WORSHAM TAKES TOYOTA CAMRY TO FINALS AT PHOENIX

TORRANCE, CA – Del Worsham drove his DHL Toyota Camry to the Funny Car finals before eventually falling to Matt Hagan in the quickest race in Funny Car history at today’s CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at the Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Phoenix, Ariz. Worsham continued a run that has seen him register one win, today’s runner-up finish and a trip to the semi-finals in his last four races.

In advancing to today’s finals, he ran four passes of 4.047-seconds or better including back-to-back 4.010 runs in the semi-finals and finals. The Kalitta Motorsports driver defeated John Hale, fellow Toyota driver Chad Head and Robert Hight on the way to the finals. He leaves Phoenix second in points.

Overall four Toyota drivers advanced to the semi-finals or beyond today. In addition to Worsham, teammate Alexis DeJoria also advanced to the Funny Car semis, while both Shawn Langdon and Antron Brown advanced to the semi-finals in Top Fuel.

DeJoria defeated fellow Camry driver Tony Pedregon in her opening run and Tommy Johnson in round two before losing to Hagan in the semi-finals. Cruz Pedregon and Head both advanced to round two. Pedregon defeated Tim Wilkerson and fell to Hagan, while Head knocked off Ron Capps in his opening run before facing off with Worsham in round two.

In Top Fuel, Langdon and Brown each advanced to the semi-finals just one race after advancing to the finals against one another in Pomona. Langdon retained the series point lead by defeating Leah Pritchett and fellow Toyota driver Richie Crampton before losing to Doug Kalitta. Brown knocked off Dave Connolly and J.R. Todd in his first two rounds before seeing his day cut short by eventual race winner Tony Schumacher. Brown remains in second place after his semi-final showing. Richie Crampton had another solid weekend, qualifying third and triumphing over Troy Buff before his second-round match-up with Langdon. He currently sits sixth overall.

Next up for the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series is the 46th annual Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., March 13-15.