19th annual Checker Schuck’s Kragen Nationals
Phoenix, AZ (Feb. 20-23, 2003)
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Results | Photos
NATIONALS NOTEBOOK:
Brandon Bernstein flashes his Pro credentials early as he wins in Top Fuel in what is only his second career start as a Professional racer. “Son of Kenny” runs a spectacular 4.517 in qualifying and then beats Larry Dixon off the starting in the final round to win the event.
By coincidence Brandon’s first Top Fuel win comes at the same race track his father won his first Top Fuel title. Kenny Bernstein won at Phoenix in 1995.
Doug Kalitta paces the Top Fuel racing program for the second straight event. Kalitta runs a track record 4.512 secs at 329.02 mph which is both low ET and Top speed. Kalitta goes to the semi finals but loses out to Larry Dixon.
Ron Capps wins in Funny Car -- earning his first circuit win since Columbus last June. Capps also wins the event on a holeshot as his .003 RT in the final round makes Don Prudhomme’s Skoal Camaro a winner in 4.868 secs over Gary Densham. Densham runs a much quicker 4.810 secs trying to run him down. The win moves Capps into 1st place in NHRA POWERade points after two races so far this season.
FC racing is paced by Tony Pedregon who bombs both ends of Firebird Raceway’s track record at 4.789 secs and 322.11 mph. Pedregon is however dealt out by Capps in round two.
Pro Stock racing features a nasty wreck to open round of eliminations on Sunday. Scott Geoffrion spins out just past the finish line when a brake pad locks up. His Ford Mustang (owned by Hurley Blakeney) makes heavy contact and Scott is taken to hospital for overnight observation before being released. Timing of the crash could not have been worse as the Mustang was sold after the Phoenix event. Scott is scheduled to drive new 2003 Ford Escort beginning with next event at Gainesville -- those plans are still a go.
Greg Anderson wins his 5th career title but also his first since Columbus last year in Pro Stock. Anderson’s win moves him to the top of the heap in POWERade Pro Stock championship points.
Kurt Johnson breaks a couple of personal racing milestones at the CSK Nationals. It is Johnson’s 200th career start in the class and when he beats Darrell Alderman in round one that was his 300th career round win. Johnson runs 202.30 mph which is a track record and top speed of the meet.
Bruce Allen is the quickest Pro Stock car at Phoenix as the Texan runs 6.831 secs (track record) to qualify #1. Allen is however bounced out by Troy Coughlin in the semi final round.
Arizona’s own Dean Carter wins in Competition eliminator. It is his first career NHRA event title and marks the second time in NHRA national event history that an A/ND classed dragster has prevailed. Carter beats Comp eliminator low qualifier David Rampy in the final round.
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