After two rounds of Funny Car qualifying for the NHRA Northwest Nationals, Tony Pedregon was looking to show off the media center to his nine year old daughter, Cecily. Well, scratch that, but Pedregon was still happy to be the fastest qualifier of the day posting quickest et and fastest speed – 4.182 seconds, 289.63 mph.

“This is really the press room?” Pedregon ask, looking around. “This really is? Absolutely amazing. I will say a prayer for you guys and myself, because I am parked in the dirt with the ants.”

While conditions in the media center worsened as the day got longer, conditions on the race track vastly improved with surface temperatures dropping from around 125 to 105 degrees between the two sessions. Despite improved conditions only nine of the 16 qualifiers made full passes through the two rounds.

After two rounds of Funny Car qualifying for the NHRA Northwest Nationals, Tony Pedregon was looking to show off the media center to his nine year old daughter, Cecily. Well, scratch that, but Pedregon was still happy to be the fastest qualifier of the day posting quickest et and fastest speed – 4.182 seconds, 289.63 mph.

“This is really the press room?” Pedregon ask, looking around. “This really is? Absolutely amazing. I will say a prayer for you guys and myself, because I am parked in the dirt with the ants.”

While conditions in the media center worsened as the day got longer, conditions on the race track vastly improved with surface temperatures dropping from around 125 to 105 degrees between the two sessions. Despite improved conditions only nine of the 16 qualifiers made full passes through the two rounds.

Pedregon was very proud to not make just one, but two full passes. He was second to Tasca in the first round and the two swapped positions after the second round.

“The best part of it is we got low et,” said Pedregon. “We really want to redeem ourselves from Denver. Your car runs so well in qualifying and your expectations get higher. Now, we have an opportunity to do that.”

With slightly lower temperatures predicted for tomorrow, Pedregon doesn't believe his spot atop the field is secured.

“We need to continue to press.”

IMPROVEMENTS? - Pedregon pulled into Pacific Raceways thinking improvements to the facility had been undertaken. He was wrong. His motorhome, where his children play, is in the dirt which is home to large brown ants, while those visiting the track have a new go-kart facility to use.

“The fans here are great fans and they deserve better than this,” said Pedregon, a laugh in his voice, but seriousness in his words. “You see those new grandstands? Those are great but those grandstands on the other side, I guarantee you they were here 40 years ago.” 

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