An engine change between qualifying sessions Saturday proved to be the right move for Dave Northrop
and Kenny Koretsky's Nitro Fish Pro Stock Pontiac GXP team because Northrop posted one of his
quickest elapsed times to qualify 14th in NHRA's Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park.
"We finally got in there," said Northrop after his 6.069-second, 206.51-mph quarter-mile lap, "but
we had to change motors to do it. Eddie (Guarnaccia, team crew chief) and Tom (Hammonds, engine
builder) decided that was the best way to go after our first run (Saturday). They made a lot of
changes on that motor and didn't get the results. The new motor really ran well at 60 and 330
feet.
"It's nice to get in the starting lineup. This was the first time I've driven the Pontiac and we
qualified."
Northrop races Greg Anderson (No. 3, 6.547 at 211.16) in the opening round of one of the quickest
Pro Stock starting lineups.
"We learned some things on that run that will help us Sunday," added Northrop.
Tony Pedregon steps up with 4.102-second run
Tony Pedregon made the most of his final qualifying run, posting an elapsed time of 4.102 seconds
at 203.84 mph in the Nitro Fish Impala Funny Car to move up into the No. 9 starting spot.
Pedregon continues his bid for another NHRA Full Throttle Series championship Sunday against Mike
Neff (No. 8, 4.085 at 306.46 mph). Pedregon entered the event in third place, 26 points behind
leader Ashley Force.
