Skuza Drives to Second Round

> Mopar Motorsports
> NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series
> O¹Reilly Summer Nationals
> Notes & Quotes ­ May 25, 2002
> 
> TELEVISION TIMES: (ALL TIMES EASTERN)
> FINAL ROUND:   Sun., May 26; 3:00­ 6:00 p.m.; ESPN (Live)
> FINAL ROUND:  Sun., May 26; 8:30-10:20 p.m.; ESPN2 (Rebroadcast)
> REPEAT:        Fri., May 31; 4-6 a.m.; ESPN2
> 
> TOPEKA, Kan. -- Mopar Motorsports NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series teams
> completed eliminations for this weekend¹s O¹Reilly Summer Nationals at
> Heartland Park Topeka.
> 
> The following are notes and quotes from today¹s qualifying activity.
> 
> DEAN SKUZA, driver of the Mopar Parts Dodge Stratus R/T
> 
> Dean Skuza made it to the second round of competition before falling to Tim
> Wilkerson. The Mopar Parts Dodge Stratus R/T driver clocked a 5.040-second
> elapsed time at 296.57 mph, but Wilkerson ran a 4.946-second lap at 309.56
> mph.
> 
> ³We were real good down low,² Skuza said. ³The car gave up a little as we went
> down the track. We¹re on the right track and I look for big things at next
> weekend¹s Chicagoland Dodge Dealers NHRA Nationals.²
> 
> Skuza defeated Ron Capps in the first round of eliminations, after running a
> 4.974-second lap at 306.46. mph.
> 
> GENE WILSON, driver of the Mopar Parts Dodge Neon R/T
> 
> Mark Whisnant knocked out Gene Wilson, driver of the Mopar Parts Dodge Neon
> R/T, in the first round of eliminations. Whisnant clicked off a 6.916-second
> lap at 199.29 mph, which was quicker than Wilson¹s 6.928/199.37, combination.
> 
> ³We had identical reaction times,² Wilson said. ³We slipped a little in that
> right lane had he got me at the top end. The team has been doing a great job
> and we¹ll get them at the next one.²
> 
> DARRELL ALDERMAN, driver of the Mopar Parts Dodge Neon R/T
> 
> The red light flashed and Darrell Alderman¹s day ended in round one. The
> three-time POWERade Pro Stock World Champion fell to J.R. Carr.
> 
> ³When I went wide open, my foot slipped off the clutch,² said a disappointed
> Alderman. ³There really isn¹t much more to say.
> 
> -30-
> 
> David Harris, Cox Marketing Group
> Mopar Motorsports
> NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series
> davidh@coxmarketinggroup.com
> (704) 799-2114 ­ office
> (704) 756-9301 - mobile
>