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2013 NHRA: NHRA Mello Yello Countdown To The Championship Newsletter: 3 Of 24
Clear skies and warm Florida weather translated into one of the best Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals in recent history but the points leaders coming into the event didn’t have fun in the sun.
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Tony Schumacher in Top Fuel came in as the points leader but a rare first round defeat allowed his competitors to make up ground on the seven time champion. Antron Brown jumped to the top of the points order on the strength of his first victory of the year and leads Schumacher by four points.
Clay Millican returned to the top 10 in points with his run to the finals. He also collected three qualifying bonus points during the event
Ron Capps, the Funny Car points leader, also suffered a first round defeat. He retains the points lead but now shares it with Don Schumacher Racing teammate Johnny Gray.
Gray raced his Pitch Energy Dodge Charger to the win over Del Worsham in a tightly contested final. Gray has 207 races, Funny Car and Pro Stock, in his career but this is the first time he has ever been in the points lead. He plans on retiring from full time racing at year’s end and racing to a championship is something he is striving for.
The Pro Stock class saw past champions show they are rounding into contenders early in the season. Mike Edwards took over the points lead on the strength of his No. 1 qualifying position and 12 qualifying bonus points during the weekend.
Allen Johnson and Jeg Coughlin met in the final round with Johnson taking the win and moving from seventh to third in points. Coughlin now sits in second place.
The Pro Stock Motorcycle category took to the track for the first time in 2013 and Hector Arana Jr. rode to victory. Arana Jr. is hoping this win translates to bigger success later in the year. In three of the past four seasons the winner of the opening event has gone on to win the season long championship, which is a trend Arana Jr. hopes will continue this season.
PaddockTalk Perspective
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