Brown, Hight, Skillman win Northwest Nationals

TOP FUEL

Brown took down Terry McMillen with a 3.776-second pass at 326.48 mph in his Matco Tools dragster during the final round. He earned his fourth victory of the season, his second in three events and took the lead in Top Fuel points race.

“I couldn’t be prouder of my guys, because the Western Swing can bring you down,” Brown said. “My team gave me a great car to allow me to go some rounds against tough competition, but this sets up some real interesting scenarios with only two races to go before the Countdown.”

Brown qualified first and defeated Ron Smith, Mike Salinas and Clay Millican before reaching his ninth final round of 2017 and fourth in a row. McMillen qualified 10th and took down points leader Steve Torrence, Doug Kalitta and Leah Pritchett before reaching his first final round of the year and only the second of his career.

FUNNY CAR

Hight secured his second Funny Car victory of the season after a 3.890 pass at 328.62 in his Auto Club of Southern California Chevy Camaro SS to defeat Tommy Johnson Jr. who ran a 3.978 at 323.27 in his Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T in the final round. After earning his third No. 1 qualifier of the season on Saturday, Hight was able to secure his second victory of the Western swing, he also won the opening race in Denver two weeks ago.

“This was a weekend you can only dream about, but to have low E.T. of each of the last seven sessions gave our team so much confidence,” Hight said. “We have a good combination whether it be hot or cool weather, which shows how strong my team is able to prepare for any track in any climate.”

Hight was the No. 1 qualifier for the second consecutive race and defeated Jeff Diehl, and teammates John Force and Courtney Force before reaching his fourth final round of 2017.

Hight’s victory also marked the 250th career Funny Car victory for John Force Racing out of 254 total victories for the team in Funny Car and Top Fuel.

PRO STOCK

Skillman took the victory after driving to a 6.604 at 209.33 in his Ray Skillman Chevrolet Camaro to defeat Erica Enders who ran a 6.609 at 209.49 in her Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro in the final round. After qualifying second, Skillman earned his third victory of the season and third in the past four events.

“We definitely thought we had a car to sweep the Western swing and we missed it by two rounds, but today definitely makes up for that,” Skillman said. “Our team is working really well together right now, and I couldn’t be happier with the results over the past few events.”

Skillman was the No. 2 qualifier and maintained his success with round wins over Alan Prusiensky and Butner on the way to his second victory of the Western Swing. Enders qualified in the fourth spot and took down Matthew Hartford, Jason Line and Tanner Gray before reaching her fourth final round of the season, as she searches for her first victory since Epping.

Final finish order at the 30th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways

TOP FUEL: 1. Antron Brown; 2. Terry McMillen; 3. Clay Millican; 4. Leah Pritchett; 5. Doug Kalitta; 6. Brittany Force; 7. Mike Salinas; 8. Tony Schumacher; 9. Steve Torrence; 10. Shawn Langdon; 11. Troy Buff; 12. Scott Palmer; 13. Shawn Reed; 14. Troy Coughlin Jr.; 15. Ron Smith; 16. Terry Haddock.
Final: Antron Brown, 3.776 seconds, 326.48 mph def. Terry McMillen, 3.772 seconds, 318.54 mph.

FUNNY CAR: 1. Robert Hight; 2. Tommy Johnson Jr.; 3. Courtney Force; 4. Matt Hagan; 5. Alexis DeJoria; 6. Ron Capps; 7. John Force; 8. Jack Beckman; 9. Gary Densham; 10. Jonnie Lindberg; 11. Del Worsham; 12. Tim Wilkerson; 13. Jim Campbell; 14. Jeff Diehl; 15. J.R. Todd; 16. Cruz Pedregon.
Final: Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 3.890, 328.62 def. Tommy Johnson Jr., Dodge Charger, 3.978, 323.27.

PRO STOCK: 1. Drew Skillman; 2. Erica Enders; 3. Bo Butner; 4. Tanner Gray; 5. Jason Line; 6. Allen Johnson; 7. Chris McGaha; 8. Greg Anderson; 9. Jeg Coughlin; 10. Steve Graham; 11. Vincent Nobile; 12. Alan Prusiensky; 13. Matt Hartford.
Final: Drew Skillman, Chevy Camaro, 6.604, 209.33 def. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.609, 209.49.

Point standings after 16 of 24 events in 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series

Top Fuel: 1. Antron Brown, 1,418; 2. Steve Torrence, 1,405; 3. Leah Pritchett, 1,329; 4. Tony Schumacher, 1,064; 5. Brittany Force, 992; 6. Doug Kalitta, 977; 7. Clay Millican, 937; 8. Terry McMillen, 690; 9. Scott Palmer, 606; 10. Troy Coughlin Jr., 560.

Funny Car: 1. Ron Capps, 1,330; 2. Matt Hagan, 1,172; 3. Robert Hight, 1,164; 4. Jack Beckman, 1,104; 5. Tommy Johnson Jr., 1,081; 6. Courtney Force, 951; 7. John Force, 877; 8. Tim Wilkerson, 759; 9. J.R. Todd, 756; 10. Cruz Pedregon, 601.

Pro Stock: 1. Bo Butner, 1,423; 2. Greg Anderson, 1,183; 3. Tanner Gray, 1,174; 4. Jason Line, 1,045; 5. Drew Skillman, 1,035; 6. Erica Enders, 991; 7. Jeg Coughlin, 974; 8. Vincent Nobile, 867; 9. Chris McGaha, 645; 10. Allen Johnson, 600.