Three Mopars Qualify for CSK Nationals in Pro Stock
Mopar Motorsports NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Checker, Schuck¹s & Kragen NHRA Nationals Firebird International Raceway Chandler, Arizona Qualifying Release Three Mopars Crack the Top 16 in Phoenix Johnson, Stanfield and Alderman Line Up for Tomorrow CHANDLER, Ariz. (Feb. 22, 2003) Allen Johnson leads the Mopar brigade into eliminations for tomorrow¹s Checker Schuck¹s & Kragen NHRA Nationals at Firebird International Raceway. Johnson grabbed the seventh slot with a weekend best elapsed time of 6.851 seconds at 202.93 mph. Teammate Darrell Alderman placed his Hemi-powered machine in the 13th slot, posting a 6.868-second elapsed time at 201.37 mph. The DBP Motorsports Dodge Neon R/T also made the field, managing a 6.865-second lap at 200.95 mph to nab the 12th-qualifying position. ³Lane choice is just huge here,² said Johnson, who has choice in his first round match up with defending Pro Stock World Champion Jeg Coughlin, Jr. ²You just have to make good, consistent runs on the hot and sloppy tracks like we have this weekend. You make conservative decisions and not give it away with tire shake.² ³We have great power and a great team this year,² Johnson added. ³Everybody works really well together. We¹ve done a lot of testing and gotten our ducks in a row.² Alderman will face off against Kurt Johnson in the first round. ³It seems like the initial (part of the run) is a little bit better out there,² Alderman noted. ³But when you get into second gear, it blows the tires off. We just came a hair of having to abort the run and miss the show in that third round. It shook pretty hard. I think the sun is hurting it a little bit out therein second gear.² Despite making the show, Stanfield was not pleased with his performances thus far. The Bossier, La., resident will take on Troy Coughlin in round one. ³We haven¹t been able to get enough clutch in it this weekend,² Stanfield said. ³In the first round of qualifying, we shook real bad. We¹ve backed up in the standing during every round. This is the first time we¹ve run here, so we are trying to get as much information as we can. The track is real loose.² The Stratus R/T entries of Larry Morgan and Gene Wilson didn¹t run as well missing the show this weekend. Wilson clocked a weekend best elapsed time of 6.923 seconds; while Morgan checked in with a 6.949-second pass. -Mopar.com- For more information, contact: Mike Mooney, Cox Marketing Group Account Manager Mopar Motorsports NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series mikem@coxmarketinggroup.com (704) 799-2114 office (704) 906-5818 mobile David Harris, Cox Marketing Group Public Relations Manager Mopar Motorsports NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series davidh@coxmarketinggroup.com (704) 799-2114 office (704) 756-9301 - mobile