NHRA Story » Hight looking for Topeka three-peat

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Hight looking for Topeka three-peat

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

After four consecutive wins in the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season and maintaining the series lead, Funny Car driver Robert Hight hopes to continue his success at Heartland Park Topeka at the 24th annual Dollar General NHRA Summernationals, May 18-20.

Last season, Hight faced fellow John Force Racing teammate Mike Neff in the final round of the event and captured the 200th win for John Force Racing.

“Last year was a huge win for me and John Force Racing,” Hight said. “Neff and I were in the final, and we were racing for JFR’s 200th Funny Car win. I got the win light and was able to repeat at Topeka. That was a win I will never forget since I started as a crewmember on John’s Castrol team, and then to get the 200th Funny Car win for the organization was a big deal.”

Not only is Hight the defending event winner, but he also has won the event the past two seasons and hopes to continue that success in 2012 with a third straight victory at Heartland Park.

“I am looking for a three-peat this year with my Auto Club Ford Mustang,” Hight said. “When you have streaks, you’re going to want to keep that momentum. We started the season with six wins in a row for JFR, and I won four in a row before Neff got the win in Houston. Our Auto Club Ford Mustang has run really well in Topeka, and we are getting excited about getting on the track there.”

Hight leads the Funny Car points battle. Ron Capps in his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger for Don Schumacher Racing is tied for second place with Neff, followed by Capps' DSR teammate Jack Beckman in fourth; Cruz Pedregon, Johnny Gray, John Force, Bob Tasca III, Courtney Force, and Jeff Arend round out the top 10.

Top Fuel driver Spencer Massey, who has won three races this season, is also hoping to defend his 2011 win in Topeka this season. Fellow DSR teammate Antron Brown, GEICO/Lucas Oil dragster driver Morgan Lucas, and seven-time world champ Tony Schumacher are among those to watch. Atlanta winner Steve Torrence, Shawn Langdon, Doug Kalitta, Bob Vandergriff Jr., David Grubnic, and Clay Millican hold down the remaining spots in the top 10.

In Pro Stock, the Summit Racing duo of Greg Anderson and Jason Line, who have won four events this season between them, are one and two in the points, respectively. Sophomore sensation Vincent Nobile is third, followed by Mike Edwards, and Allen Johnson.

Many of the biggest names in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series will put the fans on the edge of their seats and bring plenty of on-track excitement. As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most incredible and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet.

* SCHEDULE: NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series qualifying sessions are scheduled for 4:30 and 7 p.m. on Friday, May 18, and will continue at noon and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 19. Final Professional eliminations will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 20.

* TICKETS: For tickets, call Heartland Park Topeka, 800-43-RACES (72237), or log on to www.hpt.com.

* TELEVISION: ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 19. On Sunday, May 20, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise three hours of eliminations coverage at 7 p.m. ET.

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