What was the top speed run at Ennis NHRA Top Fuel this weekend?

[LDO]

I’m watching coverage of it now and I tuned in just as a driver was being interviewed at the finish line. They mentioned a big number for top speed, and the driver was happy that it was faster than his 334mph run at Pomona. What was the big number at Ennis? 

[gbdolfans]

Hi, the top speed for Top Fuel was 334.40 MPH.

Funny cars were faster. John Force hit 337.33 and Robert Hight hit 335.07.

[LDO]

Wow. I hope to see 350 before NHRA slows them down again. Remember when John Force said he thought funny cars could be faster than dragsters and no one took him seriously? 

[espo]

4 hours ago, LDO said:

Wow. I hope to see 350 before NHRA slows them down again. Remember when John Force said he thought funny cars could be faster than dragsters and no one took him seriously? 

I think it has to do with the Aero Package on a Funny Car. At these high speeds the aerodynamics of the Funny Car has a greater effect the faster they go.    

[Force]

6 hours ago, LDO said:

Wow. I hope to see 350 before NHRA slows them down again. Remember when John Force said he thought funny cars could be faster than dragsters and no one took him seriously? 

I did. 
Funny Cars gained more speed when they angeled the exhaust pipes further backwards so except for down the expanding exhaust gasses also pushed the car forward more, much like a jet engine do, the downside is when they loose a cylinder or two in the engine the car pushes over to the side the cylinders are out...so it gets more unstable.
NHRA limited the angle they could do...but they still go even faster today.

Edited October 27, 2019 by Force

[Snake45]

Remember when scientists proved that no wheel-driven car would ever be able to go (I think it was) 175 mph in the quarter mile? I remember that every time I hear some chattering skull on TV talking about "the science is settled" on this topic or that. 

[Mark]

If I remember right, it was Roger Huntington, and the quoted figure was 144 mph in the quarter mile.  That's probably the only gaffe he ever made in all of his writings over many years.  He passed many years ago, but still ranks as one of the best when it comes to technical/automotive stuff.