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NHRA: Capps, Scelzi and Yates leaders after first round qualifying

26 February 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
CHANDLER, Ariz. - Ron Capps led Funny Car qualifying Friday at the 16th annual Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals at Firebird International Raceway.

San Diego's Capps sped down the quarter-mile in his U.S. Tobacco Chevrolet Camaro in 4.895 seconds at 305.42 mph to lead the pack after the first day of professional action.

"That run didn't really feel that good," said Capps. "It didn't feel like a 4.89. (Crew chief) Ace (McCulloch) will try and get as much out of a lane at that particular time as possible and that's what he did on that run. We also did a lot of work in the offseason and with Chevrolet coming out with the new 2000 body we are just trying to keep up with (John) Force."

Gary Scelzi and Jim Yates also led their respective categories at the $1.5 million race, the second of 24 races in the $45 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.

Two-time Winston champion Scelzi, from Fresno, Calif., continued his strong performance to open the season as he powered his Team Winston Top Fuel dragster to the top of the order with his pass of 4.579 at 317.05.

"Our team goals are high," said Scelzi. "We want to be number one. Second stinks. (Crew chief) Alan (Johnson) squeezes for everything he can get out of the car. He knows what this racetrack can take and he knows what our car will do. I think if someone can run a 60 flat and in the 50s all weekend, they are going to find themselves in the late rounds on Sunday." Yates, from Alexandria, Va., set a Pro Stock elapsed time track record as the two-time Winston champ paced the field with his pass of 6.899 at 199.91

"The car seems to be doing really well right now," said Yates. I don't know how safe that No. 1 qualifying position is going to be...I think there are cars out there capable of bumping us out of that top spot. If the weather is right then the opportunity may be there for someone to step up, but at the same time it will give us the opportunity to improve as well."

CHANDLER, Ariz. - Friday's qualifying results for the 16th annual Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals presented by Pennzoil at Firebird International Raceway, the 2nd of 23 events in the $45-million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.

TOP FUEL

1. Gary Scelzi, Fresno, Calif., 4.579 seconds, 317.05 mph; 2. Larry Dixon, Indianapolis, 4.667, 310.84; 3. Joe Amato, Exeter, Pa., 4.671, 307.16; 4. Melanie Troxel, Littleton, Colo., 4.677, 337.41; 5. Tony Schumacher, Park Ridge, Ill., 4.682, 315.56; 6. Cory McClenathan, Anaheim, Calif., 4.688, 308.43; 7. Tim Gibson, Irvine, Calif., 4.708, 313.58; 8. David Grubnic, Ennis, Mont., 4.725, 310.27; 9. Jim Bailey, Mantua, Ohio, 4.725, 299.80; 10. Doug Herbert, Cherryville, N.C., 4.728, 309.49; 11. Don Lampus, Garland, Texas, 4.732, 312.93; 12. Bruce Litton, Indianapolis, 4.735, 312.21; 13. Bob Vandergriff, Cumming, Ga., 4.748, 309.27; 14. Kenny Bernstein, Lake Forest, Calif., 4.777, 298.60; 15. Robert Reehl, Whittier, Calif., 4.846, 299.06; 16. Rhonda Hartman, Williamston, S.C., 4.968, 222.40.

FUNNY CAR

1. Ron Capps, Carlsbad, Calif., Chevrolet Camaro, 4.895, 305.42; 2. Al Hofmann, Umatilla, Fla., Pontiac Firebird, 4.970, 300.66; 3. Tony Pedregon, Chino Hills, Calif., Ford Mustang, 5.023, 304.87; 4. Del Worsham, Laguna Hills, Calif., Firebird, 5.031, 284.45; 5. Whit Bazemore, Indianapolis, Camaro, 5.034, 307.51; 6. Frank Pedregon, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Firebird, 5.078, 297.88; 7. Cristen Powell, Portland, Ore., Firebird, 5.130, 290.44; 8. Johnny Gray, Carlsbad, N.M., Dodge Avenger, 5.165, 256.55; 9. Bob Gilbertson, Gastonia, N.C., Camaro, 5.194, 285.35; 10. Kenny Sayers, Houston, Corvette, 5.279, 228.77; 11. Dale Creasy Jr., Lansing, Ill., Firebird, 5.293, 281.83; 12. Scotty Cannon, Lyman, S.C., Camaro, 5.328, 278.29; 13. Scott Weis, Ashland, Va., Mustang, 5.377, 262.49; 14. Bruce Sarver, Bakersfield, Calif., Firebird, 5.590, 242.32; 15. Jim Epler, Phoenix, Firebird, 5.675, 179.21; 16. John Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., Mustang, 5.716, 245.18.

PRO STOCK

1. Jim Yates, Alexandria, Va., Pontiac Firebird, 6.899, 199.58; 2. Bruce Allen, Arlington, Texas, Firebird, 6.920, 199.70; 3. Jeg Coughlin, Columbus, Ohio, Oldsmobile Cutlass, 6.921, 199.55; 4. Warren Johnson, Buford, Ga., Firebird, 6.925, 199.20; 5. Kurt Johnson, Lawrenceville, Ga., Chevrolet Camaro, 6.927, 199.91; 6. Mark Pawuk, Akron, Ohio, Firebird, 6.933, 198.76; 7. Greg Anderson, Jacksonville, N.C., Firebird, 6.939, 198.88; 8. Mike Trumble, Pasadena, Texas, Firebird, 6.939, 199.14; 9. Troy Coughlin, Columbus, Ohio, Cutlass, 6.940, 198.76; 10. V. Gaines, Lakewood, Colo., Camaro, 6.956, 199.85; 11. Ron Krisher, Warren, Ohio, Firebird, 6.966, 198.73; 12. Larry Morgan, Newark, Ohio, Dodge Avenger, 6.967, 197.65; 13. John Nobile, Melville, N.Y., Avenger, 6.969, 198.47; 14. John Fairleigh, Scott City, Kan., Firebird, 6.981, 198.23; 15. Allen Johnson, Greeneville, Tenn., Avenger, 6.985, 197.36; 16. Richie Stevens, New Orleans, Firebird, 6.987, 197.28.

Text provided by NHRA

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