Despite second-round exit in Four-Wide Nationals,
Robert Hight knows Auto Club Chevy team ready to roll

CONCORD, N.C. (April 30) – Robert Hight set the quickest elapsed time for Funny Cars in Sunday’s Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway but came up short in his bid for a third title in the unique race.

Hight – the No. 2 qualifier in the Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS – was the quickest in the opening quad of cars, landing a spot in the second round with a time of 3.884 seconds at 327.66 mph. Hight and Jack Beckman advanced, while Tommy Johnson Jr. and Jim Campbell were sent home.

“We had low E.T. by quite a bit and that just proves that when its right, we have got a little bit on the rest of the guys,” Hight said. “When you run that good it gives you confidence going into the next round. You have lane choice and you can put anyone anywhere you want them.”

Hight took Lane 1 for the second round, which he hoped would launch him into the finals. But the car dropped a cylinder immediately when Hight hit the throttle, and he pedaled the car to the finish.

It wasn’t enough, as his 4.012-second pass at 318.39 mph put him just a few feet behind Beckman, who finished second to Ron Capps. Teammate and team owner John Force wound up fourth in the quad.

“It happens with these cars,” said Hight, now sixth in Funny Car points standings. “It was self-inflicted and it was obviously too rich or something and still not sure why it did that. But we are moving on to Atlanta knowing that we have a great car.

“Trust me, when things turn around here we are really going to roll some wins together. Just keep working hard, that is all we can do. Tomorrow we are going to come out here and test. We are going to keep at it and we are going to get there.”

Hight’s other John Force Racing teammate, Courtney Force, was eliminated in the opening round when she hit the wall shortly after her launch. Brittany Force, in the Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster, was also eliminated in the opening round of her class.

The next round of the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, the NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Ga., begins Friday with two rounds of qualifying, with another two rounds Saturday. Elimination rounds are scheduled for Sunday, May 7.