Gary Scelzi raced to the qualifying lead in Funny Car Friday at the CARQUEST
Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at Pacific Raceways near Seattle.
Larry Dixon and Greg Anderson also were qualifying leaders in their respective
categories at the $1.8 million race, the 14th of 23 events in the $50 million
NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.
Gary Scelzi
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Scelzi powered his Oakley Dodge Stratus down the quarter-mile track in 4.964
seconds at 299.33 mph to pace the 16-car lineup. Cruz Pedregon was second in his
Advance Auto Parts Pontiac Firebird, clocking a 4.977 at 306.74.
With a victory on Sunday, Scelzi, who earned back-to-back Top Fuel victories
here in 2000-'01, could join Ron Capps as the only drivers to earn race titles
in both nitro categories at this track. Additionally, he would become the 13th
driver in NHRA history to accomplish the rare feat.
"This really emphasizes the importance of running a good lap in the first
round," said Scelzi, a three-time NHRA Top Fuel champion. "I think we finally
have this thing figured out. It's been a case where we either set a world record
or smoke the tires and that's why we're all the way back in 11th place, but now
(crew chief Mike Neff) is getting a handle on this thing. I know when (John)
Force or (Tony) Pedregon or any of the other big hitters line up next to us they
know they have a race on their hands. I've had this feeling about us for awhile
now and I think we're finally gonna make a run."
Dixon led Top Fuel, clocking a 4.692 at 312.57 in his Miller Lite dragster,
while his points rival Doug Kalitta was second in his Mac Tools dragster,
recording a performance of 4.768 at 301.47.
The second session of Top Fuel qualifying was cut short due to curfew following
lengthy delays to clean oil from the racing surface after dragsters in the first
two pairs suffered mechanical failures.
"It's a shame that we lost the night run for the second year in a row," Dixon
said. "We were denied a shot at setting the track record and maybe even a
national record. I guess we'll never know now."
Anderson continued to set the pace in Pro Stock, covering the distance in 6.802
at a track record speed of 203.03 in his Vegas General Construction Pontiac
Grand Am.
"It's a great feeling that wherever we go we have run well, and in some cases
even set track records," Anderson said. "That's what it takes to win
championships."
Qualifying continues Saturday at 10 a.m.
