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2013 NHRA: Schumacher In Top Fuel, Hagan In Funny Car Lead DSR During First Night Of PRO Winter Warm-Up Action At PBIR
After four days of closed testing at Palm Beach International Raceway, Don Schumacher Racing's teams put on a show under the lights at the South Florida track.
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Temperatures throughout the week of testing were in the mid-80s but Friday brought cooler weather and better air, leaving the crew chiefs hungry for better elapsed times.
Tony Schumacher was the second fastest dragster during both sessions of the evening out of 10 Top Fuel participants in the PRO Winter Warm-up.
Schumacher's U.S. Army dragster clocked a 3.776-second pass alongside teammate and reigning Top Fuel champion Antron Brown's 3.860-second pass. It was the first time two canopied dragsters raced.
Schumacher also led DSR in the second session, posting a 3.794 at 325 mph while Antron Brown's Matco Tools dragster was too aggressive and slowed.
"Testing was fantastic," Schumacher said. "Yesterday we ran a 3.75, 3.76, 3.74. You can't really ask for more than that with all the new parts and pieces on our car.
"I look forward to getting the season started. It's going to be a great season, going in with a teammate as the world champion and seven championships under the Army belt. I look forward to getting it going."
Matt Hagan's Rocky Boots/Mopar Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car was the second quickest of the 12 floppers participating in the first session. Hagan clocked a 4.060-second pass tuned by crew chiefs Todd Okuhara and Phil Shuler.
"I think we've had a very productive week at PBIR," said Hagan. "I can't ask for anything more than what we're doing. Todd and Phil are doing a wonderful job, everyone is meshing really well together.
"I'm just excited. These guys, 6 laps under the belt with a Funny Car and they already put it in the .0's.To me that's very, very exciting. We come out here on the first lap at the Winter Warm-up and went 4.06. I can't wait to crawl back in there tomorrow and do it all again."
The DSR floppers struggled in the second session, with only reigning 2012 Funny Car champion Jack Beckman improving with a 4.085-second pass.
Complete results from the first night of the PRO Winter Warm-up at Palm Beach International Raceway are below.
TOP FUEL
Tony Schumacher, U.S. Army dragster
FRIDAY
Session 1: 3.776 seconds, 324.59 mph
Session 2: 3.794, 325.30
Antron Brown, Matco Tools dragster
FRIDAY
Session 1: 3.860 seconds, 302.28 mph
Session 2: 6.512, 98.45
FUNNY CAR
Ron Capps, NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T
FRIDAY
Session 1: 4.075 seconds, 316.52 mph
Session 2: 10.273, 76.02
Jack Beckman, Valvoline NextGen/MTS Dodge Charger R/T
FRIDAY
Session 1: 4.160 seconds, 301.16
Session 2: 4.085, 311.94
Johnny Gray, Dodge Charger R/T
FRIDAY
Session 1: 4.066 seconds, 311.92
Session 2: 9.709, 78.34
Matt Hagan, Rocky Boots/Mopar Dodge Charger R/T
FRIDAY
Session 1: 4.066 seconds, 311.92
Session 2: 9.602, 76.73
PRO WINTER WARM-UP SCHEDULE
Saturday ticket prices are $30 for adults and $15 for youth. Those 5 and younger are free each day. Gates open at 4 p.m. with racing from 5-7 p.m.
BANGSHIFT.COM
For the third year in a row, popular website BangShift.com will broadcast PRO Warm-up racing Saturday with live streaming on its website.
Check BangShift.com for times.
NHRA OPENER
The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season opens Feb. 14-17 with the NHRA Winternationals at Pomona, Calif. Formerly the Full Throttle series, the NHRA pro tour has expanded to 24 events by adding June 20-23 New England Nationals at Epping, N.H.
PaddockTalk Perspective
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