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NHRA Brainerd
Del Worsham ready to end his slump
Funny Car driver hopes luck changes at Brainerd.
Edited: Aug 13, 2014, 3:35 AM
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A disappointing three-race stretch on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Western Swing could have left Del Worsham frustrated entering the key point of the year. Instead, the Funny Car standout is eager to return to action and get his 2014 season turned around at the perfect time.
Worsham will have a chance to reverse his recent fortunes at this weekend’s 33rd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. After first-round losses at each of the three stops during the NHRA Western Swing and with the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship swiftly approaching, Worsham knows improved results are crucial in his 10,000-horsepower DHL Toyota Camry.
But the good news is Worsham seems motivated as ever to get the desired results for his Kalitta Motorsports team.
“After the results of the Western Swing, I’m very motivated to get back out there,” Worsham said. “The DHL Toyota Camry is a much better running car and our team is much better than our results have shown this summer. I believe we will show that we are much better in Brainerd. I think by having a week off we can regroup by going back and reflecting on the places where we’ve been lacking. Plus, a little rest after a long spring and summer doesn't hurt anyone.”
Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) were last year’s winners of the event that will once again be televised nationally on ESPN2. The event is the 17th of 24 races during the 2014 season and is the penultimate stop in the regular season.
Brainerd isn’t a must-win scenario for Worsham, but a strong a performance is necessary and the former Top Fuel world champion certainly wouldn’t mind getting his first-ever victory at the track.
It would also position Worsham nicely heading into the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals and the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Since finishing as the runner-up in Englishtown, Worsham has dropped from fourth to ninth in points, leading 11th place Jack Beckman by 63 points, and has just one round win in his past four outings.
Countdown coming
After edging into the Countdown a year ago thanks to a clutch performance at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, Worsham would like to avoid having to repeat that scenario. That means putting together a strong weekend in Brainerd, where Worsham has a number of great memories even without winning at the track.
“A couple of events stand out to me when racing in Brainerd,” Worsham said. “In 1991, we made the Big Bud Shootout there by the skin of our teeth. That was a special event held in Indy and to qualify for the event it was based on qualifying points for the previous events position starting at Brainerd the prior year. Well, I didn't start until the beginning of 1991 so we were behind quite a few races.
“The scenario was Tom Hoover was seeded in the No. 8 and final position and had to qualify in the bottom three, and we had to qualify in the top three. We ended up No. 1, and he ended No. 16 so we made the prestigious event. Also, the 2000 event when I believe we qualified near the top and lost in the semifinals after posting low ET of every round. It was a tough loss, but one I will never forget against John Force.”
Force has an incredible 11 wins at the facility, the most for one driver at any NHRA track and will be one of Worsham’s chief challengers. Other Funny Car standouts include defending winner Capps, who has four Lucas Oil Nationals wins, points leader Robert Hight, Tommy Johnson Jr., Cruz Pedregon, Matt Hagan, Courtney Force, Tim Wilkerson and two-time season winner Alexis DeJoria.
Strong field
It makes for a loaded Funny Car field but that challenge is nothing new for the veteran Worsham. At this stage in the season he is solely focused on positioning his team for a possible championship chase.
“Doing well in Brainerd is not only important to making the Countdown, but, yes, it definitely could propel the momentum we need for Indy then, of course, into the Countdown,” Worsham said. “I know our team is focused on making the Countdown. All we can do is control our own DHL team and do our very best.”
Massey grabbed the Top Fuel Wally last season in Brainerd and is after his third win this season. Tony Schumacher leads active Top Fuel drivers with three wins at Brainerd while points leader Doug Kalitta, who won the most recent event in Seattle, has two. Other marquee challengers include Antron Brown, Shawn Langdon, the reigning Top Fuel world champ, Brittany Force, Richie Crampton, J.R. Todd, Khalid alBalooshi and category veteran Steve Torrence.
Reigning Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin has four wins in Brainerd and has two wins this season. Native Minnesotan Greg Anderson currently sits 10th in points and is seeking a fourth Brainerd victory to solidify his position in the championship mix. Pro Stock points leader Erica Enders-Stevens, who has four wins this season, has one career victory at the track while other top contenders are Allen Johnson, Dave Connolly, Jason Line, Vincent Nobile, Shane Gray, Jonathan Gray, V Gaines and Chris McGaha.
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