Sat, 21 Feb 2009, 04:12 PM Funny Car Qualifying Notes, Session #3

By Darryl Jackman

CHANDLER, Ariz. - Notes from round 3 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 25th annual Lucas Oil Slick Mist NHRA Nationals listing lane, driver name, elapsed time/top speed this round, position in order following run, best prior elapsed time/speed, and position in order prior to run:

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Left Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.148/297.09, Now #13; No Prior Run
Right Lane: Ashley Force Hood Runs 4.140/300.06, Now #12; No Prior Run

1:31 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 72 degrees, relative humidity 28 percent, barometer 28.87 inches, adjusted altitude 2,481 feet, track temperature 99 degrees.

There's lots of sun on the track today and Firebird Raceway gave the Dragsters fits a few minutes ago. Normally the Funny Cars have even a harder time but let's see what the crews can do. The first pair looks good as it produces a pair of 4.14's and gets both cars in early in the session. These guys really are good!

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Left Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 4.196/293.60, Now #15; No Prior Run
Right Lane: Bob Bode Runs 4.916/222.29, Now #16; No Prior Run

Not nearly as pretty but Arend does find a solid way into the field. As it stands only one team will be packing at the end of qualifying today as there are seventeen Nitro Funny Cars on the grounds. Bode had something go south in the car's internal timing system as at about two seconds into the run all the cylinders almost quit firing. Jeff Arend's incremental times: 60ft-0.922 sec., 330ft-2.383, 660ft-3.378/257.53 mph.

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Left Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 9.158/78.97, Now #7; Best prior run: 4.106/301.94, Was #7
Right Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 7.332/93.21, Now #8; Best prior run: 4.106/298.93, Was #8

A definite lack of traction claims both cars before 200ft. Tasca lost traction first but Hagan followed very quickly in the other lane.

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Left Lane: John Force Runs 4.105/299.13, Now #5; Best prior run: 4.089/298.14, Was #5
Right Lane: Gary Densham Runs 4.165/296.50, Now #15; No Prior Run

Densham is doing all he can to make an impression on his sponsor for the weekend, Asombroso Tequila. That was a solid looking run but with nineteen cars here this weekend nothing in the bottom half can be considered 'safe'. Force didn't improve but that's two runs, back to back, that have looked good for 'The Champ'.

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Left Lane: Robert Hight Runs 4.094/299.46, Now #4; Best prior run: 4.077/303.71, Was #4
Right Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 6.656/93.70, Now #14; Best prior run: 4.164/296.05, Was #14

C.Pedregon got to about 200ft at which point the tires rattled loose and he trailed lots of smoke before calling off the run. Hight follows the boss with he and Prock's two in a row good looking passes for his team.

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Left Lane: Del Worsham Runs 6.554/98.45, Now #3; Best prior run: 4.072/305.22, Was #3
Right Lane: Jim Head Runs 4.197/267.43, Now #9; Best prior run: 4.116/294.82, Was #9

Head is sporting a sign on the side of the car today touting 'Paul Bunyon's Firewood' website. Didn't see that yesterday and I have no idea what it might be. They can be found at paulbunyansfirewood.com. Head falls off a little from Friday but remains #9. Worsham has traction woes in the Toyota and he's forced to give this one up early also. At least he stays #3 based on his 4.072 in the second round of qualifying.

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Left Lane: Mike Neff Runs 4.124/300.86, Now #2; Best prior run: 4.050/309.06, Was #2
Right Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 4.145/301.13, Now #11; Best prior run: 4.125/301.40, Was #11

According to some in the Press area Neff is doing at least some of the tuning on his Mustang with John Medlen recovering from his medical procedures. If that's the case it seems he hasn't forgotten all he learned before changing spots for a run. That's three good runs for the car and crew. Beckman slows a bit from his best but just commented that it was more important to have a good Sunday tuneup than be qualified in the top half.

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Left Lane: Ron Capps Runs 5.290/137.27, Now #1; Best prior run: 4.023/305.63, Was #1
Right Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 7.896/80.82, Now #6; Best prior run: 4.104/295.72, Was #6

T.Pedregon lost traction fairly early in his run and was followed shortly by Capps, having the same problem. Pedregon remains #6 and Capps is still looking down on the rest of the field from that lofty top spot. One more session to go.

Timing data courtesy of CompuLink



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