Sat, 1 Jun 2002, 07:13 PM Funny Car Round 3 Eliminations

By Larry Sullivan

DINWIDDIE, Va. - Results of round 3 eliminations in Funny Car at the Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series, 2nd annual ACDelco Nationals presented by Chevrolet:

Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   3 Mark Thomas         5.923 235.35  Q    2 Jimmy Rector        5.889 237.42
   (P LEE       ) 0.498  5.960 235.80  E1   (R MIDYETTE  ) 0.479  5.936 235.56
   (F TIGGES    ) 0.610  5.942 236.09  E2   (L CANNISTER ) 0.504  5.926 235.35
                  0.539  6.021 225.82  E3 *****WINNER***** 0.461  5.959 233.88

6:04 PM Rector just plain undressed Thomas on the starting line. By the time Thomas got under way, Rector was almost past the tree. Thomas gave it a game try, but Rector had him covered at both ends of the track and won by almost 50 feet.

Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   1 Dale Brand          5.828 237.71  Q    5 Mike Comella        5.965 233.52
   (B MARTINDALE) 0.481  5.965 234.74  E1   (P HOOPER    ) 0.465  6.042 232.55
   (M TODD      ) 0.451  5.911 235.15  E2   (B BURKETT   ) 0.483  6.063 232.91
 *****WINNER***** 0.460  5.944 232.07  E3                  0.465  6.030 231.99

Two great lights here, but Brand had the performance edge after the 60-foot marker and won by more than a car length, quick enough to also earn lane choice against Rector in the final round.