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Tricky Tipster's Las Vegas picks

27 Oct 2016
NHRA News
News

For more than five decades, NHRA National Dragster's famed Tricky Tipster has tested his prognosticating skills prior to each national event, putting odds on the top eight racers he thinks have the best shot at victory in Tricky Tipster. This week, Tricky Tipster handicaps the NHRA Toyota Nationals.

TOP FUEL
Funny Car | Pro Stock | Pro Stock Motorcycle | Pro Mod
  
Antron BrownAntron Brown • Matco Tools
Pressure? What pressure? Just win a round or two, and it will all be over. Who’s kidding who? The Matco Tools team is thinking race win as much as championship.
3-1
  
Doug KalittaDoug Kalitta • Mac Tools/DeWalt
Not that he ever feels pressure, but maybe the lack of points drama will help the Mac Tools team refocus and come away with a late-season victory.
4-1
  
Steve TorrenceSteve Torrence • Capco Contractors
Last time we were in Las Vegas, he qualified No. 1 and then lost in the first round. He’d love a chance to atone for that this time around.
6-1
  
Brittany ForceBrittany Force • Monster Energy
Winning the championship is nearly impossible, but finishing No. 2 is a very obtainable goal. Don’t be surprised to see this car run big numbers this weekend.
7-1
  
Shawn LangdonShawn Langdon • Red Fuel/Sandvik
The master of effective tweeting, he’s also a pretty effective Top Fuel driver who is more than capable of chalking up another W this time around.
9-1
  
Tony SchumacherTony Schumacher • U.S. Army
The first-round loss in Reading was a serious momentum killer, but the U.S. Army team never stays down for long. In fact, quick rebounds are its specialty. Look for its results to be much improved this weekend.
11-1
  
J.R. ToddJ.R. Todd • SealMaster
Las Vegas has a lot of great memories for this guy, including the spring of 2014 when he landed his current Kalitta Motorsports ride. He has also been to the semi’s at two of the last three races.
13-1
  
Leah PritchettLeah Pritchett • Pennzoil
The stability of having the same car and crew every week is starting to show in her results. Qualifying numbers have been impressive, and round-wins are more frequent.
15-1
 

FUNNY CAR
Ron CappsRon Capps • NAPA Dodge
Points leader with two to go. He has been waiting his entire career for this moment, so expect him to make the most of it.
3-1
  
Del WorshamDel Worsham • DHL Toyota
Barring a miracle, he won’t defend his 2015 Mello Yello title, but that doesn’t make him any less dangerous at the last two events.
4-1
  
Tommy Johnson Jr.Tommy Johnson Jr. • Make-A-Wish Dodge
Facing a 64-point deficit, he almost controls his own destiny. A victory here would guarantee a world-class title fight in Pomona.
5-1
  
Robert HightRobert Hight • Auto Club Chevy
The Auto Club car has been flying lately, and a win here would certainly help take the sting out of the recent playoff exit of his beloved LA Dodgers.
7-1
  
Matt HaganMatt Hagan • Pennzoil Dodge
Should either of the two points leaders slip up, Hagan is sure to be there to take advantage. Admittedly, he’s a long shot to win the title, but wasn’t Las Vegas built on long shots?
9-1
  
John ForceJohn Force • Peak Chevy
A three-time winner of this event, Force is far from ready to pack it in when it comes to the 2016 season. As we’ve come to expect, he’s going to fight to the finish.
11-1
  
Jack BeckmanJack Beckman • Infinite Hero Dodge
OK, he probably deserves to be ranked higher than this, but consistency remains an issue. That being said, he could easily run the table in a 130-point romp.
12-1
  
Courtney ForceCourtney Force • Traxxas Camaro
Although the stats show just two round-wins in the Countdown, this is clearly a much better team than that. A win here would be a great way to cap a hot and cold season.
14-1
 

PRO STOCK
Greg AndersonGreg Anderson • Summit Racing Chevy
The KB team historically does well in Las Vegas, and there’s no reason to think this weekend will be any different.
3-1
  
Jason LineJason Line • Summit Racing Chevy
He’s not usually the type to count points, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that he’s 26 points in the lead with two races remaining.
4-1
  
Vincent NobileVincent Nobile • Mountain View Chevy
During the Countdown, this has been one of the top three cars in the country. Expect to see a semifinal or better finish.
6-1
  
