NHRA: Jack Beckman (54 races), Larry Morgan (120 races) snap lengthy winless streaks in 4-Wide Nationals

By Jerry BonkowskiMar 29, 2015, 10:00 PM EDT

Two veteran drag racers snapped lengthy winless streaks in Sunday’s final round of the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C.

Funny Car driver Jack Beckman snapped a 54-race winless drought, while Larry Morgan snapped an even longer streak of 120 races without a win.

Beckman claimed victory with a run of 3.983 seconds at 308.78 mph over Del Worsham (who takes over the Funny Car points lead), Chad Head and Tommy Johnson Jr.

It was Beckman’s first win since St. Louis, nearly 2 ½ years ago, also the same season he won the NHRA Funny Car world championship.

It was also Beckman’s 16th career national event win, his third at zMAX Dragway and second in the six-year history of the unique 4-Wide event.

“I can’t guarantee we’ll win another race this season,” Beckman said in an NHRA media release. “I think we will, but I can’t say for 100 percent. But, I know for sure we’ll be better than we were today.

“Jimmy [Prock, crew chief] and the team will be even better the rest of the year because they’re getting better every race. All the little things are coming together and now the car is doing what they hope it will.”

In Pro Stock, Morgan held off Greg Anderson, Vincent Nobile and Jonathan Gray in the final round. Morgan won with a career-best 6.464 at 214.52 mph.

“I knew I could still drive,” Morgan said of his 11th career victory, and his first win since Las Vegas in October 2009. “I just needed to get the right financial backing and hook up with Johnny Gray to get some horsepower.

“Jerry Haas built me a new car in 30 days, and a lot of other great people helped me get to the winner’s circle today. I’ve surrounded myself with good people, and that’s how you win. It wasn’t just one guy who won today, it was a team effort.”

Even though he fell short of reaching the final round, Jason Line took over the points lead in Pro Stock.

In Top Fuel, Antron Brown earned his second consecutive 4-Wide victory with a winning pass of 3.749 seconds at 319.90 mph, defeating Steve Torrence, Richie Crampton and Clay Millican.

Brown is now just two wins away from 50 in his NHRA career as both a Top Fuel driver and Pro Stock Motorcycle rider.

It was also the 44th time that two Don Schumacher Racing teammates have won their respective classes in the same NHRA national event.

“It’s been an incredible run at this race,” Brown said. “You have to dig deep to win races like this.

“We’ve had a long road with a new combination. We’ve had some gremlins, but in the final we laid down the gauntlet to bring the win home. It was also huge for the bossman [Don Schumacher] to double up. I hope we can keep that streak going for him.”

In addition to the win, Brown also takes over the Top Fuel points lead after the first four races of the season.

Lastly, in Pro Stock Motorcycle, defending series champ Andrew Hines (6.805 seconds at 196.30 mph) won his first race of the season and 39th of his career, defeating Eddie Krawiec (who takes over the lead in the standings), Scotty Pollacheck and Hector Arana Jr. in the final round.

It was also Hines’ second 4-Wide triumph and fourth in total at zMAX Dragway.

“We got on the dyno last week and tried a few things,” Hines said. “We followed through and my V-Rod got us to the final round. We just went out and did what our team does best.”

The next NHRA national event will be the Summit.com Nationals, April 10-12 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

FINAL ROUND RESULTS:
Top Fuel — Antron Brown, 3.749 seconds, 319.90 mph def. Steve Torrence, 3.847 seconds, 317.57 mph and Richie Crampton, 4.030 seconds, 277.15 mph and Clay Millican, 5.526 seconds, 128.02 mph.
Funny Car — Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 3.983, 308.78 def. Del Worsham, Toyota Camry, 4.012, 314.24 and Chad Head, Camry, 7.455, 92.95 and Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 12.177, 40.68.
Pro Stock — Larry Morgan, Chevy Camaro, 6.464, 214.52 def. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.475, 214.93 and Jonathan Gray, Camaro, 6.498, 214.72 and Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.508, 214.25.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.805, 196.30 def. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.812, 195.19 and Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.804, 199.88 and Scotty Pollacheck, Buell, foul.

