Sun, 7 Oct 2007, 01:38 PM Pro Stock Round 2 Eliminations

By Dan Bennett

DINWIDDIE, Va. - Results of round 2 eliminations in Pro Stock at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, Second annual Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals:

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
    8 Greg Stanfield                          4 Mike Edwards                 
E2                   0.057  6.722 204.85     ****WINNER****  0.022  6.721 205.29
 Prior rounds:
E1    (G Anderson  ) 0.048  6.701 204.70      (J Humphreys ) 0.018  6.681 206.32
 Qualified:            #13  6.692 205.91                       #12  6.681 205.82

Big news here, and I apologize for missing it until now. Stanfield's been on Hoosier tires all week.

They're having a problem with too much drag on the top end as the rear end settles since the tires don't grow, but I'd sure say there's potential here. By the way, Stanfield had to go into his pocket and buy the two sets he has since he's not on any deal.

Edwards underlines his reputation as a leaver and deals his former assistant Mike Elliott a very close loss.

Greg Stanfield's incremental times: 60ft-0.998 sec., 330ft-2.809, 660ft-4.320/162.70mph, 1,000ft-5.622
Mike Edwards' incremental times: 60ft-1.005 sec., 330ft-2.812, 660ft-4.321/163.12mph, 1,000ft-5.622

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
   10 V. Gaines                              25 Jeg Coughlin                 
E2   ****WINNER****  0.092  6.667 206.32                     0.073  6.698 206.99
 Prior rounds:
E1    (L Morgan    ) 0.093  6.664 205.85      (T Brown     ) 0.056  6.671 207.78
 Qualified:             #9  6.668 206.20                        #1  6.645 207.27

Jeggie leaves first - but then for the first time in recent memory the car in the other lane runs him down for the win. That's huge for the Mopar guys and especially for engine builder Larry Morgan.

V. Gaines' incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.003), 330 ft(0.014), 660ft(0.017), 1,000ft(0.016). MOV: 0.0122 seconds (approximately 4 feet).

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
    3 Dave Connolly                         103 Max Naylor                   
E2   ****WINNER****  0.036  6.657 206.80                     0.059  6.689 205.07
 Prior rounds:
E1    (R Krisher   ) 0.041  6.661 207.15      (J Line      ) 0.037  6.676 205.22
 Qualified:             #2  6.645 206.67                        #7  6.660 205.60

The Morgan power can't do it this time as Connolly wins his ---

wait for it ---

EIGHTEENTH round of competition in a row!

That is truly amazing for this class and Dave deserves the highest credit possible.

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
    9 Richie Stevens                          5 Kurt Johnson                 
E2   ****WINNER****  0.030  6.670 206.39                     0.059  6.678 207.50
 Prior rounds:
E1    (K Koretsky  ) 0.079  6.654 206.86      (A Johnson   ) 0.029  6.645 207.50
 Qualified:             #3  6.646 207.15                       #11  6.681 206.61

Stevens can keep his teammate alive here, as AJ's fate is in his hands.

By the way, last round Greg Anderson had a wire come off the ignition going into high gear and his engine shut down.

Richie is now in Allen's will I would think. His victory here puts AJ into the final four.

Allen and father Roy walk by my spot in the tower, turn and look at each either, and give each other a strong handgrip.

In the semis, Gaines has lane choice over Edwards, Connolly over Stevens, and three of the four cars still remaining have yet to win a race this year.

Timing data courtesy of CompuLink