NHRA: Federal Mogul Rookie Sensation Rob Wendland is at the top of his field
15 August 1999
Scribner, Neb. - The newest sensation to hit Federal-Mogul Dragster
could very well be the In-N-Out Burger race teams of Jerry Darien and Ken
Meadows. The team as a collective has two excellent drivers who are making
their mark on the 1999 NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing series.
The first driver, Rob Wendlend,of Lawrence, Kan. is a rookie who has
recently taken the seat of the blown alcohol dragster that once was driven
by the second, Federal-Mogul Dragster teammate Melanie Troxel, of Denver,
Colo. The blown alcohol dragster is one of two In-N-Out dragsters that are
currently competing in the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series. The
second of the cars is Troxel's A/Fuel, or injected-nitro dragster that she
has run to a fifth place position in the NHRA Federal-Mogul points
standings, and first place in the NHRA Northwest Division standings.
"Rob's rookie season has been amazing," said Mike Troxel, who is
Melanie's father, and Wendland's crew chief. "He is currently ranked ninth
in the national points standings with a few national event wins already
under his belt."
This weekend's NHRA Federal-Mogul event, taking place at Nebraska
Motorplex is another track at which Wendland is showing his skill. After
three sessions of qualifying Wendland is number one on the qualifying
ladder and takes the honor of Wintson Top Qualifier for the Federal-Mogul
Dragster category. If Wendland's winning continues he may join his
teammate, Melanie Troxel, in the top part of the points ladder, an enviable
place for any driver, but especially when both those drivers, who share two
spots in the top five, are teammates.
Other Winston Top Qualifiers of the weekend included Sioux City,
Iowa's Cy Chesterman in Federal-Mogul Funny Car, Tonkawa, Oklahoma's John
Linton in Comp Eliminator, Shorter, Alabama's Bobby Dennis in Super Stock,
and local racer, Fremont, Nebraska's Stewart Triggs in Stock Eliminator.
Eliminations will begin at 8 a.m. Sunday morning with Federal-Mogul
Dragster and Funny Car making their first elimination run at 1 p.m.
The following are the final qualifying results and Sunday's
elimination pairings for Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car, from the
NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Nebraska Motorplex, the
fifth of six events in the NHRA West Central Division:
FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Rob Wendland, Lawrence, Kan., 5.749 seconds elapsed time, 242.71 vs. 8.
Ziggy Zivcovich, Litchfield, Minn., 5.941, 238.72
2. David Wells, Le Mars, Iowa, 5.762, 247.59 vs. 7. Kent Nuckols,
Albuquerque, N.M., 5.888, 240.25
3. Mark Kinser, Grimes, Iowa, 5.801, 248.48 vs. 6. Darryl Hitchman,
Hanford, Calif., 5.830, 240.83
4. Troy Buff, Spring, Texas, 5.811, 241.74 vs. 5. Shelly Howard, Tulsa,
Okla., 5.816, 241.74
(DID NOT QUALIFY)
Calvin Friesen, Headingly, MB, Can., 5.944, 190.83
Billy Bybee, McLean, Texas, 5.983, 237.59
Mike Gebus, Howell, Mich., 6.282, 217.86
Ed Schmeeckle, Gothenburg, Neb., 10.011, 81.09
FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Cy Chesterman, Sioux City, Iowa, '99 Pontiac, 5.959 seconds elapsed
time, 242.13 miles per hour vs. 8. Kurt Prososki, Bellveue, Neb., '96
Daytona, 6.281, 230.59
2. Sam Blue, Red Wing, Minn., '97 Achieva, 6.031, 230.35 vs. 7. Robert
Kanenwisher, Conifer, Colo., '98 Avenger, 6.218, 230.76
3. Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '99 Firebird, 6.064, 239.68 vs. 6. Bruce
