Bristol Elimination Notes

 <<Bristol Mopar Eliminations.doc>> 







NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series	    Contact David Harris -
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Bristol Dragway	                      	 		          Team Mopar
NHRA Representative
Saturday Qualifying Notes		                 Mobile :(704)
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Osborne Drives to Semifinal

BRISTOL, Tenn. (April 29, 2001) - Hometown hero Mark Osborne pleased local
family and friends in attendance by making the semifinals of this weekend's
inaugural Thunder Valley NHRA Nationals at the Bristol Dragway.

The Abingdon Va. resident fell to Greg Anderson in the semifinals. Anderson
posted a 6.980-second elapsed time at 197.42 mph and Osborne clocked a
6.995-second lap at 198.23 mph. Osborne advanced to the semifinals by
defeating a red-lighting Ron Krisher on round one and former Pro Stock Truck
rival Brad Jeter in round two.

"We had a great weekend in front of the hometown fans," said Osborne, who
made a final round appearance in the rain-delayed Gatornationals last
weekend. "The guys did an awesome job with the car. I tied Greg (Anderson)
on the tree, but it just wasn't enough. 

"The good news is that we have two Dodge's on top of our game right now,"
continued Osborne, commenting on teammate and three-time Winston Pro Stock
World Champion Darrell Alderman. "We're hoping to go back to the days of an
all Dodge final round. The way this team is running right now - next
weekend's race in Atlanta might just provide for that."

Skuza Drives to Second Round

Dean Skuza drove his Mopar Parts Dodge R/T Nitro Funny Car to the second
round of eliminations. Ten-time Winston Funny Car World Champion John Force
eliminated Skuza. 

Skuza moved into the second round after defeating Tony Bartone in round one.
But Force's 4.949-second elapsed time at 297.29 was quicker than Skuza's
5.075-second pass at 281.07.

"We dropped a cylinder," said Skuza. "After that happened, it spun the tires
and broke the blower belt. I'm happy with the weekend though. The team did a
great job and we're pleased."

Morgan Advances

Larry Morgan wielded his Dodge Motorsports R/T to his first round victory of
the season when first-round opponent Mike Edwards turned on the red light.
The Newark, Ohio native fell to Jim Yates in the second round of
competition.

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Mopar Sunday Eliminations
Page Two

"The track was so bald in the left lane that it blew the tires off it,"
Morgan commented. "This is almost a track where less horsepower is good
because of the lack of traction. When I hit second gear- it just let go.

"I'm pretty happy with the weekend though," Morgan said. "We're getting the
Dodge R/T dialed in, but I can't wait for the new Pro Stock Neons."

Knocking Off the Johnson Brigade

Future Mopar Parts-sponsored driver Rickie Smith outran Warren Johnson in
the first round and Kurt Johnson in the second round en route to his first
semifinal of the season.

The King, N.C. resident lost to Jim Yates in the third round, despite
posting a solid 6.987-second elapsed time at 198.23 mph. Smith defeated
Warren Johnson with a (.438-.459) starting line advantage and a (.424-.471)
start against Kurt Johnson.

"We had a great weekend," said Smith. "I can't complain about knocking out
two of the best driver in the business. I drove well today and the car is
making some nice horsepower."



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