NHRA: Dixon, Epler among Friday qualifying leaders at Matco Tools Supernationals
20 May 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. - Larry Dixon led Friday's Top Fuel qualifying at the 31st annual Matco Tools Spring SuperNationals presented by Racing Champions at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.
Jim Epler, Ron Krisher and Craig Treble also were qualifying leaders for the $2 million race, the eighth of 23 events in the $45 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.
Dixon, from Indianapolis, managed to post a 4.644 second pass at 311.70 mph in his Miller Lite dragster despite unseasonably cold and rainy weather conditions that delayed much of the day's racing and ultimately cancelled the second qualifying attempt for Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock competitors.
"These engines make a ton of power so it's tough when it's cold like this," said Dixon, a two-time winner this season. "(Dick) LaHaie (crew chief) adjusted the car perfectly for the conditions today. I was thrilled to get it down the race track. He's really smart. I'm so glad that Don (Prudhomme, team owner) managed to get him for our team. That move is really paying off."
David Grubnic was second in the order with a 4.691 at 298.40, and defending Winston champion Tony Schumacher was third, posting a 4.693 at 320.36 in his Exide Batteries dragster.
Epler, from Phoenix, drove his WWF Racing Chevy Camaro to the top spot in Funny Car, covering the quarter-mile distance in 4.958 at 308.14.
"I've had some good runs when it gets cold like it was here today," said Epler, a winner at Las Vegas earlier this season. "The car left the line a little soft and I had to pedal it at about 200 feet because it shook a little. After that it ran on down through there. It's tough in weather conditions like this. It's such a mental game. You have to be ready to drive when the weather breaks."
Epler's teammate and team owner, Jerry Toliver, was second in his WWF Racing Pontiac Firebird, clocking a 4.974 at 298.47. Matco Tools Dodge Avenger driver Dean Skuza was third in the 16-car lineup with a 4.992 at 301.20.
Krisher, from Warren, Ohio, powered his Eagle One Pontiac Firebird to the front of the order in Pro Stock, posting a track record time of 6.851 at 200.83. Greg Anderson qualified second in a Firebird, posting a track record speed of 201.70.
Treble, from Chandler, Ariz., set a track record for time and was the Pro Stock Motorcycle leader following two sessions of qualifying. Treble rode his Team Scream Suzuki GSXR to a career-best 7.178 at 191.00. Dave Schultz, who qualified second, set a track speed record at 192.06.
Qualifying resumes Saturday with sessions at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. ENGLISHTOWN, N..J. - Friday's qualifying results for the 31st Matco Tools Spring SuperNationals presented by Racing Champions at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, eighth of 23 events in the $45 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series. Qualifying continues Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Larry Dixon, 4.644 seconds, 311.70 mph; 2. David Grubnic, 4.691, 298.40; 3. Tony Schumacher, 4.693, 320.36; 4. Doug Herbert, 4.941, 234.13; 5. Steve Smith, 5.218, 272.94; 6. Gary Scelzi, 5.802, 246.84; 7. Kenny Bernstein, 10.985, 78.06; 8. Joe Amato, 11.002, 85.19; 9. Cory McClenathan, 11.464, 77.76; 10. Rhonda Hartman-Smith, 11.572, 75.44; 11. Don Lampus, 16.303, 42.29; 12. Bobby Lagana, 22.983, 51.08.
Funny Car -- 1. Jim Epler, Chevy Camaro, 4.958, 308.14; 2. Jerry Toliver, Pontiac Firebird, 4.974, 298.47; 3. Dean Skuza, Dodge Avenger, 4.992, 301.20; 4. Cruz Pedregon, Firebird, 5.053, 295.27; 5. Whit Bazemore, Camaro, 5.124, 303.64; 6. Del Worsham, Firebird, 9.786, 86.67; 7. Tony Pedregon, Ford Mustang, 10.275, 118.25; 8. Scotty Cannon, Camaro, 11.654, 78.33; 9. John Force, Mustang, 12.412, 81.45; 10. Gary Densham, Firebird, 12.983, 81.92; 11. Ron Capps, Camaro, 13.726, 69.49; 12. Scott Weis, Chevy Corvette, 14.322, 78.88; 13. Cory Lee, Avenger, 16.482, 72.06; 14. Al Hofmann, Firebird, 16.730, 76.32; 15. Frank Pedregon, Firebird, 17.435, 73.93; 16. Bruce Sarver, Firebird, 18.722, 61.27.
Pro Stock -- 1. Ron Krisher, Pontiac Firebird, 6.851, 200.83; 2. Greg Anderson, Firebird, 6.861, 201.70; 3. Bruce Allen, Firebird, 6.877, 200.80; 4. Tom Martino, Firebird, 6.878, 200.92; 5. Troy Coughlin, Oldsmobile Cutlass, 6.893, 200.08; 6. Jim Yates, Firebird, 6.898, 200.38; 7. Mark Pawuk, Firebird, 6.903, 199.61; 8. Allen Johnson, Dodge Avenger, 6.920, 199.97; 9. Darrell Alderman, Avenger, 6.922, 199.37; 10. Robert Patrick, Ford Mustang, 6.930, 200.44; 11. Jeg Coughlin, Cutlass, 6.933, 200.05; 12. Mike Thomas, Firebird, 6.940, 199.17; 13. George Marnell, Firebird, 6.941, 196.82; 14. V. Gaines, Chevy Camaro, 6.951, 200.00; 15. Richie Stevens, Firebird, 6.974, 199.02; 16. Terry Adams, Cutlass, 7.003, 195.00.
Pro Stock Bike -- 1. Craig Treble, Suzuki, 7.178, 191.00; 2. David Schultz, Suzuki, 7.192, 192.06; 3. Antron Brown, Suzuki, 7.197, 185.79; 4. Angelle Seeling, Suzuki, 7.198, 183.15; 5. Tony Mullen, Suzuki, 7.213, 186.30; 6. Matt Hines, Suzuki, 7.242, 188.33; 7. Geno Scali, Suzuki, 7.267, 184.77; 8. Shawn Gann, Suzuki, 7.306, 186.43; 9. Blaine Hale, Kawasaki, 7.333, 180.72; 10. Chris Reuter, Suzuki, 7.358, 179.16; 11. Hector Arana, Suzuki, 7.372, 187.03; 12. Joe DeSantis, Suzuki, 7.400, 178.38; 13. Reggie Showers, Suzuki, 7.407, 180.62; 14. Clarence Markham, Suzuki, 7.420, 178.59; 15. Brian Ayers, Suzuki, 7.426, 180.40; 16. Neil Jacobs, Kawasaki, 7.449, 182.58.
Text provided by Anthony Vestal
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