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NHRA Gatornationals, Gainesville, Fla.
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SUNDAY FINAL - HARLEY-DAVIDSON EARNS FIRST NHRA WIN; SCHUMACHER, WORSHAM AND ANDERSON ALSO TAKE VICTORIES AT MAC TOOLS NHRA GATORNATIONALS
(3-21-2004) - Andrew Hines rode a Harley-Davidson into the history books Sunday, earning the factory's first win in NHRA history during the Pro Stock Bike final at the 35th annual Mac Tools NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway. Tony Schumacher, Del Worsham and Greg Anderson earned the wins in their respective categories at the $2 million race, the third of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. It was also the first career victory for Hines, the 20-year-old brother of three-time Pro Stock Bike champion Matt Hines. Hines defeated teammate and fellow Harley rider GT Tonglet. Hines earned the win with a 7.076-second run at 189.83 mph to beat Tonglet's 7.161 at 182.96. "To give Harley their first win during the first race of the year is just incredible," Hines said. "I couldn't have done it without GT in the other lane. He's my best friend and having two Harleys in the final in front of (grandsons of original founder) Willie G. and Bill Davidson makes it even more special. "This is the future of NHRA Pro Stock Bike racing." The Davidsons, who are the grandchildren of one of the company's founders, were thrilled with their young hero.
"We got on NHRA.com last night and saw what these bikes were doing and I said, 'We'd better get down to Florida," said Willie B. Davidson, the vice president of styling. "So we jumped on our plane and headed south. We thought this might be our time and it was. What a thrill. We've got the backing of a tremendous team and Vance & Hines should be commended for the work they've done. They had to climb a big mountain with these V-Rod motors but we knew that if anyone could do it, it was Byron Hines and Terry Vance." Schumacher earned his second win of the season and 13th career victory by beating Darrell Russell in the Top Fuel final. Schumacher turned in a 4.612 pass at 312.60 in the U.S. Army dragster to beat Russell's 4.981 at 271.98 in the Keystone-DeeZee dragster. "I've wanted to win this race my entire life," Schumacher said. "This goes all the way back to when my dad raced here and it was on ABC's Wide World of Sports. Pomona, Indy, and Gainesville, those are the big ones. They might all count the same in the points, but these races mean more.
"You look at who has won here before. You see this huge crowd, which might be the biggest one I've ever seen at a race. It all adds up to a big deal." Worsham earned his second consecutive win and 16th of his career by defeating John Force in the Funny Car final. Worsham used a 4.979 at 296.05 pass in his Checker Schuck's Kragen Pontiac Firebird to take the win over Force's 4.977 at 304.36 in his Castrol GTX High Mileage Ford Mustang. Worsham is the leader in the Funny Car standings, holding a 110-point lead over Force. "I never thought I would win the Mac Tools Gatornationals without running a 300-mph pass all weekend," Worsham said. "We started the day (qualified) 11th but I really wasn't too worried about it because with the exception of the final qualifying session where we had some small problems, our car was in the top four every round. The main thing was getting by [Gary] Densham in the first round. Once I beat him I relaxed and just raced." None of the professional winners had earned a Gatornationals win before Sunday.
"This is an awesome race to win," Worsham said. "I told my wife I was going to win this one for Mac Tools and I went out and did it. I need to get working on a deal with [Las Vegas race sponsor] Summit because I'm on a hot streak right now at races my sponsors have their name on." Anderson also earned his second win of the season. Anderson, the defending Pro Stock champion, earned his 18th career victory by defeating Jeg Coughlin. Anderson went 6.742 at 204.91 in a Pontiac Grand Am to take the win light over Coughlin's 6.790 at 204.08 in a Chevy Cavalier. In 2003 the two drivers faced each other four times in the final round. They each grabbed two wins, but the reaction times were always a topic of discussion once the race was over. This time, Anderson took a narrow edge, earning a .045 reaction time to Coughlin's .048. "I'm very proud of light I had in the final," said Anderson. "I knew Jeg would be tough. He had been three or four hundredths better on the (starting line) tree all day and if he had done that in the final it would have been way too close. I was up for it and I'm glad I pulled one out. "It seems like everyone caught up to us in Phoenix but I actually had the quickest car there also. I just slipped up against [Kurt Johnson] and he beat me. I'm not a machine. I'm human, I make mistakes and those things are gonna happen."
Final round-by-round results from the 35th annual MAC Tools NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, the third of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series -
ROUND ONE -- David Baca, 4.756, 305.70 def. Rhonda Hartman-Smith, 9.098, 97.65; Bruce Litton, 4.990, 226.87 def. Scott Kalitta, 8.023, 98.69; Tim Cullinan, 4.763, 289.20 def. Doug Herbert, 5.219, 226.75; Doug Kalitta, 4.607, 307.48 def. Larry Dixon, 4.598, 316.01; Darrell Russell, 4.593, 314.24 def. Marshall Topping, 5.075, 215.20; Tony Schumacher, 4.681, 312.39 def. John Smith, 10.090, 115.39; Scott Weis, 4.979, 238.98 def. Brandon Bernstein, foul; David Grubnic, 4.699, 305.29 def. Cory McClenathan, 11.842, 85.96; QUARTERFINALS -- Weis, 12.167, 66.85 def. Litton, broke; Grubnic, 5.253, 280.72 def. Baca, 7.300, 112.68; Schumacher, 4.623, 312.93 def. Cullinan, 7.867, 103.29; Russell, 4.653, 312.39 def. D. Kalitta, 6.222, 181.19; SEMIFINALS -- Russell, 4.679, 305.60 def. Grubnic, 4.776, 303.03; Schumacher, 4.613, 316.01 def. Weis, 4.770, 300.40; FINAL -- Schumacher, 4.612, 312.60 def. Russell, 4.981, 271.98.
ROUND ONE -- Tommy Johnson Jr., Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.013, 298.70 def. Tony Pedregon, Chevy Camaro, 5.020, 290.60; Tim Wilkerson, Monte Carlo, 4.961, 300.20 def. Bob Gilbertson, Pontiac Firebird, 5.092, 285.62; Cory Lee, Firebird, 5.162, 285.89 def. Whit Bazemore, Dodge Stratus, 6.564, 203.34; Jerry Toliver, Toyota Celica, 5.461, 259.06 def. Eric Medlen, Ford Mustang, broke; Tony Bartone, Firebird, 5.074, 265.33 def. Gary Scelzi, Stratus, 6.757, 135.35; John Force, Mustang, 5.000, 273.47 def. Ron Capps, Monte Carlo, 5.143, 259.66; Del Worsham, Firebird, 5.036, 284.27 def. Gary Densham, Mustang, 5.471, 218.23; Cruz Pedregon, Firebird, 5.064, 285.35 def. Phil Burkart, Firebird, 5.307, 241.74; QUARTERFINALS -- Wilkerson, 5.575, 193.29 def. C. Pedregon, 7.497, 116.64; Lee, 5.216, 277.34 def. Johnson Jr., 5.769, 199.46; Force, 4.962, 302.11 def. Bartone, 5.392, 204.26; Worsham, 4.948, 297.02 def. Toliver, 5.229, 238.79; SEMIFINALS -- Force, 5.001, 294.02 def. Wilkerson, 5.006, 295.85; Worsham, 5.019, 293.73 def. Lee, 5.391, 211.21; FINAL -- Worsham, 4.979, 296.05 def. Force, 4.977, 304.36.
