Brown, Hight and Skillman pick up victories at NHRA Northwest Nationals
Over the past decade, the Pacific Northwest used to be Tony Schumacher country in the NHRA Top Fuel ranks.
Why? Because Schumacher’s biggest sponsor is the U.S. Army, and Pacific Raceways is some 20 miles away from Joint Base Lewis McChord.
Well, that might be changing, because three-time Top Fuel points champion Antron Brown did something very rare in Kent on Sunday — repeat as the race winner at the NHRA Northwest Nationals.
And it was his fast reflexes that saved him in the finals. Getting off the starting line first, he won by a holeshot to defeat Terry McMillen and win his fourth Top Fuel title of the season — and 65th overall.
“I couldn’t be prouder of my guys, because the Western Swing can bring you down,” Brown said. “My team gave me a great car to allow me to go some rounds against tough competition, but this sets up some real interesting scenarios with only two races to go before the Countdown.”
McMillen was a heavy underdog, making it to a Top Fuel finals for just the second time in his career. And he made the faster run — 3.772 seconds, to Brown’s 3.776 ET — but Brown recorded a reaction time of .074 seconds, which was barely enough to get the early lead and hold off McMillen.
Robert Hight got his first win in Kent by catching Tommy Johnson, Jr. at mid-track, and winning Funny Car with a 3.890 ET. Johnson was the runner-up in 3.978.
Hight drives for John Force Racing, which recorded its 250th professional win as an organization.
“This was a weekend you can only dream about, but to have low E.T. of each of the last seven sessions gave our team so much confidence,” Hight said. “We have a good combination whether it be hot or cool weather, which shows how strong my team is able to prepare for any track in any climate.”
Drew Skillman was the latest Pro Stock drag racer to win for the first time at Pacific Raceways. He defeated Erica Enders in the finals, 6.604 to 6.609 ET.
Skillman has matched his career total over the previous two seasons with his third victory in 2017, tying him with Bo Butner and Tanner Gray for most in the division.
“We definitely thought we had a car to sweep the Western Swing and we missed it by two rounds, but today definitely makes up for that,” Skillman said. “Our team is working really well together right now, and I couldn’t be happier with the results over the past few events.”
Reigning national Alcohol dragster champion Joey Severance, of Spanaway, came up short in his bid to win his hometown race. He was defeated by Kim Parker, who won her first national-event title.
Final Results
Top Fuel: Antron Brown, 3.776 seconds, 326.48 mph def. Terry McMillen, 3.772 seconds, 318.54 mph.
Funny Car: Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 3.890, 328.62 def. Tommy Johnson Jr., Dodge Charger, 3.978, 323.27.
Pro Stock: Drew Skillman, Chevy Camaro, 6.604, 209.33 def. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.609, 209.49.
Top Alcohol Dragster: Kim Parker, 5.748, 246.48 def. Joey Severance, 7.822, 120.43.
Top Alcohol Funny Car: Jay Payne, Chevy Camaro, 5.526, 266.00 def. Steve Gasparrelli, Camaro, 5.646, 260.06.
Competition Eliminator: Brian Hyerstay, Dragster, 8.692, 146.08 def. Ryan Warter, Chevy Camaro, 8.818, 151.51.
Super Stock: Jeff Lane, Chevy Cavalier, 8.771, 149.96 def. Justin Lamb, Chevy Cobalt, 8.744, 155.58.
Stock Eliminator: Jody Lang, Chevy Maibu Wagon, 12.322, 104.24 def. Justin Lamb, Chevy Camaro, 9.685, 133.96.
Super Comp: Randy Beck, Dragster, 8.935, 167.20 def. Greg Taylor, Dragster, 8.933, 164.59.
Super Gas: Dan Davis, Ford Probe, 9.924, 163.99 def. Gene Kelly, Chevy Camaro, 9.929, 161.21.
Super Street: Tom Brown, Chevy Nova, 10.855, 141.52 def. Larry Miner, Chevy Camaro, Foul - Red Light.
Top Fuel Harley: Kevin Boyer, Harley, 7.788, 150.46 def. Jay Turner, Dixie, 15.485, 76.88.
Top Dragster presented by RacingRVs.com: Andy Morris, Dragster, 7.516, 177.49 def. Kyle Seipel, Dragster, Foul - Red Light.
Top Sportsman presented by RacingRVs.com: Don Sefton, Pontiac GXP, 7.239, 170.86 def. Bryan Warr, Chevy Corvette, 7.277, 175.43.
Points Standings
Top Fuel
1. Antron Brown, 1,418; 2. Steve Torrence, 1,405; 3. Leah Pritchett, 1,329; 4. Tony Schumacher, 1,064; 5. Brittany Force, 992; 6. Doug Kalitta, 977; 7. Clay Millican, 937; 8. Terry McMillen, 690; 9. Scott Palmer, 606; 10. Troy Coughlin Jr., 560.
Funny Car
1. Ron Capps, 1,330; 2. Matt Hagan, 1,172; 3. Robert Hight, 1,164; 4. Jack Beckman, 1,104; 5. Tommy Johnson Jr., 1,081; 6. Courtney Force, 951; 7. John Force, 877; 8. Tim Wilkerson, 759; 9. J.R. Todd, 756; 10. Cruz Pedregon, 601.
Pro Stock
1. Bo Butner, 1,423; 2. Greg Anderson, 1,183; 3. Tanner Gray, 1,174; 4. Jason Line, 1,045; 5. Drew Skillman, 1,035; 6. Erica Enders, 991; 7. Jeg Coughlin, 974; 8. Vincent Nobile, 867; 9. Chris McGaha, 645; 10. Allen Johnson, 600.
This story was originally published August 6, 2017 at 8:06 PM with the headline "Brown, Hight and Skillman pick up victories at NHRA Northwest Nationals."