FINAL FINISHING ORDER
TOP FUEL: 1. Antron Brown; 2. Steve Torrence; 3. Richie Crampton; 4. Clay Millican; 5. Tony Schumacher; 6. Doug Kalitta; 7. Brittany Force; 8. Dave Connolly; 9. Spencer Massey; 10. Pat Dakin; 11. J.R. Todd; 12. Larry Dixon; 13. Ike Maier; 14. Shawn Langdon; 15. Leah Pritchett; 16. Chris Karamesines.
FUNNY CAR: 1. Jack Beckman; 2. Del Worsham; 3. Chad Head; 4. Tommy Johnson Jr.; 5. John Force; 6. Robert Hight; 7. Cruz Pedregon; 8. John Hale; 9. Tony Pedregon; 10. Ron Capps; 11. Dale Creasy Jr.; 12. Courtney Force; 13. Alexis DeJoria; 14. Paul Lee; 15. Tim Wilkerson; 16. Matt Hagan.
PRO STOCK: 1. Larry Morgan; 2. Greg Anderson; 3. Jonathan Gray; 4. Vincent Nobile; 5. Jimmy Alund; 6. Chris McGaha; 7. Jason Line; 8. Erica Enders-Stevens; 9. Allen Johnson; 10. Drew Skillman; 11. Shane Gray; 12. Rodger Brogdon; 13. Buddy Perkinson; 14. V. Gaines; 15. John Gaydosh Jr; 16. Mark Hogan.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE: 1. Andrew Hines; 2. Eddie Krawiec; 3. Hector Arana Jr; 4. Scotty Pollacheck; 5. Chaz Kennedy; 6. Mike Berry; 7. Matt Smith; 8. LE Tonglet; 9. Freddie Camarena; 10. Katie Sullivan; 11. Angelle Sampey; 12. Brian Pretzel; 13. Hector Arana; 14. Karen Stoffer; 15. Shawn Gann; 16. Jim Underdahl.

FINAL ROUND-BY-ROUND RESULTS:
TOP FUEL: ROUND ONE — Steve Torrence, 3.799, 314.24 and Doug Kalitta, 3.912, 252.52 def. Spencer Massey, 4.101, 313.29 and Ike Maier, 6.797, 169.25; Brittany Force, 5.041, 184.85 and Richie Crampton, 7.020, 111.34 def. Pat Dakin, 7.188, 88.47 and Chris Karamesines, 10.782, 54.11; Tony Schumacher, 3.720, 319.37 and Clay Millican, 3.755, 318.09 def. Larry Dixon, 8.328, 87.10 and Leah Pritchett, 9.436, 92.86; Antron Brown, 3.771, 313.58 and Dave Connolly, 3.944, 301.07 def. J.R. Todd, 7.389, 84.37 and Shawn Langdon, 8.257, 85.87.
SEMIFINALS — Brown, 5.817, 185.00 and Torrence, 6.019, 200.95 def. Kalitta, 7.786, 100.73 and Crampton, 3.741, 324.12 and Millican, 3.801, 310.77 def. Schumacher, 4.109, 242.98 and Force, 8.096, 98.46.
FINAL — Brown, 3.749, 319.90 def. Torrence, 3.847, 317.57, Crampton, 4.030, 277.15 and Millican, 5.526, 128.02.

