DSR teams quick in final qualifying in Epping heat, ready for New England NHRA Nationals eliminations

EPPING, NH – In preparation for Sunday’s New England NHRA Nationals, Don Schumacher Racing teams tested the limits of the New England Dragway all-concrete surface on the final day of qualifying for the inaugural event.

In Saturday’s opening session, seven-time NHRA champion Tony Schumacher’s U.S. Army dragster posted a 3.827-second elapsed time, the quickest of the session.

In the fourth and final session of qualifying, Spencer Massey’s Battery Extender dragster impressed with a 3.818-second pass at 323 mph and moved into the fifth position.

Antron Brown’s Matco Tools dragster struggles continued during Saturday’s first session when the parachute deployed early for the second straight day. Brown was able to improve in the final session on a 120-degree track with a 3.877-second pass, moving them into 10th position.

In Funny Car, Jack Beckman’s Valvoline NextGen/MTS Dodge Charger R/T rebounded from their Friday tussle with the New England Dragway track to clock a 4.119-second pass at 308 mph, moving them into the tenth qualifying position.

Beckman was third quickest in Saturday’s first session and second quickest in the final qualifying session at 4.131 earning the defending Funny Car world champion three bonus points.

Matt Hagan’s Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar Funny Car qualified second and made a solid 4.154-second pass in the final session. Ron Capps’ NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge qualified fourth and Johnny Gray put the Pitch Energy Funny Car in sixth for Sunday’s eliminations.