Sat, Oct 3, 09:17 PM TOPEKA - Federal-Mogul Dragster Round 1 Eliminations

By Bob Orme

TOPEKA, Kan. - Results of round 1 eliminations in Federal-Mogul Dragster at the 10th annual Parts America Nationals:

 Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   5 David Wells         5.647 252.73  Q  12 Ed Schmeekle        6.065 232.55
 *****WINNER***** 0.496  5.661 252.38 E1                  0.000 (Broke)      

Schmeekle broke at the line and was unable to make a pass.

 Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   8 Gerald Gossman      5.838 236.96  Q   9 Shelly Howard       5.878 240.06
                  0.462  8.702  99.48 E1 *****WINNER***** 0.459  5.925 237.09

Gossman was battling tire shake from the launch to about 300' and fought to keep from crossing the center line for most of his run.

 Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
  14 Dana Stripe         6.171 217.44  Q   3 John Costanza       5.582 253.52
                  0.476  6.090 220.21 E1 *****WINNER***** 0.481  5.540 250.20

Stripe was a little bit out of the groove while Costanza had a smooth and straight run.

 Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   7 Calvin Friesen      5.793 236.03  Q  10 Mark Kinser         5.934 240.77
                  0.046  5.752 236.77 E1 *****WINNER***** 0.373  5.611 250.62

Friesen, who couldn't wait for the green light, was spitting parts going through the traps.

 Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   1 Rick Santos         5.477 250.48  Q       Bye
 *****WINNER***** 0.531  5.794 245.70 E1

Santos had to pedal through early tire shake but still made a decent pass.

 Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   6 Melanie Troxel      5.745 249.79  Q  11 Denny Hummel        5.936 188.48
 *****WINNER***** 0.620 13.607  54.03 E1                  0.000 (Broke)      

Troxel was headed toward the center line just past the tree and decided to coast to the bye win as Hummel broke on the burnout.

 Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
  15 Michael Bowers      6.421 191.16  Q   2 Shane Gay           5.549 255.75
                  0.635  5.870 219.94 E1 *****WINNER***** 0.447  5.587 252.17

Gay was bouncing the front tires up and down for the first 200' and hangs on for a good run. Bowers' engine started letting go at about 900' and he went through the traps trailing a large fireball.

 Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   4 Jay Payne           5.624 249.65  Q  13 Tim Baxter          6.151 187.03
 *****WINNER***** 0.491  5.562 253.16 E1                  0.469  5.985 200.66

Baxter idled through his burnout and the tire chatter on his run was evidence of cold tires. Payne shook a little on the launch but was able to drive through it to advance to the second round. That's it for round one eliminations in Federal-Mogul Dragster.