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NHRA: Mark Kinser Leaves Federal-Mogul Dragster Field After Accident in Friday's Qualifying

19 June 1999


MARK KINSER LEAVES FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER FIELD AFTER ACCIDENT IN FRIDAY'S
QUALIFYING

      Denver, Colo.- After breaking both the Bandimere Speedway speed and
time records, Federal-Mogul Dragster driver Mark Kinser had to call it
quits after an accident broke the front end of his car in Friday's first
qualifying session.
     Kinser will still receive the bonus award title of Winston Top
Qualifier at the Car Quest Big A Auto Parts Thunder on the Mountain event,
but cannot compete for the win at this weekend's race.
     After an unfortunate accident tore off the front wheels and axle of
Kinser's Federal-Mogul Dragster competing at the remainder of the event
seemed unlikely.  At the end of Saturday's qualifying it became apparent
that Kinser would not be returning to fight for another victory in the NHRA
West Central Division.
     This bad news was all the more unsettling when realizing that the
Grimes, Iowa resident had already won two other NHRA West Central events in
Brainerd and Topeka at their NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series races. 
With an additional win at this weekend's event Kinser could have almost
been on his way to an NHRA West Central Division championship in
Federal-Mogul Dragster.
     In Federal-Mogul Funny Car 13-time NHRA West Central Division
Federal-Mogul champion Vern Moats, of Des Moines, Iowa took the top
qualifying position with a track record-breaking time of 5.912 seconds at a
speed of 239.10 miles per hour.  Moats is the current points leader in the
Federal-Mogul Funny Car category of the NHRA West Central Division and will
be going for a 14th championship title.  
     Moats currently holds the title of most division championship titles
ever won.
     Eliminations begin Sunday at 9:00 a.m. with Federal-Mogul Funny Car
and Dragster sessions starting at Noon.  Gates open at 8:30 a.m.


        The following are the final qualifying results from the NHRA
Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Bandimere Speedway, the third of
six events in the NHRA West Central Division:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Darren Nicholson, Laguna Hills, Calif., 5.751 seconds elapsed time,
244.25 miles per hour vs. 8. Larry Traugott, Woodward, Okla., 6.005, 231.83
(alternate qualifier moved into number eight position from ninth due to
Mark Kinser's dragster not being able to continue in competition)
2. Rob Wendland, Lawrence, Kan., 5.763, 240.96 vs. 7. Darryl Hitchman,
Hanford, Calif., 5.966, 221.45
3. Mike Strasburg, Lindon, Utah, 5.783, 242.45 vs. 6. James Thompson,
Vernon, Texas, 5.901, 234.98
4. Billy Bybee, McLean, Texas, 5.813, 233.94 vs. 5. Shelly Howard, Tulsa,
Okla., 5.859, 237.96
(Did not qualify)
9.  Gerald Gossman, Garden City, Kan., 6.089, 225.90
10.  Brent DuCray, Grand Junction, Colo., 6.178, 220.96
11.  Edwin Schmeeckle, Gothenburg, Neb., 6.273, 222.93
12.  Suzie Wells, Salt Lake City, 6.328, 213.62
13.  Bruce Bowler, Denver, 6.515, 202.42 

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 

1. Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '98 Firebird, 5.912 seconds elapsed time,
239.10 miles per hour vs. 8. Lyle Greenberg, Albuquerque, N.M., 6.279,
222.05
2. Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '99 Firebird, 5.940, 235.84 vs. 7. Tate
Branch, Artesia, N.M., '98 Avenger, 6.170, 232.01
3. Jay Payne, Irwindale, Calif., '99 Camaro, 6.048, 232.79 vs. 6. Randy
Fleming, Independence, Mo., '99 Trans Am, 6.159, 236.28 
4. Steve Addleman, Sioux Falls, S.D., '98 Firebird, 6.069, 234.86 vs. 5.
Sam Blue, Red Wing, Minn., '97 Acheiva, 6.070, 234.19 
(Did not qualify)
9. Jett Field, Poactello, Idaho, '97 Avenger, 6.294, 225.56
10. Kurt Prososki, Bellveue, Neb., '96 Daytona, 6.377, 229.88
11. Robert Kanenwisher, Conifer, Colo., '98 Avenger, 7.132, 201.65
12. Dan Southern, Littleton, Colo., '97 Camaro, 7.362, 189.35

COMP ELIMINATOR

1. Tom Snyder, Longmont, Colo., A/A '23 Chevrolet, 7.247(-0.583 seconds
under index)
2. Charlie Stewart, Arlington, Texas, A/EDragster, 7.300 (-0.540)
3. Russ Kelly, Omaha, Neb., A/EDragster, 7.312 (-0.528)
4. David Cook Jr., Houston, A/Dragster, 7.090 (-0.520) 
5. Clint Sallee, Glendive, Mont., C/Dragster, 7.675 (-0.515)
6. John Fairleigh, Scott City, Kan., B/A '97 Firebird, 7.857 (-0.513)
7. John Linton, Tonkawa, Okla., C/EDragster, 7.995 (-0.505)
8. Rod Oman, Lakewood, Colo., B/EDragster, 7.604 (-0.496) 
9. Dennis Smiley, Denver City, Texas, B/EDragster, 7.619 (-0.481)
10. Clint Neff, Arvada, Colo., C/Dragster, 7.711 (-0.479)


SUPER STOCK

1. Ron Taylor, Lincoln, Neb., SS/NA '56 Nomad, 12.176 (-1.244 seconds under
index)
2. Gene Bichlmeier, Norfolk, Neb., SS/K '66 Chevy II, 11.061 (-1.119)
3. Curtis Dean, Denver, Colo., SS/AM '91 Calis, 9.266 (-1.034)
4. Dave Smith, Kearney, Neb., SS/L '66 Nova, 11.428 (-1.022)
5. Ritch Ahrens, Greeley, Colo., GT/EA '87 Firebird, 10.804 (-1.006)
6. Gary Stinnett, Emporia, Kan., GT/IA '98 Firebird, 11.409 (-0.991)
7. Frank Weaver, Waco, Texas, GT/FA '97 Firebird, 11.030 (-0.940)
8. Gary McGlasson, Cuba, N.M., SS/HA '69 Camaro, 10.811 (-0.939)
9. Tom Cassen, North Platte, Neb., GT/BA '98 Olds, 10.446 (-0.924)
10. Dave Lockridge, Aurora, Colo., SS/GA '67 Nova, 10.799 (-0.901)


STOCK ELIMINATOR

1. Steve Couch, Sidney, Neb., DT/SA '99 Dakota, 13.290 (-1.260 seconds
under index)
2. Fred Rector, Durango, Colo., I/S '72 Nova, 12.268 (-1.212)
3. Chuck Rayburn, Castro Valley, Calif., B/SA '71 Challenger, 11.243
(-1.207)
4. John Gallina, Las Vegas, G/SA '86 Regal, 12.064 (-1.196)
5. Bobby DeArmond, Gallup, N.M., A/SA '69 Camaro, 11.081 (-1.099)
6. Kevin Helms, Byers, Colo., B/S '69 Camaro, 11.307 (-1.093)
7. John Cooper, Laporte, Colo., A/SA '67 Fairlane, 11.128 (-1.052)
8. Bob Johnson, Aurora, Colo., D/SA '67 Mustang, 11.755 (-1.025)
9. John Hladky, Stuart, Neb., G/S '66 Nova, 12.180 (-0.970)
10. Marlin Bogner, Kearney, Neb., B/SA '64 Plymouth, 11.486 (-0.964)
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