawd
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Brainerd
TF=Smoke
FC=Fast Jack
PS=Greg Anderson
My favorite race of the season, I go every year with my brother and some good friends. The bartenders in the beer garden know us well up there....lol.
Good luck everybody!!
TF=Smoke
FC=Fast Jack
PS=Greg Anderson
My favorite race of the season, I go every year with my brother and some good friends. The bartenders in the beer garden know us well up there....lol.
Good luck everybody!!
ocdart
Well-Known Member
FYI, Pro qualifying is scheduled to start at 5:00pm EDT (2:00pm PDT) tomorrow, Friday.
I missed including this info on prior posts regarding the Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd.
I missed including this info on prior posts regarding the Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd.
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