Shane GrayShane Gray • Gray Manufacturing
Technologies Chevy

Having recently announced that his son Tanner will take over driving next season, he has extra motivation to win one of the last two events this season.
8-1
  
Alex LaughlinAlex Laughlin • Gas Monkey Chevy
He’s going to be pulling double duty again with another stint in TAD, and the extra seat time can only help his Pro Stock effort.
9-1
  
Bo ButnerBo Butner • Butner Auto Chevy
Remember last year when he lost the Las Vegas final to Erica Enders by an eyelash? No way did we think he’d still be winless a year later. One of these days, it has to fall into place.
11-1
  
Drew SkillmanDrew Skillman • Skillman Auto Chevy
Coming off a strong showing in Dallas, he has some momentum going, but this class remains unpredictable despite what some might think.
12-1
  
Chris McGahaChris McGaha • Harlow Sammons Chevy
He has cooled off a bit since his big Indy win, but with a week off after Dallas, who knows what sort of performance gains may have been made in their Odessa, Texas, shop.
14-1
 

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE
Eddie KrawiecEddie Krawiec • Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson
Nursing a slim 17-point lead over his teammate, Andrew Hines, with two events remaining. He traditionally handles pressure well, which makes him a slight favorite.
3-1
  
Andrew HinesAndrew Hines • Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson
He didn’t win five championships by accident, and he’s not going to let a sixth go without a big fight. Would an all-Harley final round surprise anyone?
7-2
  
Jerry SavoieJerry Savoie • White Alligator Suzuki
He comes into Las Vegas 49 points back, which means he’s still very much in the championship picture. A win here would be a huge achievement, and it’s not at all out of the question.
5-1
  
Angelle SampeyAngelle Sampey • Star/PSE Buell
At this stage of the game, the Star team is three rounds out of the lead with eight rounds remaining. A perfect scenario would be a race win and a solid tally of bonus points, which is very possible.
7-1
  
LE TongletLE Tonglet • Nitro Fish Suzuki
While the other four fight for the championship, don’t be surprised to see the Nitro Fish team sneak in and grab a victory.
8-1
  
Hector Arana Jr.Hector Arana Jr. • Lucas Oil Buell
This season has not been kind to the Lucas team, but Jr. is about to get married, and nothing says “I love you” like giving your bride-to-be a Las Vegas Wally.
10-1
  
Chip EllisChip Ellis • Pippin Trucking Buell
This bike is normally quick and consistent, but it has developed a gremlin at the last couple of events. If that is fixed, he’s a contender. Otherwise, he might not even make what should be a quick field.
12-1
  
Hector Arana Sr.Hector Arana Sr. • Lucas Oil Buell
He has reached the quarterfinals at each of the last three events, but this team is capable of more than that. Don’t see any reason why the former champ can’t finish out 2016 on a high note.
14-1
 

PRO MOD
Troy Coughlin • JEGS.com Corvette
There’s every chance he will win this race and it still won’t be enough to win the championship, but that won’t stop him from giving it his all.
3-1
  
Bob Rahaim • TLC Waste Disposal Services Corvette
Didn’t have a great outing in St. Louis, but the potential is there for far greater things, including another victory.
5-1
  
Rickie Smith • IDG Camaro
Doesn’t really need to do much more than qualify to win the championship. Of course, knowing Rickie, he has his mind set on a lot more than just qualifying.
6-1
  
Richard Snavely • Turbos Direct Camaro
Remember this guy? He won Indy last year and did so with a dominant performance. Not out of the question that he does the same here.
7-1
  
Danny Rowe • Agave Underground Corvette
Fighting to stay in the top 10 and looking to end the season on a high note. This car is better than it has shown this season.
8-1
  
Todd Tutterow • GALOT Motorsports Camaro
Another driver who hasn’t raced in the full series this year but generally turns in a strong showing when he does. Both of the GALOT entries are strong performers.
10-1
  
Jim Whiteley • YNot Racing Chevelle
During his stellar Top Alcohol Dragster career, he won four times in Las Vegas, so it’s safe to say he enjoys racing at The Strip.
12-1
  
Steve Matusek • Agave Underground Camaro
Looking to move past Von Smith and Michael Biehle, neither of whom are entered in this event. Outside of that, he’s also someone who could win a bunch of rounds on race day.
14-1