Fri, 20 May 2016, 17:16 PM Top Alcohol Dragster Qualifying Notes, Session #1

By Bob Orme

TOPEKA, Kan. - Notes from round 1 qualifying in Top Alcohol Dragster at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, 28th annual NHRA Kansas Nationals listing lane, driver name, elapsed time, top speed, and position in order following run:

---

Left Lane: Mike Newkirk Runs 5.516/254.90, Now #1
Right Lane: Randy Meyer Runs 7.088/132.75, Now #2

3:48 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 74 degrees, relative humidity 52 percent, barometer 28.85 inches, adjusted altitude 2,832 feet, track temperature 97 degrees.

Meyer made a move toward the centerline just past the tree. He pedaled it but he had at least one cylinder out and he lifted. There were no visible problems for Newkirk.

Mike Newkirk's incremental times: 60ft-0.923 sec., 330ft-2.397, 660ft-3.600/205.32 mph, 1,000ft-4.637.

---

Left Lane: Gary Cooper Runs 5.654/261.37, Now #2
Right Lane: Matthew Cummings Runs 10.111/45.37, Now #4

Cummings pitched the blower belt at about 400 feet. Season's best numbers for Cooper on a smooth looking pass.

Gary Cooper's incremental times: 60ft-0.967 sec., 330ft-2.548, 660ft-3.775/205.29 mph, 1,000ft-4.795.

---

Left Lane: Monroe Guest Runs 10.832/98.54, Now #6
Right Lane: Chase Copeland Runs 5.449/266.58, Now #1

Guest chattered the tires right after the hit. A good looking pass for Copeland.

Chase Copeland's incremental times: 60ft-0.976 sec., 330ft-2.503, 660ft-3.650/221.89 mph, 1,000ft-4.615.

---

Left Lane: John Finke Runs 5.494/264.91, Now #3
Right Lane: Jackie Fricke Runs 5.470/257.28, Now #2

A good looking drag race as both drivers take it straight down the groove.

John Finke's incremental times: 60ft-0.996 sec., 330ft-2.561, 660ft-3.689/221.23 mph, 1,000ft-4.656.
Jackie Fricke's incremental times: 60ft-0.985 sec., 330ft-2.515, 660ft-3.647/221.31 mph, 1,000ft-4.617.

---

Left Lane: Chris Demke Runs 5.282/273.72, Now #1
Right Lane: Lee Callaway Runs 5.298/270.10, Now #2

Another good looking drag race and they take the top two spots for now.

Chris Demke's incremental times: 60ft-0.924 sec., 330ft-2.361, 660ft-3.494/218.83 mph, 1,000ft-4.461.
Lee Callaway's incremental times: 60ft-0.923 sec., 330ft-2.361, 660ft-3.497/217.49 mph, 1,000ft-4.470.

---

Left Lane: Megan Meyer Runs 5.287/268.81, Now #2
Right Lane: Joey Severance Runs 5.357/267.53, Now #4

Severance drove through some early tire shake. A good looking pass for Meyer and she moves into the number two spot.

Megan Meyer's incremental times: 60ft-0.917 sec., 330ft-2.392, 660ft-3.510/224.02 mph, 1,000ft-4.461.
Joey Severance's incremental times: 60ft-0.921 sec., 330ft-2.389, 660ft-3.534/216.65 mph, 1,000ft-4.520.

Timing data courtesy of CompuLink