Sun, 4 May 2003, 02:23 PM Top Alcohol Funny Car Round 2 Eliminations

By Larry Sullivan

COMMERCE, Ga. - Results of round 2 eliminations in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 23rd annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals presented by Pontiac:

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
  136 Jim Sickles                             1 Frank Manzo
E2                   0.056  5.739 252.38     ****WINNER****  0.068  5.626 258.62
 Prior rounds:
E1    (C Cheeseman ) 0.060  5.682 252.47      (M Billington) 0.091  5.589 260.56
 Qualified:             #5  5.724 250.46                        #1  5.603 259.06

2:12 PM Sickles had the early edge, but Manzo went by before the 330-foot marker and then steadily opened the lead to go to his 75th national event final round.

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
   33 Jeff Craig                              8 Bob Newberry
E2                   0.093  5.694 253.80     ****WINNER****  0.102  5.648 253.66
 Prior rounds:
E1    (J Payne     ) 0.029  5.813 252.76      (P Lee       ) 0.111  5.592 256.21
 Qualified:             #6  5.741 251.86                        #2  5.638 254.42

Craig had a very small starting line advantage, but Newberry had too much for him and, just like Houston, will face long-time Division 1 rival Manzo in the final round, Manzo with lane choice. Craig did all he could, running his best lap of the weekend, but "Newb" hasn't made a bad run yet this weekend.

Timing data courtesy of CompuLink