Auto Club driver Robert Hight hoping top times, speeds transfer to victory at NHRA Summernationals
ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 6) – Robert Hight has been among the quickest and fastest drivers on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series circuit for several seasons, and has proven so again this year.
Take this into consideration: Hight has set career-best elapsed times on three occasions this season – at Gainesville (3.828 seconds); Topeka (3.826); and Epping (3.822), which came during qualifications and netted him a monumental 50th No. 1.
In speed, four of his fastest speeds ever have come in the last two race weekends, all more than 336 mph. His career-best came at Topeka (338.09 mph), while his 336.74 mph run in qualifying at Epping set a track record. He’s also set the fastest event speed in five of nine race weekends this season.
But there’s one thing missing – a race victory. He’s come close, earning a finals berth at the NHRA SpringNationals in Houston. Now, he’s hoping that changes Sunday with the 48th annual NHRA Summernationals, the 10th stop on the 2017 schedule and second in a stretch of four consecutive race weekends.
“I call that one of the majors,” Hight said. “A lot of history there, years and years that that race track’s been there. A lot of the greats have won it, and you don’t want to go down and say you never won Englishtown.”
Hight earned the No. 1 qualifying spot at Epping with a 3.822-second pass at 334.65 mph and expected to compete for the overall victory. But a failed cylinder at the start put him behind, and he lost for only the ninth time in his career after qualifying at the top spot.
“We’ve got to put (Epping) behind us and move to Englishtown and make four good qualifying and win some rounds on race day,” Hight said after Sunday’s race. “That’s our goal right now.”
Surprisingly, Hight has never won at Englishtown. He’s advanced to the semifinals three times – 2005, 2012 and 2014 – twice losing to Del Worsham. But he’ll count on the quick times and fast speeds he’s recently established at Topeka and Epping, and look at three semifinal appearances in the last five races this season as motivation for the New Jersey race.
“Gainesville, Englishtown, Reading, Pomona, Indy – Englishtown is the one I haven’t won,” Hight said. “It’s a major like one of the golf majors. It’s one I want to win, and this year we need to do it.
“We have a real good car. (Crew chief) Jimmy (Prock’s) won it before with other drivers. We’ve got to go get the job done.”
Two rounds of qualifying are scheduled for both Friday (3:45 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. Eastern) and Saturday (1:45 and 4:15), with eliminations slated to begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
Fox Sports 1 plans to televise one hour of qualifying coverage Friday at 10 p.m., two hours Saturday at 2 p.m. and three hours of eliminations Sunday at 6 p.m.
4-Second Reads:
Robert Hight has competed in 12 races at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park and every race since 2005, his first race at the track.
Hight has advanced to the semifinals of the NHRA Summernationals three times – in 2005, 2012 and 2014.
Hight is 9-12 in elimination rounds at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.
Hight has one No. 1 qualifying effort at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park came – in 2010.
Hight is 6-6 in first-round matchups at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.
Hight is currently fourth in Funny Car points standings.
In his career, Hight has 37 victories, 384 elimination round wins, and 49 No. 1 qualifying spots.
Hight’s most recent NHRA victory – 2016 NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla.
Hight’s most recent No. 1 qualifying effort – 2017 NHRA New England Nationals in Epping, N.H.
Hight’s best time/speed at Englishtown – 3.915 seconds (2016 Q1); 323.74 mph (2016 Q1)
Hight’s best time/speed of career – 3.822 seconds (2017 Epping Q3); 338.68 mph (2017 Topeka E1)