FUNNY CAR: ROUND ONE — Del Worsham, Toyota Camry, 4.040, 306.26 and Chad Head, Camry, 4.464, 227.96 def. Dale Creasy Jr., Chevy Impala, 7.691, 89.70 and Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 8.579, 80.65; Robert Hight, Chevrolet Camaro, 4.027, 304.05 and John Force, Camaro, 4.250, 278.69 def. Tony Pedregon, Camry, 5.386, 142.85 and Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 10.200, 80.97; Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 4.051, 304.05 and Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 7.803, 92.73 def. Paul Lee, Charger, 11.704, 77.05 and Ron Capps, Charger, DQ; Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.167, 299.46 and John Hale, Charger, 4.219, 244.56 def. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 12.157, 99.80 and Matt Hagan, Charger, DQ.
SEMIFINALS — Beckman, 4.000, 309.34 and Johnson Jr., 4.132, 301.20 def. J. Force, 9.267, 81.00 and Hight, 8.104, 81.89; Worsham, 4.067, 288.64 and Head, 4.080, 303.09 def. Hale, 16.578, 50.85 and C. Pedregon, broke.
FINAL — Beckman, 3.983, 308.78 def. Worsham, 4.012, 314.24, Head, 7.455, 92.95 and Johnson Jr., 12.177, 40.68.

PRO STOCK: ROUND ONE — Jonathan Gray, Chevy Camaro, 6.465, 214.11 and Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.467, 215.13 def. Allen Johnson, Dodge Dart, 6.463, 214.42 and V. Gaines, Dart, 6.626, 209.17; Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.479, 213.74 and Jimmy Alund, Pontiac GXP, 6.536, 213.27 def. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.491, 214.04 and Mark Hogan, GXP, broke; Jason Line, Camaro, 6.455, 214.48 and Larry Morgan, Camaro, 6.501, 214.42 def. Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 7.919, 125.44 and John Gaydosh Jr, GXP, 12.365, 71.09; Erica Enders-Stevens, Camaro, 6.521, 214.42 and Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.481, 214.28 def. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.524, 213.37 and Buddy Perkinson, Dodge Avenger, 6.550, 212.19.
SEMIFINALS — J. Gray, 6.488, 214.18 and Anderson, 6.478, 215.48 def. McGaha, 21.771, 28.79 and Enders-Stevens, 22.958, 26.43; Morgan, 6.477, 214.25 and Nobile, 6.480, 213.77 def. Alund, 6.525, 214.01 and Line, 9.255, 100.14.
FINAL — Morgan, 6.464, 214.52 def. Anderson, 6.475, 214.93, J. Gray, 6.498, 214.72 and Nobile, 6.508, 214.25.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE: ROUND ONE — Eddie Krawiec, Harley V-Rod, 6.818, 193.07 and LE Tonglet, Suzuki GSXR, 6.849, 195.76 def. Freddie Camarena, GSXR, 6.842, 197.16 and Shawn Gann, Buell XB9R, 7.057, 172.10; Matt Smith, Victory Gunner, 6.865, 191.38 and Scotty Pollacheck, Buell XB12R, 6.895, 192.44 def. Angelle Sampey, 6.938, 191.97 and Hector Arana, XB9R, 6.948, 191.59; Andrew Hines, V-Rod, 6.815, 194.77 and Mike Berry, XB9R, 6.887, 192.03 def. Brian Pretzel, Buell GSXR, 6.940, 187.86 and Karen Stoffer, Suzuki TL1000R, 6.963, 184.17; Hector Arana Jr, XB9R, 6.860, 198.12 and Chaz Kennedy, XB9R, 6.823, 194.66 def. Katie Sullivan, TL1000, 6.911, 195.42 and Jim Underdahl, GSXR, 7.490, 147.10.
SEMIFINALS — Krawiec, 6.839, 193.54 and Arana Jr, 6.795, 199.26 def. Kennedy, 6.889, 193.24 and Tonglet, 6.970, 191.21; Hines, 6.816, 195.34 and Pollacheck, 6.869, 192.28 def. Berry, 6.906, 193.43 and M. Smith, 6.899, 191.67.
FINAL — Hines, 6.805, 196.30 def. Krawiec, 6.812, 195.19, Arana Jr, 6.804, 199.88 and Pollacheck, foul.

