Mon, Oct 19, 01:23 PM Pontiac Notes & Quotes

Courtesy of Jeff Romack, Pontiac Racing Parts America Nationals

TOPEKA, Kan. - PRO STOCK

Jim Yates (Splitfire/Peak Pontiac Firebird) All day long it looked like lane choice was worth a couple or three hundredths and we were taking advantage of that. We probably got a little too conservative with the setup going into the semi-finals. We figured we could out run him by three or four hundredths at least, and then stay with him on the starting line. The Splitfire/Peak Firebird made a pretty good run but that right lane came around and Jegs was able to run right with us. We were a little aggressive with the clutch, but we were running good like that all day. The track cooled down and we spun the tires a little hard in low gear. We would have been lucky to run a low 6.94 and that still wouldn't have been enough. Lost in round three

Mark Pawuk (Summit Racing Pontiac Firebird) I was just hoping the rain would stop and that we would get a run in. I knew Kurt was going to be tough in the first round but I also knew that with the changing track conditions it was going to be anybody's race. The Summit Racing Firebird was actually heavy and I double-clutched on the starting line. It looked like he was too heavy and got loose and we were able to get around him. Right now every round counts because we're trying to remain in the top-10. I'm just glad we got a round under our belt. We're going to keep plugging away, try to win some rounds in the last three races and hang in there.

Mike Thomas (Pennzoil Pontiac Firebird) That wasn't what I consider racing. This entire event should have been held over until tomorrow. These were the worst conditions I've ever raced on at an NHRA national event. It's ridiculous. I fell like I had the faster car and we just couldn't stay on the track. The Pennzoil Firebird was spinning all the way down to a little past mid-track. I eventually got over by the wall and had to lift. I don't want to take any credit away from Bruce. He ran a good lap and he earned lane choice. But I think he'd agree with me that the track is way below where it needs to be. Lost in round one

Bruce Allen (Outlaw Pontiac Firebird) The surface was so slick it was dangerous. The Outlaw Firebird got off to a good start, but the car became aggressive down track and I started spinning. I had to stay on the accelerator all the way through because I didn't know where Mike (Thomas) was and I didn't want to give away the win at the other end. I was real happy when the win light came on. Going into the race against Yates, we had a go for broke philosophy. We changed a lot of things on the car between races because we knew we were running a real fast car. It would've been hard to beat the numbers regardless of what I could've run, but it would have been fun to try. Overall, this was a pretty decent race for us. I felt like we started to show what the Outlaw Pontiac can do and I hope we can carry this over to Dallas and win a few rounds there. Lost in round two

Tom Martino (Jesel Valve Train Pontiac Firebird) We came in here not knowing how far the Jesel Valve Train Firebird was going to go because we had been struggling with the motor. We should have only got to the semi-finals. Warren (Johnson) put up a 6.95 and the best we were going to run was a 6.97. I'm not happy that 6.99 was the best we could do. I gambled a little trying to go 6.95 and the car went the other way. I only had him by five thousandths on the tree so even if I would have run a 6.97 it wouldn't have been enough. We didn't roll the dice, we just got a little more aggressive for what the track would handle. It went the other way, but we're ecstatic with our performance today. Lost in round three

FUNNY CAR

Cruz Pedregon (Interstate Batteries Pontiac Firebird) The Interstate Batteries Firebird was dancing around a little bit but it was an awesome run. It was definitely all I could do to keep it straight. It wasn't as steady as some of the runs we've made, but considering the conditions, it was just an awesome call by Wes (Cerny) and the guys. They were making a lot of changes in the staging lanes based on what the other cars were doing, and it was a good thing I wasn't paying attention because I would have gone nuts. They were turning every knob you can turn. That just goes to show that Wes knows where he's at with this setup and that he knows what he wants with this car. He'll take what the track will give no matter what happens to every body else. It's going to get cooler, but Wes will just look at the conditions and go from there. I'm going to do my job and hopefully we can keep winning rounds.

Every run we expected the Interstate Batteries Firebird to go down through there. Overall it's been a pretty good showing for us. We're happy to get to the semi-finals, but we would much rather have won the race. We're going to win a lot of races and I feel pretty good that I did a pretty decent job of driving today. This car is the best car out here and we have the best team. We have three to go, and we're going to give it our best shot. Lost in round three

Randy Anderson (Parts America Pontiac Firebird) I'm disappointed. This was our sponsors race and we were pretty confident that we could come in here and be competitive. Whit (Bazemore) obviously had problems, he ran an 8.44 and was there for the taking. That's definitely a race the Parts America Firebird should have won. I've never had my car do that. When I saw yellow, I hit the throttle and when I looked forward I was pointed towards the wall. I just turned the wheel as hard as I could to straighten it out. I felt good about our chances today, but now we just have to put it behind us and try and rebound in Dallas. Lost in round one

Al Hofmann (GM Performance Parts Pontiac Firebird) We felt pretty confident coming in today that the GM Performance Parts Firebird could get to the finals. When the car's right then they have to beat us. With the track conditions the way they are right now, you're racing the race track. It's so cold out there now that it's tough for anyone to get hold of the track. Right now, we're just going to go up there and try and get down the track. It should be a good drag race. You have to be there before you can win. I guess it doesn't matter how you get there as long as you're there. It hasn't been real pretty but we've done what we've had to do.

Del Worsham (Checkers/Schucks/Kragen Pontiac Firebird) The best thing we can do is get this race out of our mind and move on to Dallas. We'll try and come back strong there. We ran the 4.98 there in May and hopefully, the Checkers/Schucks/Kragen Firebird can win some rounds and stick around a little while longer on race day. Lost in round one

TOP FUEL

Shelly Anderson (Parts America/Pontiac) After it rained all day, the track was in lousy condition and the car was just too fast for the right lane. Lost in round one

Cory McClenathan (McDonald's/Pontiac)