Sun, 23 Sep 2001, 08:43 PM Sunday Pit Note

Courtesy of NHRA Communications

MILLINGTON, Tenn. -- This is Kenny Bernstein's eighth final round appearance of the season. He has five wins. With a victory today, Bernstein could become only the second driver in NHRA history to earn both Top Fuel and Funny Car wins at Memphis Motorsports Park (Mike Dunn, TF-'96, FC-'91). Bernstein claimed a Funny Car victory here in 1989 but has never won here in Top Fuel. It is Bernstein's 101st career final round (53 in TF). Bernstein has 58 career victories (28 in TF, 30 in FC).

It is Larry Dixon's eighth final round appearance of the season. He has five wins. Dixon has two runner-up finishes at Memphis -- including last season's spectacular crash where he was automatically disqualified -- but no wins. This is Dixon's 32nd career final round (15 wins). No matter the outcome of today's TF final, Dixon will keep the Winston points lead (67 if he wins, 27 should he lose).

This is the seventh career final round appearance for Gary Densham. He has never earned an NHRA national event win in his 30-year drag racing career (243 NHRA events). Densham's last final came in 1999 at Pomona Raceway when he was runner-up to Tony Pedregon. In 1995, Densham was runner-up at this event to Gary Clapshaw.

This is John Force's 150th career final round. He has 97 career victories. Force has five victories in nine finals this season and no matter the outcome of today's final, Force will leave this event as the Winston points leader (305 or 285). Force is a three time winner at Memphis Motorsports Park. It is Force's fourth final here.

We will have a new season winner today in Pro Stock. So far this season, 11 different drivers have claimed Pro Stock victories in the 200-mph category. This is Mark Pawuk's fourth final round of the season (no wins). His last win came last season in Columbus, Ohio.

It is Marnell's first career final round.

This is the second-straight final of the season for Mike Coughlin, who won the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. Coughlin is the defending winner of this event.

This is Panella's fifth final of the season (three wins). It is Panella's second final at Memphis (won here in '98, his first career win). It is his 22nd career final round.



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