LAS VEGAS, NV (Oct. 30, 2016) A weekend full of fast cars, hot temperatures, championships up for grabs, and Halloween costumes could only converge in one place: Sin City. The Toyota Nationals is the second to last race of the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Championship and everything is coming down to the wire.
Top Fuel
Steve Torrence bested JR Todd in the final round for the Wally. Torrence and co. managed a 3.734 @ 323.81 mph against Todd’s 3.762 @ 321.96 mph. But the real winner of the Top Fuel class this weekend was Antron Brown. Brown picked up his third NHRA Mello Yello World Championship (his second in a row). Brown’s second round win against Wayne Newby and Doug Kalitta’s early exit at the hands of Steve Torrence secured the championship for him a race before the season closes in Pomona in two weeks time.
Funny Car
John Force picked up his 147th Wally in the final round after he defeated his daughter, Courtney Force. In a very close race, John ran a 3.884 @ 327.19 mph, while Courtney tried her best with a 3.906 @ 325.85 mph effort. Funny Car points leader, Ron Capps sits 86 points ahead of his teammate, Matt Hagan going into the decided race of the year in two weeks in Pomona, CA.
Pro Stock
Shane Gray got around his teammate, Drew Skillman in the final round. Gray went virtually uncontested with a 6.719 @ 204.76 mph while Skillman broke right off the line and only went 19.793 @ 27.72 mph. This is Gray’s first win of the year. Both Jason Line and Greg Anderson lost in the semi-final round and now there’s only 19 points separating the two.
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Andrew Hines did the unthinkable and red-lit in the final round against Jerry Savoie. Savoie was no slouch and put up a great time of 6.915 @ 194.13 mph. Hines was only able to muster 7.015 @ 194.00 mph. Hines’ red-light put the championship in virtually a 3-way tie. Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec are tied for first while Jerry Savoie sits just three points behind them going into the final race of the season.
