---

NHRA: Team Exide has weekend of ups, downs in hometown Chicago

6 June 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Chicago, IL- Tony Schumacher headed into the third annual Prestone Nationals with high hopes of reclaiming the Winston Drag Racing Series points lead and of performing well in front of his hometown fans. Team Exide came out of the gate running strong, qualifying with their best Elapsed Time of the year. They also re-set the track record at 322.58 Miles Per Hour. The downside came as Schumacher lost to event winner Gary Scelzi in the semi-final round. This allowed Scelzi and Team Winston to extend their lead in the chase for the Winston Championship.

Sunday morning found Schumacher, the reigning Winston Champion starting from the second qualifying position where he defeated Joe Hartley in the opening round. For the second round, Team Exide had lane choice over Bob Vandergriff. Vandergriff had the advantage at the start, but Schumacher caught and passed him by the end of the mile to advance to the semi final round. This set up a mini showdown with Team Winston in round three.

From the start of the race, both drivers had problems. Team Exide lost traction in the first 100 feet, and Team Winston had an engine fire that lasted the entire run. Upon seeing the fireball trailing the dragster in the other lane, Schumacher got back into the throttle to try and catch Scelzi, but ran out of track. Scelzi crossed the finish line first, with a 5.459 ET to Schumacher's trailing 6.364 ET.

"We were really pumped up to win this race," said a dejected Schumacher. "We hate to give it away by smoking the tires. That's the worst way to loose, especially at home."

Crew Chief Dan Olsen added "Scelzi's team is as good as any out here, but we gave them a gift today."

Scelzi went on to defeat Larry Dixon and the Miller Lite team in the final round, and lengthened his points lead to 60 over second place. By virtue of his runner up finish, the Miller Lite team moved into second place, ahead of the Exide backed dragster now in third place.

Next up on the schedule is a Match Race in Norwalk Ohio this weekend, June 10th. The next Winston event is in Columbus, Ohio the weekend of June 17th.

Text provided by Dave Engelman

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.