Jack Beckman races through explosion to win in Norwalk
Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals
Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Bo Butner (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle) took wins Sunday in their respective classes at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Motorsport Park in Norwalk, Ohio.
It was the fourth win of the season for Top Fuel points leader Torrence who entered the day as the No. 3 qualifier. Torrence defeated Troy Coughlin Jr., Clay Millican and Brittany Force en route to the final against No. 1 qualifier Doug Kalitta. The race was a close one, with Torrence crossing the line a mere 0.0049 seconds ahead of Kalitta in a holeshot win.
In Funny Car, it was Jack Beckman picking up his second win in three races in the final against Robert Hight. Hight smoked the tires and Beckman ran a 4.073 ET, giving him his second Wally of 2017 - even if his car was on fire. Beckman was the No. 9 qualifier and defeated Cruz Pedregon, Matt Hagan and Tommy Johnson Jr. en route to the final round.
Bo Butner took his third Pro Stock win of the season with a perfect light in the final against KB Racing teammate Greg Anderson. Anderson and Butner had been the No. 1 and No. 2 qualifiers, with Butner defeating Val Smeland, Vincent Nobile and John Gaydosh en route to the final, where he won with a 6.601 ET. The two cars were nose-to-nose coming across the line, with Butner winning on the holeshot.
LE Tonglet took his third win of the season in Pro Stock Motorcycle final with a 6.824 ET at 195.76 mph against Matt Smith. Smith and Tonglet were the No. 1 and No. 2 qualifiers respectively. Tonglet defeated Melissa Surber, Steve Johnson and Hector Arana Jr. en route to the final.
The stars of NHRA will be back in action in two weeks’ time from Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois for the Route 66 NHRA Nationals.