NHRA: Bazemore, Scelzi lead Friday qualifying at FRAM Autolite Nationals
5 August 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
SONOMA, Calif. - Whit Bazemore picked up where he left off last year at Sears Point Raceway, leading Friday's Funny Car qualifying at the 13th annual FRAM Autolite Nationals.
Gary Scelzi and Warren Johnson also were qualifying leaders in their respective categories at the 15th of 23 events in the $45 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.
Bazemore, the defending winner of the $1.8 million race, covered the quarter-mile distance with a run of 4.955 seconds at 308.21 mph in his Kendall Oil Chevrolet Camaro, just edging John Force's green and white Castrol GTX Ford Mustang for the top spot in the 16-car order.
"I pedaled it really quick early and it went on down the track for a nice run," Bazemore said. "Terry (Manzer, new crew chief) is really doing a great job. I'm trying to prove to him that I can drive because his tune-up is a little different than what I've been used to."
Scelzi, from Fresno, Calif., continued to set the pace in Top Fuel, recording a 4.634 at 310.98 to lead the way in the Team Winston dragster. "We're just getting started," said Scelzi, the category points leader with six victories. "The Team Winston car is really alive and well. We'll need to stay that way because everyone is gunning for us."
Johnson, from Buford, Ga., posted a track record run of 6.896 at 200.53 in his GM Goodwrench Pontiac Firebird to lead Pro Stock.
Qualifying continues Saturday with sessions at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
SONOMA, Calif. - Friday's qualifying results for the 13th annual FRAM Autolite Nationals at Sears Point Raceway, 15th of 23 events in the $45 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series. Qualifying continues Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Gary Scelzi, 4.634 seconds, 310.98 mph; 2. Bob Vandergriff, 4.666, 314.97; 3. Tim Gibson, 4.680, 311.63; 4. Larry Dixon, 4.681, 313.22; 5. Doug Herbert, 4.702, 311.13; 6. Don Lampus, 4.744, 309.34; 7. Tony Schumacher, 4.759, 311.70; 8. Kenny Bernstein, 4.765, 303.71; 9. Doug Kalitta, 4.782, 298.34; 10. David Grubnic, 4.878, 292.58; 11. Bobby Baldwin, 4.895, 284.81; 12. Rhonda Hartman-Smith, 4.938, 294.24; 13. Craig Smith, 5.044, 296.11; 14. Joe Amato, 5.181, 209.04; 15. Cory McClenathan, 5.311, 204.57; 16. Bobby Lagana, 6.112, 139.11.
Funny Car -- 1. Whit Bazemore, Chevy Camaro, 4.955, 308.21; 2. John Force, Ford Mustang, 5.005, 302.55; 3. Bruce Sarver, Pontiac Firebird, 5.007, 302.48; 4. Tony Pedregon, Mustang, 5.016, 305.98; 5. Scotty Cannon, Camaro, 5.076, 283.67; 6. Jim Epler, Camaro, 5.088, 300.40; 7. Del Worsham, Firebird, 5.108, 296.50; 8. Dean Skuza, Dodge Avenger, 5.139, 293..09; 9. Bob Gilbertson, Camaro, 5.143, 281.66; 10. Cruz Pedregon, Firebird, 5.170, 291.51; 11. Louis Sweet, Avenger, 5.272, 234.66; 12. Jerry Toliver, Firebird, 5.479, 266.95; 13. Al Hofmann, Firebird, 5.596, 263.36; 14. Dale Creasy Jr., Firebird, 5.625, 230.84; 15. Bob Hallock, Avenger, 5.649, 189.95; 16. Don Sosenko, Firebird, 6.253, 156.90.
Pro Stock -- 1. Warren Johnson, Pontiac Firebird, 6.896, 200.53; 2. Ron Krisher, Firebird, 6.952, 199.35; 3. Rickie Smith, Chevy Camaro, 6.963, 198.35; 4. Darrell Alderman, Dodge Avenger, 6.965, 198.03; 5. Jeg Coughlin, Oldsmobile Cutlass, 6.977, 199.05; 6. Allen Johnson, Avenger, 6.980, 197.80; 7. Mark Pawuk, Firebird, 6.987, 197.88; 8. Jim Yates, Firebird, 6.999, 198.90; 9. Kurt Johnson, Camaro, 7.007, 198.96; 10. Richie Stevens, Firebird, 7.017, 198.09; 11. Robert Patrick, Ford Mustang, 7.029, 197.51; 12. George Marnell, Firebird, 7.031, 197.59; 13. Bruce Allen, Firebird, 7.043, 198.17; 14. Troy Coughlin, Cutlass, 7.045, 197.13; 15. Tom Hammonds, Camaro, 7.047, 197.19; 16. John Geyer, Avenger, 7.052, 197.05.
Text provided by Anthony Vestal
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