Sun, 1 Oct 2006, 11:39 AM Personett, Gardella, Rodriguez, Eggum, and Lookofsky Lead the Qualifiers

Courtesy of NHRA Communications

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. -- The conditions were just right for the drivers of the NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series to take advantage of the track at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park at the fifth annual NHRA Sport Compact Fallnationals presented by Toyo Tires. They had the fans expecting big things, and they didn't disappoint.

Top qualifiers for the event are Stephanie Eggum (Hot Rod), Angel Rodriguez (Modified), Gary Gardella (Pro FWD), Jeremy Lookofsky (Honda Tuning All Motor), and Brad Personett (Pro FWD).

One driver who had the fans cheering in the stands was Eggum (Elgin, Ill.) in the Hot Rod category. She came in with rumors that she would be the first Hot Rod driver to send her car down the track in competition in the 7-second range. It took her until the third round of qualifying to get her Honda Civic that quick, but Eggum was successful in her quest when she finished with a time of 7.95 seconds at 179.52 mph. She was not able to back-up the time within the required 1 percent, but can still accomplish that in Sunday's eliminations.

"I was on a mission," Eggum said. "And, it worked. It didn't feel that fast when I was driving. I was so mad about losing the Moroso final (Held during the second round of qualifying) with the transmission breaking at the start that I was listening to my Ipod and ate a whole thing of Pez candy while I was waiting. Maybe that should become my new routine."

Rodriguez (Modified), of Dorado, Puerto Rico, took full advantage of the conditions with his Toyota Starlet. He shattered the national and track time record, which was held by fellow Puerto Rican Jorge Lazcano. Rodriguez took his first top qualifier with a time of 7.32 seconds at 182.30. Not to be outdone was Justin Humphreys who drove his Lexus to national and track speed records. He drove at 187.16 mph.

Gardella, who comes locally from Howell, N.J., kept his fans happy with his No. 1 qualifier in the Pro FWD category. This is his first top qualifier of 2006, but his fifth career. He drove his Dupont/HotHues Chevy Cobalt to a time of 7.56 seconds at 185.82 mph.

"My crew did an awesome job the last two weeks in testing," Gardella said. "Mike Whitney and Jon Perry worked so hard to get the car ready. We've been testing between Englishtown and Atco since the Moroso event. It is feeling good. We're pretty happy with how we have finished off the season. We couldn't be here without our sponsors. I want to thank Hot Hues, Red Bull, and GM for all that they have done."

Lookofksy (Simi Valley, Calif.), was the No. 1 qualifier in the Honda Tuning All Motor category. His DVS Drag Cartel Civic gained him his fourth top qualifier of 2006. He accomplished this with a national record tying 9.64 seconds at 137.74 mph.

Echoing everyone's sentiments for Sunday's eliminations Lookofsky said, "I hope and pray for a good day weather-wise and everyone's safety."

Personett (Elkhart, Ind.) just kept right on rolling through his season with his tenth consecutive No. 1 qualifier of 2006 in the Pro RWD category. He accomplished this feat by driving his Titan Motorsport Scion tC to track records in time, 6.42 seconds, and speed, 219.33 mph.

"It is what it is," Personett said. "We just keep racing the racetracks."

Eliminations will be held Sunday at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park after opening ceremonies which begin at 12:30 p.m.

Results Saturday after qualifying for the Fifth Annual NHRA Sport Compact Fallnationals at Old Bridge Township raceway park, Tenth of 11 events in the $2.5 million NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Sunday for final eliminations.

PRO RWD
1) Brad Personett, Elkhart, Ind., '04 Toyota, 6.428 seconds, 219.33 mph
2) Matt Scranton, Land O' Lakes, Fla., '06 Solara, 6.574, 216.17
3) Gary Lee White, New Market, Ala., '05 Celica, 6.588, 212.33
4) Jose LeDuc, Patterson, N.J., '75 RX-3, 7.842, 176.47
5) Boris Rojas, Orlando, Fla., dragster, 9.365, 148.30
6) Manny Cruz, Bronx, N.Y., '02 Cougar, 12.743, 82.52

