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NHRA: Team Exide fails to capitalize on opportunity; Eliminated in second round

10 August 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Sonoma, CA, - After watching the current NHRA Top Fuel points leader get upset in the first round of the Fram Autolite Nationals, Tony Schumacher and the Exide Batteries Drag Racing Team got upset themselves in round two. And while they gained points on the lead position, they slipped to third in the standings.

In the first round of eliminations at Sears Point Raceway, Schumacher, who qualified ninth, faced five-time Winston Champion Joe Amato, who qualified eighth. Leaving the starting line first, Schumacher's Elapsed Time (E.T.) of 4.824 seconds at 312.71 mph was quick enough to advance to the next round.

For the second time this season, current Winston Points leader Gary Scelzi lost in the first round to newcomer Jim Cavalieri. With Scelzi's loss, Team Exide was in an excellent position to make up valuable Winston Championship points, but it was not to be.

In the second round, Cavalieri, driving for the Peek Brothers (the same team that gave Schumacher his Top Fuel start in 1996), was able to outrun the defending series champion with an impressive E.T. of 4.81 seconds. Schumacher lost traction almost immediately, ending his day earlier than he hoped.

"Last year we didn't get the lead until Indy," said Schumacher, "so you can't count us out yet." "Even though we didn't gain as many as we wanted, we did gain on Scelzi," he added.

Team Exide will have one week off before heading to Brainerd, MN where they will continue to chase down points leader Scelzi, and Team Winston at the Colonel's Truck Accessories NHRA Nationals, August 17-20. Schumacher dropped to third in NHRA Winston Championship points, 12 behind Larry Dixon and 109 behind leader Scelzi.

Text provided by DAVE ENGELMAN

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