ROUND ONE -- Warren Johnson, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.804, 203.34 def. Jerry Haas, Chevy Cavalier, 6.835, 203.75; Kurt Johnson, Cavalier, 6.821, 204.54 def. Mike Edwards, Grand Am, 6.834, 200.13; Darrell Alderman, Dodge Stratus R/T, 6.823, 203.02 def. Mark Whisnant, Cavalier, foul; Rickie Smith, Cavalier, 6.810, 204.31 def. Jason Line, Grand Am, 7.870, 131.67; Bruce Allen, Grand Am, 6.805, 203.29 def. Kenny Koretsky, Stratus, 6.818, 203.85; Jeg Coughlin, Cavalier, 6.773, 203.89 def. Barry Grant, Cavalier, 6.831, 203.16; Greg Anderson, Grand Am, 6.738, 204.40 def. Steve Schmidt, Cavalier, 6.821, 203.66; Jim Yates, Grand Am, 6.835, 202.65 def. Larry Morgan, Stratus, 6.797, 203.75; QUARTERFINALS -- Yates, 6.844, 202.11 def. K. Johnson, 6.838, 205.01; Smith, 6.815, 204.31 def. Allen, 6.875, 202.70; J. Coughlin, 6.789, 203.61 def. Alderman, 6.837, 203.29; Anderson, 6.760, 204.63 def. W. Johnson, 6.807, 203.85; SEMIFINALS -- J. Coughlin, 6.793, 203.16 def. Yates, 6.845, 202.65; Anderson, 6.757, 204.49 def. Smith, 6.817, 204.45; FINAL -- Anderson, 6.742, 204.91 def. J. Coughlin, 6.790, 204.08.
ROUND ONE -- Joe DeSantis, Suzuki, 7.277, 185.37 def. Angie McBride, Suzuki, 7.217, 183.33; Mike Berry, Suzuki, 7.232, 188.87 def. Craig Treble, Suzuki, 7.249, 184.50; Antron Brown, Suzuki, 7.258, 184.91 def. Chip Hunter, Suzuki, 7.360, 184.91; Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 7.051, 190.83 def. Josh Helvie, Kawasaki, 7.285, 186.37; GT Tonglet, Harley-Davidson, 7.092, 189.87 def. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 7.298, 182.03; Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.188, 187.89 def. Shawn Gann, Suzuki, 7.172, 188.52; Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.172, 186.87 def. Angelle Savoie, Suzuki, 7.165, 185.68; Geno Scali, Suzuki, 7.094, 189.63 def. Michael Phillips, Suzuki, 7.251, 185.87; QUARTERFINALS -- Scali, 7.175, 188.16 def. Berry, 7.254, 184.31; Stoffer, 7.207, 184.19 def. Johnson, 7.240, 186.33; Tonglet, 7.085, 190.27 def. Brown, 7.264, 183.48; Hines, 7.156, 189.15 def. DeSantis, 7.318, 180.32; SEMIFINALS -- Tonglet, 7.119, 187.93 def. Scali, 7.140, 188.87; Hines, 7.118, 188.63 def. Stoffer, 7.315, 178.00; FINAL -- Hines, 7.076, 189.83 def. Tonglet, 7.161, 182.96.
SUNDAY FINAL - Force and Church, Tough day for Star Racing and Willie G's abrupt travel plansUpsets Abound – When the track is green, there’s no such thing as an underdog. For an example one needs to go no further than Scott Weis who knocked off Brandon Bernstein, Bruce Litton who got the best of Scott Kalitta and Tim Cullinan who topped Doug Herbert. Of the three battles, Litton had defeated Kalitta before. In fact, Litton holds a 2-0 edge. Litton had problems of his own which forced him out of competition with a mortally wounded motor. He was cited for 10 point oildown infraction after leaking oil in qualifying and then the engine failure. John Force, Church and Hellfire - “I went to church with John Aden and Ken Owen. I told Austin to set me on fire…shit that’s the fun stuff. – John Force after a brief fire opposite Ron Capps in the first round. If it ain’t broke – Just moments before they rolled into the burnout box, a quicker qualified Jason Line changed his mind as to which lane he wanted to run against Rickie Smith. A lane swap worked against him as he lifted early and Smith stormed to a 6.810. Welcome to the NFL – Angie McBride, Star Racing’s new rider, was the unfortunate victim of a first round holeshot opposite of Joe DeSantis. The day wasn’t a good one for the Star Racing team and its graduates. In attendance as a spectator without a ride was last year’s hired gun Fred Collis. Angelle Savoie, who was the team’s most successful rider also fell in the first round. World’s Fastest Parachute - In the most odd situation, Tim Wilkerson won over Cruz Pedregon, who dropped the laundry just nine feet into the run. Wilkerson never lifted, carding a 5.57, 193.29. Standing Ovation – “I felt just as great as they did.” – Andrew Hines’ assessment on the spectator standing ovation when the announcement came across there would be a Harley-Davidson in the winner’s circle. Willie Knows Winning – “Our airplanes were gassed and ready…we were watching the speeds on the Internet and I figured we ought to get the hell down there.” – Willie G. Davidson on whether or not he had an idea that the team could win this weekend.
Few More Notes - SundayTOP FUEL * Tony Schumacher, from Long Grove, Ill., won his second event of the 2004 season by defeating Darrell Russell in the final round. Schumacher powered his U.S. Army dragster to the finish line in 4.612-seconds at 312.60 mph to outrun Russell's Keystone-DeeZee dragster, which recorded a performance of 4.981 at 271.98. It was the 13th career victory for Schumacher and his first at Gainesville. * With the victory, Schumacher remained No. 1 in the Top Fuel point standings, 76 points ahead of second-place Doug Kalitta. * For the second consecutive race David Grubnic was the No. 1 qualifier. He drove his Kalitta Air dragster to a 4.593 run at 311.74 to pace the 16-car field. It is the third top qualifying position of his career. * Doug Kalitta earned a $1,000 bonus by earning the Motel 6 'Who Got the Light' award when he defeated Dixon by 0.0016 of-a-second margin of victory in the first round of Top Fuel eliminations. FUNNY CAR * Del Worsham, from Chino Hills, Calif., earned his second consecutive win of the year in his Checker Schuck's Kragen Pontiac Firebird. Worsham's 16th career victory came when he covered the quarter-mile in 4.979 at 296.05, beating John Force's run of 4.977 at 304.36 in his Castrol GTX High-Mileage Ford Mustang. * With the victory, Worsham maintained his No. 1 spot in the POWERade Funny Car point standings. * Tim Wilkerson earned the No. 1 qualifying position for the seventh time in his career. He drove his Levi, Ray & Shoup Chevy Monte Carlo to a run of 4.906 at 300.00 to take the top spot. It was the first No. 1 qualifying position for the new Monte Carlo body. PRO STOCK * Greg Anderson, from Charlotte, N.C., scored his second win of the season and 18th of his career. Anderson beat Jeg Coughlin in the final round. Anderson went 6.742 at 204.91 in his Vegas General Construction Pontiac Grand Am to beat Coughlin's 6.790 at 204.08 in the Jeg's Mail Order Chevy Cavalier. * Anderson earned the No. 1 qualifying position for the third time this season and 20th time of his career. He drove his Grand Am to a track record time of 6.763 at 204.22 for the No. 1 spot. * Anderson has been the No. 1 qualifier at all three NHRA POWERade events so far this season. He has earned the last eight consecutive top qualifying positions dating back to the CARQUEST NHRA Nationals at Joliet, Ill. in Sept. 2003. The record for most consecutive Pro Stock top qualifying positions is 23, held by Bob Glidden (1986-'88). * Kurt Johnson recorded the track record for speed during qualifying. He went 204.96 and was seventh in the final qualifying order. * Anderson increased his lead in the POWERade standings with the victory. He leads Johnson by 70 points, and he has a 113-point lead over his former employer, Warren Johnson. * Notable DNQ's: Troy Coughlin, David Connolly, V Gaines and Allen Johnson.
