Thu, 5 Feb 2009, 08:08 PM Mother Nature Wins Day One

By Rick Green Photo copyright 2009 Auto Imagery, Inc.

POMONA, Calif. -- Professional qualifying for the Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season opener at the 49th annual Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals was rained out. Pro Stock qualifying will be at 2 pm on Friday with Top Fuel and Funny Car following.

The rain arrived at the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona around 1:45 pm during Top Alcohol Dragster qualifying. Nine cars had made passes with 10 cars still waiting to make a pass. Kevin Wayman's pass of 5.586 seconds at 243.19 mph lead those who made qualifying attempts. Frank Manzo reigning Top Alochol Funny Car World Champion lead qualifying after one session in his Lucas Oil Chevy Monte Carlo with a 5.585 second pass at 259.56 mph. Tom Mettler lead qualifying in Competition Eliminator after one round of qualifying with a 0.636-second under the index pass of 7.374 seconds in his 2001 Dodge Dakota. Super Stock completed one round of qualifying, Ron Roddel lead qualifying with his GT/MA 2002 Pontiac Grand Am with 1.410-second under the index pass of 10.640 seconds. Jami Jones from Grimes, Iowa lead Stock in 1986 G/SA Chevy Camaro with 1.185-second under the index pass of 11.115 seconds.

Sportsman qualifying will resume Friday morning with Stock Eliminator at 8:15 am.