Sun, 22 Oct 2006, 03:09 PM Personett, Rado, Efantis, Lummus and Salceda Lead the Qualifiers

Courtesy of NHRA Communications At Nitto NHRA Sport Compact World Finals

POMONA, Calif. -- The drivers of the NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series may be wrapping up the season this weekend at the sixth annual Nitto NHRA Sport Compact World Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, but they are still driving hard. Qualifying on Saturday was as exciting as it has been all season.

Top qualifiers for the event are Brad Personett (Pro RWD), Chris Rado (Pro FWD), Paul Efantis (Modified), Ron Lummus (Hot Rod), and Saul Salceda (Honda Tuning All Motor).

Personett (Elkhart, Ind.) finished the season with 10 No. 1 qualifiers for 2006 in his Titan Motorsports Scion tC. It took him all three rounds to get this one as he battled to overcome rival Matt Scranton, who held the top position through two rounds. Personett was able to run 6.57 seconds at 216.13 mph in the last round of the day.

"I made a pretty good run," Personett said. "We had a weak engine, but I want to thank Harry Hruska of Precision Turbo. He has helped us out all season. I would not be able to do this without my crew, especially Bret White (Son of teammate Gary White)."

Rado (Pro FWD), of Reading, Pa., gained first NHRA No. 1 qualifier. Rado powered his Scion tC down the track to a time of 7.65 seconds at 160.29 mph.

"I am just happy to be able to go rounds," Rado said. "We tried some things on the car and figured some things out. Our only change we really made is that we changed the oil in the reverser. We were running 90 weight and it should have been 5 weight, and we should have been using a lot less than we were."

Efantis gained valuable points with his No. 1 qualifier in the tightly bunched points race in Modified. This is his fourth top qualifier of 2006, and his 17th career. Efantis drove his Little Dooey Barbeque and Blues Toyota Solara to a time of 7.38 seconds at 184.50 mph.

"We're good," Efantis said. "We set three goals coming into this weekend, qualify No. 1, run quick and stay consistent. I want to thank my crew chief Rodney Gibson. It is his birthday. I finally want to thank my family and crew for getting me to where I am."

Lummus (Anaheim, Calif.), was the No. 1 qualifier in the Hot Rod category. He drove his Pontiac Sunfire to the finish line with a time of 8.34 seconds and a speed of 173.12 mph. This is Lummus' second No. 1 of 2006 and his 12th career.

Salceda of Gardena, Calif, captured his third No. 1 qualifier in Honda Tuning All Motor. He drove his Clutchmasters Acura Integra to the top position with a time of 9.54 seconds and a speed of 141.46 mph.

"It feels good," Salceda said. "It was a little unexpected, but the car is running really good. Hopefully, I can pull off a win."

Eliminations will be held Sunday at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona after opening ceremonies which begin at noon.

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