PRO STOCK BIKE * Andrew Hines, from Indianapolis, scored his first career victory and gave Harley-Davidson its first victory in the history of the NHRA. Hines beat teammate and fellow Screamin' Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson rider GT Tonglet in the final of the two-wheel category. Hines rode his Harley to a run of 7.076 at 189.83 to beat Tonglet's 7.161 at 182.96. * Hines also was the top qualifier for the first time in his career. He crossed the finish line in a track record time. of 7.097 at 189.43 to pace the 16-bike field. * The Gatornationals was the first of 15 national events for the Pro Stock Bike category. * Three-time defending Pro Stock Bike champion Angelle Savoie qualified in the No. 13 spot. It was first time in her career that she has qualified in the bottom half of the field and just the 13th time she has qualified outside of the top four spots. * The win puts Hines at the top of the Pro Stock Bike standings,
leading Tonglet and defending champion Geno Scali who are in the
second and third positions, respectively.
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| For the third time in his career and the second consecutive race, David Grubnic claimed the No. 1 qualifying spot in Top Fuel. |
(3-20-2004) - For the third time in his career
and the second consecutive race, David Grubnic claimed the No. 1
qualifying spot in Top Fuel during the final round of qualifying
Saturday at the 35th annual Mac Tools NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville
Raceway.
Tim Wilkerson, Greg Anderson and Andrew Hines also earned the No.
1 qualifying position in their respective categories at the $2 million
race, the third of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag
Racing Series.
Grubnic powered his Kalitta Air dragster down the quarter-mile track in 4.623 seconds at 311.74 mph to pace the 16-car order. The Australian couldn't help but give credit to the entire team.
"For some reason the car that I am driving seems to be sticking to the tracks well in the first couple of races," Grubnic said. "You're only as good as the guys you surround yourself with. If you surround yourself with quality people the results will come. If my guys have the opportunity, they will go after it. All the credit goes to them."
Wilkerson earned the seventh No. 1 qualifier of his career with a 4.906 run at 300 mph in his Levi, Ray & Shoup Chevy Monte Carlo to lead the Funny Car category.
The Monte Carlo body made its debut at the season-opener in Pomona, Calif. Wilkerson said the team is starting to get the setup information ready for the race day.
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| Tim Wilkerson earned the seventh No. 1 qualifier of his career with a 4.906 run at 300 mph in his Levi, Ray & Shoup Chevy Monte Carlo to lead the Funny Car category. |
"That's a cool deal, getting the first (No. 1 qualifier) for the Monte Carlo," Wilkerson said. "We thump our chest pretty hard about being the only single-car team out here, so that's good for us to do that. But it keeps us hungry and keeps us happy.
"This Monte Carlo really seems like it's going to be good. Most of the time you get a new body and they're so slick and funny looking, and they're hard to drive. But this is really nice. You can see the tree good, and I think it's going to be good for everybody."
Anderson drove his Vegas General Construction Pontiac Grand Am to his 20th career No. 1 qualifying position and eighth consecutive top qualifier by setting the E.T. track record at 6.763 at 204.31. The record for consecutive No. 1 qualifiers is 23 set by 10-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Bob Glidden.
The top qualifier was more impressive given the fact that Anderson didn't make a pass during the first session on Friday. They had a mishap at the starting line and couldn't run the car.
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| Greg Anderson drove his Vegas General Construction Pontiac Grand Am to his 20th career No. 1 qualifying position and eighth consecutive top qualifier by setting the E.T. track record at 6.763 at 204.31. |
"We struggled this weekend, missing that first run, and we
did things we don't normally do," Anderson said. "We started
changing too many things at once which really hasn't been our style.
That one run just really messed us up. It just goes to show how
important it is to make every run, and to make every run a good
one to get that data.
"I didn't expect to get the (No. 1 qualifying spot) on that
last run because I figured it would be too hot. The car made a good
run and we got the pole by a thousandth, and that's great, but the
important part is that the car is that much closer to where it needs
to be for (Sunday's eliminations)."
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| Matt Hines earned the first No. 1 qualifying position in his career by turning in the quickest run by a Harley-Davidson. |
Hines earned the first No. 1 qualifying position in his career by turning in the quickest run by a Harley-Davidson. Hines went a track-record time of 7.097 at 189.43 on his Screamin' Eagle Vance & Hines Harley.
"It's great because we worked so hard in the offseason just to be competitive," Hines said. "We made new parts and found more horsepower and now we are out here to compete for a championship."
Final eliminations are set for 11 a.m. Sunday
First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the 35th annual MAC Tools NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, the third of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday.
Top Fuel -- 1. David Grubnic, 4.623 seconds, 311.74
mph vs. 16. Cory McClenathan, 4.893, 286.16; 2. Brandon Bernstein,
4.634, 310.98 vs. 15. Scott Weis, 4.887, 291.73; 3. Tony Schumacher,
4.636, 307.27 vs. 14. John Smith, 4.834, 282.84; 4. Darrell Russell,
4.637, 317.57 vs. 13. Marshall Topping, 4.832, 282.57; 5. Larry
Dixon, 4.668, 306.33 vs. 12. Doug Kalitta, 4.792, 303.74; 6. Doug
Herbert, 4.725, 302.21 vs. 11. Tim Cullinan, 4.786, 300.70; 7. Scott
Kalitta, 4.744, 306.64 vs. 10. Bruce Litton, 4.781, 292.30; 8. David
Baca, 4.753, 302.82 vs. 9. Rhonda Hartman-Smith, 4.774, 297.81.
Funny Car -- 1. Tim Wilkerson, Chevy Monte Carlo,
4.906, 300.00 vs. 16. Bob Gilbertson, Pontiac Firebird, 5.378, 229.94;
2. Whit Bazemore, Dodge Stratus, 4.909, 298.21 vs. 15. Cory Lee,
Firebird, 5.110, 292.49; 3. Eric Medlen, Ford Mustang, 4.930, 296.15
vs. 14. Jerry Toliver, Toyota Celica, 5.101, 281.42; 4. Gary Scelzi,
Stratus, 4.931, 306.85 vs. 13. Tony Bartone, Firebird, 5.083, 285.44;
5. John Force, Mustang, 4.951, 301.30 vs. 12. Ron Capps, Monte Carlo,
5.052, 293.73; 6. Gary Densham, Mustang, 4.976, 297.71 vs. 11. Del
Worsham, Firebird, 5.036, 293.82; 7. Tommy Johnson Jr., Monte Carlo,
5.003, 302.72 vs. 10. Tony Pedregon, Chevy Camaro, 5.025, 302.41;
8. Cruz Pedregon, Firebird, 5.012, 294.21 vs. 9. Phil Burkart, Firebird,
5.021, 299.10.
Pro Stock -- 1. Greg Anderson, Pontiac Grand Am,
6.763, 204.31 vs. 16. Steve Schmidt, Chevy Cavalier, 6.814, 203.34;
2. Larry Morgan, Dodge Stratus, 6.764, 204.03 vs. 15. Jim Yates,
Grand Am, 6.812, 202.93; 3. Jeg Coughlin, Cavalier, 6.768, 204.26
vs. 14. Barry Grant, Cavalier, 6.811, 203.06; 4. Bruce Allen, Grand
Am, 6.776, 204.54 vs. 13. Kenny Koretsky, Stratus, 6.810, 203.66;
5. Jason Line, Grand Am, 6.777, 204.59 vs. 12. Rickie Smith, Cavalier,
6.807, 203.85; 6. Mark Whisnant, Cavalier, 6.795, 204.08 vs. 11.
