Sat, 1 Sep 2001, 03:46 PM Saturday Pit Note Two

Courtesy of NHRA Communications

CLERMONT, Ind. -- The only Top Fuel car to navigate the quarter-mile distance during today's opening qualifying round was No. 2 qualifier Doug Kalitta, driver of the Mac Tools dragster. Kalitta covered the distance in 4.716 seconds at 304.12 mph in the heat of the day. Kenny Bernstein remained the top qualifier (4.540, 323.58) in the Budweiser King dragster heading into tonight's third session. All other entries overpowered the track and lost traction during the session.

Whit Bazemore, the 1997 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals winner, clocked the quickest Funny Car run of the second session and a career-best, covering the distance in 4.813 seconds at 316.52 mph in the Matco Tools Pontiac Firebird. The run moved him into the No. 2 position overall behind top qualifier John Force (4.810 seconds). Don Prudhomme's Skoal drivers, Tommy Johnson Jr. (No. 3, 4.835 seconds) and Ron Capps (No. 7, 4.862 seconds) also improved during today's early session.

Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Redell Harris was reported to have suffered bumps, bruises and minor sprains to his lower right leg, but no broken bones following a shut down area collision with Neil Jacobs in the second round of qualifying. Harris was checked and released from Methodist Hospital.

It is Antron Brown's second straight final round appearance in the Holley Pro Stock Dominator Duel. Last season Brown won over $35,000 for winning the Holley Duel, Mac Tools U.S. Nationals and 'Double-Up' bonus from the NHRA. Shawn Gann is only the second rookie rider to reach the final in his first Duel start. Matt Hines won the event as a rookie in 1996.



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