Carlson, Prior Lake, Minn., '92 Trans Am, 6.185, 232.07
4. Randy Fleming, Independence, Mo., '97 Firebird, 6.139, 229.41 vs. 5.
Mike Heckert, Pittsburg, '97 Pontiac, 6.139, 229.41
(DID NOT QUALIFY)
Kirk Williams, Glenwood,Iowa, '98 Firebird, 6.313, 235.72
Steve Addleman, Sioux Falls, S.D., '97 Firebird, 6.458, 224.43
Michael Oliver, Evergreen, Colo., '81 Chevy, 7.523, 124.84
COMP ELIMINATOR
1. John Linton, Tonkawa, Okla., D/EDragster, 7.675 (-0.515 seconds under
index)
2. Eloy Lucero, Denver, C/A '95 Mustang, 7.845 (-0.455)
3. John Fairleigh, Scott City, Kan., B/A '97 Firebird, 7.490 (-0.450)
4. Clint Neff, Arvada, Colo., C/Dragster, 7.321 (-0.449)
5. Chad Brownlow, Rochester, Minn., C/Dragster, 7.670 (-0.390)
6. Jason Tinberg, Bonner Springs, Kan., D/EA '97 Oldsmobile, 8.698 (-0.372)
7. Bill Harris, Nebraska City, Neb., F/A '96 Grand Prix, 8.850 (-0.370)
8. Al Bresch, Stonewall, MB, Can., C/SM '92 Camaro, 9.353 (-0.367)
9. Jeff Perrella, Hibbing, Minn., A/EA '32 Bantam, 7.745 (-0.355)
10. Russ Kelly, Omaha, Neb., A/EDragster, 7.091 (-0.349)
SUPER STOCK
1. Bobby Dennis, Shorter, Ala., GT/MA '97 Firehawk, 11.037 (-1.203 seconds
under index)
2. Gary Stinnett, Emporia, Kan., GT/IA '98 Firebird, 10.543 (-1.137)
3. Dan Larson, St. Paul, Minn., SS/KA '85 Camaro, 10.604 (-1.126)
4. Ron Taylor, Lincoln, Neb., SS/MA '69 Chevelle, 11.331 (-1.009)
5. Ritch Ahrens, Greeley, Colo., GT/EA '87 Firebird, 10.141 (-0.979)
6. Jeff Miller, Pearland, Texas, GT/AA, 9.601 (-0.959)
7. Gene Bichlmeier, Norfolk, Neb., SS/K '66 Chevy II, 10.513 (-0.957)
8. Randy Mans, Rogers, Minn., GT/IA '95 Acheiva, 10.730 (-0.950)
9. Dennis Nelson, Hugo, Minn., SS/LA '81 Malibu, 11.022 (-0.908)
10. Jason Lynch, Chapmansboro, Tenn., SS/IA '66 Chevy II, 10.269 (-0.901)
STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Stewart Triggs, Fremont, Neb., GF/S '83 Dodge, 15.789 (-1.471 seconds
under index)
2. Clint Blezien, Bensenville, Ill., O/SA '91 Camaro, 12.292 (-1.368)
3. Bob Shaw, Sedalia, Mo., V/SA '82 Riviera, 14.759 (-1.281)
4. Steve Couch, Sidney, Neb., DT/SA '98 Dakota, 12.609 (-1.101)
5. Delmer Wood, Tulsa, Okla., C/SA '69 Camaro, 10.803 (-1.077)
6. Neal Rhodes, Aurora, Colo., F/SA '67 Fairlane, 11.287 (-1.053)
7. Jay Roeder, Waverly, Iowa, N/SA '89 Mustang, 12.463 (-1.037)
8. Mike Wenke, Conway Springs, Kan., B/SA '69 Mustang, 10.694 (-1.036)
9. Bobby Dennis, Shorter, Ala., U/SA '82 Cutlass, 14.347 (-1.033)
10. Steve Koppien, Sioux Falls, S.D., B/SA '69 Camaro, 10.710 (-1.020)
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