Darrell Alderman, Dodge Stratus R/T, 6.806, 203.57; 7. Kurt Johnson,
Cavalier, 6.798, 204.96 vs. 10. Mike Edwards, Grand Am, 6.803, 203.66;
8. Jerry Haas, Cavalier, 6.802, 204.68 vs. 9. Warren Johnson, Grand
Am, 6.802, 203.98.
Pro Stock Bike -- 1. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson,
7.097, 189.43 vs. 16. Josh Helvie, Kawasaki, 7.280, 184.80; 2. Geno
Scali, Suzuki, 7.104, 192.80 vs. 15. Michael Phillips, Suzuki, 7.268,
183.78; 3. GT Tonglet, Harley-Davidson, 7.141, 188.16 vs. 14. Chris
Bostick, Suzuki, 7.252, 183.37; 4. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.173,
187.11 vs. 13. Angelle Savoie, Suzuki, 7.249, 184.53; 5. Shawn Gann,
Suzuki, 7.182, 187.34 vs. 12. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.241, 185.64;
6. Antron Brown, Suzuki, 7.186, 190.07 vs. 11. Chip Hunter, Suzuki,
7.222, 186.72; 7. Mike Berry, Suzuki, 7.198, 190.51 vs. 10. Craig
Treble, Suzuki, 7.221, 186.64; 8. Angie McBride, Suzuki, 7.217,
182.29 vs. 9. Joe DeSantis, Suzuki, 7.218, 187.93.
SATURDAY NOTES - Carroll Shelby rolls into town, Harley D Rules and Anderson's rebound
Shelby rolls into Gainesville – Veteran automotive legend Carroll Shelby was the special guest of Pro Modified racer Mike Ashley and his sponsor Unique Performance. Ashley, who drives the Carroll Shelby-endorsed Shelby G.T. 500E nicknamed “Eleanor,” introduced him ot the car carrying his name. Shelby’s response was, “Boys you did a real good job on this.”
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| Veteran automotive legend Carroll Shelby was the special guest of Pro Modified racer Mike Ashley and his sponsor Unique Performance. |
Shelby made his way to the NHRA suite where he participated in an invitation only press conference.
One of the first questions was whether or not he like the dirction the youth of today were headed with the 4-cylinder engines.
“I am happy for them,” answered Shelby. “These kids are a lot smarter now than we were back when we were doing it. There’s so much technology available to them. We had to work with what we had back then and it was the big motors. I would have loved to experiment with one of the little motors they have now.”
Shelby also alluded to his love of drag racing, even though he usually attends only West Coast races. He’s developed friendships with such drag racing icons as Don Prudhomme and John Force.
“Don Prudhomme and Force have been my friends for years. I used to sponsor Prudhomme back in the 60s. He's a class act. I just think the world of him. Force makes this sport with all his bullshit. He's really a class guy, too. This sport's really a hell of a lot better off because of him. . . . But it's not bullcrap, really. You think he's just carrying on like an idiot. And it all makes sense. He's a wonderful spokesman for the sport. He's one of the reasons it's growing as fast as it is. He and Prudhomme and these guys.
Of course, Shelby took note of the packed grandstands.
“Look at these kids, sitting out in the sun all day long. Never move. Hell, they even hate to go to the bathroom. Drag racing is what a lot of them can afford to get into. You know we're here for big-time today, but these little pocket rockets that you asked me about, they get 100,000 people out there at Palmdale on Friday and Saturday for these kids to run those little front-wheel-drive cars. They're running 175 miles an hour in the quarter now. You think of the technology that it takes for these kids to take gearbox that's built for 100 hp and take one of these little Hondas or Toyotas or Focuses or whatever it is and run 1,000 hp through that thing. You talk about innovation of the hot-rodders in the 30s -- it's nothing compared with what thousands of these kids are able to do today.”
Matco and Screamin’ Eagle pair up – Matco Tools and Harley-Davidson today announced a new marketing partnership which designates Matco Tools as the Official Tool of Screamin' Eagle Racing.
The official tool status will encompass both Harley-Davidson Screamin' Eagle factory race teams which compete in the NHRA Pro Stock Bike Drag Racing Series and in the AMA Flat Track Racing Grand National Championship.
"We are extremely excited about this new joint marketing partnership," said Matco Tools VP Marketing Lynda Banig. "Bringing our two companies together will allow both of us to create some unique marketing promotions. We are also excited to have the Screamin' Eagle Pro Stock Bike Team compete alongside our existing Matco Tools NHRA racing team."
"Matco Tools has high quality products and services and matches up very well with our goal to provide our racers with everything they need to win," said Harley-Davidson VP Parts & Accessories Ron Hutchinson.
Matco Tools also announced plans to produce a Harley-Davidson Screamin' Eagle Racing toolbox and other specially branded products in the near future.
Grubnic grumblings – “Please do not
underestimate the other two cars on the team. We are out of the
same stable. Mine just happens to be sticking better to these tracks.”
– Top Fuel low qualifier Dave Grubnic
Anderson alone – A piece of foam came out of the fuel cell and made its way to the carburetors. That’s the reasoning that Pro Stock World Champion Greg Anderson gave for missing the first session. He more than made up for it by overtaking the top spot by .03 over Larry Morgan. The pole position marked his eighth for the season. Anderson added, “We didn’t try to do too much too quickly. We threw a lot at it, but we knew where we were.”
Two Minutes – That’s about how long Brandon Bernstein held the pole position in Saturday’s final session. Bernstein pushed his Budweiser-backed entry to a 4.634. Just moments later, Aussie Dave Grubnic stepped up with a home run and a 4.623.
Thanks Don and the Gang! – Schumacher Racing will contribute $2,000 to the JEG’S Foundation each time driver Whit Bazemore wins an NHRA national event. This pledge will run from this weekend until the season finale in Pomona.
Happy Anniversary – Today marked the 12th anniversary of the first 300-mph run by Kenny Bernstein. The six-time champion remains the only driver to win a world championship in Top Fuel and Funny Car.
How Bout them Hawgs – Not only did Screamin’ Eagle-sponsored Pro Stock Bike rider lay down the quickest-ever run for Harley-Davidson in the class with a 7.097, 189.43, he also added a track record for elapsed time and also secured the pole position.
FRIDAY - RUSSELL, BAZEMORE, MORGAN AND SCALI LEAD QUALIFYING AT MAC TOOLS GATORNATIONALS
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| Darrell Russell earned the provisional No. 1 qualifying position in Top Fuel. |
(3-19-2004) - Darrell Russell earned the provisional No. 1 qualifying position in Top Fuel Friday during the 35th annual Mac Tools NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.
Whit Bazemore, Larry Morgan and Geno Scali also led their respective categories at the $2 million race, the third of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. It is the first of 15 national events for the Pro Stock Bike category.
Russell went 4.644-second run at 317.57 mph to go to the head of the Top Fuel category in his Keystone-Dee Zee dragster. While he admits he might not be the No. 1 qualifier after tomorrow's sessions, he will enjoy tonight's placement on the ladder.
"It's nice to know we were low today and I don't think it will hold as the No. 1 time, but I will sleep better tonight," Russell said. "I think we were a little too aggressive on the first pass, but if there is one thing we all know about (crew chief) Wayne Dupuy, it's that he likes warm tracks."
