NHRA: Pedregon, Connolly Show Way In Virginia

Dinwiddie, VA (AHN) - Cruz Pedregon and Dave Connolly emerged as championship contenders following class wins Sunday in the Virginia NHRA Nationals.

While Pedregon won in Funny Car and Connolly captured Pro Stock, Tony Schumacher continued his domination of the Top Fuel division with his record-breaking 14th win and first at Virginia Motorsports Park.

Pedregon, the 1992 champion, topped Jack Beckman in the finals with a pass of 296.44 mph en route to his first win in more than two years.

"I don't think I'm going to sleep tonight. I'm enjoying this so much. Just a great day," Pedregon said. "(Crew chief Rahn Tobler and I have) managed to get to this point in a very short period of time. For him to find his rhythm in a Funny Car this quick shows (how good he is). What a difference he's made."

With the win, Pedregon passed Ashley Force, Robert Hight and Tony Pedregon in the Funny Car standings and he closed to within 69 points of the lead,

Schumacher's pass of 316.08 mph topped Hillary Will in the Top Fuel finals, but more importantly was Schumacher's win over second-place Antron Brown in the second round.

"Winning against Antron second-round, the fans have to enjoy that, that was the ultimate crunch-time moment," Schumacher said. "The final round there, I felt like I left a little bit on the table, I went in a little deep so I don't feel like I performed my best.''

All Schumacher will have to do at Las Vegas to clinch his fifth straight and sixth overall championship is qualify.

Connolly defended Jeg Coughlin in the Pro Stock finals, vaulting to within 77 points of Cagnazzi Racing teammate Coughlin.

"This was do or die. If we didn't win today, we didn't have any chance to win the championship," Connolly said. "Here we are in third place and we still have a title shot."