Fri, 27 Jun 2008, 10:32 PM Friday's Racing Cancelled as Water Seepage Problem Surfaces on Ttrack

Courtesy of NHRA Communications Photo copyright 2008 Auto Imagery, Inc. Stevens and Smith are Leaders in Shortened Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle Qualifying

NORWALK, Ohio --

Richie Stevens

NHRA officials cancelled most of Friday's professional racing portion of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park due to a water seepage problem on the racing surface.

Track officials estimate that more than 13 inches of rain has fallen on the track in the last week, creating a large water table surrounding the quarter-mile dragstrip. As the sun came out today and heated the track surface, water began to seep up through cracks in the track surface at various spots, including a large area just past the finish line.

NHRA and track officials worked for more than five hours to try and fix the situation, using multiple methods including backhoes, concrete drills and ditch-digging machines, but despite their tireless efforts could not get the track surface completely dry.

Before racing was delayed and ultimately cancelled, Matt Smith rode his Buell to the top spot in Pro Stock Motorcycle, covering the distance in 7.059 seconds at 187.23 mph in the only pro category that got in a full session of qualifying.

Qualifying was halted seven cars into the Pro Stock category's first session, and the current leader is Richie Stevens, who posted a 6.833 at 202.64 in his Pontiac GXP.

Saturday's pro qualifying sessions are scheduled for noon and 2 p.m. The K&N Horsepower Challenge for Pro Stock cars will highlight the day's racing activities. Sunday's eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m.