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NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Rookie report card

25 Oct 2016
Candida Benson, Jr. Dragster Contributor
Tuesday Morning Crew Chief

The ballot for this year’s Auto Club Road to the Future Award has gone out to members of the media, and it features six drivers representing all four NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series classes. Voters consider a number of factors, including on-track performance, so how have the six done in that category this season? Here’s a look at the on-track records of the six nominees, listed alphabetically: Jim Campbell, Cory Reed, Aaron Strong, Melissa Surber, Tripp Tatum, and Brandon Welch.

JIM CAMPBELL
(FUNNY CAR)

Events attended: 10

Best qualifying position: 12

Round-wins: 1

Event wins: 0

Runner-ups: 0

Holeshot W/L: 0/0

DNQs: 0

Points position: 15

Season highlight:
Joined the three-second club when he powered to a 3.977 during Saturday qualifying at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indy. Followed it up with a 3.99 the next day.

CORY REED
(PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE)

Events attended: 14

Best qualifying position: 7

Round-wins: 11

Event wins: 0

Runner-ups: 1

Holeshot W/L: 3/0

DNQs: 3

Points position: 7

Season highlight:
Advanced to the first final of his career in Reading, defeating fellow rookie Melissa Surber, Hector Arana Sr., and reigning world champion Andrew Hines before coming up short against Eddie Krawiec in the title round.

AARON STRONG
(PRO STOCK)

Events attended: 9

Best qualifying position: 10

Round-wins: 4

Event wins: 1

Runner-ups: 0

Holeshot W/L: 0/0

DNQs: 0

Points position: 14

Season highlight:
The former Comp winner picked up his first Pro Stock Wally when he outlasted Vincent Nobile (and Mother Nature) to win the Seattle event, which was completed in Indy.

MELISSA SURBER
(PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE)

Events attended: 14

Best qualifying position: 4

Round-wins: 1

Event wins: 0

Runner-ups: 0

Holeshot W/L: 1/0

DNQs: 5

Points position: 14

Season highlight:
Caught the attention of many at the season opener in Gainesville when she was among the top five qualifiers in the first session of the season with a 6.90. She later improved that time, posting a 6.853 that remains her career best.

TRIPP TATUM
(TOP FUEL)

Events attended: 3

Best qualifying position: 11

Round-wins: 1

Event wins: 0

Runner-ups: 0

Holeshot W/L: 0/0

DNQs: 0

Points position: 22

Season highlight:
Won a round in his Top Fuel debut, defeating Leah Pritchett, who was coming off a win in Phoenix, in the first round in Gainesville.

BRANDON WELCH
(FUNNY CAR)

Events attended: 6

Best qualifying position: 14

Round-wins: 0

Event wins: 0

Runner-ups: 0

Holeshot W/L: 0/0

DNQs: 3

Points position: 21

Season highlight:
Earned the first Sunday starting spot of his career when he qualified in the No. 14 position in Norwalk, the first race he entered in 2016.

A panel of distinguished members of the media will make the final pick for this year’s Road to the Future winner, but if you had a vote, which one of these talented six would get it?

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