Sat, May 30, 03:58 PM Romine in Route 66 Field

JOLIET, ILL. (May 29, 1998) -- It took a donation to the aluminum gods, but Paul Romine and the CARQUEST Top Fuel dragster are qualified 12th after day one of the inaugural NHRA Fram Route 66 Nationals at the newly built $20 million Route 66 Raceway, located near Chicago.

Of 26 Top Fuel dragsters that attempted to qualify for 16 available positions, the CARQUEST dragster with Romine qualified during the Friday night session, kicking a rod out, but still managing a 4.739/284.27.

“It’s unfortunate that we lost an engine to get in the show, but we’ll deal with it and try to improve,” Romine said. “With 26 fuelers present, this is going to be a very tough field, possibly quicker than Indy last year (the quickest Top Fuel field in NHRA history) so if need be, we’ll tried to lower our time Saturday.”

The CARQUEST team will have the option of two final qualifying sessions Saturday afternoon to improve their qualifying position at the NHRA Fram Route 66 Nationals.

Friday afternoon qualifying: Smoked tires

Friday night qualifying progressives: Top Times during session Romine’s times

832 (Jim Head) (#4).848

2.131(Joe Amato) (#2)2.150 3.058/271.46(Amato) (#5)3.122/ (#11)255.34 3.851(Amato) (#7)3.969 4.554 (Amato) (#9)4.737/(#13)284.27 312.86 (Bob Vandergriff)

CARQUEST Corporation began 24 years ago with 100 auto parts stores. Today there are over 3,400 CARQUEST Auto Parts Stores serving North America. CARQUEST supplies the professional automotive service repair industry as well as do-it-yourselfers with replacement parts, tools and equipment. CARQUEST is committed to providing auto parts and services of the highest quality and greatest value to its customers. For the location of the CARQUEST Auto Parts Stores nearest you, call 1-800-492-PART or check out CARQUEST on the World Wide Web at CARQUEST.COM. CARQUEST Auto Parts is the primary sponsor of IHRA Top Fuel World Champion Paul Romine and title right sponsor of the CARQUEST Nationals, July 10-12, in Rochester, NY and the CARQUEST Nationals, July 31-Aug. 2, in Stanton, MI.

-AEROLITE RACING-