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| Whit Bazemore ran a 4.909 at 291.82 in his Matco Tools Dodge Stratus to lead the Funny Car class. |
Bazemore ran a 4.909 at 291.82 in his Matco Tools Dodge Stratus to lead the Funny Car class. None of the Funny Car drivers made a pass in the 300-mph range.
"Halfway through the day I was hoping to crack the 230-mark, let alone 330," Bazemore said. "We're at the Gators and only two cars are in the fours? It's a challenge for us all. The track is nice and smooth and it is going to be good, but it doesn't have any rubber on it yet."
Morgan drove his Team Mopar Dodge Stratus to the top in Pro Stock, setting the elapsed time track record with a 6.764 pass at 204.03. Kurt Johnson set the track record for speed with a 6.798 run at 204.96 in a Chevy Cavalier.
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| Larry Morgan drove his Team Mopar Dodge Stratus to the top in Pro Stock, setting the elapsed time track record with a 6.764 pass at 204.03. |
"Today's my lucky day," Morgan said. "We're not surprised that we ran this good. We actually thought that we could run a few one-hundredths quicker. We're really satisfied with the last run. It just feels good to be here. Apparently all of the cars are so close that anybody can win."
Scali paced the two-wheel category, setting a track record time of 7.104 at 187.85 on his Trim-Tex Suzuki. Scali is the defending champion in the Pro Stock Bike category.
"In the offseason people told me it was going to be tougher this season so I really wanted to come out here and show them that last year wasn't a fluke," Scali said. "We went and tested a few weeks ago and we learned what not to do when we got here. It was nice to finish the (2003) season as the champion and then come out here and run the No. 1 qualifying runs. It may not stay tops, but it feels good to continue the momentum."
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| Geno Scali paced the two-wheel category, setting a track record time of 7.104 at 187.85 on his Trim-Tex Suzuki. |
Three-time Pro Stock Bike champion Angelle Savoie is not qualified after two sessions. On the second run of the day, her U.S. Army Suzuki skated to the side and she hit the retaining wall. Because Savoie crossed the centerline, her second run was disqualified.
Savoie suffered minor bruises and scratches on her right leg.
"It looks like the tire wall collapsed both times," Savoie said while icing her leg. "We tested with this tire and didn't have any problems but [teammate] Antron [Brown] said these things can just pop up and be a problem.
"I'm okay. I hit really hard and my leg is hurting but I'm more upset about messing up my brand new leathers. I hope the guys can get the bike fixed. The handlebars are bent and the side is scraped up a little. They tell me we should be OK."
Qualifying continues Saturday with sessions at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations are set for 11 a.m. Sunday.
Results Friday after qualifying for the 35th annual MAC Tools NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, third of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Darrell Russell, 4.644 seconds,
317.57 mph; 2. David Grubnic, 4.657, 297.52; 3. Brandon Bernstein,
4.697, 308.95; 4. David Baca, 4.767, 295.85; 5. Rhonda Hartman-Smith,
4.774, 297.81; 6. Bruce Litton, 4.781, 292.30; 7. Tim Cullinan,
4.786, 300.70; 8. Doug Kalitta, 4.792, 303.74; 9. Larry Dixon, 4.799,
248.55; 10. Tony Schumacher, 4.831, 293.25; 11. Scott Weis, 4.887,
291.73; 12. Cory McClenathan, 4.893, 286.16; 13. Marshall Topping,
4.981, 229.18; 14. Scott Kalitta, 5.000, 276.07; 15. Luigi Novelli,
5.016, 291.45; 16. John Smith, 5.067, 220.37.
Funny Car -- 1. Whit Bazemore, Dodge Stratus, 4.909,
291.82; 2. Eric Medlen, Ford Mustang, 4.930, 292.49; 3. Del Worsham,
Pontiac Firebird, 5.036, 271.98; 4. Cruz Pedregon, Firebird, 5.036,
254.52; 5. Gary Scelzi, Stratus, 5.037, 278.81; 6. Tony Pedregon,
Chevy Camaro, 5.075, 269.29; 7. John Force, Mustang, 5.103, 292.20;
8. Tim Wilkerson, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.113, 284.99; 9. Ron Capps,
Monte Carlo, 5.117, 286.16; 10. Jerry Toliver, Toyota Celica, 5.131,
281.42; 11. Phil Burkart, Firebird, 5.149, 228.07; 12. Tommy Johnson
Jr., Monte Carlo, 5.151, 244.96; 13. Gary Densham, Mustang, 5.276,
290.41; 14. Tony Bartone, Firebird, 5.488, 197.75; 15. Cory Lee,
Firebird, 6.052, 161.34; 16. Dale Creasy Jr., Firebird, 8.101, 111.23.
Pro Stock -- 1. Larry Morgan, Dodge Stratus, 6.764,
204.03; 2. Jeg Coughlin, Chevy Cavalier, 6.768, 204.26; 3. Bruce
Allen, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.776, 204.54; 4. Greg Anderson, Grand
Am, 6.778, 204.31; 5. Mark Whisnant, Cavalier, 6.795, 204.08; 6.
Kurt Johnson, Cavalier, 6.798, 204.96; 7. Jerry Haas, Cavalier,
6.802, 204.68; 8. Darrell Alderman, Dodge Stratus R/T, 6.806, 203.57;
9. Jason Line, Grand Am, 6.807, 204.26; 10. Kenny Koretsky, Stratus,
6.810, 203.66; 11. Barry Grant, Cavalier, 6.811, 202.79; 12. Jim
Yates, Grand Am, 6.815, 202.93; 13. Allen Johnson, Stratus, 6.817,
204.91; 14. Mike Edwards, Grand Am, 6.817, 203.34; 15. Ron Krisher,
Cavalier, 6.819, 202.74; 16. Troy Coughlin, Cavalier, 6.823, 203.66.
Pro Stock Bike -- 1. Geno Scali, Suzuki, 7.104,
189.63; 2. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 7.123, 186.64; 3. GT Tonglet,
Harley-Davidson, 7.141, 188.16; 4. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.173,
187.11; 5. Antron Brown, Suzuki, 7.186, 190.07; 6. Shawn Gann, Suzuki,
7.191, 187.34; 7. Mike Berry, Suzuki, 7.198, 190.51; 8. Angie McBride,
Suzuki, 7.217, 181.89; 9. Craig Treble, Suzuki, 7.221, 186.64; 10.
Chip Hunter, Suzuki, 7.222, 186.72; 11. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 7.252,
183.37; 12. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.254, 185.64; 13. Michael Phillips,
Suzuki, 7.278, 183.37; 14. Josh Helvie, Kawasaki, 7.280, 182.92;
15. Lloyd Straus, Suzuki, 7.289, 183.18; 16. Joe DeSantis, Suzuki,
7.294, 187.93.
FRIDAY NOTES - Green racing surface, Angelle uninjured and Goodyear tire dilemma...
No Fourplay – The combination of a repaved racing surface and a new tire combination from Goodyear provided a complex challenge for the nitro cars in the first session. Out of 33 fuel cars in the Top Fuel and Funny Car divisions, only three made it into the four-second zone. David Grubnic, David Baca and Cory McClenathan were the luck drivers. Interestingly enough, the one driver who has always been successful in marginal situations, failed to make the cut in the sixteen-car field early Friday. Larry Dixon was on the outside with a tire-smoking 28.00.
No 300 Bowl either - Up until late in the second session of Top Fuel, no driver had been 300-mph in either of the nitro class. Doug Kalitta broke the drought with a 308 blast opposite of Tony Schumacher in qualifying.
