Sun, 10 Nov 2002, 03:19 PM Pro Stock Round 1 Eliminations

By Darryl Jackman

POMONA, Calif. - Results of round 1 eliminations in Pro Stock at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 38th annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals:

Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   8 Tom Martino         6.854 201.58  Q    9 Jim Yates           6.855 200.92
                  0.429  6.883 201.58  E1 *****WINNER***** 0.446  6.851 201.04

Pro Stock is next out of the starting blocks. Conditions are good but the track is still a bit green, Temperature is 71 degrees, 48% humidity and barometer is 30.09 and falling. Yates runs quicker than his only qualifying pass and Martino doesn't. Yates moves on.

Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   7 Tom Lee             6.846 201.64  Q   10 Robert Patrick      6.856 200.95
 *****WINNER***** 0.417  6.862 201.67  E1                  0.448  6.874 200.95

Lee leaves on Patrick and this one's over early. Both cars were just a bit slower than qualifying and the drivers appeared to have their hands full of race car.

Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   6 Mike Edwards        6.843 201.58  Q   11 Darrell Alderman    6.857 201.40
 *****WINNER***** 0.410  6.855 200.98  E1                  0.449  6.897 201.13

Edwards has one of his psychic lights and runs quicker than Alderman. That marks the end of the season for Alderman and a trip to the second round for Edwards.

Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
  12 Jamie Yates         6.862 200.80  Q    5 Gene Wilson         6.829 201.70
                  0.455  6.873 200.68  E1 *****WINNER***** 0.431  6.882 200.92

Wilson takes this one on a holeshot. Wilson had .02 on the tree and managed to hold Yates off at the finish.

Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   4 Ron Krisher         6.816 202.61  Q   13 Jeg Coughlin        6.864 201.19
                  0.462  6.873 201.22  E1 *****WINNER***** 0.445  6.860 201.22

Jeg is out first and that spells the end for Krisher and his season. Jeg will have lane choice over Wilson next round.

Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
  14 George Marnell      6.865   NS    Q    3 Greg Anderson       6.810 203.58
                  0.494  6.916 199.37  E1 *****WINNER***** 0.455  6.839 202.88

Anderson will the starting line battle and the ET war as well. He runs low ET of the round to this point and will have lane choice over Edwards next round.

Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   1 Warren Johnson      6.797 203.31  Q   16 Allen Johnson       6.867   NS
 *****WINNER***** 0.440  6.838 202.36  E1                  0.412  6.882 201.91

Warren takes over low ET of eliminations but misses the speed. Allen had a really nice light but Warren was the WJ of old as he ran down the Dodge at the other end.

Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
  15 Mark Whisnant       6.866   NS    Q    2 Kurt Johnson        6.806 203.28
                  0.450  6.878 201.88  E1 *****WINNER***** 0.453  6.817 202.91

Even start for the final pair but it's the WJ power making it's self felt again. Kurt sets low ET and top speed of the round. KJ will have lane choice over Lee in round two.