Sat, 22 Sep 2001, 10:16 PM MEMPHIS - Federal-Mogul Funny Car Round 1 Eliminations

By Dave Rowe

MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Results of round 1 eliminations in Federal-Mogul Funny Car at the 14th annual AutoZone NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil:

 Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   1 Frank Manzo         5.680 252.71  Q   14 Steve Burck         6.520 214.69
 *****WINNER***** 0.522  8.196 110.51  E1                  0.000 No Time

4:52 PM Burck couldn't make the call and Manzo gets the free pass. He gets out of shape about 300 feet out and gives up on the run.

 Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   3 Steve Gasparrelli   5.728 245.18  Q   12 Bob Alberty         5.997 230.65
 *****WINNER***** 0.522  7.015 138.50  E1                  0.000 No Time

Gasparelli gets the free pass as Alberty doesn't show for the race. He gets out of shape and almost crosses the centerline at halftrack before backing off the throttle.

 Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
  13 Warren Dauzat       6.283 225.71  Q    2 Von Smith           5.727 249.58
                  0.000 No Time        E1 *****WINNER***** 0.488  5.733 248.25

Dauzat doesn't show and gives Smith the free pass. Smith is loose all the way through the lights but he never lets up and makes a good pass.

 Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   4 Doug Gordon         5.792 248.43  Q   11 Todd Veney          5.994 243.90
 *****WINNER***** 0.440  5.812 247.07  E1                  0.475  5.855 244.07

Gordon gets a jump off the line and extends his lead at every incremental. Veney was a little out of shape, the car drifting toward the centerline all the way down the track.

 Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   6 Kim Fritts          5.840 240.55  Q    9 Steve Addleman      5.950 238.55
                  0.000 No Time        E1 *****WINNER***** 0.757 11.548  80.52

We have another freebie here, Fritts doesn't make the call. Addleman just drives slowly down the track not taking any chances. He gives up lane choice to Gasparrelli in round two.

 Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   8 Jackie Stidham      5.918 240.21  Q    7 Todd Simpson        5.846 243.63
                  0.000 No Time        E1 *****WINNER***** 4.779 No Time

Stidham is another no-show giving the win to Simpson. Simpson stages and then shuts down. He gives up lane choice to Smith in round two.

 Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   5 Cy Chesterman       5.821 248.57  Q   10 Tate Branch         5.986 239.23
 *****WINNER***** 0.493 12.171  62.69  E1                  0.000 No Time

Branch doesn't show and gives the Chesterman the easy win. He comes off the line, starts shaking the tires and aborts the run. He will race Gordon in round two, Gordon with lane choice.

Timing data courtesy of CompuLink



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