Stop the presses - After stating that he thought a Funny Car would top 330 in Gainesville, the green track forced the Oakley-sponsored driver Gary Scelzi to change his tune..."Change the press release to read, we're hoping for 230."
Bob Said It Would Go and It Did - Larry Morgan was not surprised by the performance of his Dodge Stratus. The secret to his success? Bob (Glidden) told him he wanted to try some stuff. The move worked as Morgan laid down a track record 6.764, 204.03. Why did Bob try? Morgan wouldn't say.
Not a Goodyear for some – Despite the new fuel tire introduced, Goodyear and the NHRA allowed use of the old tire as an optional practice. However, with the rainout at Pomona, most of the surplus of the old tires were consumed according to a Goodyear rep. As a result, only 30 sets of the old tires made their way to Gainesville. Eighteen of those tires went to Force.
Scali Stands Up - NHRA Pro Stock Bike champion Geno Scali's source of motivation on this day was to prove his championship was no fluke. He did some testing heading into the event at a recent ProStar event. Scali's top qualifying effort went a long way to silence some of his critics and that worked well for him. He invites the pressure, "I know I have a bullseye on my back. It only makes me even tougher."
Harley-Davidson Heat - Following Scali's lead, the factory-backed Harley-Davidson's qualified at the top of the class. Slipping into the second and third spots, were the bikes of Andrew Hines and G.T. Tonglet.
Angelle Uninjured - Past World Champion Angelle Savoie got into the wall during the second qualifying session. Except for a bruise on her right leg, she was uninjured. The mishap was attributed to a collapsing sidewall on heer tire.
Thursday Notes - Force's obsession with green, Wilk's Monte Carlo and Gainesville Memories
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| As news breaks, we'll pass it on to you. |
Two Out of Three Ain't Bad - When told to go fast,
go straight and be loud this weekend, Australian TAFC racer Steve
Harker replied: "We have the loud part down and we are getting
faster, but we need a lot of work on the straight part."
'O Jolly Green Giant - For John Force, the wearin' o' the green isn't just a seasonal concession to fans who trace their lineage to the Emerald Isle.
For the 54-year-old drag racing icon, winner of a record 12 NHRA
series
championships, wearing the green is something that's as natural
as, well, signing an autograph.
In fact, it's difficult to catch the 109-time POWERade tour winner wearing a shirt without at least a touch of green trim or a hat without a red-and-green emblem.
Force's new driving uniform is so green that rivals have suggested
it makes
him look like a leprechaun, which is of absolutely no concern to
the 11-time Auto Racing All-America selection.
He just loves green.
It's an affinity that can be traced to a specific event in 1986 – the signing of his first contract with Castrol Motor Oil, the company that today sponsors not only his Castrol GTX High Mileage™ Ford Mustang but also teammate Eric Medlen's Castrol SYNTEC® Ford.
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| For John Force, the wearin' o' the green isn't just a seasonal concession to fans who trace their lineage to the Emerald Isle. |
After all, Castrol's corporate logo is green. The Castrol GTX oil can is green, red and white. Castrol SYNTEC blends green with black. Force's options were either to embrace the color green or lose the financial green. He opted for the former.
Of course, at the time, the decision wasn't as easy as one might expect. For one thing, in racing there long had been a stigma attached to the color green. Even today, there are Crew Chiefs who won't allow anything green in their pit areas.
For another, $5,000 (the amount of that first contract) wasn't really enough money to tempt most of those competing in the NHRA series to change religions or abandon long-held superstitions. However, to Force, who was struggling financially and had yet to win his first tour event, it seemed like a windfall.
Ultimately, the 11-time Auto Racing All-America selection was able to parlay that modest start into what today is the standard for the sport, the proverbial "300-pound gorilla" of drag racing.
A Horse of a Different Color - It's been said you can't win the Kentucky Derby with a plow horse. Thus far, that's been true.
In drag racing's ultra-competitive Pro Stock category, it takes a lot of horses to compete for race wins and, ultimately, the NHRA POWERade championship. Those horses translate to horsepower, and power is one vital component. For a winning combination, throw in a good chassis and clutch setup.
Jim Yates is hoping to meld those components into that winning combination this weekend in the Mac Tools Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway. He has workable chassis and clutch combinations and now he's added more horsepower to the mix with the belief it will provide the boost needed to run with the top four or five Pro Stock drivers.
To make sure, Yates and his Sea Ray Boats/B&W Pontiac Grand Am team visited Bradenton, Fla., for a Wednesday test session before driving to Gainesville and Friday's first day of qualifying.
"We need to make the car softer leaving the starting line so it won't shake the tires," explained Yates. "We just got our race motor from Bob (Ingles, the team's engine builder) and we're looking forward to testing the chassis and the motor. This motor is a lot peppier than the ones we used in the first two races.
"The good thing is we'll be able to find a combination that works and go right to Gainesville and run it. That will make a big difference. We always look forward to racing there," added the driver from Occoquan, Va.
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| Lloyd Straus brought in G.T. Tonglet, Sr. to assist the team. |
The Tonglet Switch – Longtime outlaw Pro Stock Biker racer Lloyd Straus debuted his Pro Stock bike as part of the Gotham City Racing operation last Fall. He didn’t get in a hurry to jump to the front, choosing instead to meticulously prepare his beautiful Vance & Hines-powered Suzuki for the rigors of a full tour of racing the NHRA POWERade Series.
The Brooklyn, NY-based rider brought in G.T. Tonglet, Sr. to assist the team. When you consider that he’s the full support of Gotham City Racing team owner Mike Ashley, one of the Pro Modified division’s most marketable drivers, and sponsor InfiNet Insurance & Financial Services, Straus has all the tools to get the job done.
Straus enters the NHRA Mac Tools Gatornationals brimming with excitement over qualifying in the top-half of the field at recent Pro Star event. This could be the harbinger of things to come.
“I think we have a good measure of momentum headed into the 2004 NHRA POWERade tour,” explained Straus. “I am very excited about getting a full season under my belt as a member of the Gotham City Race Team sponsored by InfiNet. We have a great opportunity before us.”
Monte Hauling - It's time for a new body, and
this weekend at the Gatornationals veteran Tim Wilkerson will become
the newest member of Chevrolet's red bowtie racing fraternity when
he debuts his very own 2004 Monte Carlo Funny Car.
"We've had our old Pontiac for so long, and run it on so many
racetracks that's it's really taken a beating," said Wilkerson.
"We won the U.S. Nationals with that old car but it's time
to make a change. We know the Monte Carlo is lighter and stronger,
and if the aerodynamics are as good as it looks, we should be able
to pick up a couple hundredths of a second and about three mph.
The improved aerodynamics and lighter weight should help us with
about anything we try to do this weekend.
"We just need to keep focused on getting down the track as
fast as we can and the new Monte Carlo will help us do that. We
made five decent runs in Phoenix and we need to keep that up. We
just got nipped there by one of the few car that could beat us."
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| Independent Top Fuel racer, "Turbo" Tim Cullinan, is not one to shy away from cold weather, but after a long, brutal winter the Chicago native is happy to be heading south to Florida. |
Get me out of here - Independent Top Fuel racer, "Turbo" Tim Cullinan, is not one to shy away from cold weather, but after a long, brutal winter the Chicago native is happy to be heading south to Florida. Cullinan will be making his fourth NHRA start in Top Fuel and competing in his first POWERade Drag Racing Series event outside of his home state of Illinois.
"I'm looking forward to racing in Gainesville," said Cullinan. "Even though we haven't had a chance to test this season, we've made some significant changes that should really help our performance and we're excited about racing at a great track like Gainesville Raceway. Hopefully we can do well enough to stir up some financial support so we can attend more races this year."
