Sunday's final rounds for the 34th annual Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway got off to a unique start in Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycles when brother-in-laws Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle) both claimed wins in their respective class. Arana Jr. earned the thirteenth Wally of his career and the second of the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. He posted a run of 6.842 at 197.74 on his Lucas Oil Racing TV bike over Number One qualifier Matt Smith. In Pro Stock, Hector's brother in law claimed top honors, as Vincent Nobile claimed his third victory of the season and the thirteenth Wally in his career with a holeshot win over Drew Skillman. Both Arana Jr. and Nobile moved into second place, respectively, for the Countdown to the Championship.
In Top Fuel, Steve Torrence made it known that he's not here to be second best and continued his winning ways by earning his sixth Wally for 2018 and the twenty second win of his career. His opponent, eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher had advanced to his seventh career final at Maple Grove Raceway by eliminating Antron Brown in Sunday's semifinals. Torrence maintained his points lead after going 3.819 at 325.45 to beat Tony Schumacher’s 4.196 at 234.82. The victory was Torrence's first at the track located near Mohnton, PA (just outside Reading) and the win gave the CAPCO Contractors' driver a 50-point advantage over Schumacher and Clay Millican for the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Championship.
In Funny Car, J.R. Todd garnered his second straight win of 2018 season on Sunday at the 34th annual Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway. Todd remained hot from his Indy win to post a 319.90 mph pass with a 3.972 ET in his DHL Toyota Camry to defeat Tim Wilkerson. It was Todd's fourth Funny Car win of the season and the 12th of his career. Wilkerson beat Terry Haddock, John Force and defending world champion Robert Hight to secure the 41st final round of his career. Todd had eliminated Bob Tasca, Mike Smith and defending event winner Ron Capps on his way to the final. The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues Sept. 21-23 with the second race in the Countdown to the Championship, the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Ill.
