Mon, 4 Sep 2000, 04:48 PM INDY - Funny Car Round 3 Eliminations

By Darryl Jackman Funny Car Final Set

CLERMONT, Ind. - Results of round 3 eliminations in Funny Car at the 46th annual U.S. Nationals:

 Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
  12 Cruz Pedregon       5.049 302.01  Q   16 Whit Bazemore       5.084 299.86
   (C Powell    ) 0.520  5.123 277.72  E1   (T Johnson Jr) 0.506  5.047 301.40
   (T Pedregon  ) 0.464  5.011 305.15  E2   (T Wilkerson ) 0.524  4.955 307.65
                  0.480  5.184 225.79  E3 *****WINNER***** 0.471  5.052 303.98

3:32 PM Both of these drivers had their quickest runs of the weekend in the prior round. Cruz is sponsored by the Teller Quick group and they could really use this win. Bazemore and Etchells have had an up and down year and they also need a win. Pedregon gets gets the light and is pulling away to near the finish when there was a flash and the car shut its self off. Bazemore was almost a full car behind until Pedregon had his problem and closed quickly to the finish.

 Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   3 Ron Capps           4.968 300.53  Q   10 Jim Epler           5.046 298.47
   (B Gilbertson) 0.493  4.997 301.47  E1   (S Cannon    ) 0.540  5.002 304.46
   (B Sarver    ) 0.543  4.903 304.39  E2   (J Force     ) 0.500  4.986 295.79
                  0.515  5.058 293.92  E3 *****WINNER***** 0.527  4.923 305.98

Capps has low et of the weekend in Prudhomme's car but Epler isn't far behind. this sets up to be a good race. Both will try and better Bazemore's 5.052 for lane choice. Capps had the lead all the way to the eighth but Epler pulled away in the second half. By the finish it was a big lead for the Big Red Machine. Epler will have lane choice.