Want to Re-consider? - Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Racing team are determined to change some people's minds. At the season-opening event in Pomona, CA, many of the drag racing experts were already prepared to hand the 2004 NHRA POWERade championship to race winner and 2003 title-holder Greg Anderson. In fact, several even suggested that, with 22 events still on the docket, the rest of the Pro Stock contingent were merely racing for second place.
Fortunately, Johnson and his crew were among those choosing to ignore these dire predictions, preferring instead to concentrate on fine-tuning their 2004 ACDelco Cavalier. As a result, the second-generation driver scored a dramatic win at the most recent NHRA national event in Phoenix, including a very popular victory over his highly-touted opponent in the semi-finals, where Johnson used his superior starting line skills to overcome an inferior lane and performance disadvantage and defeat Anderson on a hole shot.
Having climbed within five points of the championship lead, this weekend Johnson will look to keep proving the drag racing pundits wrong as he goes for his second consecutive win at the Mac Tools Gatornationals in Gainesville, FL.
"We haven't really concerned ourselves with what people were saying," said Johnson. "After all, we've only run two races, and there's a lot of fun left before they hand out the big trophy. This is not a one-horse race. In fact, there are four or five cars that are running well, so anything can and probably will happen in Pro Stock between now and then.
"We're not about to worry about things we can't control. We know what we have under the hood of our ACDelco Cavalier, and even with the limited knowledge we have of this particular car, we've been putting good numbers on the board. If we stay on track and keep making smart decisions, as we have so far, we're confident of being there at the end. Nobody stays on top forever, and Greg is no different. It's our job to make sure that we end up ahead of everyone else, and we're going to do our best to make it happen."
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| Gary Scelzi is well aware his HEMI-powered Oakley Dodge Stratus Funny Car has the potential to break the 330-mph Funny Car barrier this weekend. |
330 Daddio - Gary Scelzi is well aware his HEMI-powered
Oakley Dodge Stratus Funny Car has the potential to break the 330-mph
Funny Car barrier this weekend at the NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville
Raceway. He already holds the national top-speed record of
329.18 mph, set last year in Joliet, Ill., and is the fastest Funny
Car
pilot on the planet.
He's also claimed six of the top nine fastest Funny Car speeds in NHRA history, all established in 2003, his first full season of NHRA Funny Car competition. All he wants, however, is to win this race this weekend, the third round of the 2004 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. If he breaks 330 mph, it's gravy, he says.
"The track's been re-paved. From what I've heard it's the smoothest race track that's ever been built. That's what everybody's been saying. With the smooth race track and if it has tight asphalt from half-track on, it could have the makings for a 330-mph run, if the weather is right.
Whit Bazemore, the first driver to reach 325 mph in the Funny Car
class (U.S. Nationals, 2001), and the Funny Car top-speed track-record
holder at Gainesville Raceway (324.32 mph, March 2003), sees a serious
potential for the 330-mph barrier to be broken in this
weekend's NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.
"I'm not saying that it will definitely happen because a lot depends on the conditions," says the driver of the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Stratus Funny Car in the 2004 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, "but there's a good opportunity for it to happen here. This barrier is probably going to be broken this year and Gainesville is the first good track with good air that we race on where it could happen. I think it's going to take good conditions, but I don't think it will take perfect conditions."
Iconland - Throughout its 34-year history, such Pro Stock icons as Lee Shepherd, Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins, "Dyno Don" Nicholson and Bob Glidden have all made their way to the Gainesville Raceway winner's circle.
However, no one has come close to matching the performance of GM Performance Parts Grand Am driver Warren Johnson in Gainesville. In his 24 previous races at the famed Florida speedplant, "The Professor" has claimed nine wins in ten final round appearances, leading all of the NHRA's professional categories. Since his very first visit to the Gators in 1976, where he qualified fourth and was the runner-up to winner Larry Lombardo, WJ has simply had a feel for this treasured track.
"We really don't have a special formula for Gainesville Raceway," said Johnson. "The racing surface just happens to fit the way we have run our race cars over the years. As most people know, we've never tiptoed through the tulips when it comes to the set-up, preferring instead to go for the throat. Gainesville has been one track that has consistently suited that aggressive style."
With such a wealth of experience on this legendary track, Johnson is perhaps best qualified to comment on this year's many improvements at Gainesville Raceway, most notably of which has been the reconfiguration of the race track, with the concrete launching pad extended, and a newly repaved asphalt surface.
"Even in its early years, Gainesville Raceway has consistently been one of the better tracks that we race on, especially in terms of surface smoothness," stated Johnson. "However, the combination of the heat it has to endure during the summer and the fact that it was built on what is essentially swampland causes the racing surface to deteriorate rather quickly, which requires it to be resurfaced on a regular basis.
"Although I have not personally seen the track since it was resurfaced, I understand that it is as smooth as we will see all year. Even so, we will have to wait until we get there in a few days to see if it has any bite (traction).
"The weather will play a huge role as to how fast we run and, at this time of year it is completely unpredictable. I've been to Gatornationals where it was warmer up in Minnesota, and to others where it was 95 degrees. Given the right conditions, it can be an absolute mineshaft capable of producing national records. If we get any cooperation from Mother Nature, it's going to be fast."
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| A "rookie mistake" may have
cost Eric Medlen an NHRA POWERade tour victory two weeks ago at Phoenix, Ariz., but the 30-year-old former high school rodeo champion is using that misstep as motivation. |
Medling in "Mistake Land" – A
"rookie mistake" may have cost Eric
Medlen an NHRA POWERade tour victory two weeks ago at Phoenix, Ariz.,
but the 30-year-old former high school rodeo champion is using that
misstep as motivation for this week's 35th annual Mac Tools Gatornationals
at Gainesville Raceway.
Medlen, who coaxed the Castrol SYNTEC® Ford Mustang to the
quickest
competitive time of the Phoenix event (4.822 seconds), also had
the event's worst starting line reaction time. The latter error
ended his bid in the semifinals, allowing Tony Pedregon to advance.
"When you make a mistake like that, you want to make up for it right then," Medlen said.
"My dad (Crew Chief John Medlen) and the crew worked so hard. I wish we could have raced the next day. I've been looking forward to (the Gatornationals) for two weeks."
Good to the last run - Lately, when Jim Head thinks about
drag racing - and that's quite often - he recalls his last run.
It wasn't perfect, but it was his best in what has thus far been a perplexing return to NHRA Funny Car competition.
Head's Lions Gate Entertainment Toyota Celica roared down the Firebird Raceway track in Phoenix on March 6. It stopped the clocks at 4.997 seconds - the Galena, Ohio, driver's best in the full-bodied racing machines. It wasn't, however, good enough to put him into the starting line-up. But it did portend a promising future.
"I finally felt comfortable in the racecar on that last pass at Phoenix," said Head, who wound up missing the show by a skimpy one-thousandth of a second. "I've been anxious to get back in the car since that run. This is the sport of 'one more pass . . . I know we'll get it right on the next one.'"
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| Kenny Koretsky is off to a good start this season. |
Good Fish; Bad Fish - The good news is Kenny Koretsky is driving a competitive entry in NHRA's Pro Stock category for the first time in a while.
The not-so-good news is that it takes time to turn the raw potential into a harnessed contender for round and race wins.
In essence, it's still a work in progress, and Koretsky likes the progress that's being made. For example, when his Nitro Fish Wear Dodge Stratus RT lines up for the first Mac Tools Gatornationals qualifying runs Friday, March 19, it will be a 2004 racecar.
