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2013 NHRA: Points Shake-Up In Phoenix
Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel) and Ron Capps (Funny Car) raced to the points leads in their respective categories on the strength of their dominating performances at last weekend’s NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway. Erica Enders-Stevens made a major jump in the Pro Stock category with her win in the desert.
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For Schumacher, this was his fourth final round appearance dating to the end of the 2012 season but the first victory in that stretch. In the finals, he faced Morgan Lucas and relied on his years of experience to prevail in a tire-smoking duel. Both dragsters lost traction early, but Schumacher crossed the finish line first in his U.S. Army dragster.
"When you can win ugly like that it is so much fun," said Schumacher. "It was lift, pedal, lift, pedal all the way down. I could hear Morgan beside me the whole time. As a driver, that kind of race is so much fun, and I enjoy winning like that more than a record run."
This victory was the 70th in his career, the 198th win for Don Schumacher Racing and his fourth win at FIR.
In Funny Car, Capps is showing that he will again be a contender for the 2013 championship as he raced to his second straight final round appearance. Capps faced 2011 Funny Car Champion and teammate Matt Hagan in the finals. Capps narrowly took the win, the 39th of his career, and also took the points lead away from Courtney Force in the process.
Some of the biggest points movers were in Pro Stock as the four racers in the semifinals in Phoenix were all first round losers in Pomona.
Enders-Stevens was able to defeat No. 1 qualifier Mike Edwards on a holeshot to take her fifth career victory. She was also the biggest mover in the points coming from 10th to second as she collected 113 points during the weekend.
Enders finished fourth in the points in 2012, was as high as third late in the season, and is looking to stay near the top of the points during the course of the 24-race season.
PaddockTalk Perspective
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