Blake Alexander scores upset victory at NHRA Sonoma Nationals

The part-time driver beat Top Fuel veteran Tony Schumacher with a 4.004-second pass at 287.41 mph.|
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Erik Castro/for The Press Democrat

Top Fuel winner Blake Alexander celebrates his winning run at the NHRA Toyota Sonoma Nationals held Sunday at Sonoma Raceway. It was his second Top Fuel victory of the year.

“My life has changed this year with how well we have been running, and the opportunity that Bob (Vandergriff) has given me to drive his racecar has been paramount in my career to take me to higher levels,” said Alexander.

Robert Hight won in Funny Car, Jeg Coughlin Jr. in Pro Stock and LE Tonglet in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

Defending series champion Hight topped Ron Capps with a 3.984 at 319.75 for his second victory of the season. Coughlin raced to his third win of the year, edging Deric Kramer with a 6.532 at 212.16.

Tonglet won for the second time this year and third time in a row at Sonoma, betting points leader Andrew Hines with a 6.771 pass at 198.52.

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.
Send a letter to the editor