Sat, Oct 3, 09:11 PM TOPEKA - Federal-Mogul Funny Car Round 1 Eliminations

By Rick Green

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

 Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   6 Stan Smith          6.006 237.21  Q   9 Randy Fleming       6.430 226.64
 *****WINNER***** 0.528  6.120 231.36 E1                  0.612  9.322  96.28

It is 56 degrees, humidity is 87% and the barometer is 29.99 inches with overcast skies as we move into round one of Federal-Mogul Funny Car eliminations. Fleming gets real close to the centerline and has to lift and Smith then almost crosses the centerline right before the finishline.

 Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   3 Marc White          5.948 245.09  Q  12 Pat Austin          8.357 106.45
                  0.484  5.866 234.80 E1 *****WINNER***** 0.412  5.818 248.96

White launches into big time tire shake, but is able to drive through it. Austin with a killer light and his best pass of the weekend to take the win.

 Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   5 Steve Gasparrelli   5.999 234.92  Q  10 Scott Palmer        6.635 209.30
 *****WINNER***** 0.549  5.901 242.65 E1                  0.496  6.627 210.72

Palmer gets off the line first and holds Gasparrelli until half-track, but after that Gasparrelli was able to drive through the tire shake and chase him down for the win.

 Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   2 Cy Chesterman       5.911 249.58  Q  13 Larry Miner         8.531 116.35
 *****WINNER***** 0.455  6.036 246.44 E1                  0.450  6.046 245.49

This was a great drag race as both cars drive through tire shake, and skate all the way down the quarter-mile. The drivers had their hands full all the way, Chesterman wins this close one by 0.005 seconds or just over a foot and a half.

 Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   1 Todd Paton          5.819 246.23  Q  14 Bruce Carlson       9.925  85.28
 *****WINNER***** 0.502 13.119  58.65 E1                  0.000 (Broke)      

Carlson is a no show, Paton launches into big time tire shake and clicks it off.

 Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   7 Vern Moats          6.018 238.53  Q   8 Larry Bakke         6.335 204.17
 *****WINNER***** 0.642  6.042 237.52 E1                  0.509  6.266 228.36

Moats is way late on the tree, but has the power to chase Bakke down for the win.

 Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   4 Steve Addleman      5.996 239.48  Q  11 Lynn Engels         6.879 211.41
                  0.559 (Broke)       E1 *****WINNER***** 0.572  7.367 183.56

Addleman launches first then breaks immediately and coast to a stop. Meanwhile Engels is off and on the the throttle three times, but still takes the win.

Paton will get a bye, Gasparrelli with his choice over Engels, Chesterman gets to choose against Moats, and Austin will get the pick against Smith.