POINTS STANDINGS:
Top Fuel: 1. Antron Brown, 354; 2. Tony Schumacher, 328; 3. Shawn Langdon, 312; 4. Spencer Massey, 286; 5. Doug Kalitta, 238; 6. Richie Crampton, 232; 7. Steve Torrence, 213; 8. Brittany Force, 192; 9. Clay Millican, 189; 10. J.R. Todd, 180.
Funny Car: 1. Del Worsham, 305; 2. Matt Hagan, 303; 3. Ron Capps, 279; 4. Tommy Johnson Jr., 239; 5. Robert Hight, 230; 6. John Hale, 224; 7. Jack Beckman, 208; 8. Cruz Pedregon, 206; 9. Courtney Force, 198; 10. Alexis DeJoria, 193.
Pro Stock: 1. Jason Line, 359; 2. Rodger Brogdon, 316; 3. Greg Anderson, 299; 4. Chris McGaha, 283; 5. Erica Enders-Stevens, 268; 6. Drew Skillman, 266; 7. Larry Morgan, 234; 8. Shane Gray, 199; 9. Vincent Nobile, 193; 10. Allen Johnson, 176.
Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1. Eddie Krawiec, 192; 2. Andrew Hines, 180; 3. Karen Stoffer, 148; 4. LE Tonglet, 128; 5. Hector Arana Jr., 116; 6. (tie) Shawn Gann, 103; Angelle Sampey, 103; Scotty Pollacheck, 103; 9. Matt Smith, 94; 10. Hector Arana, 88.

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Jett Lawrence wins Hangtown Pro Motocross, remains perfect in 450s

By Dan BeaverJun 3, 2023, 11:21 PM EDT

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Jett Lawrence remains perfect in the Pro Motocross series after recording another perfect round at Hangtown in Rancho Cordova, California. In his second start on a 450, Lawrence won his second National with his fourth consecutive moto win. It is getting increasingly difficult to find the right superlatives to describe the exploits on the reigning 250 West Supercross champion.

“The track was so brutal out there,” Lawrence told NBC Sports Jason Thomas. “The bike handles amazing even when it’s not too friendly. You had to be really patient; you couldn’t take too much. I didn’t eat enough before that second moto. I kind of lost energy halfway through, but luckily I could use technique and balance and just keep that flow going.”

Lawrence leaves Hangtown with an 18-point advantage over Ferrandis in the 450 Motocross standings, but perhaps more importantly, he climbed to 19th in the SuperMotocross standings and should he stay there, he has an automatic invitation to the Main events in the SMX Championship.

“On this track, you just have to manage,” Lawrence continued. “If you try to take too much and not respect the track, it will bite you very quickly. It was humbling on the first few laps. I got kicked on the cutout at the start of the third section, the tabletop going to the left. I had to get my focus because the boys were coming.”

Still in his first few races since returning from a concussion suffered at Houston in the Supercross series, Dylan Ferrandis finished second with results of third in Moto 1 and second in Moto 2. While Ferrandis was happy with the result, he remains hopeful that he will contend for victory shortly.

“The first moto was very hard for my physically, Ferrandis said. “I got arm pump and when you get arm pump your body gets tired. But I’m very happy because we made a big change for the second moto. We tried stuff every session today and in the last moto the bike was much better, but unfortunately I wasn’t sure what I could do with this bike because the track was very hard and difficult to pass.”

RESULTS: How they finished in the 450 Overall at Hangtown

With the rash of injuries at the end of the Supercross season, the podium was filled with heartwarming stories. Cooper Webb returned to action last week in Pala and failed to make the podium. He is steadily improving with a third-place finish in Hangtown. after finishing with a 4-2.

“It’s incredible what seven days can do,” Webb said. “Last week I felt like I was going to get lapped in the second moto. This week, I could see the leader. It was nice. I fought hard, learned how to suffer again there and that felt nice.

