NHRA: Gibbs Teams Focused on Victories in Pomona
5 November 1999
Posted By Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
POMONA, Calif. --With the end of the National Hot Rod
Associations season just a short week away, teams are making a last ditch
effort to end the season on a positive note with good qualifying spots and
hopefully victories in their respective categories. The Southern
California Auto Club NHRA Finals will be, for some drivers, an interview
opportunity for new teams and for new sponsors.
Such is the case for Tommy Johnson, Jr., driver of the Interstate Batteries/Gumout Pontiac Funny Car. Due to the loss of the teams sponsor for 2000, Johnson was notified that his team would be disbanding at the end of the season leaving him with a very uncertain future. Since then, he and his team members have been on a mission to win every round they can.
"This may be my last race in a Funny Car," said Johnson, "so I want to go out with a win. Pomona is a great place to race, the track is smooth and I think youll see faster times then you did in Houston. Houston was a bit of a disappointment, I thought we would be a lot faster than we were. But the whole team is focused on winning at Pomona, we have spent a lot of time and energy trying to get to this position, and I think we are more determined than ever to win."
Cory McClenathan, driver of the MBNA / Gumout Top Fuel Dragster, is looking for a positive end to a frustrating season. With numerous personnel changes through the year, McClenathan is hoping that a win at Pomona will set the tone for his 2000 season.
"Its been a long season," said McClenathan. "We have had some disappointments this year for sure, but I think things are starting to turn around. Im very excited to have Wes (Cerney) tuning the car; he brings a lot of experience with him. Pomona is one of my favorite places, the track is nice and it provides for quick times. We should be in the thick of things there. I would like nothing better than to take a win, I really feel I have the car to beat."
The 35th Annual Southern California Auto Club NHRA Finals are scheduled for November 11-14 at the historic Pomona Raceway at the Fairplex in Pomona, Calif. Pro qualifying begins on Thursday, continuing through Saturday with final eliminations scheduled for Sunday. For more information on times and ticket prices call the track at (800) 884-6472.
Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.