NHRA FMDRS: Santos and Alexander are as hot as the weather in Sacramento
21 May 2000
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Sacramento Raceway Park, host to the NHRA
Pacific Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series this weekend, has
finished the qualifying rounds in both Federal-Mogul Dragster and
Federal-Mogul Funny Car categories under clear sky's with hot and humid
weather.
Defending three-time world champion Rick Santos of Brentwood, Calif.,
attempted to better his leading time of 5.519 seconds at 259.46 mph twice
today, but was unable to do so battling with track temperatures in excess
of 130 degrees. Santos' time was untouchable today earning him the $1,000
Winston Top Qualifier Award.
"We tried a different gear and tire combination in the second round today
trying to see what we could do in the heat, but the car still ran a little
slow," said Santos. "We came back with the original setup in the final
qualifying round and it ran well, but the heat has made it tough."
Rod Alexander of Simi Valley, Calif., proved that he's a force to be
reckoned with taking the No. 1 qualifying spot as well as the $1,000
Winston Top Qualifier award with yesterday's quickest pass.
"We took advantage of some ideal conditions last night and were able to
post a great time," said Alexander. "We set up the car as best we could
today, but the heat made it difficult tough to keep the Jackson-Cowdrey
Oldsmobile in my lane and out of the guardrail."
Eliminations begin tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. with gates to Sacramento Raceway
Park opening at 8 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car are scheduled
to run at 1 p.m.
The following are Saturday's final qualifying results from the NHRA
Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Sacramento Raceway Park:
FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Rick Santos, Brentwood, Calif., 5.519 seconds, 259.46 mph vs.
8. Matt Seltzer, Brea, Calif., 6.499, 218.90
2. David Baca, Brentwood, Calif., 5.640, 247.83 vs.
7. Brad Hansen, Custer, Wash., 6.003, 234.86
3. Paul Jones, Stockton, Calif., 5.713, 245.27
6. Steve Faria, Tipton, Calif., 5.848, 245.11
4. Mike Strasburg, Lindon, Utah, 5.756, 243.30 vs
5. Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.792, 245.34
(Alternates)
9. Cliff Bingham, Huntington Beach, Calif., 8.601, 97.91
10. Chris Lane, San Leandro, Calif., 9.427, 96.08
11. Brandon Henkelmen, Santa Jose, Calif., 11.890, 63.16
12. Larry Miersch, Fallbrook, Calif., 15.860, 48.34
13. Gary Anderson, Anaheim, Calif., 19.353, 72.22
FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Rod Alexander, Simi Valley, Calif., 5.772 seconds, 248.82 mph vs.
8. Jason Rupert, Placentia, Calif., 5.997, 217.08
2. John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., 5.801, 252.59 vs.
7. Mert Littlefield, Garden Grove, Calif., 5.991, 239.82
3. Ron August, Danville, Calif., 5.900, 242.38 vs.
6. Brett Williamson, Campbell, Calif., 5.960, 245.00
4. Steven Gasparrelli, Covina, Calif., 5.922, 235.85 vs.
5. Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., 5.956, 245.14
(Alternates)
9. Larry Miner, Woodbridge, Calif., 8.757, 84.89
10. Ed Marx, San Rafael, Calif., 6.097, 232.73
11. Mike Andreotti, Colusa, Calif., 6.136, 233.94
12. John Patton, Peoria, Ariz., 6.212, 232.03
13. James Bartoli, Duarte, Calif., 6.234, 229.77
14. Bob Gallio, Fullerton, Calif., 8.623, 104.39
15. Don Hudson, Stocton, Calif., 6.330, 205.71
COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Ed Sigmon, Chatsworth, Calif., '34 Chevrolet, 8.755 seconds,
(0.605 seconds under Index)
2. Rick Braun, Redlands, Calif., '97 Pontiac, 8.341, (-0.549)
3. Phil Cacuzza, Acton, Calif., '95 Pontiac, 8.079, (-0.541)
4. Larry Hedlund, Irvine, Calif., '95 Camaro, 8.529, (-0.531)
5. Jeff Lane, North Bend, Ore., '34 Chevrolet, 8.235,(-0.525)
6. Jeff Lion, Fresno, Calif., '93 Lumina, 8.647,(-0.523)
7. Craig Schuck, Eugene, Ore., '95 Dragster, 7.498,(-0.512)
8. Fred Gross, La Crescenta, Calif., '96 Pontiac, 8.118, (-0.502)
9. Ed Schuck Jr., Eugene, Ore. '00 Dragster, 7.524,(-0.486)
10. John Chamberlin, Napa, Calif., '88 Dragster, 7.006,(-0.474)
SUPER STOCK
1. Don Studley, Orange Calif., GT/TD '99 Dakota, 10.373 seconds,
(1.377 seconds under Index)
2. Steve Wann, Modesto Calif. GT/TD '98 Dakota, 10.454,(-1.296)
3. Gary Williams, Mariposa, Calif., SS/MA '64 Comet, 11.125,(-1.051)
4. Ron Fruchey, Oxnard, Calif., SS/DX '87 Grand Nat., 8.660,(-0,940)
5. Doug Lambeck, Irvine Calif., SS/BS '92 Camaro, 8.586,(-1.014)
6. Guy Czarniak, Redding, Calif., SS/DA '69 Camaro, 9.583, (-0.917)
7. Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., GT/FA '98 Grand Am, 10.189,(-0.911)
8. Curt Auman, Yorba Linda Calif., SS/AM '90 Baretta, 8.656,(-0.894)
9. Fred Moreno, La Verne, Calif., SS/GA '69 Mustang, 9.981, (-0.869)
10. Jerry Jenkins, Modesto, Calif., SS/DA '70 Barracuda, 9.633,(-0.867)
STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Gary Harper, San Jose, Calif., ET/SA '81 Dodge, 12.157 seconds,
(1.393 seconds under Index)
2. Darren Smith, Palmdale, Calif., DT/SA '98 Dakota, 12.178,(-1.322)
3. Scott Hilton, Sun Valley, Calif., E/S '67 Mustang, 10.690,(-1.260)
4. Tom Roberts, Mira Loma, Calif., J/SA '76 Aspen, 11.647,(-1.103)
5. Don Little, Westley, Calif., A/SA '70 Barracuda, 10.231,(-1.069)
6. Chuck Rayburn, Castro Valley, Calif., B/SA '70 Dodge,10.483,(-1.067)
7. Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., C/SA '70 GTX, 10.636,(-1.064)
8. Dave Irvin, Glendale, Ariz., P/SA '65 Chevelle, 12.708,(-1.042)
9. Jim Meador, Yorba Linda, Calif., F/SA '74 Dodge, 11.135, (-1.015)
10. Rob Youngblood, Nampa, Idaho, D/S '71 Mustang, 10.786, (-1.014)