NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

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 New England Nationals.

TOP FUEL Funny Car | Pro Stock
	Steve Torrence • Capco Contractors Culturally speaking, Epping is about as far away from Texas as it gets, but the Capco team is on a hot streak, and they’d love to make up for last year’s final-round loss. ODDS: 3-1
	Antron Brown • Matco Tools Interesting stat: he’s qualified either second or third at all but one event this year. That sort of qualifying consistency usually leads to productive Sunday afternoons. ODDS: 5-1
	Leah Pritchett • Dodge Demon Lost a heartbreaker to Brown in the semifinals in Topeka. Otherwise, there’s a good chance she would have won her fourth event of the young season. She’s also got 21 round-wins this season; that’s two more than all of last year. ODDS: 6-1
	Tony Schumacher • U.S. Army The NHRA Mello Yello tour has rolled into Epping four times, and the Sarge has left with the Wally twice. Salt air and fresh seafood obviously agrees with the Army crew. ODDS: 7-1
	Doug Kalitta • Mac Tools Luck is the only thing missing on the Mac Tools team right now. Once they get an ounce of good fortune, they’re going to begin evening the score against the DSR cars. In short, they are seriously overdue. ODDS: 8-1
	Brittany Force • Monster Energy Their early-season woes apparently behind them, it’s time for the Monster crew to start racking up a few win lights. Expect something better than a quarterfinal this time around. ODDS: 10-1
	Shawn Langdon • Global Electronic Technology Earlier this season, Tipster predicted that he’d be in the top 10 by Indy. There’s a good chance that he’ll be there earlier than that. ODDS: 12-1
	Clay Millican • Parts Plus/Great Clips Based on the weather forecast, it could be mighty fast in Epping. That’s always welcome news to a team that seems to run 3.6s at will. ODDS: 14-1
FUNNY CAR
	Ron Capps • NAPA Dodge At some point, their monumental win streak will inevitably come to an end, but based on their recent performances, it might not be anytime soon. This car is so good right now. ODDS: Even
	Matt Hagan • Mopar Express Lane Dodge In case you missed it, this car ran 3.802, 338.85 in Topeka. He’d have qualified 11th in Top Fuel with that run, and there might be even more left in the tank. ODDS: 3-1
	Robert Hight • Auto Club Chevy Talk about mixed emotions: he ran career bests of 3.826 at over 338 mph in Kansas and didn’t leave with the trophy or the record. He’ll be happy to head for the East Coast to take another shot at either one. ODDS: 4-1
	Courtney Force • Advance Auto Chevy In qualifying, she’s been a rock star this year with no starting spot worse than No. 4 and four poles. Race day has been a bit more challenging, but the potential is there for a Capps-like run. ODDS: 7-1
	John Force • Peak Chevy A recent test session in Indy has the Peak crew thinking that Force’s car is now as good as the other two JFR Funny Cars. That would make an already competitive class even more unpredictable. ODDS: 8-1
	Jack Beckman • Infinite Hero Dodge For all of their struggles this year, the Infinite Hero team is still fifth in the standings and just 22 points out of third. These next four events will tell a lot about how they’ll fare the rest of the season. ODDS: 10-1
	J.R. Todd • DHL Toyota Qualifying in the middle of the pack has been their Achilles’ heel so far this year. Pick up one or two spots on the ladder and watch how quickly this car goes to the semifinals. ODDS: 12-1
	Tim Wilkerson • Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang He’d be the first one to tell you that Topeka sucked, but prior to that, the LRS team was making nice progress. There will be another final in his near future. ODDS: 14-1
PRO STOCK
	Bo Butner • Jim Butner Auto Camaro The word of the day is confidence, and he’s got lots of it after winning two of the first eight races. He also happens to have a great car right now. ODDS: 3-1
	Tanner Gray • Gray Manufacturing Technologies Camaro Shocking stat of the day: he’s the only driver in the entire Pro Stock class that hasn’t lost in the first round this season. Oh yeah, and he’s about to enter the ninth race of his career. ODDS: 4-1
	Jeg Coughlin Jr. • JEGS.com Camaro Admittedly made a mistake in the Topeka final, and he doesn’t make many of them. A rare red-light notwithstanding, he’s having a brilliant season so far, and he’s going to get his share of wins. ODDS: 6-1
	Greg Anderson • Summit Racing Equipment Camaro Riding a two-year unbeaten streak in Epping, which should make him the favorite, but lately the KB cars have been a touch off. Will be interesting to see how they do on the Eastern Swing. ODDS: 7-1
	Erica Enders • Elite Camaro After a tough round-one loss in Topeka, there is probably no one happier to get back in a race car than the two-time champ. Will be surprising if she doesn’t bag at least one win in the next four weeks. ODDS: 9-1
	Jason Line • Summit Racing Equipment Camaro He won’t be happy about being ranked No. 6 and the reigning champ doesn’t necessarily deserve it, but the five racers above him are pretty darned tough right now. ODDS: 10-1
	Vincent Nobile • Mountain View Camaro New Hampshire isn’t exactly around the corner from New York, but this could be considered a home race, so obviously he’d like to put his best foot forward. Also running in Comp, which will be interesting to say the least. ODDS: 12-1
	Drew Skillman • Skillman Auto Group Camaro When it comes to drama, it’s almost nonexistent in this camp. They just go about their business and do quite well for themselves. That being said, they’re probably tired of seeing Tanner Gray in the other lane. ODDS: 14-1