"We stopped at car builder Jerry Haas' shop in St. Louis on the way to Gainesville from Phoenix (site of the second POWERade series) and had the car updated to this year's model," said Koretsky. "We plan to test at Bradenton on Wednesday and drive to Gainesville Thursday.
"I'm excited," continued the businessman/racer from Richboro, Pa., "because the Gatornationals is one of my favorite races. Gainesville Raceway is a fast track. We've worked on the clutch and fixed the problems that kept us from qualifying at Phoenix."
And there's the horsepower coming from engine builder and fellow Dodge Stratus driver Larry Morgan, who has teamed with 10-time Pro Stock champion Bob Glidden to build the Dodge Hemi engine into a true power plant.
"Bob and Larry went through our engines to get them ready for this race and we really should run good," added Koretsky. "I've had horsepower in the cars I drove before, but not like this. Eddie Guarnaccia, my crew chief, has worked hard trying to figure out our racecar. Eddie went through the chassis and the clutch and he's looking forward to trying new combinations when we test this week."
Cavalier Approach One Year Later - At last year's NHRA
Mac Tools Gatornationals, Pro Stock veteran Kurt Johnson debuted
his new Chevy Cavalier in grand style with a Gainesville Raceway
track-record speed of 203.71 mph en route to his first of four Pro
Stock wins in 2003 on the NHRA POWERade drag racing circuit. The
second-generation racer looks to defend his Gatornationals title
this weekend as the 23-event NHRA tour makes its annual Florida
stop at Gainesville Raceway for the 35th annual Mac Tools Gatornationals.
As if being defending race champ weren't enough, Johnson is coming
off an impressive win at Phoenix two weeks ago and is only five
points behind defending POWERade champ, Pontiac's Greg Anderson,
for the top spot in the Pro Stock title chase.
At Phoenix Johnson defeated J.R. Carr in round one, Warren Johnson
in round two, and No. 1-qualifier Greg Anderson in round three before
defeating 21-year-old Dave Connolly in an all-Cavalier final. The
win continued Johnson's streak of at least one victory for 10 consecutive
seasons.
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| Gainesville Raceway is a special place for Larry Dixon. . |
Stats-R-Us - After two races, Pontiac leads the NHRA Manufacturer's Cup standings with 400 points, Chevrolet is in second place with 320 points and Dodge is in third place with 80 points.
Jeg Coughlin Jr. continues to have the longest consecutive-qualifying streak in the Pro Stock category. Coughlin has made every 16-car field going all the way back to the Craftsman Nationals at St. Louis in June of 2002, a streak of 38 races. Pontiac's Greg Anderson has the second longest streak at 26 races.
More hands can't hurt – Former Funny Car champion
Cruz Pedregon and the Advance Auto Parts team will have some extra
team members in the pits this weekend as they head to Gainesville
for the NHRA Gatornationals on March 18-21.
Advance Auto Parts will be enjoying their first hospitality event of the season along side Pedregon and his team.
“It’s always a good time when team members from Advance Auto Parts join us for a race, said Pedregon. “They really like drag racing and have a lot of fun with us throughout the weekend.”
Pedregon has spent the last few days in Orlando at Disney World where Advance Auto Parts held their Leadership Conference for approximately 3,500 team members from across the U.S. He signed many autographs, took part in leadership meetings, and even had a little fun at Magic Kingdom and Universal Studios.
“I learned so much about Advance Auto Parts these past few
days," said Pedregon. “They really inspired me with their
speeches and I’m going to take everything I gained from this
conference back to my team. The people are the ones that make it
happen. I was reminded once again you are only as good as the people
you have working for you. Like Advance, I feel we have followed
that example with the members we have on our team. They are so eager
to keep moving forward with their success, it’s a lot like
running a Funny Car operation. You can’t give up and walk
away if you have a bad day, week or even a bad year. You keep plugging
away trying to make your team better and successful.
Gainesville = No Mac Attack? - Gainesville Raceway has not been kind to Cory McClenathan. In 12 previous visits to the picturesque Florida track, he has never reached the final round. His best outing was a semifinal round appearance in 1995 and again in 2002.
Last year at this race, McClenathan was driving for Florida's favorite drag racing son, Darrell Gwynn. He qualified No. 7, but made an early exit in the second round of eliminations. This year, McClenathan, who joined Carrier Boyz Racing just before the start of this season, hopes his new team and surroundings will be the start of bigger and better things.
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| Jerry Toliver hopes to regain his edge in Gainesville. |
Bringing back the memories — Gainesville Raceway is a special place for Larry Dixon. Ten years ago, the then 27 year-old Dixon, then a crew member on Don Prudhomme’s Top Fuel dragster, earned his NHRA Top Fuel license at the historic Florida facility the Monday after the 1994 Gatornationals.
A year later, Dixon returned to the Sunshine State and collected his second career NHRA victory when he drove his Prudhomme-owned MGD dragster to the win over Blaine Johnson to capture his second “Wally” trophy in his first three races.
“Gainesville will always hold great memories for me,” Dixon said. “Starting out going to Frank Hawley’s School in 1990. Then getting my fuel license in 1994. Then winning there my first season as a driver and having won there back-to-back in ‘01-’02. Gainesville has been good to us.”
It's DougZilla; Run for your lives - DougZilla is back - not that
he really went anywhere - and the Gatornationals marks his return.
The alter-ego of Snap-on Racing Top Fuel driver Doug Herbert, DougZilla will be featured in specially-dedicated paint schemes on the dragster at 11 races during the 2004 NHRA POWERade Series season. Each of these unique DougZilla designs also will be available on special Action Performance DougZilla die-cast dragsters.
DougZilla will be hanging out with a Gator in the special paint scheme during the Gatornationals, March 19-21, at Gainesville Raceway.
"The fans really like the DougZilla caricature so we thought we'd dress him up and take him on the road this year," said Herbert, of Cherryville, N.C. "We'll have a little bit of a local twist in each of the paint schemes at the different racetracks. Look for him hanging around the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and maybe at a winery when we're in Sonoma, Calif."
DougZilla's other upcoming NHRA stops include Houston, Chicago 1, Englishtown, N.J., St. Louis, Denver, Sonoma, Brainerd, Minn., Indianapolis, Reading, Pa., and the Finals at Pomona.
Razor Rollercoaster - It took Jerry Toliver six
days to experience the highs and lows of NHRA racing.
On February 29, Toliver was at the peak of elation and excitement. He stunned the Funny Car field, winning the Winternationals in his first race back driving a Funny Car after an 18-month hiatus. Not only that, when his Schick Quattro Toyota Celica got the win light, it produced Toyota's first drag racing victory. Toliver also set career bests for elapsed time (4.738 seconds) and speed (328.22 mph, the fourth fastest at the time).
"To win one of these races, you have to be lucky and you have to be good," Toliver said at the time. "We were good and we were lucky at Pomona."
Saturday afternoon, March 6, Toliver's team was stunned . . . this time because they did not qualify for the CSK Nationals at Phoenix.
There was no helmet throwing, no mini or major shows of frustration from Toliver or the team.
"We are a team. We win and lose as a team," Toliver said. "I like positive reinforcement. To me, the glass is always half full. We did lose two qualifying rounds due to mechanical things, but there is no excuse for what happened. We can't give up qualifying rounds and expect to keep up with the other drivers. We are disappointed, but we will be ready when we get to Gainesville (Fla., site of the Mac Tools Gatornationals, March 19-21)."
Remember, in 1987 Don Prudhomme failed to qualify in Pomona and then won Gainesville.