Sun, 2 Sep 2007, 12:46 PM Gardella and White Top Xplod Series Qualifiers

Courtesy of NHRA Communications

CLERMONT, Ind. -- Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series drivers Gary White in Pro RWD and Gary Gardella in Pro FWD enjoyed perfect track conditions to propel themselves to the top of the qualifying ladder at the NHRA Sport Compact Nationals at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals.

Gardella, who won and ran a national record speed just two weeks ago at the Indy NHRA Sport Compact Nationals presented by BP featuring O'Reilly's ITB presented by Royal Purple, clocked a time of 7.15 seconds in the first round to set himself up perfectly for a national record and 20 extra points. He ran a speed of 210.91 mph.

"This day was phenomenal," said Gardella. "I am using the same set up as the sport compact event two weeks ago. There is stuff to improve on. Tomorrow we hope to go out and back up the record. We are only about 100 points out, and to get the No. 1 qualifier, set the record and the win would be huge and get us closer to the championship."

White, who was not in attendance for the Xplod Series race here two weeks ago, took advantage of the conditions to put his car atop the category with a run of 6.64 seconds at 208.30 mph with his first pass.

"I feel pretty good," said White. "In the first round the track was too good. We don't get the opportunity to run like this very often. The second round was good, but we had transmission problems right away. I don't know if the run from today will hold up. We should be running in the .50s tomorrow. Tomorrow will be better."

The final qualifying run will take place on Sunday at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis.

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