MILLINGTON, Tenn. — Tony Schumacher increased his top- fuel points lead after many of the other contenders fell out early Sunday in the O’Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals.
Tim Wilkerson, Mike Edwards and Craig Treble joined Schumacher in the winner’s circle with three races remaining in the NHRA Series Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
Schumacher drove his dragster past Countdown contenders Rod Fuller, Doug Kalitta, Hillary Will and Doug Herbert en route to his 13th win of the season and second of the playoffs. Schumacher’s final pass of 3.880 seconds at 309.91 mph was enough to earn the win and pad his points lead.
Wilkerson defeated Robert Hight in the semifinals and beat No. 1 qualifier Ashley Force in the finals to maintain his funny car points lead. Wilkerson is 4-1 against Force in head-to-head meetings this year.
Edwards kept his pro stock hopes alive with his second win of the season. He drove to a 6.702 at 207.27 around runner-up Jason Line. The win propelled Edwards from ninth to fifth in the point standings.
In pro stock motorcycle, Treble drove to a 6.985 run at 188.57 for his first win of the season.
Alonso comes from back of pack
SINGAPORE — In Formula One’s first night race, Renault’s Fernando Alonso captured the Singapore Grand Prix after starting 15th on the grid while McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton extended his championship lead.
Alonso won for the 20th time in his career, his first victory since last year’s Italian Grand Prix. Williams’ Nico Rosberg was second, his best Grand Prix finish, and Hamilton was third.
Toyota’s Timo Glock was fourth and Toro Rosso’s Sebastian Vettel finished fifth.
The Associated Press
