Class Ceiling

This week in motor sports: NHRA'S women of power

Seth Livingston
Tery Red ( Crew Chief for Mr. Mad /RigTech Motorsports)
May 7, 2018, 6:37 am
Clay Millican set a record in qualifying. NHRA.com

Who runs the world? GIRLS!!!! Dubbed the Weekend of Women, Brittany Force, Karen Stoffer and Melissa Surber: Oh my! (The latter two both run in Pro Stock Motorcycle).

The Classy ladies of the NHRA  called the shots at the Atlanta Dragway for the NHRA Southern Nationals Powered by Mello Yello! Also in attendance: Erica Enders, ( Pro Stock)  Angelle Sampey, Angie Smith, (Pro Stock Motorcycle) Courtney Force (Funny Car), Audrey Worm (Top Fuel), and Leah Pritchett. (Top Fuel)  We continue to be intrigued as the NHRA Mello Yello Series 2018, heats up.

We are happy that J.R. Todd,  stayed off the wall! (Excellent driving my friend.) Also one of my personal favorites,  Clay Millican, the No. 1 Qualifier, set the Top Fuel Dragster speed record Friday,  (someone get this kid a consistent car, He's a winner!) as the Matrons  of Mello were gearing up for the winner's circle as the weekend went on! 

DSR has issues with a blown motor for the Sarge, Antron Brown, not firing on all cylinders,  but not to worry. Leah Pritchett   brings home baby for the team with her first win of the year over track mate Blake Alexander. 

Courtney Force , 2012 Rookie of the year, is a bad,bad chick. She surfed on by Diehl (Surfer Boy) as he got wicked right off the starting line in the eliminations round 1 and she  went on to win Funny Car this weekend against Matt Hagan ,making it her second this season, her 10th career victory! She again has made NHRA history as the most victorious female funny car driver.

On a sad note, it is with our deep condolences that we report  that Top Sportsman Racer Randy Alexander did not survive his injuries sustained after a high speed crash at the Atlanta Raceway. Our hearts and our prayers go out to the family and friends. 

And the band plays on as the 2018 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series  visits Topeka, Kansas,  May 18-20, 2018 for the Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals by Minties at Heartland Motorsports Park. 

Check out Sunday's Results from the  38th annual NHRA Southern Nationals Powered by Mello Yello at Atlanta Dragway:


Top Fuel -- Leah Pritchett, 3.874 seconds, 322.42 mph def. Blake Alexander, Foul - Red Light.

Funny Car -- Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 4.046, 313.73 def. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 4.148, 291.13.

Pro Stock -- Vincent Nobile, Chevy Camaro, 6.599, 209.72 def. Tanner Gray, Camaro, 6.614, 209.52.

Pro Stock Motorcycle -- Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.922, 194.91 def. Scotty Pollacheck, Suzuki, 6.958, 193.18.

Top Alcohol Dragster -- Josh Hart, 5.313, 269.40 def. Megan Meyer, 5.318, 269.94.

Top Alcohol Funny Car -- Jay Payne, Chevy Camaro, 5.557, 260.81 def. Ulf Leanders, Camaro, 5.645, 263.20.

Competition Eliminator -- Van Puckett, Chevy Cavalier, 8.682, 127.19 def. Brian Browell, Dragster, Foul - Red Light.

Super Stock -- Kevin Helms, Olds Achieva, 8.869, 148.92 def. Byron Worner, Chevy Camaro, Foul - Red Light.

Stock Eliminator -- Jeff Strickland, Chevy Camaro, 9.280, 141.85 def. Robbie Shaw, Pontiac Firebird, Foul - Red Light.

Super Comp -- Gene Quinn, Dragster, 8.907, 152.88 def. Lauren Freer, Dragster, 8.926, 181.84.

Super Gas -- Tommy Turner, Chevy Corvette, 9.922, 172.83 def. Carl Watts, Chevy Cavalier, 9.867, 160.35.

Super Street -- Keith Mayers, Porsche, 10.926, 143.58 def. Jesse McKnight, Chevy Camaro, 10.884, 127.17.

Top Dragster presented by RacingRVs.com -- Les Feist, Dragster, 6.089, 226.73 def. Larry Roberts, Dragster, 6.202, 225.33.

Top Sportsman presented by RacingRVs.com -- Bob Mandell Jr., Chevy Bel Air, 6.856, 191.97 def. Vince Hoda,

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STOOTS ON TEXANS

11 observations from Houston Texans' 23-20 loss to Bears

Another tough loss for Houston. Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images.

The Houston Texans remain winless as the team comes up short against the Bears in Chicago. Here are 11 observations from the game.

1. Davis Mills made two costly mistakes with interceptions. The first one took points off the board and the second allowed the Bears to kick a game-winning field goal. These were the first two of the season and they highlight the need for near perfection from the offense.

2. Davis Mills claimed he made the correct read on the second interception. He said the tip is the reason the Bears intercepted it. I disagree. It looks like Roquan Smith read it like a book and might have been there anyway.

3. The other interception from Davis Mills wasn’t a good read either. Mills made a quick decision and rifled the ball to Brandin Cooks but the defensive back basically had his whole body between Cooks and the ball. The Bears made a nice play to come down with the deflection.

4. Davis Mills is not to be trusted in moments where most quarterbacks can move the football. The Texans failed to get into field goal range at the end of both halves. Mills has consistently failed in those spots this season.

5. There were some curious calls from Pep Hamilton. The Texans don’t have much talent, but Hamilton has had some unique moments. There was a screen to Pharaoh Brown on third and long. The team called a screen on third and one. There was a telegraph on third and short in the red zone.

6. Why can’t this team get the wideouts more heavily involved? Rex Burkhead shouldn’t be getting the second greatest number of targets. Brandin Cooks shouldn’t leave a game where he has less than 10 targets. It would be worth scheming the ball to Cooks a few more times than he is currently getting the ball.

7. Kamu Grugier-Hill is not playing well right now. The veteran just bounced right off a Bears running back at one point. He is also a liability in coverage. Christian Harris is hopefully back after next week but it would be worth seeing if Garrett Wallow has anything more to his game than the veteran.

8. The rushing defense was assaulted again. This time by running wideouts and a backup running back. Lovie Smith needs to look at playing time and the depth chart to see if something can get corrected here. This can’t keep happening earlier and earlier in games each week.

9. Jerry Hughes has been one of the best players on this team through three games. The veteran has been consistent and flashed more than a few times. A nice addition by the team this offseason.

10. Jalen Pitre is so damn good. He’s already one of the best players on this team. He had two interceptions today to go along with a sack. He wasn’t fooled on play action and nailed Justin Fields for the sack. When it felt like the Bears were getting whatever they wanted, Pitre darted in for a tackle in the backfield. He’s been awesome.

11. There must be some evaluation from the Texans. The team might need to ask if everything they’ve put together at this point is the right direction. There is a sound argument the team should be 3-0. Instead, the team is winless, and closing in on hopelessness

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