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The Hight of Houston May 26, 2021 // NHRA Event FC Results // editorIn true three-time championship team fashion, Robert Hight and the AAA Texas Chevrolet Camaro SS team had the ultimate bounce back when they raced to their first victory of the season at the Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals at Houston Raceway Park.
After two races of fighting gremlins and early race day exits, Robert Hight and the AAA Texas team entered race day having taken advantage of the lone qualifying try to qualify No. 5. They were set to match up with Bobby Bode in the first round but due to inclement weather, the race was delayed to Monday and Bode opted to exit the competition. Now with a bye run, Hight handled the AAA Texas machine to a 3.933-second pass at 328.94 mph for lane choice over Cruz Pedregon in the second round.
Against Pedregon, Hight improved his performance taking the AAA Texas Chevy to a 3.913-second pass at 327.43 mph, defeating Cruz’s 3.991 at 319.14. The round win matched Hight up with long-time rival Bob Tasca III. Hight and his Jimmy Prock and Chris Cunningham led team wouldn’t let up laying down an impressive 3.909-second pass at 328.78 mph to send Tasca and his 3.949 at 328.14 home.
In the finals, Hight and the AAA Texas Camaro matched up with veteran racer Ron Capps. Hight kept it consistent hitting the finish line at 3.916-seconds and 327.19 mph as Capps smoked the tires to a 4.684-second pass at 179.25 mph.
The victory marks Hight’s 52nd career win, fourth at Houston Raceway Park and ties him with Top Fuel driver Joe Amato for 12th on the all-time win list.
“This was truly a team effort. John’s team, the PEAK team, they really helped us in Charlotte when we tested on Monday. The Auto Club team went to the final in Gainesville, we were running good, go to Las Vegas running good, and it just shows you how finnicky these cars are.” Hight said. “We came here and it really paid off. I honestly was nervous. We made the first qualifying run and didn’t get the second in because it rained. We’re going into race day a little on the green side with a new combination, but with a team effort and everybody working together it paid off. It was a little slow first round, but (crew chiefs) Jimmy Prock and Chris Cunningham they kept picking it up a little every run. We finally got to where we needed to be the last two rounds. We had a really great race car. Can’t wait for the next one now.”
Event Essentials: Mopar Express Lane Spring Nationals (May. 21-24th, 2021)
NAME ET MPH CAREER WIN Winner: Robert Hight 3.916 327.19 52nd R/UP: Ron Capps 4.684 179.25 Low ET: Ron Capps 3.894 Top Speed: Bob Tasca III 331.53 Bump Spot: 7.603 Event Entries: 16 Cars Posted with files by Sara Slaughter & Bruce Biegler
Photos Courtesy of NHRA, Gary Nastase and Ron Lewis
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