Fri, 2 Sep 2005, 09:45 PM Funny Car Qualifying Notes, Session #1

By Dave Rowe

CLERMONT, Ind. - Notes from round 1 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 51st annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals listing lane, driver name, elapsed time, top speed, and position in order following run:

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Right Lane: Grant Downing Runs 5.030/298.54, Now #1

7:46 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 77 degrees, relative humidity 25 percent, barometer 29.66 inches, adjusted altitude 2,011 feet, track temperature 91 degrees.

Downing makes a decent pass, but green flames started coming out of the left side about 1000 feet out, usually a sign of aluminum burning.

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Left Lane: Mike Ashley Runs 10.251/90.06, Now #3
Right Lane: Paul Lee Runs 4.996/284.45, Now #1

Both of these drivers are pulling double duty this weekend, Ashley competing in Pro Mod, Lee also competing in Alcohol Funny Car. Ashley gets about 300 feet out and the candles go out, not sure why. Lee goes right down the groove and makes a decent pass, but it could have been better. The flames disappear about 1100 feet out, but he still runs a career best ET and speed.

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Left Lane: John Lawson Runs 11.671/82.10, Now #5
Right Lane: Bob Bode Runs 6.549/144.16, Now #3

Lawson gets about 100 feet out and goes up in smoke. Bode gets to half-track and loses power, not sure why.

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Left Lane: Dale Creasy Jr. Runs 7.213/120.94, Now #5
Right Lane: Terry Haddock Runs 5.088/274.16, Now #3

Creasy gets about 400 feet out and shuts down. Haddock was on a decent pass, then had problems about 1000 feet out and shut down.

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Left Lane: Frank Pedregon Runs 4.818/312.21, Now #1
Right Lane: Jim Head Runs 4.833/320.51, Now #2

A couple of good runs here, both right down the groove. Head keeps the candles lit all the way through the run, the quickest and fastest of his career.

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Left Lane: Jack Wyatt Runs 5.502/198.67, Now #7
Right Lane: Gary Densham Runs 4.896/309.63, Now #3

Densham goes right down Broadway, flames high and steady all the way through the run. Wyatt was on a decent pass, then lost power about half-track.

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Left Lane: Bob Gilbertson Runs 4.979/239.74, Now #5
Right Lane: Tony Bartone Runs 4.811/319.75, Now #1

Bartone makes his quickest and fastest run ever to take the pole for now. Gilbertson was out in front through half-track, then sparks started coming out of the headers, probably losing a valve, and he clicks it off.

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Left Lane: Phil Burkart Runs 4.852/317.79, Now #5
Right Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.779/322.65, Now #1

Another good pair of runs here, Wilkerson got a little out of the, drifting toward the wall around half-track, but hangs on to take the pole for now. Burkart makes a decent pass and gets in the fifth spot.

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Left Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 4.837/321.88, Now #6
Right Lane: Del Worsham Runs 4.798/328.14, Now #2

Worsham makes a great pass here, running the fastest speed for a Funny Car ever at this track.

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Left Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 5.056/233.16, Now #13
Right Lane: Whit Bazemore Runs 4.795/324.12, Now #2

Pedregon had a decent run going, then shuts down about 1000 feet out, not sure why. Bazemore stays on the throttle all the way through the run and ges in the second spot for now.

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Left Lane: Tommy Johnson Jr. Runs 4.748/325.77, Now #1
Right Lane: Eric Medlen Runs 4.775/322.73, Now #2

Another pair of cars, another lead change. Johnson goes right down the groove and takes the pole for now. Medlen goes right down the groove and gets in just behind in the second spot. Terry Haddock is on the bump spot at 5.088.

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Left Lane: John Force Runs 4.767/313.22, Now #2
Right Lane: Gary Scelzi Runs 4.842/322.58, Now #11

Force was on a great pass, his times better at every incremental than Johnson's, but the candles go out just before he crosses the finish line. Grant Downing is on the bump spot at 5.030.

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Left Lane: Ron Capps Runs 4.811/310.84, Now #9
Right Lane: Robert Hight Runs 4.747/321.65, Now #1

A great run for Hight, right down Broadway, keeping the candles lit all the way through. He takes the pole after a great round of qualifying, Bob Gilbertson is on the bump spot at 4.979.

Timing data courtesy of CompuLink



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