PRO FWD
1) Gary Gardella, Howell, N.J., '06 Cobalt, 7.565 seconds, 186.15 mph
2) Marty Ladwig, San Antonio, Texas, '06 Cobalt, 7.636, 186.59
3) Brian Jimenez, Houston, Texas, '06 Cobalt, 7.721, 183.34
4) Christian Rado, Temple, Pa., '06 tC, 7.895, 173.54
5) Ed Bergenholtz, Santa Ana, Calif., '06 Mazda, 7.902, 184.98
6) Ron Townsend, Torrance, Calif., '05 Cavalier, 8.366, 182.38
 
MODIFIED (PENDING TECH)
1) Angel Rodriguez, Dorado, P.R., '94 Starlet, 7.324 seconds, 182.82 mph
2) Justin Humphreys, Monrovia, Md., '03 GS300, 7.359, 187.16
3) Jorge Juarbe, Garabo, P.R., '82 Starlet, 7.382, 179.97
4) Jorge Lazcano, San Juan, P.R., '85 RX7, 7.430, 179.04
5) Paul Efantis, Ijamsville, Md., '03 Solara, 7.431, 181.98
6) Miguel Manero, Cidia, P.R., '82 Starlet, 7.448, 179.71
7) Rafael Fuent Miranda, Corozal, P.R., '82 Starlet, 7.451, 179.83
8) Jose Torres, San Juan, P.R., '84 Starlet, 7.463, 178.28
9) Gabriel Garcia, , P.R., '84 Starlet, 7.640, 174.57
10) Dee Karagiannis, Glenwood, Md., dragster, 7.674, 165.78
 
HOT ROD
1) Stephanie Eggum, Elgin, Ill., '00 Civic, 7.957 seconds, 179.52 mph
2) Ron Lummus, Anaheim, Calif., '04 Pontiac, 8.149, 177.53
3) Mike Crawford, Eden, N.C., '04 SRT-4, 8.163, 183.00
4) Stephane Beauregard, Granby, , '87 Shelby, 8.277, 168.91
5) Kenny Tran, Garland, Texas, '06 tC, 8.998, 150.03
6) Saverio Leone, Jamison, Pa., '00 Civic, 9.089, 161.09
7) Joe Demaree, Whitestown, Ind., '92 Civic, 9.309, 154.23
8) Stephen Merman, North Wales, Pa., '93 Civic, 9.532, 157.08
 
ALL MOTOR
1) Jeremy Lookofsky, Simi Valley, Calif., '00 Civic, 9.647 seconds, 137.74 mph
2) Norris Prayoonoto, Springfield, Va., '04 Honda, 9.655, 140.02
3) Leslie Durst-Armendariz, Long Beach, Calif., '06 tC, 10.110, 139.86
4) Scott Kelley, Anaheim Hills, Calif., '06 Corolla, 10.133, 136.14
5) Vince Tiaga, Glendora, Calif., '05 Mazda, 10.565, 131.50
6) Thomas Borgia, Wappingers Falls, N.Y., '67 Beetle, 11.100, 121.25
7) Saul Salceda, Gardena, Calif., '00 Integra, 12.626, 40.41
 
SUZUKI PRO STREET BIKE SHOOTOUT
1) Phil Stoll, Chicago, Ill., '06 Hayabusa, 7.353 seconds, 197.10 mph
2) Barry Henson, Nicholasville, Ky., '06 Hayabusa, 7.376, 198.96
3) Mike Slowe, Bensalem, Pa., '06 Suzuki, 7.377, 201.13
4) Kent Stotz, Schalmburg, Ill., '03 Honda, 7.408, 199.88
5) Tom Miceli, Manalapan, N.J., '01 Suzuki, 7.447, 197.91
6) Tim Oneil, Kent, Ohio, '01 Hayabusa, 7.457, 198.47
7) Sam Boles, El Dorado, Ark., dragster, 7.599, 191.59
8) Glenn Stickels, Machesne Park, Ill., '01 Hayabusa, 7.830, 190.51
9) Ed Zeigler, Middletown, N.Y., '00 Hayabusa, 8.330, 177.72
10) Del Flores, Paramus, N.J., '04 Hayabusa, 8.336, 164.95