Moto 2 wasn’t pretty for Lawrence. On several occasions in the opening laps, he nearly high sided as he rode the front wheel through the ruts. The reward was worth the risk. By the halfway point, Lawrence had 4.5-second lead over Webb, who was embroiled in a tight three-rider battle for second with his teammate Aaron Plessinger pressuring him and Ferrandis ready to take advantage if those made contact.

It took 20 minutes for Plessinger to get around Webb and once he did, he trailed Lawrence by four seconds. But then, with three minutes remaining, Plessinger crashed and had difficulty restarting the bike, handing second back to Webb who has seven seconds behind Lawrence. Plessinger fell to fourth with results of third and sixth.

Adam Cianciarulo rounded out the top five with a 5-4.

Heartbreak for Aaron Plessinger as he was charging forward 💔#ProMotocross #SuperMotocross #HangtownMX pic.twitter.com/vQtKIsuhVg

— Pro Motocross (@ProMotocross) June 4, 2023

Last week Hunter Lawrence won the overall with a 3-1. He repeated that feat in Hangtown in an exact replica of his Fox Raceway results last week. In Moto 1, Lawrence got off to a slow start and lost 10 seconds in the opening laps. Forced to overcome a sixth-place position in the race at the end of Lap 1, he once again caught the riders ahead of him when the field hit heavy traffic. For the second week, scored another 3-1 for the Hangtown National win.

“The start was crucial’ I knew I had to go,” Lawrence told NBC Sports’ Jason Thomas. “They laid a lot of water down, so I didn’t want to be behind any longer than [I was]. First hot one of the year, was a bit of a wakeup call, so I’m happy to get out of here safe and healthy.”

Lawrence’s third-place finish in Moto 1 featured a fierce battle for final spot on the podium when he caught Spain’s Guillem Farres and France’s Tom Vialle. With Lawrence hailing from Australia, the international nature of the sport was highlighted.

Lawrence left Hangtown with a 10-point advantage over Haiden Deegan in the Pro Motocross championship battle.

Click here for 250 overall results

Justin Cooper finished second in both motos to finish second overall. Hangtown represented a huge improvement from Fox Raceway where he finished fifth overall with a 5-4 finish in the two motos. Cooper pressured Haiden Deegan in the second half of Moto 1 and he earned the holeshot in the second moto and stayed within three seconds of Lawrence in that race.

“He was following me a little bit, checking out my lines, seeing where he was better,” Cooper said. “It’s disappointing to give up the lead like that but it was way better than last weekend. I will definitely take two seconds. I want to be on the top of the step. I feel like I get close to the top step but I never get it done. That’s building up the frustration – the fire. I really want to get one of these wins, so it’s time to start digging.”

Haiden Deegan earned the first holeshot of his career in Moto 1 and rode away from the field, building a four-second lead in the opening laps. Cooper trimmed the lead at the halfway point and for a while it leveled off at two seconds. Then Cooper made another charge with three to go and closed to within a second. Deegan was biding his time, however.

“I was saving a little. I knew at the end Justin was going to try and put a charge on. I let him get up close and then sent it super hard at the end to break him a little at the end.”

Deegan’s first moto win comes in only his fourth National and he remains perfect in regard to podiums this year.

“This was a dream since I was a little kid, to win,” Deegan said. “And in my fourth race, it’s gnarly. I was just sending it. I was getting a little tired at the end becasue I left my mouth open the whole time. It’s unreal; I’m so hyped. I wanted to win bad and I proved it to you guys.”

Chaos erupted in turn 1 in Moto 2 Jeremy Martin went and another rider ran over his arm. Michael Mosiman crashed further down the track on that same lap. Both riders were helped off course by the Alpinestars Medical team.

Deegan grabs his first 250 Mx moto win!1️⃣#ProMotocross #SuperMotocross #HangtownMX pic.twitter.com/1FH5s1ZHfn

— Pro Motocross (@ProMotocross) June 3, 2023