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NHRA: Kuhns, Successful In Testing Looks Forward To Pomona

31 January 2001

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Pro Modified racer Kirk Kuhns had a successful outing in Phoenix at the Division 7 Federal Mogul Drag Racing Series opener this past weekend at Firebird International Raceway. Though the event was postponed due to rain, Kuhns and his Red Line Oil Sponsored 63 Corvette had enough time to set the National Record for Pro Modified, and qualify second in the Competition Eliminator category with a great 6.453 e.t. at over 218 mph. Kuhns first run produced an equally impressive 6.458 e.t.

"It felt really good on both of those runs, and the motor is in real good shape," he said. "I'm really looking forward to running in Pomona, I feel confident that we will do well."

In the first round of eliminations, the 38 year old driver garnered a win over opponent and fellow Pro Modified racer Randy Hagerty, but was slightly off pace with a 6.50 e.t.

"I clicked it at about 1100 feet. That is why the speed was down and the e.t. was off a bit. The computer and the (timeslip) incrementals said it would have run about a .45 again," he added.

Rain caused the race to be postponed until Monday. Though he had won in the first round, he and the rest of the General Plumbing sponsored team felt they had learned what they wanted to know from the test.

"We figured we'd save it for Pomona, so we loaded it up and came home," said Kuhns.

Adding to the excitement of the weekend, his was named the event's Best Engineered Car. He couldn't have been happier about the award.

"It was really great to win that award. We had sponsors Larry and Theresa Arney on hand, and it was just an all around great weekend. Hopefully we can pick up this coming weekend where we left off at Phoenix," said an elated Kuhns.

Text Provided By Shane Tecklenburg

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