Sun, Oct 25, 12:32 AM More Records Fall at the Motorplex

by Ed Dykes Kopp Wins; Scelzi, Force, WJ Set New Marks

ENNIS, Texas - It was a record-setting day at the Texas Motorplex, with Gary Scelzi, John Force, and Warren Johnson all establishing new marks enroute to the #1 spots in their respective professional categories in Saturday's final day of qualifying at the $1.7-million NHRA Revell Nationals. Larry Kopp took the Pro Stock Truck title in the day's only pro category eliminations.

Force made the quickest Funny Car pass in history to take the top slot in the day's final qualifying session. His 4.787 second run at 322.81 miles per hour earned the seven-time champ his 80th career pole position, and his fifth at the Motorplex, where the Yorba Linda, Calif. native has won only once. Force's Castrol GTX Mustang needs to run within 1% of the elapsed time (4.835 or better) during Sunday's eliminations to set an official NHRA national record. The 322.81 mph speed is the third fastest in Funny Car history, and the sport's fifth fastest. Force's run moved first-day leader Cruz Pedregon down to the second slot.

Gary Scelzi reset the national record in his Team Winston Top Fuel Dragster, running a 4.525 second elapsed time at 319.37 miles per hour. The effort earns the Fresno, Ca driver a $50,000 bonus from the MBNA Word Record Club and twenty points toward the Winston Championship.

Kenny Bernstein's 320.51 mph run in the Bud King dragster stands as the fastest of the weekend.

Warren Johnson paced the Pro Stock field in his GM Goodwrench Firebird, covering the quarter-mile in 6.867 seconds at 201.34 miles per hour to also reset the national record for the class. This was his 101st career pole position, and his twelfth this season. The Duluth, Ga. racer ran faster than 200 mph on all four of his qualifying runs this weekend.

Larry Kopp took his fifth Pro Stock Truck title in the category's premiere season, defeating Jerry Haas in the final, 7.654 to 7.729. Kopp needs only to qualify at the season-ending race at Pomona to lock up the series championship.

Final eliminations in the professional categories will begin Sunday at 11:00 am, along with eliminations in the sportsman categories.