Sat, 10 Jul 2010, 08:26 PM Funny Car Qualifying Notes, Final Session

By David Gerard

KENT, Wash. - Notes from final, round 4 qualifying in Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 23rd annual NHRA Northwest 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: Grant Downing Runs 5.171/151.04, Now #17; Best prior run: 7.226/84.95, Was #17

4:27 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 82 degrees, relative humidity 46 percent, barometer 29.65 inches, adjusted altitude 2,519 feet, track temperature 127 degrees.

There were some good runs in TF, but no improvements at the top half of the field. Last Chance for the FC's to qualify and Jeff Diehl is on the bump spot at 5.120.

He leaves with a 0.936 and was on a pass that would have put him into the field until before the 660 lights, where the engine goes sour and the Monte Carlo slows. He misses the bump by 0.005!

Grant Downing's incremental times: 60ft-0.936 sec., 330ft-2.442, 660ft-3.712/170.88 mph.

That sets the field and several cars are pulling out of line to save parts and money.

We are down for a while to clean up the left lane oil down.

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Left Lane: Paul Lee Runs 7.253/93.20, Now #12; Best prior run: 4.321/277.66, Was #12
Right Lane: Brian Thiel Runs 4.631/225.41, Now #15; Best prior run: 4.516/267.27, Was #15

4:45 p.m. Back to racing... Jeff Diehl is on the bump spot at 5.120 and has pulled out of the lanes.

Thiel had a cylinder out early and tried to get to the finish line under power, but has an engine issue and leaves parts on the track and oil in the shut down area. He gets out of the car and is obviously in pain, holding the small of his back. He said that he wasn't sure what caused the pain.

Lee's pass was over early, as the slicks began to spin and smoke. He clicks it early.

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Left Lane: Tim Wilkerson Runs 4.564/211.06, Now #11; Best prior run: 4.277/287.23, Was #10
Right Lane: Cruz Pedregon Runs 4.220/292.08, Now #3; Best prior run: 4.341/226.39, Was #14

5:00 p.m. Let's try this again!

Nice looking pass for the Snap On Tools Solara. Good numbers down low and all the cylinders stay lit to move Pedregon all the way up to the new #3 spot on the qualifying ladder.

Wilkerson incrementals were about the same until near the 330 lights, where the engine went silent.

Oh, yah...... NO OIL!

Tim Wilkerson's incremental times: 60ft-0.917 sec., 330ft-2.372, 660ft-3.521/221.63 mph.
Cruz Pedregon's incremental times: 60ft-0.913 sec., 330ft-2.354, 660ft-3.383/249.12 mph.

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Left Lane: Jeff Arend Runs 4.447/213.87, Now #10; Best prior run: 4.276/284.39, Was #10
Right Lane: Tony Pedregon Runs 5.872/116.20, Now #14; Best prior run: 4.331/254.90, Was #14

If things stay the same, the Pedregon brother will meet in round one tomorrow.

Two broken runs with both cars done before the 660-lights. Pedregon was first, quickly followed by Arend.

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Left Lane: John Force Runs 4.279/281.77, Now #8; Best prior run: 4.269/285.35, Was #8
Right Lane: Jack Beckman Runs 4.730/175.39, Now #9; Best prior run: 4.275/284.03, Was #9

This could be the first round match up if nothing changes.

Neither car can improve. Beckman gets away first and has better incrementals until near the 660, where the pipes go wet.

Force gets the Mustang to the finish line, but can't run quicker that his earlier best.

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Left Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 5.948/110.16, Now #7; Best prior run: 4.258/264.60, Was #7
Right Lane: Bob Tasca III Runs 4.269/287.35, Now #6; Best prior run: 4.257/285.29, Was #6

Hagan is back running the Diehard body on his DSR Charger. He has a better sixtyfoot time, but drops quickly after that.

Tasca was off the line first and makes the second quickest pass of the session, with his best speed, but will stay #6 going into tomorrow's eliminations.

Bob Tasca III's incremental times: 60ft-0.919 sec., 330ft-2.387, 660ft-3.423/247.70 mph.

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Left Lane: Ashley Force Hood Runs 6.060/114.74, Now #5; Best prior run: 4.225/287.23, Was #5
Right Lane: Ron Capps Runs 4.304/245.58, Now #4; Best prior run: 4.222/286.38, Was #4

Force Hood has the best sixty foot time, but its too much for the track, as the tires are spinning and shaking shortly after that.

Capps was on a full pass until near the top end, where the car slowed after losing the blower belt.

Ron Capps' incremental times: 60ft-0.919 sec., 330ft-2.371, 660ft-3.403/248.61 mph.

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Left Lane: Del Worsham Runs 4.251/289.38, Now #2; Best prior run: 4.202/293.54, Was #2
Right Lane: Robert Hight Runs 6.725/97.05, Now #1; Best prior run: 4.194/291.57, Was #1

This pair will wrap up qualifying for the weekend.

Back to back strong runs for Worsham, as he gets the Solara to the finish line under power and without drama. He's looking good for tomorrow.

Hight's Mustang was off the line first and just 0.002 off of Worsham's time in sixty feet, but strikes the tires before the 330 lights.

Del Worsham's incremental times: 60ft-0.910 sec., 330ft-2.380, 660ft-3.411/248.80 mph.
Robert Hight's incremental times: 60ft-0.912 sec., 330ft-2.498, 660ft-4.421/109.69 mph.

5:20 p.m. Jeff Diehl is on the bump spot at 5.120.

Timing data courtesy of CompuLink



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