Wilson Makes First NHRA Semifinal
Mopar Motorsports NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Matco Tools SuperNationals Notes & Quotes May 19, 2002 TELEVISION TIMES: (ALL TIMES EASTERN) FINAL ROUND: Sun., May 19; 7 10 p.m.; ESPN2 REPEAT: Tues., May 20; 2-4 p.m.; ESPN2 ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. -- Mopar Motorsports NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series teams completed eliminations for this weekend¹s Matco Tools NHRA SuperNationals at the Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. The following are notes and quotes from today¹s qualifying activity. DEAN SKUZA, driver of the Mopar Parts Dodge Stratus R/T An ugly blower explosion resulted in Dean Skuza¹s Dodge Stratus R/T body flying off the chassis in spectacular fashion. The two-time NHRA national event winner fell to Johnny Gray in round one, who also smoked the tires. ³We smoked the tires, I pedaled it, then boom!² said a disappointed Skuza. ³We¹ve run so well this weekend and I thought we had a great shot today. The good news is that I¹m all right and the Stratus body is just a tank.² GENE WILSON, driver of the Mopar Parts Dodge Neon R/T Gene Wilson was pumped about making his first NHRA Pro Stock final-round appearance. The Mopar Parts Dodge Neon R/T driver took a starting-line advantage (.447-.457) on Jeg Coughlin, Jr. in semifinals, but was unable to hold off a 6.794-second lap at 202.27 mph. Wilson logged a 6.833/202.45 combination. ³We had great car this weekend,² Wilson said. ³The win a Budds Creek really gave me and this team some confidence. We¹re making a lot of horsepower with the Hemi. I¹m so happy with what we did this weekend.² Wilson blistered the New Jersey quarter mile with a career-best 6.776-sescond elapsed time at a career-best top speed of 203.40 mph in his second-round victory over Mark Osborne. Wilson defeated Arturo Delgado in round one with another strong 6.883/202.61 combination. LARRY MORGAN, driver of the Mopar Parts Dodge Neon R/T A tell tale plume of smoke spelled the end of Larry Morgan¹s weekend. The blue Mopar Parts Dodge Neon R/T driver fell to Allen Johnson in round one after breaking upon launch. ³I went flat when I did the burnout,² Morgan said. ³When I hit the throttle, it was flat, and I think I broke a valve. I had a pretty good weekend though. We pretty much found our problem with the fuel system. It¹s pretty happy now.² -30- David Harris, Cox Marketing Group Mopar Motorsports NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series davidh@coxmarketinggroup.com (704) 799-2114 office (704) 756-9301 - mobile