SAN ANTONIO - FINAL QUALIFYING
Sat, 2008-04-05 22:00
Patrick in Mid-Season Form at Texas Nationals; Claims First Pro Stock Pole of Season at San Antonio Raceway
Bruce Litton (Top Fuel), Bob Gilbertson (Nitro Funny Car), Laurie Cannister (Alcohol Funny Car) and Scott Cannon (Pro Mod) also claim #1 qualifying positions at Knoll Gas Nitro Jam season-opener
Defending
Torco Pro Stock World Champion Robert Patrick proved things have not
changed much from October to now…his 2008 Shelby Cobra is the car the
rest of the class is chasing. Patrick powered to the #1 qualifying spot
in San Antonio with a 4.104 pass at 174.96 mph. His Saturday evening
pass is just four thousandths off the current world record.
Patrick in Mid-Season Form at Texas Nationals; Claims First Pro Stock Pole of Season at San Antonio Raceway
Bruce Litton (Top Fuel), Bob Gilbertson (Nitro Funny Car), Laurie Cannister (Alcohol Funny Car) and Scott Cannon (Pro Mod) also claim #1 qualifying positions at Knoll Gas Nitro Jam season-opener
Defending
Torco Pro Stock World Champion Robert Patrick proved things have not
changed much from October to now…his 2008 Shelby Cobra is the car the
rest of the class is chasing. Patrick powered to the #1 qualifying spot
in San Antonio with a 4.104 pass at 174.96 mph. His Saturday evening
pass is just four thousandths off the current world record.
Patrick recently ran the quickest naturally aspirated pass in drag racing history during a test session in Valdosta, but when the chips were down he went back to his trusty friend.
“We had some very good test sessions with our new motor, but we went back to our racing engine from last year this evening and were able to run a strong number,” Patrick said. “My team works really hard. The starting line is really good but it’s a little softer down the track. We tumbled the tires a little bit but were still able to post a good number.”
Bruce
Litton (Indianapolis, Ind.) backed up his strong Friday efforts by
posting the quickest Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel
pass of the Saturday evening session. Litton ended up holding on to the
top qualifying spot with a 3.125/271.95 pass.
“This is a great way to start the season, but we still have a lot of work to do,” Litton said. “We’ll get to work servicing the car and see what happens Sunday. The class is very strong and we know it’ll take a nice pass every round if we hope to advance.”
Bob Gilbertson (Gastonia, N.C.) held on to the Nitro Funny Car pole position while
Defending
Torco Pro Modified champion Scott Cannon (Lyman, S.C.) ended up on top
of the qualifying sheet at the Texas Nationals, carding a 3.967/188.12
pass Saturday evening to edge Mike Janis (Lancaster, N.Y.).
Laurie Cannister (Johnstown, Ohio) made a statement during Saturday evening Alcohol Funny Car qualifying. Cannister set the IHRA AFC speed world record and also claimed the ET mark with her 3.731/197.94 pass. Actually her ET was too quick to be backed up, but her Saturday evening run backed up her 3.788 afternoon pass.
“This is a great team,” Cannister said. “We’re thrilled to be out here racing again.”
The Amalie Oil Texas Nationals will continue Sunday with final eliminations beginning at 10:00 a.m. in Pro Stock and Pro Modified. Alcohol Funny Car and the Nitro Classes kick off eliminations at noon.
Bruce Litton (Top Fuel), Bob Gilbertson (Nitro Funny Car), Laurie Cannister (Alcohol Funny Car) and Scott Cannon (Pro Mod) also claim #1 qualifying positions at Knoll Gas Nitro Jam season-opener
Robert Patrick was tops in the Pro Stock division.
Bruce Litton (Top Fuel), Bob Gilbertson (Nitro Funny Car), Laurie Cannister (Alcohol Funny Car) and Scott Cannon (Pro Mod) also claim #1 qualifying positions at Knoll Gas Nitro Jam season-opener
Robert Patrick was tops in the Pro Stock division.
Patrick recently ran the quickest naturally aspirated pass in drag racing history during a test session in Valdosta, but when the chips were down he went back to his trusty friend.
“We had some very good test sessions with our new motor, but we went back to our racing engine from last year this evening and were able to run a strong number,” Patrick said. “My team works really hard. The starting line is really good but it’s a little softer down the track. We tumbled the tires a little bit but were still able to post a good number.”
Bruce Litton remained on top of the Top Fuel qualifying list.
“This is a great way to start the season, but we still have a lot of work to do,” Litton said. “We’ll get to work servicing the car and see what happens Sunday. The class is very strong and we know it’ll take a nice pass every round if we hope to advance.”
Bob Gilbertson (Gastonia, N.C.) held on to the Nitro Funny Car pole position while
Scott Cannon, Jr. used a three-second pace to lead Pro Modified.
Laurie Cannister (Johnstown, Ohio) made a statement during Saturday evening Alcohol Funny Car qualifying. Cannister set the IHRA AFC speed world record and also claimed the ET mark with her 3.731/197.94 pass. Actually her ET was too quick to be backed up, but her Saturday evening run backed up her 3.788 afternoon pass.
Laurie Cannister completed the sweep of Alcohol Funny Car qualifying.
The Amalie Oil Texas Nationals will continue Sunday with final eliminations beginning at 10:00 a.m. in Pro Stock and Pro Modified. Alcohol Funny Car and the Nitro Classes kick off eliminations at noon.
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